Supporting Young People Who Struggle with Over-Exercising and Disordered Eating
In today’s culture, fitness and health are often seen as goals to strive for but for many young people, the pressure to look a certain way or to stay in control can lead to unhealthy habits around food and exercise. I work with young people who struggle with disordered eating, over-exercising, and body image issues, helping them rebuild a positive and balanced relationship with movement and nutrition.
As a qualified Nutritional and Eating Disorder Therapist, I support individuals who may be caught between wanting to stay healthy and feeling trapped by anxiety, guilt, or compulsion around exercise and food. What begins as motivation can quickly turn into obsession, especially in young people who are vulnerable due to perfectionism, low self-esteem, ADHD, or autism.
Working Collaboratively with CAMHS
When I work with young people under the care of CAMHS (Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services), collaboration is at the heart of what I do. Each case is unique there’s no universal rule for how much exercise is “safe” or when it’s appropriate to return to activity after restriction.
I work collaboratively with CAMHS teams to agree on a suitable and individualised exercise plan that considers both physical and psychological safety. Together, we ensure that exercise supports recovery rather than fuelling further disordered behaviour. This joined-up approach helps to reduce relapse and builds trust with both the young person and their support network.
Supporting Clients with ADHD and Autism
I also work closely with neurodivergent clients, including those with ADHD and autism, who are statistically more at risk of developing eating disorders or disordered eating. Factors such as sensory sensitivities, difficulty recognising hunger and fullness cues, or rigid patterns of thinking can make eating and body image even more complex.
Having trained with the National Autistic Society, I adapt my approach to create an environment that feels safe, structured, and accessible. Sessions might involve visual supports, consistent routines, or helping clients tune into body signals in ways that make sense for them. The goal is always to reduce anxiety around food and movement, helping them to feel more in control and understood.
Nutrition and Psychoeducation: Fueling the Body to Thrive
A key part of my work involves psychoeducation around nutrition — teaching young people what their bodies need to function well, recover, and thrive. When someone is caught in a cycle of restriction or excessive training, understanding how food fuels focus, energy, mood, and healing can be transformative.
Education helps to remove fear and shame around eating. It empowers young people to see food as a form of self-care — not something to be earned through exercise. By reframing nutrition as fuel for both the body and mind, we lay the foundation for sustainable recovery and long-term wellbeing.
Rebuilding a Healthy Relationship with Exercise
For those struggling with exercise dependence or compulsive training, part of recovery involves redefining what movement means. I work with clients to find balance again, introducing gentle, mindful forms of movement like yoga, stretching, or walking. The aim is to rebuild trust with the body, focusing on how movement feels, not how it changes appearance.
Through open conversations, we look at the deeper reasons behind over-exercising, whether it’s control, anxiety, or fear of weight gain, and create practical steps to move forward safely.
Creating Hope, Balance, and Change
Ultimately, recovery from disordered eating and exercise compulsion isn’t just about food or fitness — it’s about reconnecting with your body and finding self-compassion.
By working collaboratively with CAMHS teams, schools, and families, my goal is to ensure that young people receive early, holistic support. No one should face these struggles alone. With the right education, understanding, and care, recovery is not only possible, it’s life-changing.
Contact me below for your FREE consultation!