Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, ABBI Clinic is a private specialist eating disorder clinic. Patients can self-fund their treatment; alternatively, we work with many leading private medical insurers including Bupa, AXA and Vitality. We can also accept referrals for our day care programme through NHS Community Eating Disorder Teams for people who require a step up in their level of care.

We’re a registered and approved provider for Bupa, AXA, Aviva, Vitality, WPA and Cigna. If you have private medical insurance with one of these providers, we can talk you through how to check your cover and get started.

You don’t need a GP referral to access treatment at ABBI. You can refer yourself directly by contacting us, or come to us through your private medical insurance if you have the appropriate cover. If you’re already working with an NHS Community Eating Disorder Team, they may able to refer you to us too for eating disorder day care treatment.

Yes, we know that taking the first step can be challenging, so we’re always happy to meet you beforehand to talk through your options and answer any questions, with no pressure to commit to an assessment.

Your assessment is a thorough conversation with a member of our specialist team, exploring your physical and mental health, your relationship with food, and your personal history. From this, we build a treatment plan that’s shaped entirely around you.

Eating disorders are mental health conditions that affect how someone thinks about food, eating, and their body. They can have serious effects on both physical and emotional wellbeing, which is why specialist, early support is key.

At ABBI Clinic, we treat the full range of eating disorders, including anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, binge eating disorder, ARFID, orthorexia, disordered eating, and OSFED. Whatever you’re experiencing, our team has the expertise to help.

Disordered eating describes unhealthy patterns around food that don’t necessarily meet the full clinical picture of an eating disorder. An eating disorder involves a more persistent and severe disturbance in eating habits, usually alongside significant emotional and physical impact. If you’re unsure of what you are experiencing, we’re happy to talk it through.

Anorexia nervosa is typically associated with restrictive eating and significant weight loss, while bulimia nervosa involves cycles of binge eating followed by behaviours intended to compensate for it. Both are serious conditions that benefit from specialist support, whatever form they take.

Binge eating disorder involves episodes of eating a large amount of food with a sense of loss of control. It’s one of the most common eating disorders, and highly treatable with the right support.

Yes, eating disorders affect people of all ages, genders, and backgrounds, and they’re far more common than many people realise. If you suspect an eating disorder, early access to treatment is key to recovery.

There’s rarely a single cause. Eating disorders usually develop through a combination of genetic, psychological, social, and environmental factors, and the reasons are different for everyone.

Eating disorders are multifactorial. They can be influenced by genetic predisposition, psychological factors such as anxiety or perfectionism, wider social and cultural pressures, and individual life experiences. Understanding your own history is often part of the work we do together in treatment.

Eating disorders are rarely something anyone chooses or intends. They usually develop gradually, through a mix of genetic, psychological, and environmental influences, rather than as a deliberate choice.

Some people living with an eating disorder describe traits like perfectionism, low self-esteem, or a strong need for control, though this varies from person to person. Neurodivergent people can be at greater risk of developing an eating disorder, which is why our care is tailored to reflect the whole of who you are. Our team supports with eating disorders linked to ADHD and autism.

Treatment at ABBI Clinic combines psychological, medical, and nutritional support, built around your individual needs. Your plan might include individual therapy, group therapy, dietitian support, or psychiatric input, brought together by one specialist team.

When it comes to what to expect, everyone’s treatment plan is unique to their specific needs. Treatment can involve therapy, nutritional support, medical monitoring, and practical help with eating, addressing both the physical and psychological sides of your recovery. Everything is delivered by the same specialist team, so your care stays joined up throughout.

The length of treatment depends on your individual needs. Some people benefit from a shorter, focused course of Outpatient eating disorder treatment, while others need the more intensive structure of our Day Care programme. We’ll talk through what’s likely to help most at your assessment.

This depends on your individual needs and the type of treatment that’s right for you. Most people start Day Care attending around twice a week, with intensity adjusted up or down as needed, anywhere from one to five days a week. There are also Outpatient programmes, typically ranging from 20 to 40 sessions depending on your individual needs and the severity of the eating disorder. We’ll agree what works for you at your initial assessment.

Specialist, evidence-based treatment can be highly effective, particularly when it’s tailored to your individual needs and started early. Recovery looks different for everyone, but it is possible.

Yes. The right treatment depends on your specific diagnosis and circumstances, but eating disorders are usually treated through a combination of psychological therapy, medical oversight, and nutritional support, all delivered together.

With the right treatment, support, and ongoing care, recovery from an eating disorder is possible. We’re here to support you every step of that journey.

Recovering from anorexia without professional support is very difficult, as it often needs input from a multidisciplinary team to address the physical, psychological, and nutritional aspects together. Specialist treatment gives you the best chance of a lasting recovery.

In most cases, yes. Our Day Care programme runs two sessions a day, morning and afternoon/evening, and Outpatient treatment is usually between 1-3 hours per week so you can build treatment around your existing commitments. Depending on the severity of your eating disorder and your treatment plan, many people continue with school, university, or work while receiving care.

Yes, your dietitian will work with you to make sure your nutritional support reflects any special diets, intolerances, or personal preferences you have, as part of your wider treatment plan.

Anything you share with us is treated as confidential and handled in line with data protection guidelines. Your privacy matters to us, and we’ll always be clear with you about how your information is used.