Eating disorders are real, serious, and treatable.
Anorexia, bulimia, binge-eating and emotional-eating patterns respond best to a coordinated team — therapist, GP, and nutritionist working together. We help build that.
Eating disorders have one of the highest mortality rates of any mental illness; early treatment changes the trajectory dramatically.
Does this sound like you?
The everyday voice of eating disorders.
Read these slowly. If two or more land, you are not alone — and you are not broken.
“I think about food, weight, or my body almost constantly.”
“I binge in private and hate myself afterwards.”
“I’ve been told I look fine and I’m suffering.”
“I’ve stopped eating with people I love.”
“I use food to manage feelings I can’t name.”
“I’m scared of what I’d be without my food rules.”
A clearer picture
What eating disorders actually is
Eating disorders are not about food. They are emotional regulation strategies that hijack a basic biological function. Anorexia, bulimia, binge-eating disorder, and the wide range of "atypical" patterns each have specific clinical pictures and specific treatments.
Recovery typically involves a small team: a therapist, a medical doctor (to monitor weight, vitals, labs), and often a registered dietitian. Therapy alone is not enough for moderate-to-severe presentations. Sagemitra coordinates referrals when medical or nutritional care is needed.
Clinical reference
Maps to Anorexia Nervosa (DSM-5 307.1), Bulimia Nervosa (DSM-5 307.51), Binge-Eating Disorder (DSM-5 307.51), and Other Specified Feeding/Eating Disorders.
The shape of the work
Specific sub-areas we work with
Eating Disorders shows up in a number of recognisable patterns. Therapists who work with this concern are familiar with each of these.
- Anorexia
- Bulimia
- Binge Eating
- Stress Eating
- Emotional Eating
The work itself
How therapy actually helps
An eating-disorder-trained therapist works gently and directly with the part of you that is using food to cope, while a coordinated team holds the medical and nutritional safety. The work is paced; recovery is real.
Approaches that work
CBT-E
Enhanced CBT — the most-evidenced treatment for adults with bulimia, binge-eating disorder, and many forms of anorexia.
Family-Based Treatment (FBT)
First-line for adolescents with anorexia; engages parents as part of recovery.
DBT
For the emotion-regulation component, especially in binge-purge presentations.
IFS / Somatic work
For the parts of you that the eating disorder has been protecting, and for body-felt aspects of recovery.
What changes
- Eating becomes less ritualised and less secret within weeks
- Body weight and vitals stabilise (with medical coordination)
- Binge-purge frequency drops sharply with CBT-E
- Body image becomes one part of you rather than the whole
- You stop organising your social life around food avoidance
- You build a relapse plan — eating disorders are recoverable
Outcomes are typical, not guaranteed. Your therapist will set honest expectations in your first session.
Matched for you
Therapists who specialise in eating disorders
Ms. Tanya Singh
7+ years · Mumbai
IFS-trained therapist for the inner critic, body image, and shame
Dr. Jane Doe
8+ years · Mumbai
CBT-led therapist for anxiety, panic and high-functioning stress
Dr. Meera Pillai
13+ years · Bangalore
EMDR + somatic therapist for trauma, PTSD, and Complex PTSD
While you wait
Two things you can start in the next 10 minutes
Therapy isn’t the only way in. These work alongside it — or before you’re ready for it.
Common questions
Things people ask about therapy for eating disorders
Yes. Eating disorders are not defined by weight. Bulimia, binge-eating disorder, and many forms of "atypical anorexia" affect people across the weight spectrum. The defining features are the eating patterns and the cognitive-emotional relationship with food and body.
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Related concerns
Talk to someone about eating today.
The 20-minute vibe-check is free. Meet a therapist before you commit to anything.