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What type of counselling?

6 replies

TheStirrer · 24/05/2022 18:44

After being fat all my life and being fed up of dieting and putting all back on and more I have decided to get some counselling. Food has always been an emotional crutch for me and I need to break it but I bewildered by the different types of counselling and how to find a good one.
If anyone has successfully cracked binge eating via counselling, what type of counselling did you have and how did you find a good counsellor?

OP posts:
Mulhollandmagoo · 24/05/2022 18:48

I don't know, but I'm in the exact same boat as you, I worked really hard to lose weight at the start of the pandemic using a calorie deficit, and to be honest it's been great, but I do still have binges and they're a huge problem for me. Like you food is a crutch, it's an addiction and it does take over your life.

Maybe message a few of the counselors and explain what it is you want and see what they come back with.

milkysmum · 24/05/2022 18:56

I'd try looking at someone with training in something like compassion focussed therapy ( CFT).

vrubbishnamechange · 24/05/2022 19:51

NC for this but I am having CBT and ACT (acceptance and commitment therapy) for binge eating and it's made the most difference ever for me, after 20 years of binge eating and plenty of previous therapy.

This is a good, free resource my therapist shared with me: https://www.cci.health.wa.gov.au/Resources/Looking-After-Yourself/Disordered-Eating

I've also been working on identifying and moving closer to my values using some of the Happiness Trap resources, which has also helped me shift my focus and see my life in a more rounded way: https://thehappinesstrap.com/upimages/TheCompleteeHappinessTrappWorksheets.pdf.pdf

One of the most useful things I've found (although it's taken me many weeks to implement) is the idea of having two choices - choice A binge, choice B don't binge right now. It has always felt like a compulsion to me but the therapy has helped me come to understand I do have a choice and be able to find that microgap between the thought and the action, and build that gap into a pause, and that pause into space to make a decision.

Hope you find the right fit for you, I honestly believed I was doomed and now I feel I have a positive future free from binge eating. Good luck!

milkysmum · 24/05/2022 21:05

Excellent advice from poster above, and I would agree with having a look at the CCI resources- they really are very good.

TheStirrer · 24/05/2022 21:10

Thanks for the responses.
it’s nice to know others are also have the same issues. I will definitely have a link at the resources above and contact a few therapists to discuss options.

OP posts:
Cottagepieandpeas · 24/05/2022 21:46

Thank you OP for starting this thread and to those who have given such helpful advice.
I'm in a really bad place at the moment with my eating and need some help but can't afford therapy at the moment.
I will look at the resources posted.

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