Fear and Eating Disorders with Therapist Jen

Understanding Body Matters Podcast

On this weeks episode I am delighted to be introducing you to our next special guest Provisional Psychologist and Family Therapist from here at BodyMatters, Jennifer Poynton. Jen is a Provisional Psychologist who came to BodyMatters with more than 5 years of clinical experience. She previously worked as a counsellor supporting individuals and significant others with issues related to problematic alcohol and drug use, and in suicide prevention settings prior to commencing her registration as a Provisional Psychologist in regional West Australia.

Jen has worked as a Provisional Psychologist for three years in regional Western Australia with adolescents and young people at headspace, in community mental health with clients experiencing severe and persistent mental health issues, in private practice supporting NDIS and private clients, and for low-cost NGO services providing family and individual counselling. In addition to this, her understanding of the issues experienced by individuals across the lifespan is supported by her Honours qualification in Psychology, a minor in Addiction studies, and post graduate School Psychology studies.

Through her past roles, Jen gained exposure to supporting people experiencing eating disorders. This led Jen to where she is today – passionate about working to support people with eating disorders, disordered eating, weight issues, body image concerns and body dysmorphia. Jen also has a particular interest in supporting people who have or are seeking bariatric surgery. Jen has obtained foundational clinical qualifications in supporting and treating individuals experiencing eating disorders and further extended this knowledge with specific eating disorder therapeutic treatment qualifications in Enhanced Cognitive Behaviour Therapy for Eating Disorders (CBT-E) and Maudsley Family Based Therapy (MFBT). Jen has recently completed a professional development credentialing scholarship through the Australian and New Zealand Academy of Eating Disorders (ANZAED).

On this week’s episode Jen will be speaking on the topic of fear, its links to eating disorders, anxiety, and our ability to live the life we want to live. Jen speaks about the role that fear has in our lives and how it is treated when there are excessive levels of fear in our lives impacting our ability to function. Especially, when it comes to behaviours around food, body and fear in general. So on that note, please enjoy our next lovely guest Jen!

Podcast Summary

1. Fear is part of our human evolution

2. Excessive amounts of fear in eating disorders

3. Fear leading to avoidance behaviours

4. How fear maintains eating disorders and limiting beliefs

5. Facing the fears and celebrating showing up

Links from the episode:

BodyMatters Australasia Website: ⁠⁠⁠https://bodymatters.com.au/⁠⁠⁠

BodyMatters Instagram: bodymattersau

Butterfly Foundation Helpline: Call their National Helpline on ⁠⁠⁠1800 33 4673⁠⁠⁠. You can also ⁠⁠⁠chat online⁠⁠⁠ or ⁠⁠email