Weight management counselling

How to get started

Find the right Psychologist

Most of our psychologists work in the Melbourne CBD Clinic, and the rest in different locations across Melbourne. You can find out all about our psychologists – when, where and what issues they work with – on our online booking page or you can call our reception on 1300 161 639.

Personal Matching

We recommend that your first step is an online Personal Matching appointment. Research shows that the key to successful outcomes is the relationship between client and psychologist. At Psychology Melbourne, we don't leave that to chance. We offer a personal matching session with one of our trained Matching Psychologists who will expertly choose the right psychologist for you and your issues.

Fees & rebates

GP Referral

All our psychologists are registered with Medicare, allowing clients with a referral and a Mental Health Care Plan (MHCP) from their GP to receive a substantial rebate.

Note that you do not require a referral from a GP unless you intend to claim a Medicare rebate.

Find out more about MHCP Medicare rebate.

Information for referring GPs

Opening hours

Reception is open:
Mon–Thu 8:30 am - 6:30 pm
Friday 8:30 am - 6 pm
Saturday 9 am - 3 pm
closed public holidays

After hours appointments may also be available.

Find out more about our counselling hours and appointments.

Phone & video counselling

If you are can't get to the clinic, you can use our secure phone and video counselling services. This allows you to get expert, effective psychological help from your home, but also from work or your hotel room when you’re interstate or overseas.

FAQs

See answers to frequently asked questions about our clinics, treatment, EAP, fees and rebates.

medicare rebate

"Anxiety is the attempt to control what cannot be controlled."

—Anonymous

Immediate appointments available
Psychologists Online across Australia for counselling, testing and groups - Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane, Adelaide, Hobart, Perth and Canberra

Body image and weight management

Most people will experience dissatisfaction with their weight at some point in their life. Research found that only 22% of women within a normal healthy weight range reported being happy with their weight and 74% desired to weigh less. In Australians aged 11-24, 28% of males and 35% of females are dissatisfied with their appearance.

Understand your body and learn how to manage it

Weight problems are often frustrating as they can be difficult to change and hurtful for our self-esteem. However, with the right support, anyone can get to a healthy body weight. Stress, depression and anxiety are all factors that can hinder success. Counselling can help you understand the issues that may be contributing to your weight management difficulties.

How Psychology Melbourne can help

Our experienced team of psychologists can work with you either individually or in group sessions to help you learn to manage body image and weight problems and understand their causes. Whether you’re trying to put on weight or lose it, your mindset is crucial to successful weight management.

Individual Counselling

For individual counselling, you can choose who you want to work with from the team. This is a private one-on-one session, in which you can explore on a deeper level what is causing your anger and how to stop it sabotaging your life. It can be done face-to-face or by video link.

Counselling team & bookings

Weight Management short course

Alternatively, for the same cost as an individual session, you can join our Weight Management short course. This is a 3-session personal development course that runs weekly for 1-hour in the CBD for up to 10 people. This course will teach you how to shift your focus from weight and create long-lasting healthy habits.

Course info & bookings

 

Weight Management Counselling Team

beatrix gardiner melbourne clinical psychologist

MORE INFO
Beatrix (Trixie) Gardiner
Melbourne CBD

giovanna lajbcygier clinical psychologists

MORE INFO
Dr Giovanna Lajbcygier
Melbourne CBD

sarah branchflower melbourne psychologist

MORE INFO
Sarah Branchflower
Melbourne CBD

Psychology and weight problems

Particularly in the Western world, images communicated through mass media are unrealistic, airbrushed and altered to achieve a culturally perceived image of ‘perfection’ that does not actually exist. This image of ‘perfection’ is equated with thinness for females and a lean, muscular body for males. People who internalise this ‘thin ideal’ have a greater risk of developing body dissatisfaction which can lead to eating disorder behaviours.

Successful weight management is about more than diet and exercise. People try special diets and exercise routines every day in the hope of losing weight. But psychological factors that impact long-term weight management and positive body image are often overlooked. We can be very harsh on ourselves, judging our appearances against incomparable standards, viewing ourselves only in terms of how we appear instead of our value as a person.

What contributes to weight problems?

Factors that can contribute to weight problems:

Seeking professional assistance

At their heart, most weight problems are the result of coping strategies for emotional problems. People overeat when they’re anxious or sad and avoid exercise because they’re ashamed or stressed. Contrastingly, they might limit their food intake and over exercise to feel a sense of control. A psychologist can offer emotional support throughout your weight management journey. This support allows you to identify specific challenges that make it difficult for you to manage your weight. Therapy begins treating the problem from the inside out.

Seeing a psychologist is a confidential, non-judgemental and encouraging process. Therapy encourages you to look at your own behaviour, and to then find new ways to deal with old problems. This allows you to take responsibility without fear of judgment. Your therapist may also educate you about a healthy lifestyle and develop a clear plan for getting from where you are to where you want to be. Find the right psychologist for you at Psychology Melbourne.

Strategies to help manage weight

Weight loss involves change, motivation and commitment. It can mean a significant shift in lifestyle and a need to maintain that shift over time.

BOOK ONLINE CALL US

Subscribe to our Newsletter

Receive regular updates on our online courses and therapy groups, customised counselling packages, and essential resources to nurture your mental health and personal development.




OUR LOCATIONS

MELBOURNE CBD
(main practice)
2/50 Queen Street
VICTORIA
accessible
Phone 1300 161 639 for all locations
Reception Hours:
Mon - Thurs 8:30 am - 6:30 pm
Fri 8:30 am - 6 pm,  Sat 9 am - 2:30 pm
SYDNEY
NEW SOUTH WALES
BRISBANE
QUEENSLAND
ADELAIDE
SOUTH AUSTRALIA
HOBART
TASMANIA
PERTH
WESTERN AUSTRALIA
CANBERRA
ACT

 

FOLLOW US ON