Diploma in Eating Disorders for Counsellors and Psychotherapists
Evidence-based, trauma-informed training to help you work safely, ethically and effectively with eating disorders—aligned with NICE guidance and BPS competencies. Build confidence with structured teaching, live formulation practice and supervised application.
About the Diploma
Eating disorders affect millions of individuals worldwide. It is estimated that up to 3.4 million people in the UK live with an eating disorder.
Our diploma is informed by leading evidence-based models, including CBT-E and MANTRA, and is aligned with the British Psychological Society’s (BPS) competencies for working with eating disorders.
You’ll learn directly from practising therapists who have thousands of hours of experience in working with clients across the full spectrum of eating disorders.
Throughout the diploma, you’ll be supported to integrate evidence-informed approached into your own therapeutic framework, gaining clarity and confidence in how to help clients with eating disorders within your existing practice.
Key Information
Our next course starts on Saturday 21st March 2026.
To make our diploma as accessible as possible, we’re delivering it in a blended format.
Some of the theory-based modules will be delivered in an online, pre-recorded format that you can work through at a time that suits you.
There are 10 modules that will be taught live, either because they are skills-based and practical or because they are best taught through active discussion.
The live modules will be taught across 6 weekends from our training room in Bridgwater, Somerset. There will be options for joining us online if you’re unable to join in person.
The diploma has a total of 18 modules that cover everything needed to work competently, safely, and ethically with clients experiencing eating disorders. Topics include:
- Understanding all types of eating disorders, their symptoms, diagnostic criteria, and treatment pathways.
- The psychology of eating disorders, including blocks to recovery.
- Working from a transdiagnostic perspective and with a client’s unique mix of behaviours, thoughts, and emotions safely.
- Understanding the role of eating disorder behaviours, such as restriction, bingeing and purging.
- Practical tools to help clients challenge different eating disorder behaviours.
- Working ethically with clients with eating disorders.
- Understanding and improving body image, including body dysmorphia.
- Working with loved ones.
By the end of the diploma, you will have all of the theoretical knowledge and practical skills to be able to work with this client group in a safely and ethically.
Our Diploma is designed for qualified counsellors and psychotherapists who wish to learn about eating disorders and how to support clients affected by an eating disorder.
Whether you are looking to specialise, enhance your current practice, or support your supervisees, this course offers a comprehensive knowledge base.
The only prerequisite is that you are a qualified counsellor or psychotherapist.
Please note, this diploma does not qualify you to practice as a counsellor or psychotherapist.
The maximum number of places is 10. This is because we prefer working with small groups where everyone has an opportunity to actively participate in the discussions.
The amount of time you’ll need to commit will vary, but here is a guide:
The online modules will take approximately 8 hours to work through.
There are six live teaching weekends. Each weekend will consist of 12 hours (including breaks). The days will run from 10:00-16:00 Saturday and Sunday.
It is highly recommended that you engage in additional reading throughout the diploma, and a reading list will be provided to support your studies.
The course will start on Saturday 21st March 2026. The weekends will be on:
- 21st and 22nd March
- 18th and 19th April
- 16th and 17th May
- 20th and 21st June
- 18th and 19th July
- 15th and 16th August
- 19th and 20th September
There are two main tutors on the diploma, Sarah and Richard. Sarah has written and presents the theory-based modules. Richard teaches the live weekends.
Sarah Galton, BSc, Adv. Dip, has years of experience working with and teaching about eating disorders.
Richard, PGDip, PQ Dip Eating Disorder, PGDip Supervison, Adv. Dip. Counselling and Psychotherapy, is the founder of The Eating Disorder Recovery Clinic and has thousands of hours of clinical and supervision experience in the eating disorder field.
You will also have guest lectures from other tutors and specialists during the live weekends.
The fee is £1800.
We recognise that many counsellors and psychotherapists prefer to pay in instalments. We’re happy to arrange a payment plan if you would like to spread the cost over several payments.
To register your interest or ask any questions, please email training@edrecovery.co.uk.
Why Study With Us?
We run this diploma because we’re passionate about increasing the treatment options available to people living with eating disorders. We believe that the best way to do that is by training therapists to deliver high-quality, evidence-informed care – and by supporting you to feel confident and competent in your work.
Our diploma is delivered by practising specialists. Both of the tutors, and the guest speakers, has significant experience of working with clients across the full spectrum of eating disorders, from anorexia and bulimia to binge eating disorder and ARFID. This means that you’ll learn from therapists who understand the realities of practice, not just the theory.
You’ll gain structured, practical tools you can use straight away, including assessment templates, treatment planning frameworks, and real-world examples from our work. Small cohort sizes mean you’ll have time for questions, discussions and practice.
Teaching is interactive and supervision is built into the teaching weekends so that you can apply the learning directly to your client work.
We believe professional development should be compassionate as well as rigorous. Our teaching combines clinical expertise with warmth and a genuine commitment to improve outcomes for clients.
We’d love to hear from you.
Please complete the contact form to ask a question or reserve your place on the Diploma.