Frequently Asked Questions
What is emotional eating therapy?
Emotional eating therapy focuses on understanding and changing the emotional, psychological, and physiological drivers behind eating when the body is not physically hungry. Rather than relying on willpower, it addresses nervous system regulation, subconscious patterns, stress responses, and appetite signalling.
How does hypnotherapy help with emotional eating?
Hypnotherapy works with the subconscious mind, where habits and emotional responses are formed. It helps reduce automatic eating urges, sugar cravings, and stress-driven eating by updating learned patterns and improving emotional regulation.
Is hypnotherapy evidence-based for emotional eating?
Clinical guidelines recognise the importance of addressing psychological and emotional drivers in eating behaviours. Research supports hypnotherapy as a safe adjunct that can reduce food impulsivity, emotional eating frequency, and stress-related eating when delivered by a qualified clinician.
Can emotional eating be linked to anxiety or stress?
Yes. Emotional eating is strongly associated with anxiety, chronic stress, burnout, and nervous system dysregulation. Eating can temporarily reduce stress responses, which reinforces the pattern over time.
How does nutrition fit into emotional eating therapy?
As a Registered Nutritionist, I assess factors such as blood sugar stability, digestive health, and appetite regulation. Physiological stress can intensify cravings and emotional eating, so addressing nutrition alongside therapy supports more stable eating patterns.
What is the gut–brain axis and why does it matter?
The gut–brain axis is the communication pathway between the digestive system and the nervous system. Stress, inflammation, and gut dysfunction can disrupt hunger and fullness signals, increase cravings, and worsen emotional eating behaviours.
Is emotional eating common in ADHD or autism?
Yes. Many neurodivergent individuals use food to regulate emotions, sensory input, or dopamine levels. Therapy focuses on reducing shame, improving emotional awareness, and developing alternative regulation strategies that respect neurodivergent needs.
Do you offer emotional eating therapy online?
Yes. Emotional eating therapy, hypnotherapy, RTT®, counselling, psychotherapy, and nutrition-informed support are available ONLINE across Ireland, as well as in person at selected locations.
How long does emotional eating therapy take?
This varies. Some clients notice changes within weeks, while others benefit from a longer therapeutic process depending on their own individual life experiences, health and trauma. Patterns that developed over years deserve time and care to change sustainably.
Is this suitable if I have medical or digestive conditions?
Yes, and many clients with IBS, bloating, reflux, autoimmune symptoms, or hormonal conditions find this approach supportive. This work complements, but does not replace, medical care
Claire Russell is a Registered Nutritionist, Clinical Medical Hypnotherapist, Advanced Rapid Transformational Therapy (RTT®) practitioner, counsellor and psychotherapist with over 20 years of clinical experience. She supports adults, teenagers and children with emotional eating, food and sugar addiction, anxiety, neurodivergence, gut and digestive disorders, chronic inflammation, autoimmune-related symptoms, hormonal and metabolic imbalance, fertility challenges, and addictions of all types. Her work integrates neuroscience, nutrition, hypnotherapy and psychotherapy. Sessions are available online nationwide and in person across Ireland
