Post Qualifying Diploma in Eating Disorders

“Anorexia has the highest mortality rate of any psychiatric disorder. 20% of anorexia sufferers will die prematurely from their illness. Bulimia is also associated with severe medical complications, and binge eating disorder sufferers often experience the medical complications associated with obesity." – BEAT

Key features:

If you are a counsellor or psychotherapist, you’ve likely noticed an increase in clients talking about eating disorders, disordered eating, or food-related challenges. Often, clients themselves may not realise they have a disordered relationship with food. This is why we believe it is imperative to explore these issues with every client. By talking about food, you may uncover patterns that profoundly shape their emotional and relational worlds.  Food is a universal experience, and understanding its impact is vital for working ethically, effectively, and within your capabilities as a practitioner.

What you’ll learn

This diploma offers an in-depth exploration of how food and eating patterns influence our lives, helping you develop the skills and self-awareness to work with clients holistically.  Neuroscience will thread its way throughout this course and in doing so, will illustrate the strong neuroscientific influences affecting the eating disordered brain. The course also allows for discussion about societal and cultural pressures, physical signs and symptoms of various eating difficulties and the physical and emotional aspects of using food in ways that provide problematic consequences. It incorporates:

• Self-Reflection: Examine your own relationship with food, beginning in infancy, and explore how your personal history and relationships have influenced this connection.

• Client Insights: Understand the ways food and relationships intertwine in your clients’ lives, enabling you to spot hidden patterns and address them with sensitivity.

• Ethical Practice: Build the skills to navigate the complexities of eating disorders and disordered eating while maintaining professional and ethical boundaries.

• Comprehensive Client Care: Learn to identify, understand, and address eating-related concerns across all clients, regardless of whether they present these issues explicitly.

To be eligible for this course you must:

• Be a qualified counsellor or psychotherapist where a better understanding of eating disorders and how to support people would be useful.  Please contact enquiries@ironmill.co.uk if you would like to discuss your eligibility. We also welcome applications from Iron Mill College students who have completed the taught element of their advanced counselling or psychotherapy training, but are still to complete their placement hours and / or qualifying exams.
• Be able to demonstrate successful completion of relevant training, or substantial experience, in your stated professional capacity (as above).

Please note: 
Completion of this course does not provide a route to registration with the National Counselling and Psychotherapy Society (NCPS) and detailed individual applications to NCPS are required for this purpose, where applicable.

Subjects covered include:

• Introduction – Food, Hunger, Appetite and Relationship
• Body Image and Self-worth – Ordered Eating to Eating Disorder
• Theories of Eating Disorders – Different Approaches and their Practical Use
• Anorexia Nervosa – Diagnosis and Approaches to Treatment
• Bulimia Nervosa – Diagnosis and Approaches to Treatment
• Overeating, Obesity and Bariatric Surgery – Working Therapeutically and Understanding the Impact of Surgery
• Other Types of Eating Disorders – Similarities, Differences and Approaches
• Healthcare Pathways – NHS Eating Disorder Services and Other Interventions
• Family and Carers – Working with the family and its impact on eating disorders
• Resourcing the Professional – Building resilience and feeling equipped
• Student Day
• The Future – Motivation for Change

Learning and assessment:
The course involves a high degree of self-exploration and reflection by students. In order to successfully complete the programme, students will need to immerse themselves in the experiences and learning, and become active and courageous explorers in the subject.  The course will engage students in a learning environment which offers creative and innovative classroom discussions and debates. 

Assessment is based on:
An ongoing poster project representing the student’s learning throughout the course. This is shared informally with the group at the end of the course.

Attendance requirements:
A minimum of 80% attendance is required at timetabled teaching days.  

Award: 
Iron Mill College Post Qualifying Diploma in Eating Disorders: Brain, Body and Mind.

