Eating Disorder Help in the UK: Where to Start
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In short: If you're worried about your own eating or someone else's, the NHS advises seeing a GP as soon as you can. The GP may refer you to a specialist eating disorder team, and treatment usually includes a talking therapy. Beat, the UK eating disorder charity, runs free helplines and you don't need a diagnosis to contact them.
Please read. This is general information from us, not medical, clinical or professional advice. We’re a directory: we don’t provide therapy, we don’t recommend or guarantee any practitioner, and we’re not a crisis service. If you need urgent help, please use the crisis box at the bottom of this page. Services and rules change, so check the official websites linked here.
Support Right Now
Beat's helplines are open 3pm to 8pm, Monday to Friday, with webchat and email too:
- England: 0808 801 0677
- Scotland: 0808 801 0432
- Wales: 0808 801 0433
- Northern Ireland: 0808 801 0434
If someone is physically unwell, for example fainting, confused or having chest pain, call 999 or go to A&E. If you need help now. If your life or someone else's is at risk, call 999 or go to A&E. For urgent mental health help in England, use NHS 111 online or call 111 and choose the mental health option. You can talk to Samaritans free, any time, on 116 123, or text SHOUT to 85258. NHS: where to get urgent help for mental health.
Types of Eating Disorder
The NHS describes several types, including anorexia, bulimia, binge eating disorder (BED), other specified feeding or eating disorder (OSFED), which is the most common, and avoidant restrictive food intake disorder (ARFID). Anyone can get an eating disorder. Source: NHS: eating disorders.
Starting With Your GP
The NHS advises seeing a GP as soon as you can. They can check your physical health and may refer you to a specialist eating disorder service. If you're supporting someone who doesn't want help yet, Beat has advice for friends and family, and you can talk to a GP about your worries.
What NHS Treatment Can Involve
Treatment depends on the eating disorder and your age. For example, the NHS describes these options for anorexia:
- Adults: eating-disorder-focused CBT for up to 40 weeks; the Maudsley Anorexia Nervosa Treatment for Adults (MANTRA), usually 20 sessions; specialist supportive clinical management (SSCM), 20 or more weekly sessions; or focal psychodynamic therapy for up to 40 weeks.
- Children and young people: usually family therapy, often 18 to 20 sessions over a year, through children and young people's mental health services. Adolescent-focused psychotherapy, up to 40 sessions, may be offered instead.
Source: NHS: anorexia treatment. Your physical health is usually monitored too, so stay in touch with your GP or specialist team.
Private Therapists and Eating Disorders
Some people also see a private practitioner, alongside medical monitoring from their GP or specialist team. Ask any practitioner about their training and experience with eating disorders, and how they work with your GP. Professions that may be involved include:
- Clinical and counselling psychologists.
- Psychotherapists and counsellors with eating disorder training.
- Family and systemic psychotherapists, especially for young people and their families.
- Child and adolescent psychotherapists.
- Arts therapists and dance movement psychotherapists.
- Psychiatrists, for assessment and medical care.
Always check the register before you book.
Common Questions
Do I need a diagnosis to get help for an eating disorder?
No. You can contact Beat's helplines without a diagnosis, and the NHS advises seeing a GP as soon as you can if you're worried.
What therapy is used for eating disorders?
Treatment usually includes a talking therapy. For anorexia in adults the NHS lists eating-disorder-focused CBT, MANTRA, SSCM and focal psychodynamic therapy. For young people, family therapy is usually offered.
Can I see a private therapist for an eating disorder?
Yes, but ask about their eating disorder training and how they'll work with your GP, because physical health monitoring is important. Check their register before you book.
What are Beat's helpline hours?
Beat's helplines are open 3pm to 8pm, Monday to Friday. Numbers: England 0808 801 0677, Scotland 0808 801 0432, Wales 0808 801 0433, Northern Ireland 0808 801 0434.
Last updated 2 November 2026. Facts are drawn from the official websites linked on this page, read on 2 November 2026. Not affiliated with or endorsed by the NHS, the HCPC or any professional body.
Related: Getting help for your child's mental health · Family and systemic psychotherapists · Helping someone find a practitioner · Private and NHS Dietitians in the UK · Help for Body Dysmorphic Disorder (BDD) in the UK
Free trusted help: Beat (eating disorders) · NHS: eating disorders · Search dietitians on Therapist Circle
Mind and feelings: Anxiety · Depression · Trauma · Grief · Psychosis · Arts therapies
Body, communication and daily living: Speech, swallowing and stammering · Stroke recovery · Back and joint pain · Sports injuries · Sensory needs and autism · Children’s motor skills · Daily living · Memory and dementia · Eating and nutrition · IBS
Cost and free help: Free and low-cost therapy · Therapy fees and NHS routes · Finding NHS support · Low-cost counselling with a trainee
More help guides: Children's fussy eating · Seeing a dietitian: NHS or private
See also: Where to get help for self-harm
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