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Deciding to get support is a huge step in your binge eating recovery. Because you’re reading this I’m assuming that you’re at least considering help and I’m so happy that you’re here!
I know it can also be quite an overwhelming step. There are so many different people offering different types of support that it can be hard to figure out where to start or what’s going to be best.
That’s what this guide is about - looking at the main types of binge eating recovery support so that you can more easily decide what is going to be right for you.
First things first: get specific
Before we look at the different levels and types of support, it’s worth knowing that there are many great coaches, therapists and counsellors out there, all with their different areas of interest and expertise. This means that not everyone is going to be equipped with the knowledge and tools to help you with your binge eating recovery. And that’s okay! We needn’t expect every facilitator to be able to help with every concern.
In my experience, I’ve found that binge eating help is actually quite niched. There is sometimes well-meaning advice given such as “completely avoid the foods that trigger your binges” or “follow this diet to lose weight” which can be quite damaging to recovery.
Therefore I recommend working with someone who specialises in binge eating, or at the very least has had significant experience in this area.
There are lots of people like myself who solely help people with binge eating. But if there is a particular therapist for example who you’ve worked with in the past or feel drawn to, don’t be afraid to ask them about their experience and the techniques they use.
Next, get even more specific!
What type of support is for you? The main three
Okay, you’ve now got an idea of what you specifically want help with, let’s get into the three main types of support on offer for binge eating.
Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)
Cognitive Behaviour Therapy is a type of talking therapy that helps you become aware of and deal positively with the underlying thoughts and feelings that are causing you to binge eat. The aim is to teach you ways to change your more unhelpful patterns and improve the way you feel.
CBT very much focuses on where you’re at in your journey right now. It helps you to recognise your day to day challenges and shows you how to break them down so they’re more manageable. For example, you may learn helpful steps that you can take when you’re feeling insecure about your body.
If you are referred for help by your GP in the UK, it’s likely that you’ll be receiving some kind of self-paced programme based on CBT or group CBT sessions.
Counselling
Counselling like CBT is talking focused but is often less directive. Counsellors are usually great question askers and listeners, asking open questions to encourage you to understand yourself better.
For example, they may ask you questions about what tends to happen before you experience binge urges, so you can begin to recognise patterns within yourself. From this, you can more easily choose a different route when you notice a particular pattern coming up for you.
A counsellor may offer you techniques or advise you on steps to take, but they are not there to tell you what you should think or do. With their guidance, you are able to find your own path forward and away from binge eating.
Coaching
Other types of support
Somatic Therapy
‘Soma’ is the Ancient Greek word for body. Where CBT and counselling predominantly work with your mind, somatic therapies focus on your body. This can be anything from helping you to calm and take control of your nervous system in those moments you want to binge, or release emotional tension held in your body.
Somatic Therapy includes many practices such as breathwork, meditation, yoga, shaking, tapping and dance. Many types of facilitators may include somatic therapies within their sessions, or you can look to work specifically with a somatic therapist who specialises in binge eating.
Nutritional Therapy
It might be helpful to work with a nutritionist if alongside binge eating you also have other conditions such as digestive or hormonal issues. They’ll be able to run tests to help find out what’s going on with you and equip you with personal dietary and lifestyle advice to help with your overall wellbeing.
It’s helpful to be aware that nutritional advice can trigger binges. So if you think it would be helpful to work with a nutritional therapist, make sure that you work with someone who truly understands binge eating.
Hypnotherapy
Hypnosis is when you’re put into a trance-like state where you are highly focused and suggestible. It’s all about working with your subconscious mind and reprogramming unhelpful thoughts, beliefs and behavioural patterns. In terms of binge eating, this can be really helpful for getting to and healing the root causes of your bingeing.
There are of course other types of support that you can receive to help you with your binge eating recovery, what I’ve included here are some of the most common and beneficial paths.
Finding “the one”
I hope this guide helps you to make an informed decision about what kind of support will best help you in your binge eating recovery. You may even decide to work with more than one type of facilitator for a multi-faceted approach.
What I believe is most important is that no matter whether you decide to work with a counsellor, therapist, coach or someone else, you feel like the specific person is a good fit for
you.
And only you can decide whether they are or not…
When you come across someone who you think could be for you, I recommend you follow them online for a little while; sign up for their emails, watch their videos and browse their website. Get a feel for them, what they offer and how they can help you.
After a while, you might see that this person may not be for you, or you’ll get a “yes - this person is speaking my language and I want their help!”
What’s important is that you listen to that yes, you reach out to them or their team and you take that next step ❤️
