Support for teenagers when food, body image or exercise is becoming harder to manage.
I offer online eating disorder therapy for teenagers and young people, with an approach shaped around the individual rather than a fixed programme. Parents can also contact me if you are worried and are not sure what the next step should be.
You do not need to have a diagnosis before asking for help.
Sometimes a teenager will tell you directly that they are struggling. Other times, you may simply notice that food, exercise, body image or routines seem to be taking up more space than they used to.
It can be difficult to know whether you are overreacting, whether to wait, or what kind of support would even be appropriate. You do not need to answer all of those questions before making contact.
You can tell me a little about what you have noticed and I can let you know whether the support I offer may be a suitable next step.
Sometimes the changes are obvious. Sometimes they are not.
Every young person is different. These are some of the areas that may be part of the conversation when food, body image or exercise has become difficult.
Food feels stressful
Anxiety, rules, avoidance, guilt or a growing amount of thought and planning around eating.
Body image is taking over
Increasing distress around appearance, weight, shape, comparison or how the body is perceived by other people.
Exercise has become complicated
Training, movement or activity may begin to feel driven by rules, guilt, pressure or the need to compensate.
Something just feels different
Sometimes there is no neat explanation. You may simply notice withdrawal, new routines, distress or that your teenager does not seem like themselves.
The young person still has to be a person, not a problem to fix.
My approach is integrative, mainly drawing from person-centred and psychodynamic therapy. That means the work is shaped around the individual teenager, their circumstances and what is actually useful to them.
I do not expect every teenager with an eating disorder to need the same kind of therapy.
We can look at what is happening now as well as relationships, experiences and patterns that may be relevant.
I work collaboratively and can offer structure or challenge when that is useful.
Therapy does not have a fixed length. The work can develop as the young person's needs change.
Being worried does not mean you have to have all the answers.
Watching someone you care about struggle with food or their body can leave you unsure of what to say, what not to say and whether you are doing the right thing. Making contact can simply be a first step in understanding whether I may be the right person to support your teenager.
For some teenagers, neurodivergence is part of the picture too.
ADHD, autism and other forms of neurodivergence can affect sensory experience, routines, identity and relationships with food. A teenager does not need a formal diagnosis for us to be curious about whether neurodivergence may be relevant to their experience.
Explore ADHD + Autism Support →This might include...
- Sensory preferences or aversions around food.
- Strong routines or difficulty with unexpected change.
- Masking, overwhelm or difficulty understanding internal cues.
- Questions around identity, diagnosis or feeling different from peers.
What happens when you contact me?
Send a short message
You do not need to explain everything. Tell me who you are contacting about and a little about what has been happening.
I will let you know whether the enquiry fits my practice
I keep my work intentionally focused and will be clear about whether I may be the right person to support the young person.
Sessions are online via Zoom
I work fully online across the UK and try to keep scheduling flexible around school, college, work, sport and other commitments.
Specialist eating disorder counselling with the individual kept at the centre.
I am an integrative therapist with a Postgraduate Diploma in Counselling Studies from the University of Edinburgh. My additional training includes eating disorders, mental health and adverse childhood experiences, and I have worked in school, mental health and therapy settings.
More about Sara + training →You can contact me before you know exactly what support they need.
Tell me a little about what you have noticed and I can let you know whether my approach may be suitable.