Theta Psychology is a private clinic located in beachside Bargara dedicated to the treatment of eating disorders and body image concerns, and child and adolescent issues.
The clinic offers a supportive, warm, and empathic space, where anyone can feel comfortable talking about their concerns. Theta Psychology has a philosophy centred in integrated well-being and a vision to help everyone nurture their inner potential and allow them to live in harmony with themselves and their environment.
The clinic values high quality care and evidence-based practice. It is the only clinic in the Bundaberg region dedicated to treating eating disorders, and is one of the few who focus on child and adolescent mental health. For those who cannot attend the clinic in-person, Theta Psychology is currently able to offer Telehealth appointments to eligible patients.
If you are seeking help for yourself or a loved one, please don’t hesitate to send a message or telephone Theta Psychology today to see how we can help.
Windmill Square,
Shop 2
14 See Street,
Bargara QLD 4670
Windmill Square,
Shop 2
14 See Street,
Bargara QLD 4670
Theta psychology is passionate about treating children and adolescents with histories of trauma and attachment difficulties. Some other issues we can help children and their caregivers with include: depression, self-harm, body image and eating issues, anxiety, perfectionism, emotion regulation and low self-esteem.
Adolescence is a particularly crucial developmental period that comes with a range of challenges. The brain is still developing and intervention may support an adolescent to develop healthily into adulthood.
Please note: Theta Psychology is not providing assessments or reports for custody/family law or legal purposes; testing and reports for autism or ADHD diagnosis; cognitive assessments; or treatment where disability is the main issue.
Anorexia nervosa is an eating disorder where there is extreme food restriction, significant weight loss, and an intense fear of gaining weight. It is common for people with anorexia nervosa to develop inappropriate eating rituals and other behaviours to lose weight, and to experience a disturbance in the way they see their body, weight, and shape. Anorexia nervosa is serious. Food restriction and weight loss can lead to a range of physical and psychological complications including malnutrition and death.
Given the nature of anorexia nervosa, treatment needs to address medical, nutritional, psychological and behavioural factors. This includes medical monitoring and may include dietetic input.
For children and adolescents with up to three years of illness duration, the first line treatment option with the best evidence is family based treatment or FBT.
For adults, psychological therapy is important and a range of therapies have been developed with similar outcomes. These include Cognitive Behavioural Therapies (CBT and CBT-E), Specialist Supportive Clinical Management (SSCM) and Maudsley Anorexia Treatment for Adults (MANTRA).
Bulimia nervosa is a type of eating disorder characterised by episodes of binge eating that are followed by compensatory behaviours intended to prevent weight gain. Binging refers to eating an unusually large amount of food in a short period of time where there is often a sense of loss of control. Binge episodes often lead to feelings of guilt and shame. Compensatory behaviours after a binge include vomiting, dieting, fasting, excessive exercise and misuse of laxatives, diuretics or other drugs.
Ongoing medical monitoring by a doctor and nutritional support from a dietician are important. Research suggests a range of psychological therapies are most effective: Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT or CBT-E), Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT) and Interpersonal Therapy.
For children and adolescents with bulimia nervosa, Family Based Therapy (FBT) and CBT and CBT-E have research support for their use. For adults, CBT has shown to be the most effective. Guided-self help can also be effective.
A range of psychological therapies are most effective including CBT (or CBT-E), DBT, and Interpersonal Therapy (IPT). Ongoing medical monitoring and dietician support are also important. For children and adolescents, both Family Based Treatment and CBT have research to support their use.
OSFED is the term used for disordered eating behaviours that have a significant impact on the individual’s life, but do not fit other diagnoses. Full criteria may be met for another eating disorder, however weight may remain normal (as in atypical anorexia nervosa) or their compensatory behaviours may occur at a lower frequency. It is important to recognise that OSFED has psychological and physical consequences similar to other eating disorders and can be severe and life threatening.
The best treatment for OSFED depends on the specific symptoms experienced. For example, if the pattern most closely resembles anorexia nervosa, then the same treatment for anorexia nervosa may be used.
ARFID is a feeding disturbance that leads to persistent failure to meet appropriate nutritional and/or energy needs that can be seen as significant weight loss or failure for children to gain weight or grow; significant nutritional deficiency; dependence on nutritional supplements; and obvious interference with psychosocial functioning. There may be a lack of interest in eating, avoidance of food due to sensory issues, or concern about the consequences of eating (such as choking, gagging or vomiting). There are high rates of anxiety disorders in those with ARFID.
Treatment goals for ARFID may include weight restoration and increasing food intake and range. A modified version of FBT has been used in children and adolescents with ARFID presenting with low weight. Treatment can include coaching around eating behaviours and meal times and may require therapy to address anxiety
