The Opportunity for Self- Compassion with Psychologist Cathy Anderson

Understanding Body Matters Podcast

On this week’s episode I am super excited to be introducing you to our next special guest Psychologist, Cathy Anderson. Cathy has worked for 20 years in the eating disorder space as a Senior Clinician, Senior Psychologist and Eating Disorder Coordinator predominantly having worked at the Illawarra Eating Disorders Service. Cathy has also been a guest Lecturer at Wollongong University and the University of Sydney and assisted in the development of content for postgraduate studies at the Nan Tien Institute. Most recently, Cathy was involved in the collaborative national project by the NEDC and ANZAED, providing supervision to psychologists involved in the eating disorder credentials process. Cathy now works at her own private practice called ‘Cathy Anderson Psychology’ in Woonona. Cathy’s practice consists of 80% eating disorder work where she is a Credentialled Eating Disorder Clinician and Board Approved Supervisor.

Cathy has a background of working across fields of rehabilitation, pain management, neuropsychological rehab, community women’s health and eating disorder having worked as a psychologist for 25 years. Cathy’s work has encompassed provision of individual and group clinical work, family psychoeducation groups, workforce development, service development, supervision of psychologist and dieticians as well as has contributed to the development and implementation of the state-wide NSW Eating Disorder Plan.

On this week’s episode we will be speaking about the topic of compassion and self- compassion for those who experience eating disorders or disordered eating. Cathy herself was introduced to the idea of self- compassion in eating disorders about a decade ago when she came across Josie Geller, a Canadian Psychologist, present at the Australian Eating Disorders Conference in Sydney. After watching such an inspirational speaker, learning about the power over self-compassion alongside evidence-based approaches, Cathy wanted to further explore compassion. This is when Cathy came across Kristen Neff, whose work she talks about on the podcast as greatly influencing her practice. Here today, Cathy has additionally taken to narrative approaches from Michael White and Anita Johnston who continually impact her practice in the way she uses metaphor, analogy and lived experience. So on that note, please welcome our next special guest, Cathy!

Podcast summary:

1. Understanding compassion

2. Acknowledging eating disorders serve a function

3. Being able to sooth ourselves

4. Looking at self-compassion in other parts of our lives

5. Comforting yourself like you are comforting a friend

6. The benefits of incorporating self-kindness and self-compassion

Links from the episode and to BodyMatters:

BodyMatters Australasia Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://bodymatters.com.au/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

BodyMatters Instagram: @bodymattersau

Butterfly Foundation Helpline: Call their National Helpline on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠1800 33 4673⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. You can also ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠chat online⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ or ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠email