Life with an eating disorder can begin as a soft whisper—small shifts in how you see food, your body, and ultimately yourself. Sometimes these shifts slip in slowly; other times, they surge forward with sudden force. What may start as a search for control or comfort can soon become all-encompassing, colouring each day with worry and self-doubt. In those quiet moments, when the world slows down, you might’ve caught yourself wondering whether anyone truly understands this constant push and pull with food, you are not alone.
At Nurtured Thoughts Psychology in Graceville, QLD, we see the whole you. We see the bravery it takes to wake up each day in the face of these challenges, the hope that nudges you to look for help, and the wish to rediscover a kinder, more peaceful life.
When Food Speaks Louder Than Words
Perhaps it all began during a season of upheaval—where food felt like the only reliable outlet. Skipping a meal here or overindulging there might have seemed harmless at first, but over time, these patterns can become an overwhelming narrative that drowns out your own inner voice. If you’re recognising yourself in these words, it isn’t a sign of defeat. It’s a moment of courage—an awareness that life can look different.
Signs That May Point to an Eating Disorder
Your relationship with food and your body might look like:
A mind that never rests, constantly calculating, planning, and worrying about food, weight, and shape—exhausting you but feeling impossible to quiet
Moments of triumph that quickly turn to shame, where "good" and "bad" foods rule your world, and eating becomes a moral battleground
A growing distance between you and loved ones, as shared meals become battlefields and social events turn into anxiety-filled obstacles
A body that sends signals you're learning to ignore—hunger, fullness, fatigue—while pushing through with determination that masks fear
Understanding Eating Disorders
Eating disorders can affect people of any age, body type, or background. They often appear during intense life transitions or prolonged stress but may also develop gradually, almost imperceptibly. In our boutique Graceville practice, we provide a compassionate space to explore your relationship with food, body, and self—free from judgment.
Our experienced psychologists specialise in helping clients navigate:
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Anorexia Nervosa: Restricting food intake and a persistent fear of weight gain
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Bulimia Nervosa: Cycles of bingeing and compensatory behaviours
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Binge Eating Disorder: Episodes of uncontrollable eating, often followed by guilt or shame
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OSFED: Other Specified Feeding or Eating Disorders that significantly affect health and well-being
Beyond the Labels
We know eating disorders aren’t truly about food. They often reflect deeper struggles—coping with emotional pain, seeking safety in control, or responding to trauma. Regardless of a formal diagnosis, your story and experiences are valid. Your struggles matter, and so does your healing.
What Influences Eating Disorders?
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Life Experiences: Stressful events, loss, or big transitions
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Genetic Factors: Biological predispositions to certain mental health conditions
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Emotional & Cultural Pressures: Societal ideals around weight and worth
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Family History: Learned patterns or inherited vulnerabilities
Understanding how these factors intertwine can be a powerful step in finding a meaningful path to recovery.
Our Boutique Treatment Approach in Graceville, QLD
At Nurtured Thoughts Psychology, we blend proven therapies with a warm, client-focused ethos:
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Enhanced Cognitive Behavioural Therapy and Dialectical Behavioural Therapy (CBT-E & DBT-E): Tailored to address eating disorder thoughts and behaviours.
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Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT): Helping you navigate challenging feelings and develop more self-compassion.
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Compassion-Focused Therapy: Cultivating a kinder, more supportive inner voice.
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Family-Based Treatment: Engaging loved ones where beneficial, strengthening support at home.
We believe in a partnership rooted in respect, trust, and unwavering hope for your recovery. Our private, calming setting in Graceville—close to Sherwood, Chelmer, and surrounding suburbs—provides a sanctuary for healing.
Moreover, in our peaceful Graceville practice, we offer more than just these evidence-based treatments but also a relationship built on understanding, respect, and unwavering belief in your capacity to heal.
Your recovery journey might include:
Gentle exploration of the stories that led you here
Practical strategies that help you face meals with growing confidence
Compassionate support as you navigate challenging emotions
Tools for reconnecting with your body's natural wisdom
Support for loved ones who want to understand and help
As you work with our dedicated team, you’ll also reconnect with strengths you may have forgotten. This isn’t about fixing what’s broken; it’s about uncovering the resilience and worthiness that already exist within you.
Meet Samantha
Registered Psychologist
Special Interest in Eating Disorders
Hello and welcome! I am Samantha, a registered psychologist who is passionate about providing client centred and trauma informed care in a safe and collaborative therapeutic environment. My approach is warm, engaging, and respectful, and I strive to create an inclusive environment where clients can build confidence to improve their broader well-being. I primarily work with teens (ages 13+) and adults.
In addition to disordered eating, my other primary areas of clinical interest are:
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Perinatal Mental Health
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Mental health concerns with co-occurring physiological health considerations (e.g., Fertility challenges, Functional Neurological Disorder, Ehlers-Danlos syndromes, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, Fibromyalgia)
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LGBTQIA+ community supports
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Borderline Personality Disorder
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Trauma Disorders
For my eating disorder clients, the primary evidenced-based modalities I utilise are:
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Enhanced Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT-E)
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Enhanced Dialectical Behavioural Therapy (DBT-E)
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Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)
What can a new client expect during their first session with you? How do you help them feel at ease?
I understand firsthand that the process of finding, deciding on, and then attending your first appointment with a new psychologist for the first time can be a daunting and stressful experience. My approach is warm, transparent, and respectful, and I provide new clients with the opportunity to go at their pace to be able to tell their story in their own words. At Nurtured Thoughts, our practice environment is calm and welcoming, and this further provides an opportunity for new clients to feel more at ease in a less clinical practice
Ready to Take the Next Step?
If you’ve found yourself circling back to this page—unsure whether you’re “unwell enough” to seek help—please know that your struggles are valid, and you deserve support. We’ve seen countless individuals move from apprehension to a life of renewed hope and balance.
Our boutique Graceville clinic is here to walk alongside you, offering a judgment-free environment where relief and understanding replace fear and isolation. If you’re ready to explore therapy or simply have questions, call us at [phone number] or book online. You don’t have to face this alone—together, we can begin the journey toward a life that feels more like your own again.
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