Reaching out doesn't mean something is wrong, it means you're paying attention

Compassionate therapy for adults seeking clarity, healing, and meaningful change

Food & Feelings

You're In the
Right Place If Any of These Resonate With You...

You want to establish a healthier relationship with food that is sustainable for the future
You're worried or feeling uncomfortable about weight gain
You're starting a GLP1 and want to set yourself up for success
You are considering commencing or coming off a GLP1 and want an informed but impartial and non-judgemental place to discuss this decision

You engage in eating patterns you're concerned with, such as emotional eating, binge-eating, compulsive eating, restrictive eating or picky eating
You are struggling with body image or self-compassion
You want to build your confidence and self worth
You want to understand and work through deeper issues underpinning your relationship with food, and your body

What I  Specialize In

Anxiety & Stress

Find relief from racing thoughts, constant worry, and the weight of overwhelm

Disordered Eating

Heal your relationship with food and learn to eat more intuitively (or overcome your picky eating)

Body Image

Reduce negative thoughts, anxiety and shame about your body

Self Worth

Learn to accept yourself more fully and stand up to your internal bully

Relationships

Understand patterns and ways of being in your relationships and how to keep yourself emotionally safe, without putting up walls

Depression

Low mood can make everything feel heavy, making it difficult to get out of the house and connect with others

Meet
Emma

EMMA THOMAS

BA Psych

MCOUNS&PSYCHTH

After many years in the corporate world of marketing, I retrained in counselling and psychotherapy and have always had an interest in the psychology behind disordered eating and weight cycling.

I have a particular interest in supporting clients in larger bodies. This includes working with binge-eating disorder and "atypical" anorexia, but often my clients are experiencing distress with their eating and body image, however they do not meet diagnostic criteria for an eating disorder. You don't have to have to be "really bad" to deserve and benefit from support!

I have a bachelor of psychology, a master of counselling and psychotherapy, and specialist training in many evidence-based treatments for disordered eating (see the Treatment Approaches section for more detail). I am a registered counsellor with the New Zealand Association of Counsellors (NZAC).

I also offer more general psychotherapy, including evidence-based practice for anxiety, general self worth and low mood.

I am a registered counsellor with the New Zealand Association of Counsellors (NZAC).

How We Can  Work Together

I offer personalized therapy designed around your goals and comfort. Whether you prefer in-person sessions, or teletherapy from home or across the country, I provide evidence-based treatment in a safe, non-judgmental space.

Individual Therapy

One-on-one support from rooms in Parnell and Mt Albert, Auckland.

Teletherapy

Secure video sessions for convenience, privacy, and accessibility.

Free Consultation

15-minute call to discuss your needs and see if we're a good fit.

info@foodandfeelings.co.nz

My approach

I help women to break free from disordered patterns of eating and negative body image, supporting them to repair their relationship with food and their body.

This would include identifying and overcoming triggers to bingeing and dieting; decreasing obsessive thoughts about food and weight (including food noise); improving self esteem, self compassion and body image; decreasing shame and anxiety; learning to manage difficult feelings without using restriction, exercise or food; and tuning into hunger and satiety signals to allow a more peaceful, mindful relationship with food.

I also support those with extreme picky eating, known as ARFID (Avoidant Restrictive Food Intake Disorder).

I have contributed to articles in The New Zealand Herald, Radio New Zealand and an NZME podcast.

Reaching out is not a sign that something is wrong with you, it's a sign that you're paying attention.

Many of the people I work with have spent a long time managing on their own before they seek support, some reach out straight away.

There's no right or wrong time. If something is weighing on you, you deserve a space to explore it.

If you're curious about whether therapy might be right for you, I'd love to hear from you. There’s no pressure, and your first message doesn't need to be perfectly worded.

Treatment

approaches

I work in an empathic, non-judgmental way, and am passionate about being a weight inclusive counsellor.

I use a variety of evidence-based treatment approaches tailored to your individual goals.

Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)
Motivational Interviewing for behaviour change
Mindfulness based approaches
Narrative Therapy
Solution-Focused Therapy
Cognitive Behavioural Therapy Enhanced for Eating Disorders
Cognitive Behavioural Therapy for ARFID (Avoidant Restrictive Food Intake Disorder)
Maudsley Anorexia Nervosa Treatment for Adults (MANTRA)
Integrated Cognitive Affective Therapy (ICAT)

Diverse and inclusive practice

Neurodiversity affirming therapy
Health At Every Size (HAES) informed
Respect for all body sizes, as well as choices around medication and surgery decisions
Trauma informed care
Culturally sensitive practice
Safe and affirming space for LGBTQI+

Fees

Standard therapy session (55 minutes) $200 plus GST

Eating disorder assessment (100 minutes) $480 plus GST

I am also available for free sessions for those eligible through Gumboot Friday (25 and under) and Clearhead EAP service