Cognitive Behavioural Therapy EXPLAINED

Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT-E) for Eating Disorders

CBT-E is an evidence-based therapy proven to support lasting recovery from anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, binge eating disorder, and other forms of disordered eating.

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BULIMIA EXPLAINED?

What Is Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT-E)?

Cognitive Behavioural Therapy-Enhanced (CBT-E) is a specialist, evidence-based form of CBT developed specifically for people experiencing eating disorders. It focuses on understanding the powerful connection between thoughts, emotions, and behaviours — particularly those linked to eating, body image, and self-worth.

1.25M

people living with an eating disorder

At The London Centre for Eating Disorders and Body Image,

CBT-E is delivered by highly trained clinicians with extensive experience in specialist eating disorder care.

46%

of Adults feel unhappy about appearance

SUPPORT

How CBT-E Supports Recovery

CBT-E helps people recognise and change the unhelpful patterns that keep eating difficulties going. It enables clients to:

  • Identify and challenge self-critical or distorted thoughts about food, weight, and appearance.
  • Understand how emotions influence eating behaviours.
  • Build healthy coping strategies and routines that promote balance and stability.
  • Reconnect with personal values and goals beyond appearance or control around food.
  • Address areas such as low mood, clinical perfectionism, core low self-esteem, interpersonal difficulties and body image distress, that can serve to maintain eating difficulties.
BeNefits

Benefits of CBT-E

  • Evidence-based, highly effective treatment for eating disorders.
  • Focuses on lasting change and relapse prevention.
  • Builds confidence, emotional regulation, and self-awareness.
  • Helps replace rigid rules around food and body image with flexibility and self-compassion.
  • Adaptable for adults, adolescents, and families.
  • Supports recovery at any stage, whether early intervention or step-down from higher-level care.
Personalised Care

How CBT-E Differs from Standard CBT

While both CBT and CBT-E aim to help people change unhelpful thought and behaviour patterns, CBT-E is tailored specifically to the psychological features of eating disorders. It places greater emphasis on beliefs about food, weight, shape, and control, and integrates structured education about nutrition and the body.

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How We Support you

What to Expect in a CBT-E Session

CBT-E sessions at The London Centre are compassionate, structured, and collaborative. You’ll work one-to-one with a specialist clinician to explore the patterns that sustain your eating difficulties and learn strategies to change them. Particular emphasis will be placed on the beliefs you have about yourself, your body and your eating in order to gradually develop a healthier relationship with each of these aspects.
Whilst the origins of these beliefs are explored and understood, the focus in CBT-E is primarily on the here and now rather than on the past. Of course, where it is realised that a greater emphasis needs to be placed on past experiences in order to change patterns in the present, this is integrated usually in the later stages of CBT-E.

Within CBT-E there is a significant focus on collaborative goal setting and regular progress reviews. Sessions are always confidential and conducted in a safe, non-judgemental environment — whether in person at our London clinics or online.

How It Works

CBT-E may be suitable if you’re experiencing any form of eating disorder, disordered eating, or ongoing concerns about food, weight, or body image. It can also be helpful if you have perfectionistic or self-critical tendencies that impact your well-being. During your initial consultation, we will work with you to understand your needs and determine whether CBT-E or another therapy would be most helpful. You don’t need to reach a certain level of severity to benefit — if food, body image, or self-esteem are affecting your life in any way, support is available.

A Place of Specialist Support

Is CBT-E Right for Me?

CBT-E may be suitable if you’re experiencing any form of eating disorder, disordered eating, or ongoing concerns about food, weight, or body image. It can also be helpful if you have perfectionistic or self-critical tendencies that impact your well-being. During your initial consultation, we will work with you to understand your needs and determine whether CBT-E or another therapy would be most helpful. You don’t need to reach a certain level of severity to benefit — if food, body image, or self-esteem are affecting your life in any way, support is available.

FAQ’s

FAQs About CBT-E Therapy

CBT-E directly targets the thought patterns and behaviours that maintain eating difficulties, offering a structured and practical approach to lasting change.

The number of sessions varies depending on individual progress, but most people attend between 20–40 sessions (this is based on NICE Guidelines for treatment). Progress is reviewed regularly to ensure therapy remains focused and effective.

Yes. CBT-E is often effective even after previous treatment, helping you rebuild insight, strengthen coping strategies, and support renewed recovery.

CBT-E is specifically designed for eating disorders. For body dysmorphic disorder (BDD) or other difficulties not specifically related to food, eating or weight, we would generally suggest a different form of specialist CBT. The leading treatment for BDD is CBT-BDD which specifically targets the intrusive thoughts and behaviours linked to appearance anxiety. Of course other, non-CBT-based treatments are also available and may be recommended to help address difficulties with BDD.

We provide both in-clinic and online CBT-E sessions to ensure flexibility and accessibility for all clients.

Where helpful, family support can be integrated alongside individual therapy to enhance understanding and recovery. It may also be really helpful to bring family members into CBT sessions to help them understand how best to support you and the work you are doing in treatment.

We offer short waiting times and aim to schedule appointments as soon as possible. Our team understands that seeking help can feel urgent, and we do our best to accommodate new clients quickly. For those wanting to begin right away, we also offer fast-track remote assessments to help you get started without delay. The more flexibility you can offer with your availability, the sooner we’ll be able to arrange your first session.

Many private health insurers provide cover for CBT-E sessions; however policies do vary so it’s best to check your policy and eligibility with your insurer before booking an appointment

Start your journey

Take the First Step Toward Recovery

Recovery from an eating disorder is absolutely possible. With the right support, it’s possible to rebuild a healthy relationship with food, your body, and yourself. Our experienced team is here to help you take that first step with confidence and compassion.

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