Please note: 
Iron Mill College students who complete the course before having fully qualified as a counsellor or psychotherapist (i.e. where they are still to complete their placement hours and / or qualifying exams) will be issued with an interim attendance certificate and covering letter only - they will receive their full certificate once they fully qualify as a counsellor / psychotherapist.
Please also note: Completion of this course does not provide a route to registration with the National Counselling and Psychotherapy Society (NCPS) and detailed individual applications to NCPS are required for this purpose, where applicable.

Please see the downloads tab for full timetables

Exeter

Starts 11th & 12th October 2025, Weekend 10am-5pm

Bristol

Starts 25th & 26th October 2025, Weekend 10am-5pm

Bristol course will take place at 1-7 Monarch House, Smyth Road, Bristol, BS3 2BX

Courses commencing between 1st Jan'25 - 31st Dec'25:

Option 1 (Total Payable £1,200.00):
An Enrolment Deposit of £350.00 (Non-Refundable) followed by one instalment of £850.00.

Option 2 (Total Payable £1,350.00):
An Enrolment Deposit of £350.00 (Non-Refundable) followed by two instalments of £500.00 (payable by direct debit)

Option 3 Bespoke payment plans (Total Payable £1,350.00):
In order to facilitate students, Iron Mill College has introduced bespoke payment plans which can be tailored to meet your specific needs. Please contact us at 01392 219200 / enquiries@ironmill.co.uk for further information.

Further information on fees:
Fees listed include VAT.

Applicants are invited to enrol by paying the Enrolment Deposit via the Booking Form on the website page (which shall be fully non-refundable in all circumstances) as well as submitting all application documents that can be found in your deposit payment confirmation email. The balance of course fees is payable as per the relevant schedule option above. All applicants should ensure they read and understand the Terms and Conditions of the Student Agreement and the Tuition Fee Contract Terms and Conditions before applying and paying their Enrolment Deposit (Non-Refundable). Please visit the 'Downloads' tab to view both documents. 

Tuition Fee Increases:
Tuition fees are reviewed in Autumn each year and are usually increased in line with CPI each January.

How to pay:
For initial course payments and deposits, you can pay online (credit/Debit card) by using the booking form on this web page. You can also pay all fees by credit / debit card, either in person at Iron Mill College in Exeter, or over the phone by calling 01392 219200. 

We also accept cash paid in person at Iron Mill College in Exeter, as well as cheques, which should be made out to 'Iron Mill College' and dropped in or sent to 'Iron Mill College, Morwenstow, 7 Barnfield Crescent, Exeter, Devon, EX1 1QT'. We can also accept payments by bank transfer and direct debit - please get in touch with us at 01392 219200 / enquiries@ironmill.co.uk for our bank details or a direct debit form. Please use your name as the reference when making such payments.

Additional expenses:
This will vary depending on your own circumstances, but all applicants must make sure they fully understand the additional expense requirements they will need to undertake during this course. Iron Mill College is unable to contribute to any of these additional costs; they are met by the student. These costs may include:

• Travel and boarding costs.
• Purchase of books.
• Supervision that meets your governing body requirements.
• Professional Indemnity Insurance: approximately £35-£90 per year. Discounts are available from some insurers for BACP members and monthly payment options are usually available.

Course commencement:
Please note: Iron Mill College makes every effort to avoid altering course times, course commencement and conclusion dates. However, should any changes be necessary, you will be notified at the earliest opportunity. All courses run subject to demand and the formation of a viable class cohort, based on the enrolment of a minimum number of successful applicants. A full refund of course fees paid, including any deposit, will be given to all applicants in the event that a course does not proceed and at least 14 days’ notice (prior to the advertised course start date) will be given to applicants, in the event of a course cancellation or postponement. The college cannot be held liable for any remedy, damages or compensation beyond this.

You can apply by submitting the following documents and items:

• Your £350 Enrolment Deposit (Non-Refundable) to reserve your place by using our 'Booking Form' on this website page. A confirmation email will be sent to the email address that you have provided as proof of purchase. Please check the confirmation email to click on the application form link to complete and process your application. Payments can also be made by contacting us. 
• If you require assistance in completing your application, please contact enquiries@ironmill.co.uk 

Successful applicants will be offered a place on the course once all of the above application documents have been received and the Enrolment Deposit paid. 

