I recently had the privilege of joining the BodyMatters Podcast as a guest speaker to talk about trauma, emotional eating, and eating disorder recovery. In this episode, I share my personal journey with food, body image, trauma, and recovery, as well as insights from over 25 years of working as a Registered Clinical Psychotherapist, Psychotherapeutic Counsellor, and Trauma & Eating Disorder Specialist.
Why Trauma and Emotional Eating Are Connected
Many people believe emotional eating is simply about a lack of willpower or poor food choices. In reality, emotional eating is often the tip of the iceberg. Underneath, there are frequently layers of unresolved trauma, adverse childhood experiences, and relational wounds.
Through my work, I’ve seen how early life experiences, childhood emotional neglect (CEN), and adverse environments can shape our relationship with food and body. Recovery isn’t just about eating differently – it’s about healing at a deeper, more holistic level.
What We Talked About on the Podcast
Here are some of the key topics I explored in this conversation:
- How eating disorders impact every area of life from physical health to relationships, work, and identity.
- The Healthy Self and what it means to reconnect with your authentic, holistic self.
- Showing up for yourself and why self-compassion and consistency are key in recovery.
- Trauma and early childhood experiences and understanding how our upbringing shapes emotional eating patterns.
- The role of spirituality and how meaning, connection, and values can support healing.
My Experience in the Eating Disorder Field
Alongside my trauma and emotional eating practice on the Northern Beaches of Sydney and online, I’ve worked in leading treatment settings including:
- Byron Private Holistic Treatment Centre (Disordered Eating Program Consultant)
- A Sydney Eating Disorder Outpatient Treatment in Consultation Anita Johnston (Assistant Clinical Director)
- South Pacific Private Rehab (Preferred Service Provider)
- Riverglen Psychiatry & Mental Health Unit (Social Worker)
- Eating Disorder Foundation of NSW (now Butterfly Foundation) (Volunteer)
- Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children, London (Psychotherapist)
Listen to the Podcast Episode
Click here to listen to the BodyMatters Podcast episode featuring Jodie Gale
If you’re curious about the deeper links between trauma and emotional eating, or if you’re navigating your own recovery journey, I hope this conversation brings both insight and hope.
Links From the Podcast
Group Supervision for Eating Disorders, Disordered Eating & Other Food, Weight & Body Image Concerns
Trauma Warriors Facebook Group
Work With Me
If you’re struggling with trauma, emotional eating, binge eating or bulimia, I offer psychotherapy and counselling on Sydney’s Northern Beaches and online. My approach is compassionate, holistic, and trauma-informed.
