Specialist mental health · London
Private eating disorder treatment - London.
Evidence-based care for anorexia, bulimia, binge eating disorder, ARFID and OSFED. Outpatient CBT-E, structured day-patient programmes and residential admissions across recognised London units. Consultant psychiatry, specialist therapy, dietetics and medical monitoring under one plan.
Conditions treated
The full spectrum, not just the ones you can see.
Eating disorders present at every body weight and across every age. Our network treats the DSM-5 diagnoses in adults and adolescents.
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Anorexia nervosa (restrictive)
Severe dietary restriction with significantly low body weight, intense fear of weight gain and distorted body image. Requires medical monitoring alongside psychological therapy.
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Anorexia nervosa (binge-purge subtype)
Restriction interrupted by episodes of binge eating and compensatory purging (vomiting, laxatives, over-exercise). Medically higher risk than the restrictive subtype.
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Bulimia nervosa
Recurrent binge episodes followed by compensatory behaviours, typically at normal or above-normal weight. CBT-E is NICE first-line therapy.
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Binge eating disorder (BED)
Recurrent binges without regular compensatory behaviours. Often associated with obesity, shame and depression. Responds well to CBT-E and guided self-help.
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ARFID
Avoidant/restrictive food intake disorder. Restriction driven by sensory sensitivity, fear of aversive consequences (choking, vomiting) or low interest in eating, not by body image concerns. Common in neurodivergent adults and children.
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OSFED and orthorexia
Other specified feeding or eating disorders, including atypical anorexia at higher weights, purging disorder, and orthorexic patterns (rigid preoccupation with clean eating). Treated using the same evidence-based frameworks.
Levels of care
Outpatient, day-patient, residential - matched to what you actually need.
The right care level is the least restrictive one that keeps you medically safe and lets treatment work. We assess this openly at the outset.
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Outpatient CBT-E
Weekly one-to-one sessions with a specialist psychological therapist, typically 20 to 40 sessions. Suitable when weight is medically safe and daily function is preserved. Combined with dietetic support.
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Day-patient programme
3 to 6 days per week of structured meals, group therapy, individual sessions and dietetic support. Bridges outpatient and residential care. You return home each evening.
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Residential / inpatient
24-hour care in a specialist unit when weight is medically unsafe, when purging is uncontrolled, when outpatient treatment has failed, or when suicide risk is significant. Typical stays 6 to 16 weeks.
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Medically supervised refeeding
Cardiac monitoring, electrolyte checks and gradual calorie reintroduction to prevent refeeding syndrome. Required for severe malnutrition and always delivered inpatient.
Evidence-based therapies
NICE-recommended therapies, delivered by accredited specialists.
The core therapies for eating disorders are well-defined. What matters is who delivers them and whether the whole team pulls in the same direction.
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CBT-E (Enhanced Cognitive Behavioural Therapy)
NICE first-line for adults with bulimia nervosa and binge eating disorder, and offered for anorexia. 20 sessions for non-underweight patients, 40 sessions for those needing weight restoration. Focused, structured, evidence-led.
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MANTRA and SSCM
Maudsley Anorexia Nervosa Treatment for Adults, and Specialist Supportive Clinical Management. NICE-recommended alternatives for anorexia in adults, delivered by trained specialists.
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FBT (Family-Based Treatment)
The Maudsley approach. First-line for adolescents with anorexia and bulimia. Parents take initial charge of refeeding, with control handed back gradually as the young person recovers.
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DBT (Dialectical Behaviour Therapy)
Used where an eating disorder coexists with emotional dysregulation, self-harm or borderline personality traits. Skills training in distress tolerance, emotion regulation and interpersonal effectiveness.
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IPT (Interpersonal Therapy)
Evidence-based alternative to CBT-E for bulimia and binge eating, targeting the interpersonal patterns that maintain disordered eating.
Multidisciplinary team
One plan, several disciplines, no gaps.
Eating disorder treatment fails when disciplines work in isolation. Every patient in our network has a named team who meet weekly and share a single formulation.
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Consultant psychiatrist
Diagnosis, medication (SSRIs, olanzapine where indicated), risk assessment and coordination of care.
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Specialist therapist
CBT-E, MANTRA, DBT or FBT delivered weekly. Doctoral-level clinical or counselling psychologist, or accredited CBT therapist.
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Specialist dietitian
Meal planning, structured eating, challenging food rules, managing weight restoration or stabilisation.
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Physician / GP
Weekly weight, blood tests, ECG monitoring in low-weight or purging patients. Manages medical complications.
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Family therapist
Essential for adolescents on FBT. Offered to adults where family dynamics maintain the eating disorder.
Cost in London
What eating disorder treatment costs privately in London.
