The Truth About Eating Disorder Treatment with Dr Alissa Knight: Part 1

Eating Disorders, OCD & The Problem With Traditional Treatment | Dr Alissa Knight

For the Season Premiere of Breaking the Rules, Dr Celine Gelgec and Dr Tori Miller are joined by eating disorder specialist Dr Alissa Knight from Calming Suite Psychology Clinic in Adelaide for a powerful and thought-provoking conversation about eating disorders, trauma, OCD, and why traditional treatment approaches may be failing many young people.

After seeing Dr Alissa present at the Child and Adolescent Mental Health Conference, Celine and Tori knew they had to bring her onto the podcast. What follows is an honest discussion about the realities of eating disorder treatment, the fear-based messages many clinicians receive, and why genuine connection, trust, and understanding a person's full story may be far more important than rigid treatment manuals.

Together, they explore the complex relationship between eating disorders and OCD, the role of trauma and attachment, why relapse rates remain so high, and how a more collaborative and compassionate approach can help people move towards true wellness rather than simply chasing "recovery."

In this episode, you'll learn:

• Why eating disorders are far more than food and weight

• The hidden links between OCD, trauma, anxiety and eating disorders

• How traditional treatment approaches can unintentionally damage trust

• Why rapport and connection are often the most important therapeutic tools

• The dangers of fear-based treatment and clinician burnout

• How trauma-informed care can change outcomes for young people

• Why wellness may be a more helpful goal than "recovery"

• The challenges clinicians face when balancing medical risk and compassion

This conversation challenges long-held assumptions about eating disorder treatment and offers a hopeful, human-centred perspective for clinicians, families, and anyone supporting a loved one through recovery.

If you're a clinician, parent, educator, or someone living with OCD or an eating disorder, this is an episode you won't want to miss.

To learn more about Dr Alissa Knight follow this link

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