Comfort Eating Therapy in Manchester

Comfort Eating Therapy

So much can be attached to our eating habits, our weight and appearance, that the pressure can be massive. Comfort eating is also referred to as “emotional eating” and happens when there is a trigger in place meaning there is a relationship between an emotional state and food. I take a different approach to comfort eating therapy in that we deal with the underlying issues first and then do techniques to deal with the symptoms associated to the actual cravings and routine of the comfort eating.

So often we will get a craving which is unexplainable and yet somehow, when we eat, we feel just for those moments, a sense of relief or pleasure or comfort that nothing else can give us.

Comfort eating can be considered somewhat of a joke to many people who don’t have the issue but it is serious, embarrassing and can be very distressing. Unfortunately this also means we tend to try and hide it which compounds the problem and creates a feeling of shame around the whole behaviour. This is why the comfort eating therapy work we do is only on a one to one basis as most people do not want to attend group sessions.

The more clients tend to try and “resist” and change the behaviour  the worse it can sometimes get and this also then can start serious disorders like Binge Eating Disorder and Bulimia.

I don’t believe in this entire “relationship with food” theory which has been bandied about for the last few years as our brains don’t work like this. In essence our behaviour stems from a trigger which the brain associates with the way you are feeling or some other common element and a time at some point when this was associated with eating or a type of food which gave you relief or some sanctuary from the way you were feeling or the situation. This then becomes an automated response when you encounter the same situation or emotional state again.

Comfort Eating Therapy Approach

The approach I take with clients is two fold. On one level we find the associations and attachments to the behaviour and work through changing them and on another level you are also given very practical steps you can undertake yourself between sessions to embed the new behaviour and divert the old one.

So this is a two pronged attack!

Information on other eating disorders are here:

 Binge Eating Therapy

 Compulsive Overeating Therapy

 Bulimia Therapy

 Anorexia Therapy

 Exercise Anorexia Therapy

Eating Disorders in Sport Therapy

If you would like to talk candidly about this and without judgement and start to change the behaviour and take control then please contact me and I can arrange for an informal conversation to decide if my approach is right for you.

Please fill in the enquiry form below and I will reply to you soon and begin the journey of change.

Appointment Request