Eating Disorder Recovery in Brisbane

To those seeking eating disorder support in Brisbane,

If you’re reading this, you may be feeling vulnerable, uncertain, or even overwhelmed.  I want you to know: you are not alone. Reaching out for help is an act of courage, not weakness.  In my years of experience working with people in Brisbane, I have witnessed firsthand the strength that it takes to embark on a recovery journey.

Recognising Your Courage in Seeking Eating Disorder Support

Choosing to seek eating disorder support is a brave and powerful step.  I want to acknowledge how difficult it can be to ask for help, especially if you’ve been carrying shame or have felt misunderstood in the past.  Many people in Brisbane have shared that they thought they “should” be able to fix their problems by themselves.  Please hear this: eating problems are not character flaws or failures—they are completely understandable responses to stress, trauma, and emotional pain.  It’s okay to need help, in fact, it’s a really healthy sign of hope for your future.

Why do we need compassion?

Much of what I attempt to teach at Support to Stop Overeating is based on a whole person approach, this means treating each person with a level of sensitivity and understanding, always assuming I don’t know what this person has been through.  Real compassion is never about blame or shame; it’s about creating safer spaces—emotionally and physically—where you can reclaim your own agency and move at your own pace.  Whether we connect in person here in Brisbane, or by phone, my goal is to offer a judgment-free environment where you feel genuinely heard and respected.  It’s up to you to set the pace, and you are always in the driver’s seat of any sessions you book.

Support Tools and Messages of Self-Compassion

One of the most important shifts in recovery is turning toward yourself with genuine self-compassion. This doesn’t mean pretending everything’s okay, or ignoring difficult feelings. Instead, it’s about learning to respond to your pain with kindness and gentle curiosity. Dr. Kristin Neff’s work, which I have drawn on before to explain self-compassion, can actually trigger healing responses in our bodies—reducing shame, calming anxiety, and fostering trust.  It’s about talking to yourself as you would to a good friend who is struggling.

Some practical ways to build self-compassion in everyday life include:

• Replacing harsh self-criticism with gentle acknowledgment: “It makes sense that I’m struggling right now. I would really value some kindness.”
• Using grounding techniques—like focusing on your breath, your senses, or the feeling of your bare feet on the floor—to bring yourself back to the present when things feel overwhelming.
• Self-soothing activities (journaling, listening to music, gentle movement) that care for your emotional needs.

Body Appreciation

A big part of my work in Brisbane centres around body neutrality— I prefer the term Body Appreciation.  Moving away from harsh judgments or the pressure to “love your body” on difficult days.  Instead, we can learn to see our bodies as vessels that carry us through life, worthy of care simply because they exist.  I encourage you to notice and appreciate the ways your body supports you each day, even in small ways. This shift in perspective is often deeply healing for those recovering from eating disorders.  Even to move from the word “gratitude” to “appreciation” can be a major shift.

Finding Local Support and Hope in Brisbane

It matters to access support that feels relevant and safe for you. In Brisbane, there are places like the Eating Disorders Qld—that offer genuine, trauma-informed eating disorder support.  Recovery is rarely linear; there will be ups and downs, but with the right team and compassionate care, healing is not just possible—it’s highly probable.

You Are Not Broken—You Are Deserving of Compassionate Care

If your inner voice is harsh or you feel ashamed of your struggles, please remember: you are not broken.  Disordered eating often begins as a way of coping with painful life situations and emotions.  Step by step, you can build new pathways—of connection, acceptance, and self-worth.  Surround yourself with people and resources that acknowledge your humanity and honour your resilience.  Eating disorder support in Brisbane is here for you, and so am I.  With warmth and hope…

Karla