Support for binge eating disorder
Many people living with binge eating disorder describe feeling stuck in cycles they do not understand and cannot seem to break. Binge eating is often followed by intense guilt, shame, or self-criticism, leaving people feeling frustrated with themselves and unsure why change feels so difficult.
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Binge eating disorder is not about a lack of willpower. It is frequently linked to emotional distress, long-standing patterns of dieting or restriction, and using food as a way to cope with overwhelming feelings. Over time, these patterns can begin to dominate daily life, thoughts, and self-esteem.
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We provide specialist, online support for binge eating disorder across the UK. Our approach is compassionate, non-judgemental, and clinically informed, focusing on understanding what drives binge eating and helping people develop safer, more sustainable ways of responding to distress.
What is binge eating disorder?
Binge eating disorder (BED) is an eating disorder where episodes of eating feel driven, automatic, or difficult to stop, and are followed by significant emotional distress. Unlike some other eating disorders, binge eating disorder does not involve regular compensatory behaviours such as purging or restriction, but it can still have a serious impact on physical health, emotional wellbeing, and self-esteem.
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Many people with binge eating disorder describe eating as a way of coping with difficult emotions, stress, or exhaustion. Over time, eating can become one of the main ways of managing feelings, even when it no longer brings relief. This can lead to a painful cycle of eating, self-blame, and attempts to “do better”, which often make the problem feel worse rather than better.
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Binge eating disorder is not a failure of willpower or discipline. It is influenced by a combination of psychological, emotional, and biological factors, including dieting history, stress, trauma, and difficulties with emotion regulation. Because of stigma and misunderstanding, many people live with BED for years before realising that specialist support is available.
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Understanding what is driving binge eating is an important first step towards change.
If you are unsure whether this describes your situation, a short free call can help clarify the next step. Ask about support
How binge eating disorder can affect daily life
Physical and cognitive impact
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Fluctuating energy levels and fatigue
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Disrupted sleep or irregular daily routines
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Physical discomfort related to eating patterns
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Difficulty concentrating or staying present
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Avoidance of social situations or activities
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Reduced confidence in work, study, or everyday life
Emotional and relational impact
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Persistent shame, guilt, or self-blame after eating
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Feeling out of control around food despite strong intentions to change
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Ongoing frustration, hopelessness, or low self-esteem
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Anxiety about eating, weight, or being judged by others
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Using food to cope with stress, exhaustion, or difficult emotions
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Feeling stuck in cycles that feel hard to understand or break
How we support people with binge eating disorder
Support for binge eating disorder needs to move away from ideas of willpower or control. Many people seeking help have already tried to “do better” repeatedly, often leaving them feeling stuck, ashamed, or frustrated with themselves.
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Our work focuses on understanding what binge eating is doing for you, not just trying to stop it. For many people, binge eating develops as a way of coping with stress, emotional overload, or long periods of restriction and self-criticism. Change becomes possible when these pressures are addressed directly.
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Support is paced and non-judgemental. Rather than rigid plans or rules, we help people reduce shame, rebuild trust around eating, and develop safer ways of responding to difficult emotions in everyday life.
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All support is delivered online by clinicians experienced in treating binge eating disorder.
Our clinical approach to binge eating disorder
Our clinical approach to binge eating disorder focuses on reducing shame, stabilising eating patterns, and addressing the emotional and psychological factors that drive binge eating, rather than trying to impose control or restriction.
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We recognise that many people with binge eating disorder have a long history of dieting, self-criticism, and feeling at odds with their bodies. Treatment therefore aims to move away from rigid rules and towards a more sustainable, compassionate relationship with food and eating.
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Care is evidence-based and individualised. We work at a pace that feels manageable, with a focus on understanding triggers, building emotional regulation skills, and supporting changes that can be maintained in everyday life.
These approaches are helpful because they focus on understanding the function binge eating serves, rather than treating it as a behaviour to eliminate. By addressing emotional drivers, rebuilding internal awareness, and reducing self-blame, people are better supported to make changes that feel more sustainable and manageable in everyday life.
Our approach may inlcude:
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Integrative psychotherapy, allowing flexibility to respond to emotional, cognitive, and behavioural factors
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Brief Strategic Therapy (BST) to explore how attempts to control eating can unintentionally maintain binge cycles and emotional distress
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Cognitive Behavioural Therapy for Eating Disorders (CBT-E) to identify and gently challenge thought patterns that trigger or sustain binge eating
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Emotion regulation strategies to support safer ways of responding to stress, overwhelm, or difficult feelings without relying on food
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Mindful and interoceptive eating approaches to help rebuild awareness of hunger, fullness, and internal cues
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Trauma-informed psychological work where past experiences are contributing to current eating patterns
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Self-compassion-focused work to reduce shame, self-criticism, and the all-or-nothing cycles that often increase relapse risk
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Food and nutrition psychoeducation, focused on regular eating and understanding meal composition
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Dietetic support, aimed at stabilising eating patterns rather than restriction
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Psychological work on emotion regulation and self-criticism, which commonly underpin binge eating
Ensuring care is safe and appropriate
Our service provides specialist, outpatient psychological and dietetic support for people with binge eating disorder who are able to engage in online care.
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Many people with binge eating disorder can be safely supported in an outpatient setting. Our service is suitable for individuals who are medically stable and able to attend regular sessions, with any physical health monitoring overseen by their GP, NHS team, or another appropriate medical provider outside of our clinic.
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We do not provide physical examinations or medical monitoring. If there are significant medical concerns, urgent risk, or a need for more intensive support, we will help individuals consider alternative services that may be more appropriate.
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Suitability is always considered on an individual basis by our multidisciplinary team, with safety, wellbeing, and the right level of care as the priority.
Starting support with us
Step 1: Talk things through
The first step is a short, free call with a non-clinical member of our team. This is a space to talk things through, ask questions, and explore whether support might be helpful for you.
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During the call, we can explain how our service works, what options may be available, and answer practical questions about fees and next steps. There is no expectation to commit to anything at this stage.
Step 2: Speak with a specialist
If it feels right to go ahead, the next step is an initial online consultation with one of our Clinical Directors. This session focuses on understanding what has been happening around eating, emotional wellbeing, and any relevant background, including previous attempts to manage the problem.
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Together, you will consider whether outpatient, online support is appropriate and what kind of approach may be most helpful.
Step 3: Planning ongoing support
Following the initial consultation, recommendations are discussed collaboratively. This may include ongoing support, further assessment, or guidance on alternative options if a different level of care would be more appropriate.
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Decisions are made at a pace that feels manageable, with a focus on what is realistic and sustainable in everyday life.
You don’t need to manage this alone
Many people with binge eating disorder feel they should be able to sort things out by themselves. Over time, this can make difficulties feel heavier and more isolating, especially when repeated efforts to change don’t seem to work.
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Seeking support is not a failure or a last resort. It is a way of stepping out of cycles that have become hard to manage alone and having space to understand what is really going on, without judgement.
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Whether you are thinking about support for yourself or considering options for someone else, you deserve care that is respectful, informed, and focused on helping things feel more manageable.
Get support for binge eating disorder
Whether you are seeking support for yourself or for someone you care about, we are here to help you think through the next steps at a pace that feels right. You do not need to have everything worked out before reaching out.
The free call is with a non-clinical team member and is a chance to ask questions about services, fees, and next steps.