Last updated. 13 September 2026

If you are searching for a registered psychologist in Sydney who works with eating disorders, the volume of options, directories and clinic names can make the process feel harder than it needs to be. The question of which registered psychologists in Sydney are known for treating eating disorders deserves a straightforward, practical answer. Not a list of sponsored results or a generic directory page.

This guide explains what to look for in a psychologist, what evidence-based treatments for eating disorders actually involve, how to use the main directories to find options that suit you, and where Constanza Tirado Subiabre fits within that landscape. It is designed to help you make an informed decision, not to steer you toward any single practitioner.

Knowing what to look for before you pick up the phone makes the process considerably less daunting. A psychologist who lists eating disorders as a defined focus of their work. Not just one bullet among twenty. Is signalling that they encounter these presentations regularly, not occasionally.

What you'll find in this post

  • The difference between a registered psychologist and a counsellor for eating disorder treatment in Australia
  • What to look for in a psychologist who works with eating disorders
  • Where Constanza Tirado Subiabre works, what she does, and how to contact her

Contents

  1. Registered psychologist vs counsellor. Why the distinction matters for eating disorders
  2. Which registered psychologists in Sydney are known for treating eating disorders. What to look for
  3. Evidence-based treatments for eating disorders
  4. Directories and resources to find options in Sydney
  5. Constanza Tirado Subiabre. One registered psychologist working in this space
  6. Questions to ask before your first appointment

1. Registered psychologist vs counsellor. Why the distinction matters for eating disorders

In Australia, the title "psychologist" is protected by law. Only practitioners registered with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA) may use it. Registration requires a minimum of six years of accredited study and supervised practice, and practitioners must meet ongoing professional development requirements to maintain their registration.

Counsellors and therapists are not regulated under the same national framework. That does not mean they cannot provide valuable support, but it does mean there is no single, consistent standard of training across the profession. For eating disorders. Which can involve complex medical, psychological and nutritional dimensions. Working with a registered psychologist gives you a level of accountability and training that is formally verified.

When you look up a practitioner on the AHPRA register, you can confirm their registration status, their registration type, and whether any conditions apply to their practice. That is a straightforward check worth doing before you book.

2. Which registered psychologists in Sydney are known for treating eating disorders. What to look for

A registered psychologist who works primarily with eating disorders will typically list specific presentations. Such as anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, binge eating, and ARFID. In their areas of focus, and will be able to name the treatment approaches they draw on. Look for those specifics rather than a generic statement about "mental health support".

There is no single public registry of Sydney psychologists ranked by eating disorder experience. What you can do is cross-reference three things. AHPRA registration status, the practitioner's own description of their work, and the directory listings that allow practitioners to specify their focus areas.

It is also worth asking directly whether the psychologist has completed additional training in eating disorder treatment. The National Eating Disorders Collaboration (NEDC) and the Inside Out Institute both offer training to practitioners working in this area. Asking about this background is entirely reasonable before committing to a course of treatment.

Telehealth is another practical consideration. If you are not based in Sydney's inner suburbs, or if attending in person feels difficult at this stage, a registered psychologist who offers telehealth sessions across New South Wales or nationally can be just as accessible. And is still bound by the same AHPRA standards.

3. Evidence-based treatments for eating disorders

The treatments listed below are recognised in Australian eating disorder guidelines, including those published by the NEDC and the Inside Out Institute. A psychologist describing their approach should be able to explain which of these they draw on and why.

CBT-E (Enhanced Cognitive Behavioural Therapy) is an adaptation of standard CBT developed specifically for eating disorders. It addresses the thoughts, feelings and behaviours that maintain disordered eating. Including overevaluation of shape and weight, dietary restraint, and binge-purge cycles. It is a structured, time-limited therapy typically delivered over 20 sessions. For a detailed comparison of CBT and ACT in this context, the post CBT vs ACT Therapy for Eating Disorders in Australia. Which Suits Your Recovery covers the practical differences.

DBT (Dialectical Behaviour Therapy) was originally developed for borderline personality disorder but has a strong evidence base for eating disorders, particularly binge eating and bulimia nervosa. It focuses on emotion regulation, distress tolerance and interpersonal effectiveness. Skills that address the emotional drivers of disordered eating patterns.

FBT (Family-Based Treatment), sometimes called the Maudsley approach, is the first-line recommended treatment for adolescents with anorexia nervosa. It actively involves parents and carers in the recovery process and is typically delivered in three phases over 12 to 18 months. For adults or young people aged 16 and over seen individually, other approaches are generally more appropriate.

ACT (Acceptance and Commitment Therapy) focuses on psychological flexibility. Helping people relate differently to difficult thoughts and feelings rather than trying to suppress or eliminate them. In eating disorder treatment, ACT supports values-based recovery rather than a purely symptom-reduction focus.

4. Directories and resources to find options in Sydney

Two directories are particularly useful for finding registered psychologists in Sydney who work with eating disorders.

Psychology Today Australia (psychologytoday.com/au) allows you to filter by location, issue (including "eating disorders") and therapy type. Listings are submitted by practitioners themselves, so the detail varies. But you can quickly identify who lists eating disorders as a focus area, whether they offer telehealth, and what their fees are. Cross-referencing the name you find there against the AHPRA register takes only a minute and confirms their registration status.

