In 2020, one Australian woman, who had lived with disordered eating for years, finally decided to seek treatment. Her condition had begun in her early twenties with a simple diet but escalated into a pattern of bingeing, purging, starvation, and obsessive exercising.
Constant thoughts about food consumed her mind, and her self-esteem suffered. Despite having time and financial resources for therapy, she found no support. Waitlists were long, inpatient care was not an option, and her disorder was not seen as “severe” enough for urgent care.
Eventually, a psychologist — unable to take her on — sent her a link to a pilot study by the University of Sydney and the InsideOut Institute. The study was testing a 12-week online therapy program for individuals with bulimia nervosa and binge eating disorder. Despite initial doubts, she enrolled.
The daily routine involved logging meals, thoughts, and behaviors, which helped her detach her identity from her eating habits. Weekly check-ins with a counselor guided her through emotional challenges. Over time, the program helped her shift her mindset and reconnect with a healthier relationship with food.
From Research to Nationwide Support
Last week, the Australian government announced the official launch of the InsideOut eClinic, a free online platform now available to the general public. After a decade of research, the program is open to Australians aged 16 and over who are experiencing food or body image issues — even without a diagnosis or referral.
The eClinic includes multiple tailored modules:
- BEeT (Binge Eating eTherapy): Targets bulimia nervosa and binge eating disorder
- SkillED: Supports individuals with broader eating disorder symptoms
- SupportED: Assists caregivers and loved ones
- Clinician Hub: Provides tools for health professionals
Users can access the program anytime, from anywhere in the country. The platform is not designed for medical or psychiatric emergencies but offers critical support for those who fall outside traditional treatment systems.
Online Therapy’s Impact and Urgency
The rollout of the InsideOut eClinic comes at a critical time. Eating disorders are among Australia’s most fatal mental illnesses. According to the Butterfly Foundation, over one million Australians are currently affected. In 2023 alone, more than 1,200 deaths were attributed to eating disorders.
Despite the severity of the problem, funding for eating disorder research and treatment remains low. Many people remain untreated, often falling through the cracks due to stigma, geographic isolation, or financial hardship.
Online therapy programs like the InsideOut eClinic offer a cost-effective, flexible alternative. Research has already shown their effectiveness in helping users manage disordered behaviors and rebuild healthier thought patterns. For Australians living in remote areas or unable to afford private care, these tools may provide their only accessible treatment option.
Shifting the Approach to Treatment
Health professionals and advocates are welcoming the national launch of the eClinic. PhD student and public health researcher Evie Gardiner, 28, notes that weight-loss advertising continues to dominate Australian media, despite growing concern over body image and food-related mental health issues. Gardiner and others believe the eClinic offers a necessary shift toward a more weight-inclusive, accessible model of care.
For the program’s early participants, like the woman who shared her experience, this service has been transformative. The eClinic allowed her to begin recovery without leaving her job, relocating, or waiting months for an appointment.
The hope is that thousands more Australians will now be able to do the same.
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