Final Application Date:
The deadline for applications is 4 weeks before the start of the course. A decision will be made on whether the course will run, based on confirmed and accepted places, 4 weeks before the start date of the course. Any applications received after the 4 week deadline will only be processed at the discretion of the Programmes Lead / Course Lead.

Angelique da Silva

Angelique is a psychodynamic therapist working from a psychoanalytic approach, focusing on relationships from as early as the prenatal stage. She works with the unconscious mind, believing that understanding the roots of our relationship patterns can help us relate better to others and make meaningful changes for a more fulfilling life. 

Over the past decade, she has completed extensive training in areas including sexual abuse and domestic violence, eating disorders, infant loss, advanced rainbow baby training, infertility, group analysis, and boarding school syndrome psychotherapy and many other CPD courses.

Since qualifying, Angelique has established a thriving practice in Bristol, featuring four consulting rooms and over 30 counsellors specialising in various areas. She has also worked as a counsellor for charities including Womankind, the Safer Women’s Project (supporting trafficked and displaced women), Wessex Counselling and Psychotherapy, and Self Injury Support.

Qualifications: MBACP (Accred.), Psychodynamic Therapist, PQ Diploma in Eating Disorders, Certificate in Eating Disorders and Body Dysmorphia, Group Analytic Training (foundation year), Advanced Rainbow Baby Counsellor, Infertility Counsellor, Boarding School Survivor Psychotherapy (current)

Do other qualifications, not in counselling / psychotherapy (e.g. in social care, health, education etc.), enable me to apply for the Post Qualifying Diploma in Eating Disorders: Brain, Body and Mind course?:
No, this programme is for qualified counsellors and psycotherapists or Iron Mill College Students who have completed the taught element of their advanced counselling or psychotherapy training, but are still to complete their placement hours and / or qualifying exams, are able to apply for this course. In all other circumstances, applicants will need to demonstrate that they are already qualified.

Please note:
Iron Mill College students who complete the course before having fully qualified as a counsellor or psychotherapist (i.e. where they are still to complete their placement hours and / or qualifying exams) will be issued with an interim attendance certificate and covering letter only - they will receive their full certificate once they fully qualify as a counsellor / psychotherapist.   

Are there interviews as part of the application process for the Post Qualifying Diploma in Eating Disorders: Brain, Body and Mind course? / What should I include in the application personal statement?:
There are no interviews for this course. Applicants will, however, need to submit a personal statement as part of their application detailing how they meet the eligibility criteria for the course and why they wish to undertake the training. Applicants should also use the personal statement to demonstrate how they possess the following qualities:

• A strong understanding of ethical practice and adherence to a professional code of conduct.
• The time and commitment for the training.
• Willingness to learn.
• A good level of balanced self-reflection and self-awareness. 

Is there any funding available for the Post Qualifying Diploma in Eating Disorders: Brain, Body and Mind?: 
Unfortunately, there is no specific funding available for the Post Qualifying Diploma in Eating Disorders: Brain, Body and Mind? course. 

Are there any extra-curricular requirements on the Post Qualifying Diploma in Eating Disorders: Brain, Body and Mind?:
Beyond the taught hours and additional recommended reading, you will also need to actively engage in a process of self-reflection as you progress through the course. There is a requirement to complete one ongoing project...

Do I need to undertake placement while studying on the Post Qualifying Diploma in Eating Disorders: Brain, Body and Mind course?:
No, there is not a placement requirement on this course.

“I have always been curious about my own relationship with food. Eating disorders also come up a lot in my client work, particularly with clients who have experienced trauma. The course has been so valuable in giving me the confidence to support clients with an eating disorder. 

The tutor, was fantastic, she shared her knowledge of eating disorders throughout the course, and also facilitated our group to share our own experiences, which provided a real richness of learning. A great course if you would like to learn more about eating disorders." - 2022 Student