About eating disorders
Eating disorders such as anorexia, bulimia or binge eating are serious and treatable. Care is usually multidisciplinary: psychological therapy, medical follow-up and nutritional support. If there is significant weight loss or physical symptoms, seek medical attention promptly.
Nutritionists and dietitians help people improve their eating with plans adapted to their health, age and goals. In mental health they work on eating disorders, the relationship with food and body image, and the nutrition of children, adolescents and older adults, usually together with the psychologist or doctor. The title and its regulation vary by country; profiles show each professional’s training and registration.
Getting mental health care in Australia
Public health system · Medicare (Better Access initiative) and state and territory public mental health services
Medicare pays rebates for a limited number of sessions with a psychologist each year under the Better Access initiative, usually after a GP referral with a mental health plan; the psychologist may charge a gap fee. State and territory public mental health services treat more severe conditions.
Typical private fees
- Session with a psychologist
- $318 – $330
Australian Psychological Society suggested fee for a 46-60 minute consultation: 318 (2025-26) and 330 (2026-27); each psychologist sets their own fee. Sources
Urgent help in Australia
If your life or someone else's is in danger, call the emergency number now. These services can help at any time:
- 000 · Triple Zero (000)
- 13 11 14 · Lifeline
- 1300 659 467 · Suicide Call Back Service
- 1300 22 4636 · Beyond Blue Support Service
Information reviewed in November 2026 · Sources: ahpra.gov.au, psychology.org.au
Signs to look out for
Concern about food or weight becomes worrying when it takes up a lot of thought and affects daily life: strict dieting or skipping meals, episodes of eating large amounts with loss of control, vomiting or using laxatives or excessive exercise to compensate, rapid weight changes, avoiding eating in front of others, or intense fear of gaining weight. Eating disorders affect people of all sizes, genders and ages.
What helps: treatments and professionals
Eating disorders are best treated by a team that combines psychological, medical and nutritional care. Approaches with good evidence include enhanced cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT-E), family-based treatment for children and adolescents, and specialist supportive clinical management. Clinical psychologists, psychiatrists, doctors and dietitians with eating disorder experience usually work together. Early help tends to make recovery easier.
When to seek urgent help
Eating disorders can have serious physical effects. Contact your local emergency services or go to the nearest emergency department for fainting, chest pain, a very slow or irregular heartbeat, severe weakness, confusion, vomiting blood, or if someone is unable to eat or drink at all. Seek urgent help too for thoughts of suicide. Regular medical check-ups are important during treatment.
What you can do in the meantime
Try to eat regular meals and avoid long periods without food, even if it feels hard. Reduce exposure to content that promotes dieting or body comparison, and avoid weighing yourself frequently. Tell someone you trust. If you are supporting someone, express concern calmly, focusing on feelings rather than food or weight, and encourage them to seek professional help.
What does a nutritionist do?
A nutritionist or dietitian assesses how you eat, your health, routine and preferences, and builds with you a realistic plan to eat in a way that supports your body and wellbeing. Beyond meal plans, they teach you to read hunger and fullness, plan shopping and meals, and adapt food to illnesses, medication, pregnancy, sport or age. In mental health they are key members of the team that treats eating disorders.
When to see a nutritionist
It makes sense to see a nutritionist if food has become a source of worry or guilt, if you restrict, binge or compensate, if you need to change your diet for a health condition, or if a child, teenager or older relative is not eating well. If there is significant weight loss, fainting, vomiting or other physical warning signs, see a doctor first or at the same time.
How to choose
When choosing, check the licence and training, the approach they use and whether they have experience with what you need. Consider practical aspects too: language, price, location or online sessions and availability. The relationship with the professional matters a great deal; if after a few sessions it does not feel right, it is fine to change.
Frequently asked questions
Does the public health system in Australia cover psychological care?
Medicare pays rebates for a limited number of sessions with a psychologist each year under the Better Access initiative, usually after a GP referral with a mental health plan; the psychologist may charge a gap fee. State and territory public mental health services treat more severe conditions.
How much does a session with a psychologist cost in Australia?
Usually between $318 and $330 per individual session in private practice. Australian Psychological Society suggested fee for a 46-60 minute consultation: 318 (2025-26) and 330 (2026-27); each psychologist sets their own fee.