Dear friend

Thank you for reaching out to me.

I am sorry to advise that due to a recent bereavement I am taking a break from my counselling work. I am unable to offer you a Discovery Call at this time. I will review this decision in January 2025 and will update this website then.

Getting Support

For in the moment support or help finding a therapist who works with eating and body image concerns in Australia, I recommend you contact the Butterfly Foundation Helpline on 1800 334 673. They may be able to direct you to your national organisation if you live outside Australia.

If you haven't discussed your situation and concerns with a doctor I recommend you do this as a first step. Disordered eating behaviours can have serious health consequences and these are best managed in consultation with your general physician or family doctor. Your doctor may also be able to help you source appropriate referrals.

Reachout and Recover can help you think about your struggle with food and body image concerns and provide you with an objective report on the extent of your eating concerns that may be helpful to share with your doctor &/or loved ones. 

Resources for your consideration

You are welcome to download my ebook Illuminating Eating Disorder Recovery. It provides a model of how I see eating issues develop and function and, towards the end, it introduces the principles of the 4x4 Freedom Express - an online guided recovery program that has helped many individuals find freedom health and hope from their eating, self and shape concerns. 

You can hear the stories of four women who experienced remarkable transformation in their attitudes and behaviours towards food and body in a short period of time by doing this program here. [Access to the program is conditional upon your agreement to maintain medical oversight for the duration. You can read more about this here]. 

You might also find episodes of my podcast helpful. For a full list of episodes (there's about 150) it's easiest to search your favorite podcast provider. Here are links for Apple and Spotify.

If you would like me to address a question or concern that you have about eating or body image concerns, please feel free to email me at info@michellesparkes.com  I will do my best to answer these on my podcast for the benefit of all.

Until I am "back in the saddle" [counselling], may I take this opportunity to wish you every good thing as you journey forward in your recovery. 

Until we speak, travel well. 

With love and respect, Michelle xo