Psychotherapy and Eating Disorders

Psychotherapy at The London Centre

Understanding patterns, emotions, and relationships to support lasting change
Psychotherapy is a specialist form of talking therapy that helps individuals explore the emotional, relational, and developmental factors that shape how they think, feel, and behave. At The London Centre, psychotherapy and eating disorders are closely linked, and psychotherapy is often a valuable part of treatment for eating disorders, body image concerns, and related difficulties such as anxiety, depression, trauma, and perfectionism.

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Where therapies such as CBT-E, MANTRA or DBT focus on structure, skills, and present-day change, psychotherapy provides space to look more deeply at the emotional experiences and relational patterns that sit underneath current symptoms. For many people, this helps to create long-term, meaningful shifts in how they understand themselves and respond to distress.

psychotherapy EXPLAINED

How Psychotherapy Differs From Psychology

Psychotherapy

  • Delivered by trained psychotherapists, therapists, or psychologists with additional psychotherapy qualifications.
  • Focuses on emotional experiences, underlying patterns, relationships, and early life experiences.
  • The therapist works collaboratively with you to understand the roots of difficulties, how they are maintained, and how new ways of relating to yourself and others can be developed.
  • Can be open-ended or time-limited depending on need.

Psychology

  • Delivered by HCPC-registered psychologists (Clinical, Counselling, or Health Psychologists)..
  • Involves assessment, formulation, and evidence-based interventions such as CBT-E, MANTRA, EMDR, CFT, and DBT-informed work.
  • Often focuses on structured therapeutic frameworks, measurable change, and skills-based or behavioural interventions.

1.25M

people living with an eating disorder

At The London Centre, psychotherapy and psychology sit alongside each other.
 Both are evidence-based, both contribute to recovery, and many of our clinicians are trained in more than one approach. The right option for you depends on your history, presenting concerns, therapeutic goals, and personal preference. Your clinician will discuss this with you as part of a comprehensive assessment.

46%

of Adults feel unhappy about their appearance

interpersonal psychotherapy eating disorders represented by a painting
Types of Psychotherapy We Offer

Psychodynamic Psychotherapy

Psychodynamic work explores how past relationships, attachment experiences, and early emotional environments influence present-day feelings, behaviours, and patterns around food and the body.
Psychodynamic psychotherapy and eating disorders are often closely connected, particularly where difficulties feel long-standing, repetitive, or hard to make sense of.

This approach may support you to:

  • Understand how unconscious patterns influence eating disorder symptoms
  • Identify relational or emotional triggers for restriction, bingeing, or compensatory behaviours
  • Explore self-criticism, shame, or perfectionism
  • Develop a more compassionate and coherent sense of self

psychotherapy and eating disorders represented by a journal
IPT

Interpersonal Psychotherapy (IPT)

Interpersonal Psychotherapy is a structured, time-limited approach recommended by NICE for several mental health difficulties and commonly used as interpersonal psychotherapy for eating disorders.
IPT focuses on how relationships, life transitions, grief, and communication patterns affect mood, self-esteem, and symptoms around eating. IPT can help you to:

  • Improve relationship patterns that reinforce distress
  • Navigate conflict, communication difficulties, or social anxiety
  • Build emotional support and connection
  • Understand the link between interpersonal stress and eating disorder behaviours
Personalised Care

What to Expect From Psychotherapy

Every therapeutic plan at The London Centre is tailored to the individual, but psychotherapy typically includes:

A collaborative assessment

You and your clinician will explore your history, current challenges, and goals for treatment. This helps identify whether psychodynamic psychotherapy, interpersonal psychotherapy, or a combined approach for eating disorders may be most helpful.

Regular, consistent sessions

Psychotherapy usually takes place weekly, offering a predictable space to reflect, process emotions, and develop insight. Some people engage in a longer-term process; for others, a shorter course may be appropriate.

Exploration of emotional and relational patterns

Sessions aim to deepen understanding of how past experiences and present-day stresses relate to symptoms, including restriction, binge eating, body checking, or avoidance.

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Working gently with feelings that may be hard to talk about

Many individuals with eating disorders struggle with expressing needs, tolerating emotions, or feeling understood by others. Psychotherapy provides a safe, confidential space to develop these skills.

Integration with the wider multidisciplinary team

Where needed, psychotherapy sits alongside other interventions such as CBT-E, dietetics, psychiatry, EMDR, or occupational therapy. We will always ensure that your treatment is cohesive, supportive, and clinically appropriate.

psychotherapy and eating disorders represented by an abstract image

When Psychotherapy May Be Recommended

Psychotherapy may be particularly helpful if you are experiencing:

  • Long-standing patterns of self-criticism, shame, or relational difficulties
  • Repeated cycles of eating disorder symptoms linked to emotions or interpersonal stress
  • Difficulties identifying or expressing feelings
  • A sense of disconnection from yourself or your body
  • Experiences of early adversity, trauma, or attachment difficulties
  • Episodes of low mood, anxiety, or identity confusion alongside eating disorder symptoms

It is also appropriate for individuals who have made progress using structured therapeutic models but feel they need to explore deeper emotional themes to sustain recovery.

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Next Steps

If you are considering psychotherapy as part of your recovery, our team can help you understand which approach may be most appropriate. We offer confidential, compassionate assessments and will guide you towards the treatment pathway best suited to your needs. To book an assessment or speak with a member of our team, please get in touch.

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FAQs

FAQs About Psychotherapy for Eating Disorders

Sometimes. Many clients benefit from combining structured psychological therapy with a more exploratory psychotherapeutic space, though this is not always recommended and so should always be discussed with your clinician.

Only when it feels helpful and relevant. Psychotherapy does not require you to revisit difficult memories before you are ready.

Duration varies. Some people benefit from a defined period of interpersonal psychotherapy for eating disorders; others engage in longer-term psychodynamic psychotherapy. Your clinician will guide this with you.

Yes. Psychotherapy (including psychodynamic and interpersonal models) is supported by a strong evidence base, including in the treatment of eating disorders and related mood and relational difficulties.