Internal Family Systems (IFS)

and

Eating Disorders

“When a client asked her bingeing part what would happen if it didn’t make her eat that way, it would explain that other parts that felt sad, worthless, empty, or terrified would take over. It often feared suicide. In short, we could not deter or control the bingeing part because it was on a mission to save the client’s life.” - Cece Sykes

At Let’s Work On That, we understand that eating disorders are not simply about food, weight, or willpower. They are complex, deeply protective strategies that parts of you have developed to manage overwhelming emotions, trauma, or stress. Through Internal Family Systems (IFS) therapy, we approach eating disorders with compassion, curiosity, and respect for the protective role they play.

Why IFS for Eating Disorders?

In IFS, we see eating disorder behaviours restriction, bingeing, purging, over-exercise as the work of protective parts doing their best to keep you safe.

These parts often step in to:

  • Manage painful emotions or trauma memories

  • Provide a sense of control when life feels chaotic

  • Numb feelings of shame, fear, or loneliness

  • Protect exiled parts of you that carry deep vulnerability

Rather than fighting these parts or forcing change, IFS therapy gently builds trust. Together, we listen to what your eating disorder parts are trying to protect you from, and we support them in finding new, less harmful roles. This opens space for healing, unburdening, and recovery.

IFS Therapy and Eating Disorders in Melbourne

Combining IFS with Evidence-Based Eating Disorder Treatments

IFS helps you understand the why behind your eating disorder. Why parts of you restrict, binge, purge, or over-exercise. These behaviours are attempts to shield you from pain, trauma, shame, or chaos. But understanding isn’t enough on its own, which is why we also integrate evidence-based therapies proven to support recovery:

  • CBT-E (Enhanced Cognitive Behaviour Therapy): Practical strategies for breaking cycles of restriction, bingeing, and purging, while challenging rigid food rules and rebuilding regular nourishment.

  • DBT (Dialectical Behaviour Therapy): Skills for distress tolerance, emotion regulation, and mindfulness tools you can use in the very moments urges or overwhelming emotions feel strongest.

  • Temperament-Based Therapy: Understanding how your unique traits, genetics, and neurobiology shape your eating disorder, while helping you (and when relevant, your family) work with these traits instead of against them.

By weaving IFS with CBT-E, DBT, and Temperament-Based Therapy, your treatment addresses both the protective system of parts driving the eating disorder and the behaviours that maintain it. This creates a path that is compassionate, practical, and sustainable.

Specialist Support for Eating Disorders

When you begin therapy here, you will be supported by Sam, a therapist with advanced training in Internal Family Systems Level 2: Eating Disorders and Addictions, as well as formal Eating Disorder credentials in Australia. This means your care is trauma-informed, compassionate, and grounded in best-practice guidelines for eating disorder treatment.

You don’t have to do this alone. Eating disorders thrive in secrecy and isolation, which is why recovery is strongest when care is integrated. We collaborate closely with a multidisciplinary team to keep every aspect of your wellbeing supported. Depending on your needs, this may include:

  • General Practitioner (GP): Monitoring your overall health and medical safety.

  • Psychiatrist: Assessing and supporting mental health, including medication if appropriate.

  • Paediatrician: Providing medical oversight for younger clients around growth, nutrition, and development.

  • Accredited Practising Dietitian: Offering personalised guidance around nutrition, meal planning, and safe weight restoration.

  • Other Allied Health Professionals: Such as occupational therapists or physiotherapists, when additional support is needed.

As your therapist, my role is to walk alongside you helping your protective parts feel safe enough to soften, supporting your exiled parts that carry shame or trauma, and integrating practical supports like CBT-E and DBT skills into your recovery. The medical and nutritional team ensures your body is safe; therapy helps your system find relief, balance, and hope.

What to Expect in Therapy

Your sessions are tailored to you, but may include:

  • Building safety and trust with the protective parts driving your eating disorder

  • Exploring the needs of exiled parts that carry pain, shame, or trauma

  • Learning DBT skills to manage urges and regulate emotions in real time

  • Using CBT-E strategies to break cycles of restriction, bingeing, or purging

  • Developing personalised recovery tools that align with your values and identity

  • Involving family or supports when it feels safe and helpful

Recovery isn’t about silencing or fighting your eating disorder. It’s about helping the parts of you that are stuck in these roles find freedom, healing, and new ways to protect you without causing harm.

Support for Anorexia, Bulimia, Binge Eating and ARFID with IFS

If you’re ready to explore IFS therapy for eating disorders in Melbourne, we are here to support you.

At Let’s Work On That, we offer a compassionate, trauma-informed approach that blends Internal Family Systems (IFS) with evidence-based treatments to help with anorexia, bulimia, binge eating disorder, ARFID, and other eating difficulties.

We understand that every eating disorder is driven by protective parts working hard to keep you safe, even when their methods feel harmful or exhausting. Together, we’ll support those parts with compassion, help them find new roles, and build practical strategies so you feel less stuck in cycles of restriction, bingeing, or avoidance.

Whether you’re struggling with anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, binge eating disorder, or ARFID, or simply feel trapped in painful patterns with food and body image, recovery is possible. Therapy is not about silencing or fighting your eating disorder, but about creating space for healing, safety, and freedom.

Contact us today to begin IFS therapy for eating disorders across Australia. Together, we can support both your body and your inner world on the path to recovery.

⚠️ If you are in crisis, please contact your local crisis line (Lifeline 13 11 14) or emergency services (000). This work is meant to compliment not replace immediate safety support.