How Compassion Focused Therapy Can Help with Eating Disorders
When it comes to eating disorders like anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, and binge eating disorder, there’s often a heavy burden of shame, self-criticism, and distorted body image. These feelings can drive behaviors like restrictive eating, bingeing, or purging, as individuals attempt to gain control over how they feel or how they look. While therapies like Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) are widely used, they don’t always address the emotional roots—specifically the need for self-compassion and emotional regulation. That's where Compassion-Focused Therapy (CFT) can really make a difference.
CFT is all about developing self-compassion—a way of being kind and understanding to yourself, especially when you're feeling low or dealing with difficult emotions. In the context of eating disorders, CFT can help by:
Shifting Self-Criticism to Compassion: CFT helps you replace that inner critic—who's constantly judging you and your body—with a kinder, more supportive voice. Over time, this can reduce the impulse to engage in harmful behaviors like dieting or bingeing.
Regulating Emotions: CFT teaches you how to soothe your emotions, especially when they’re feeling overwhelming. This is key because many people with eating disorders are highly sensitive to emotions, and their threat system (which alerts them to perceived dangers) can get stuck in overdrive. CFT helps to engage the soothing system, which calms the emotional storm and creates space for more balanced responses.
Changing Your Relationship with Food: CFT isn’t just about food—it’s about how you feel about food and your body. Instead of seeing food as something to control, CFT helps you develop a healthier, more mindful relationship with eating and your body, grounded in compassion rather than shame.
Research Behind CFT for Eating Disorders
So, does CFT really work for eating disorders? The short answer is: yes, and there’s research to back it up!
Gilbert’s Research on Self-Criticism and Eating Disorders: Dr. Paul Gilbert, who developed CFT, has done a lot of work on how self-criticism and shame are central to eating disorders. His research shows that eating disorders often stem from an overactive threat system, where individuals feel constantly unsafe or unworthy. CFT helps people calm this system by fostering a sense of safety and compassion. For a deep dive into this, you can check out The Compassionate Mind (book) by Dr. Paul Gilbert. Find it here.
CFT and Bulimia Nervosa: A study by Kelly H. G. et al. (2012) explored how CFT can help individuals with bulimia nervosa. The findings suggest that self-criticism and shame are major contributors to the cycle of disordered eating, and that CFT can significantly reduce these feelings, making recovery more attainable. Read the full study here.
CFT for Anorexia Nervosa: In a study by Bennett and McAllister (2019), patients with anorexia nervosa reported improved self-esteem and reduced psychological distress after receiving compassion-based therapy. These changes helped them begin to shift their relationship with food and their bodies. Check out the study.
A Review on Compassionate Interventions for Eating Disorders: A systematic review by Leaviss and Uttley (2014) concluded that compassion-focused interventions can significantly reduce symptoms of eating disorders. The study highlighted how mindfulness and compassion work together to improve emotional regulation and lead to healthier eating behaviours. Find more here.
Why CFT matters for Eating Disorders
What makes CFT unique is its focus on compassion—not just addressing eating behaviours but looking at the emotions and self-beliefs that drive those behaviours. It helps people move away from a harmful, controlling relationship with food and body image toward a more balanced and nurturing one.
The real beauty of CFT is that it’s not about just stopping unhealthy behaviors; it’s about transforming the way you think and feel about yourself. By learning to treat yourself with kindness, you can better manage the difficult emotions that come up in recovery and build a healthier, more sustainable relationship with food and your body.
Resources for Eating Disorders and CFT
If you or someone you know is struggling with an eating disorder, or if you’re interested in learning more about CFT and its benefits, here are some helpful resources:
Books by Dr. Paul Gilbert:
Compassionate Mind Foundation: Learn more about CFT and find resources for practitioners and individuals seeking support.
Visit the Compassionate Mind Foundation
Conclusion
CFT offers a powerful, compassionate approach to treating eating disorders, focusing on building a supportive, kind relationship with yourself. It addresses the root causes of behaviors, like self-criticism and shame, and helps you develop emotional resilience and healthier coping mechanisms. If you’re struggling with an eating disorder or know someone who is, CFT may offer an important new path to healing.
For those ready to explore more about CFT and eating disorders, check out the resources above, and don’t hesitate to reach out for professional support. Healing begins with compassion.