Trauma-informed nutrition care

Trauma-informed nutrition care at Relinquish recognises that food, eating, and body experiences are often shaped by past experiences, harm, or systems that have not felt safe or respectful.

Support is grounded in choice, consent, and collaboration. Care is paced gently, with a focus on reducing distress and supporting nourishment in ways that feel manageable and protective of your wellbeing.

Who this support is for

This support may be helpful if:

  • previous healthcare or nutrition experiences felt unsafe or invalidating

  • conversations about food or body are overwhelming or triggering

  • you feel disconnected from hunger, fullness, or appetite cues

  • progress with food feels complex, stuck, or non-linear

  • you want nutrition support that prioritises safety and autonomy

You do not need to identify with a specific diagnosis or label to access trauma-informed care.

What trauma-informed nutrition care means

A trauma-informed approach acknowledges that behaviours around food often make sense in the context of past experiences.

Rather than asking “what’s wrong?”, care is guided by curiosity and respect for what your body has needed to do to stay safe.

Support focuses on:

  • creating a sense of safety within sessions

  • working with your nervous system, not against it

  • offering choice and control at every step

  • moving at a pace that feels supportive rather than overwhelming

There is no expectation to push through discomfort or retraumatise yourself for progress.

What support may involve

Depending on your needs, trauma-informed nutrition care may involve:

  • gently exploring food experiences and patterns

  • supporting consistent nourishment without pressure

  • rebuilding trust with your body over time

  • reducing shame or self-blame around eating

  • adapting support as your needs and capacity change

Care is flexible and responsive, recognising that safety and readiness can fluctuate.

What this support is not

Trauma-informed nutrition care at Relinquish does not involve:

  • forcing behaviour change before you feel ready

  • rigid plans or rules imposed without consent

  • weight-focused goals or body measurements

  • judgement, pressure, or “pushing through”

  • assuming readiness or motivation

You remain in control of decisions about your body, food, and care at all times.