Is Private Therapy the Right Fit for You if You’re Living with Anorexia or Restrictive Eating?

As a trauma-informed therapist working with eating disorders, I’ve been reflecting recently on how to support clients with restrictive eating in a way that’s compassionate, collaborative, and transparent.

I work independently in private practice, which means I’m not part of a full multidisciplinary team like you might find in an NHS Eating Disorder Service. I do have a trusted network of clinicians I work alongside—including GPs, psychiatrists, and dietitians—but this is not quite the same level of medical oversight and support you’d receive in a specialist service.

That said, I also know from firsthand experience (as a former NHS ED clinician) that not everyone feels safe or supported in those settings. Services can feel highly medicalised, rigid, and often aren’t set up to be trauma-informed, neurodivergent-affirming, or gender-inclusive. Many people carry real hurt and institutional trauma from these systems, which can make reaching out for help again feel deeply complex.

My hope is that private therapy can offer a different kind of space—gentler, more person-centred, and grounded in safety and connection.

Balancing Compassion with Clinical Responsibility

While my approach is non-pathologising and deeply rooted in trauma-informed principles, I also carry the responsibility of working safely within the limits of private practice.

Some health risks associated with anorexia—such as fainting, heart complications, or severe malnutrition—can be life-threatening. Anorexia still holds the highest mortality rate of all mental health conditions, and it’s something I take very seriously.

To work together safely, I need to have a good sense of where you’re at physically and emotionally. If your body is in a semi-starved state, it can be incredibly difficult to engage in therapeutic work beyond stabilisation. You deserve support that honours your full wellbeing—body, mind, and nervous system.

That’s why I have a simple intake process for anyone seeking support for anorexia or restrictive eating, to help us both decide whether private therapy is the right fit at this time.

How to Know if Private Therapy Is the Right Fit for You

Here are a few things to consider before starting therapy with me:

✅ Medical Stability

Private therapy is most effective when your body is stable enough for outpatient support. If you've recently been in hospital, or you’re experiencing physical symptoms such as fainting, heart palpitations, or extreme fatigue, you may need more intensive medical or nutritional support alongside therapy.

✅ Emotional Readiness

Therapy can bring up big feelings, and it’s important that you feel safe enough to sit with discomfort and process emotions. If you're currently in a very distressed state, having intrusive thoughts, or finding it difficult to tolerate uncertainty, you may benefit from the additional containment of a wider support team.

✅ Support System

Outpatient therapy works best when you have supportive people around you—or you're open to building a network that includes your GP, a dietitian, or a psychiatrist if needed. You don’t have to have it all figured out—we can explore this together.

If you're unsure whether private therapy is right for you right now, we can talk through your options. My goal is always to help you find the kind of support that truly meets your needs.

What I’ll Ask You Before We Start Therapy

To make sure therapy is safe and appropriate, I’ll ask a few gentle but important questions when you first reach out. These help me understand your current situation and whether this is the right time and setting for us to work together.

Here’s a preview of the intake questions:

Medical Considerations

Have you had a medical check-up in the last 3 months?
Have you been cleared by a GP or specialist for outpatient therapy?
Are you currently under the care of a doctor, psychiatrist, or dietitian?
Have you had any recent hospitalisations related to your eating disorder?
Do you experience symptoms like dizziness, fainting, or heart palpitations?

Your Relationship with Food & Body

Have you received any diagnoses related to eating difficulties?
Do you currently engage in any restrictive eating, bingeing, purging, or compensatory behaviours?
Are there particular thoughts, fears, or rules that make eating difficult for you?
How would you describe your relationship with your body right now?

Psychological Wellbeing

Have you had thoughts of self-harm or suicide recently?
Are you currently taking any medications for mental health?
Do you experience intense distress around food or body image?
Are you able to engage in therapy sessions even when things feel tough?

Support System & Daily Life

Do you have supportive people around you?
Are you open to working with additional professionals if needed?
What would you most hope to gain from therapy?

A Note From Me to You

I know that starting therapy—especially if you've had difficult experiences in the past—can feel daunting. I want you to know that I will always treat your story with care and dignity. If we work together, we’ll go at your pace. Safety, collaboration, and compassion are at the heart of everything I do.

If you'd like to explore therapy with me, or you’re unsure and want to talk it through, you’re welcome to get in touch by email. I’m always happy to hear from you.

Warmly,

Becky Grace

Feel Good Norfolk Network - Photography by Nathan Eve Photography