Indicative 2026 self-pay ranges across the units we work with. Insurer-funded rates differ. Firm quotes come with the initial assessment letter.
| Option | Indicative range | Detail |
|---|---|---|
| Outpatient CBT-E (per session) | £120 to £220 | 20 to 40 sessions over 6 to 12 months |
| Consultant psychiatry assessment | £350 to £600 | 60 to 90 minutes |
| Dietetic session | £120 to £180 | Weekly, tapering |
| Day-patient programme (per week) | £850 to £1,600 | 3 to 6 days per week |
| Residential / inpatient (per week) | £4,500 to £8,500 | All-inclusive, typical stays 6 to 16 weeks |
A full 40-session CBT-E course for anorexia at outpatient rates falls in the £5,000 to £9,000 range, before dietetics and psychiatry. A 12-week residential stay typically totals £55,000 to £100,000, before step-down.
Where treatment happens
Recognised London units and short-travel specialist centres.
Most patients are treated inside the M25. For residential care, the strongest specialist units may be a short train ride out of London.
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The Priory Hospital Hayes Grove
Kent. Adult residential and day-patient. Refeeding capacity.
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The Priory Hospital Roehampton
South-west London. Adult inpatient, day-patient and outpatient.
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Nightingale Hospital
Marylebone, central London. Eating disorders day and inpatient programmes.
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Schoen Clinic Chelsea
Chelsea, London. Outpatient and day-patient across eating and mood disorders.
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Cotswold House Marlborough
Specialist adult inpatient unit (short travel from London).
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Vincent Square Eating Disorder Service
CNWL specialist NHS service, also accepting private referrals.
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Rhodes Wood Hospital
Hertfordshire. Specialist adolescent eating disorders (short travel).
Private medical insurance
What your policy will and will not cover.
Eating disorders are among the more variable conditions for cover. We check for you before you commit any money.
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Bupa, AXA Health, Vitality and Aviva typically cover outpatient CBT-E and consultant sessions with pre-authorisation.
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Day-patient programmes generally require pre-authorisation and a specialist referral, and are covered by most comprehensive policies.
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Residential admissions are often subject to annual limits (commonly 28 to 60 inpatient days per policy year) and reviewed weekly by the insurer.
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ARFID treatment coverage varies by insurer, as does support for adolescents on family policies.
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We check policy eligibility and secure written pre-authorisation before you commit.
Red flags · seek urgent care
If any of these apply, do not wait for a private appointment.
Eating disorders carry real medical risk. Elective private outpatient care is not the right setting for acute instability. Contact your GP the same day, call 111, or attend A&E. In a mental health crisis call 999 or the Samaritans on 116 123.
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BMI under 15, or rapid weight loss (over 1kg per week for several weeks)
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Purging multiple times per day, or laxative dependence
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Fainting, chest pain, low pulse (under 40), postural hypotension or seizures
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Blood in vomit, severe abdominal pain, or inability to keep any food or fluid down
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Suicidal thoughts, self-harm or acute psychiatric crisis
Frequently asked
The questions patients and families ask us.
Written by clinicians in our network, in plain English.
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Is family involvement expected?
For adolescents on FBT, yes: parents are central to refeeding and treatment cannot succeed without them. For adults, family involvement is offered where it helps, but is not required. Partners and parents are often invited to psychoeducation sessions so they understand how to support recovery without becoming policing figures.
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How much time off work will I need?
Outpatient CBT-E is usually compatible with full-time work, requiring one to two hours a week plus meal-support time. Day-patient programmes need three to six days per week for 8 to 12 weeks, so a formal absence or reduced hours are usually necessary. Residential care is a full absence, typically 6 to 16 weeks, and your consultant psychiatrist can provide fit notes and letters for employers.
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Is outpatient CBT-E enough on its own?
For bulimia nervosa, binge eating disorder and non-underweight anorexia, outpatient CBT-E is genuinely first-line and often sufficient. For low-weight anorexia, weekly outpatient care can work when medical parameters are stable and there is a supportive home environment, but many patients need day-patient or residential support to achieve weight restoration safely.
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What if my weight is not low? Do I still qualify for treatment?
Yes. Atypical anorexia, bulimia, binge eating disorder, ARFID and OSFED all cause serious harm regardless of body weight. Weight is one clinical marker among many, and eating disorders at higher weights are frequently under-treated. If eating, purging or exercise is dominating your life, you qualify for assessment.
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Will private insurance cover this?
Most major UK insurers (Bupa, AXA, Vitality, Aviva, WPA) cover outpatient CBT-E, psychiatry and dietetics with pre-authorisation. Day-patient and residential care are usually covered but subject to annual inpatient-day limits and weekly clinical review. ARFID cover and adolescent cover on family policies vary. We check for you before you commit.
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How long does recovery take?
CBT-E for bulimia or binge eating disorder runs 20 sessions across roughly 20 weeks, with a further year of monitoring. Anorexia recovery is longer: 40 sessions of CBT-E, or a residential stay of 6 to 16 weeks followed by 12 months of outpatient step-down. Full psychological recovery for anorexia typically takes 3 to 7 years. Early treatment shortens this considerably.
Confidential enquiry
Tell us what is going on. We come back within one working day.
A short form. No hard sell. We match you to the right level of care and the right consultant, and we tell you honestly if outpatient is enough or if you need something more.