Personalised Support for Your Needs

Eating Disorders & Body Image

Struggles with food, eating, or body image can feel isolating and overwhelming. Whether you are constantly thinking about food, feeling disconnected from your body, or caught in cycles of restriction or bingeing, support is available.

At Vivamus, our psychologists in Dubai provide compassionate, evidence-based support to help you understand and change your relationship with food and your body. You do not have to face this alone.

What Eating Disorders Can Feel Like

Eating disorders and body image concerns can manifest in various ways. You may experience:

  • Obsessive thoughts about food, calories, or body weight
  • Feelings of guilt or shame after eating
  • Avoidance of social situations involving food
  • Distorted perception of your body size or shape
  • Compulsive exercise or rigid food rules
  • Emotional distress linked to eating habits

These experiences can impact your mental, emotional, and physical wellbeing. Recognising these signs is the first step toward healing.

Woman gazing at her reflection, symbolising body image concerns and emotional distance
Man behind frosted glass appearing withdrawn

What Might Be Behind It

Eating disorders often develop as coping mechanisms for underlying emotional distress. Factors may include:

  • Low self-esteem or perfectionism
  • Trauma or past experiences of bullying
  • Societal pressures and cultural ideals around body image
  • Family dynamics or relational difficulties
  • Co-occurring mental health conditions like anxiety or depression

Understanding the root causes can help in developing effective strategies for recovery.

Types of Eating Disorders We Work With

Our psychologists support individuals dealing with:

  • Anorexia Nervosa
  • Bulimia Nervosa
  • Binge Eating Disorder
  • Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder (ARFID)
  • Other Specified Feeding or Eating Disorders (OSFED)
  • Body Dysmorphic Disorder

We also assist those who may not meet diagnostic criteria but are struggling with disordered eating patterns or body image concerns.

Feeling overwhelmed by food or body image?

You are not alone. Our psychologists in Dubai are here to support you in developing a healthier relationship with food and your body.

Woman opening white curtains with sunlight streaming in, symbolising hope and recovery

How Therapy Helps

At Vivamus, we offer evidence-based therapy for eating disorders and body image concerns, guided by the latest international recommendations. Your psychologist will take time to understand your unique needs and recommend an approach that fits your situation. We also work closely with other professionals where needed, such as GPs, paediatricians, psychiatrists, or dietitians.

Therapy provides a safe, non-judgemental space to:

  • Explore underlying concerns around food, weight or control
  • Develop healthier coping mechanisms
  • Improve self-esteem and body image
  • Restore balance and rebuild trust in your body
  • Involve family when helpful to support long-term recovery

We use only research-backed treatments such as CBT-E, MANTRA and Family-Based Treatment. Every plan is shaped around your individual needs, developed in collaboration with you, and supported by a team approach when helpful – including coordination with GPs, paediatricians, psychiatrists or dietitians where needed.

Reach Out to Our Team

Whether you’re reaching out for yourself or someone you care about, taking that first step matters – and you don’t have to do it alone.

Our psychologists, counsellors, and psychiatrists in Dubai offer compassionate, professional support for anxiety, low mood, trauma, stress, relationship challenges, and many other difficulties.

Not sure where to begin? Complete the form and we’ll be in touch within 24 hours.

Dubai Healthcare City, near City Hospital

This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.