Eating disorder services

Not always. NHS Talking Therapies (IAPT) accepts self-referrals for common issues like anxiety and depression — no GP visit needed. For specialist NHS care (CMHT, psychiatry) you usually do need a GP referral. Private therapists and psychiatrists accept patients directly.

NHS support is free but waiting lists for talking therapies and specialist services can be long, and session counts are often capped. Private support typically starts within days or weeks, lets you choose your therapist, and isn't limited by NHS commissioning rules — but you pay per session.

It depends on what you're looking for: counsellors and psychotherapists help with talking-based support; clinical psychologists handle complex or trauma-related work; psychiatrists are medical doctors who can prescribe medication. Check each provider's regulator (BACP, UKCP, BPS, GMC) on their profile.

Yes — UK therapists are bound by their regulator's ethics framework, which requires confidentiality except in specific safeguarding situations (risk of serious harm to you or others). Your therapist will explain the limits at your first session.

If you or someone else is in immediate danger, call 999. For urgent mental health support: call NHS 111 and select option 2 for mental health, call Samaritans on 116 123 (free, 24/7), or text SHOUT to 85258. This site is for finding routine support, not crisis care.

Not usually. For most NHS eating disorder services, you need a GP referral. Some services accept self-referrals in certain areas, but this is not standard. Your GP can assess you, arrange any necessary physical health checks, and refer you to a specialist eating disorder service.

The main eating disorders are anorexia nervosa (restricting food intake and/or excessive exercise), bulimia nervosa (binge eating followed by purging), binge eating disorder (recurring episodes of eating large amounts without purging), and ARFID (avoidant/restrictive food intake disorder, where limited food intake is not driven by body image concerns). Other specified feeding or eating disorders (OSFED) is also a recognised diagnosis for presentations that do not fit neatly into one category.

It depends on the specific eating disorder. For anorexia, NICE recommends specialist therapies including MANTRA, SSCM, or CBT-ED. For bulimia, CBT-BN is the first-line treatment. For binge eating disorder, guided self-help based on CBT principles is recommended first, with full CBT if self-help is not enough. Treatment often includes dietary support alongside psychological therapy.

Eating disorders involve complex physical and psychological factors that require specialist expertise. A general therapist or counsellor without eating disorder training is unlikely to provide effective treatment and could inadvertently cause harm. If you think you have an eating disorder, seek a provider with specific eating disorder qualifications and experience.

Yes. Eating disorders affect people of all genders. Men and boys are underdiagnosed because eating disorders are often perceived as conditions that primarily affect women. If you are a man or boy experiencing difficulties with eating, body image, or exercise, you deserve the same specialist support.

Encourage them to speak to their GP. The National Alliance for Eating Disorders helpline can also offer guidance for concerned family members and friends. Avoid commenting on their weight or appearance, and try to focus on how they are feeling rather than what they are eating. Early intervention makes a significant difference in eating disorder recovery.