Sheffield and online

CBT for binge eating and loss-of-control eating

Binge eating can feel confusing and deeply private. You may spend a great deal of time trying to control food, only to experience episodes that feel driven or impossible to stop. Shame afterwards can make it harder to talk, and another strict attempt to be good can restart the cycle.

Arrange a free 15-minute call

This is not simply a failure of willpower

CBT looks at the pattern around the eating, including restriction, food rules, emotions, situations, thoughts about weight or shape, and the responses that follow an episode.

You may or may not meet the criteria for an eating disorder diagnosis. Assessment is about understanding your experience and what level of support is appropriate, not testing whether you are unwell enough.

Why the cycle may keep going

A common pattern begins with restriction, rigid rules or long gaps without eating. Stress, difficult emotion, tiredness, availability of food or a sense that a rule has already been broken can increase the pressure to eat. A binge or loss-of-control episode may briefly change how you feel, but shame or compensatory behaviour afterwards can strengthen the next round of rules.

That is one possible pattern, not an assumption about you. Part of CBT is building an individual map of what happens before, during and after the difficulty so that treatment targets the processes that are actually relevant.

A more useful question is not “Why can’t I just stop?” but “What keeps this pattern going, and where can we begin to change it safely?”

How CBT may help

Depending on your assessment and goals, therapy may involve:

• Understanding the personal cycle that maintains binge eating or loss of control.
• Developing a more regular and reliable pattern of eating where appropriate.
• Identifying triggers and finding alternative ways to respond to urges, emotions or situations.
• Reviewing rigid food rules and beliefs about eating, weight, shape or self-worth.
• Reducing avoidance, secrecy and behaviours that pull the cycle back into place.
• Planning for setbacks and strengthening changes so they are easier to maintain.

CBT is active. Sessions are used to make sense of what has happened, agree a focused next step and learn from what you try between appointments. The pace and methods are adapted to you rather than imposed as a standard script.

CBT-T and Jill’s research

For some people with a non-underweight eating disorder presentation, CBT-T may be considered. It is a brief, structured form of CBT. Jill developed Versions 2 to 4 of the Group CBT-T resources and co-authored a peer-reviewed study of the group approach.

A brief approach is not automatically the right approach. The suitability call and assessment consider your symptoms, goals, medical needs, risks and preferences before any treatment plan is agreed.

Read the peer-reviewed paper record or see the Group CBT-T resources at the University of Sheffield.

Frequently asked questions

Do I need a diagnosis before contacting you?

No. You can make an enquiry based on what you are experiencing. Assessment helps clarify whether private CBT with Jill is appropriate and whether another form or level of support is needed.

Will you give me a diet plan?

CBT is psychological therapy, not a substitute for individual medical or dietetic advice. Where specialist nutrition input or medical monitoring is needed, Jill may recommend involving your GP, a dietitian or another service.

How many sessions will I need?

That depends on the difficulty, your goals and the approach agreed after assessment. Jill will explain the proposed structure and review progress with you.

Can sessions be online?

Face-to-face appointments are available in Sheffield. Online or telephone work may be possible where clinically suitable.

Find out whether CBT with Jill could be suitable

The first 15-minute call is free and there is no obligation to book therapy.

Arrange a free suitability call