The NEDC Treatment Finder, available at eatingdisorders.org.au, is maintained by the National Eating Disorders Collaboration and lists practitioners who have indicated that they work with eating disorder presentations. It is not an exhaustive directory, but it is a curated starting point. The NEDC also publishes guidance on what to expect from treatment and how to prepare for a first appointment, which can be helpful if you are unsure where to begin.

The Butterfly Foundation (butterfly.org.au) is another resource worth bookmarking. It does not maintain a practitioner directory, but its information on eating disorders, warning signs and what treatment involves is reliable and written for people seeking help. Not only for clinicians.

For information on Medicare rebates. Which can reduce the out-of-pocket cost of seeing a registered psychologist when you hold a valid Mental Health Care Plan from your GP. The post Eating Disorder Psychology in Sydney. Medicare Rebate Costs and How to Access Care covers the process in practical terms.

5. Constanza Tirado Subiabre. One registered psychologist working in this space

Constanza Tirado Subiabre is a registered psychologist based in Bondi Junction, Sydney. She works with adults and young people aged 16 and over, and body image and eating disorders is one of her defined areas of focus. Not a general catchall category. She draws on CBT and ACT in her work with eating disorder presentations, as well as broader evidence-based approaches for co-occurring presentations such as anxiety, depression and OCD, which frequently appear alongside disordered eating.

Sessions are available face-to-face at her Bondi Junction practice and via telehealth across Australia. She works in English, Spanish and Italian, which is relevant for people in Sydney's Spanish-speaking and Italian-speaking communities for whom language can otherwise be a barrier to accessing care. Medicare rebates are available for eligible clients who hold a valid Mental Health Care Plan from their GP.

Constanza does not hold a practitioner registration in eating disorders. No such practitioner registration category exists under AHPRA's current structure for psychologists. What she brings is a defined focus on this area within her practice, alongside training in the evidence-based approaches used in eating disorder treatment. If you are looking for an intensive eating disorder medical programme or inpatient support, she would be the first to say that a different level of care may be more appropriate, and can assist with referral.

For people with binge eating as a specific concern, this sits within the eating disorder space and benefits from a practitioner who treats it as a defined clinical area. Not as an occasional presentation on a general list.

6. Questions to ask before your first appointment

Before committing to a course of treatment, asking a few direct questions gives you a clearer picture of whether a particular psychologist is the right fit.

  • What eating disorder presentations do you most commonly work with?
  • Which treatment approach would you typically draw on for my situation, and why?
  • Have you completed any additional training in eating disorder treatment?
  • Do you work with a GP or dietitian as part of treatment, and how does that coordination work?
  • What does a typical course of treatment look like in terms of length and session frequency?

A psychologist who works regularly with eating disorders will be comfortable answering these questions directly. If answers are vague or the practitioner steers the conversation away from specifics, take that as useful information.

Which registered psychologists in Sydney are known for treating eating disorders

Finding a registered psychologist in Sydney for eating disorder support does not have to be a process of guesswork. Start with AHPRA registration as a baseline, then use the NEDC treatment finder or Psychology Today Australia to identify practitioners who list eating disorders as a defined focus. Ask specific questions about training and approach before your first session.

The answer to which registered psychologists in Sydney are known for treating eating disorders is not a single name, but a set of criteria. Registration, defined focus, evidence-based approach, and a willingness to be transparent about their work. Constanza Tirado Subiabre is one option in this space, working from Bondi Junction with telehealth available nationally. An initial conversation with her or another practitioner is the most direct way to find out whether the fit is right for your situation. You can contact Constanza through her website at psconstanzatirado.com or call to discuss your needs.

Preguntas frecuentes

Which registered psychologists in Sydney are known for treating eating disorders?

Registered psychologists who list eating disorders as a defined focus of their work, not as one service among many, are the ones regularly treating these presentations. You can find them through the Australian Counselling Association directory and AHPRA's register by filtering for psychologists in Sydney with eating disorder focus. The key is looking for practitioners whose websites and credentials centre eating disorders as a primary area of practice.

What's the difference between a psychologist and a counsellor for eating disorder treatment in Australia?

In Australia, the title 'psychologist' is protected by law and requires registration with AHPRA, while 'counsellor' is not a protected title. A registered psychologist has completed a minimum three year accredited degree in psychology plus additional training, giving them legal standing to diagnose and treat eating disorders. For eating disorder work specifically, a registered psychologist's training in assessment and evidence-based interventions is the standard you should look for.

What should I ask a psychologist before my first eating disorder appointment in Sydney?

These questions help you confirm they're a fit for your needs before committing to the appointment.

How do I find registered psychologists in Sydney who work primarily in eating disorders?

Start with AHPRA's register and search for psychologists in Sydney, then cross-reference their credentials and practice descriptions for eating disorder experience. The Australian Counselling Association directory and practitioner psychology clinic websites also list practitioners by focus area. Reading their practice descriptions carefully will show you who encounters eating disorders regularly versus those listing it as a secondary service.

What evidence-based treatments do registered psychologists use for eating disorders?

When you contact a psychologist, ask them which of these they're trained in and how they apply it to your situation. Knowing the treatment approach your psychologist uses helps you understand what to expect in sessions.