When Eating Isn’t About Hunger: The Trauma Connection
Have you ever felt stuck in a cycle of binge eating—eating past the point of fullness, feeling ashamed afterward, and wondering why you keep doing this—you’re not alone.
Binge eating can feel like a mystery: one minute you’re fine, and the next, you’re deep into a bag of snacks without even realizing how you got there. But for many people, binge eating isn’t really about food—it’s about emotional pain.
And often, that pain is tied to unhealed trauma.
The Truth Behind Binge Eating
As a psychologist in Sydney who works closely with clients struggling with binge eating, I’ve seen a clear pattern: when we dig deeper, there’s often a history of emotional wounds that haven’t been addressed.
It could be childhood trauma, loss, rejection, emotional neglect—or simply years of learning to push emotions down instead of expressing them.
Food becomes a way to cope. A distraction. A comfort. A way to feel something—or to feel nothing at all.
Over time, this can become a deeply ingrained habit, especially if no healthier tools for coping were ever taught or available.
Why Food Becomes the Go-To
Trauma affects how we regulate emotions, how we see ourselves, and how safe we feel in the world. When those emotional systems are out of balance, we search for ways to feel better—fast.
Food is easy, accessible, and soothing. But the relief is temporary. The deeper emotional pain is still there, often followed by guilt, shame, or frustration.
That’s why binge eating is never just about willpower—it’s about understanding what’s underneath the surface.
Real Healing Starts Within
In therapy, we don’t just look at what you're eating—we explore why.
When trauma is part of the picture, we use gentle, trauma-informed approaches to help you understand your triggers, process past pain, and build better emotional tools.
I use evidence-based therapies like:
CBT (Cognitive Behavioural Therapy) to help challenge unhelpful thought patterns
Somatic Therapy to reconnect with your body and release stored tension
EMDR to help process unresolved trauma
And mindfulness practices to support self-awareness and calm
Together, we work to break the cycle—not just on your plate, but in your heart and mind.
Rebuilding Your Relationship with Food
One of the biggest shifts in therapy is learning to view food without fear or guilt.
We work toward a relationship with food that’s based on self-care, not punishment. That means letting go of harsh food rules, and instead learning to eat mindfully, respond to your emotions with compassion, and meet your needs without turning to bingeing.
You don’t have to “fight” your body anymore. You can work with it—with patience, understanding, and support.
Working with a Bondi Junction Psychologist who understands emotional eating therapy
If you’re searching for someone who truly understands what you’re going through, I’m here to help.
As a psychologist who specialises in trauma and binge eating, I offer a safe, non-judgmental space where you can talk openly and start to heal. Whether you’re in Sydney or a nearby area, therapy is accessible, warm, and focused on you.
We’ll work at your pace, together.
Take the First Step Toward Freedom
Binge eating may feel like it’s taken control of your life—but it doesn’t have to stay that way.
Healing is possible. You can move from self-blame to self-understanding. From emotional chaos to emotional clarity. From bingeing to balance.
If you’re ready to explore what’s really going on beneath your eating habits and finally heal from the trauma behind them, I invite you to reach out. Let’s take that first step together.
👉 Book a session or learn more at Your Self Space with Sherisse Cohen, Sydney Psychologist.
You deserve to feel at home in your body again.