ARFID and the NDIS: How Counselling Can Support Better Eating and Emotional Wellbeing

Eating is something most people take for granted — but for those living with Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder (ARFID), every meal can feel like a challenge. ARFID goes beyond being a “picky eater.” It can involve deep fears around food, sensory sensitivities, or anxiety that makes eating stressful and exhausting.

For NDIS participants in Adelaide and across South Australia, ARFID can impact not just nutrition but also social life, independence, and emotional wellbeing. The good news is that the NDIS can provide funding for counselling support, especially if you are self-managed or plan-managed. Counselling can play a key role in reducing fear around food, building emotional resilience, and creating confidence in daily life.

What Is ARFID?

Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder (ARFID) is a recognised eating disorder where people avoid certain foods, restrict how much they eat, or experience intense fear or discomfort with food. Unlike other eating disorders, ARFID is not about body image — it is often linked to:

• Sensory sensitivities (taste, texture, smell, or appearance of food)

• Fear of choking, vomiting, or illness from eating

• Anxiety or trauma related to food or mealtimes

• Longstanding habits of food avoidance that lead to restricted diets

ARFID can affect children, teens, and adults, and it often co-exists with other conditions such as autism, ADHD, or anxiety disorders.

How ARFID Impacts Daily Living

Living with ARFID can create many challenges that fit within the NDIS focus on daily function:

• Nutritional issues – eating a very limited range of foods can affect health and energy.

• Social isolation – avoiding family meals, eating out, or social events where food is involved.

• Anxiety at mealtimes – stress before, during, or after eating.

• Reduced independence – needing support to prepare or eat safe foods.

• Emotional strain – frustration, grief, or low confidence due to struggles with food.

Because ARFID can significantly impact daily living, counselling support often fits under Capacity Building – Improved Daily Living in an NDIS plan.

How Counselling Can Help with ARFID

Counselling for ARFID is not about forcing someone to eat new foods. Instead, it provides a gentle, supportive space to work on the underlying fears and anxieties that make eating difficult.

Areas where counselling can help include:

• Reducing fear and anxiety – calming the nervous system so mealtimes feel less overwhelming.

• Building emotional resilience – learning coping tools to handle stress and fear responses.

• Working with trauma – processing past experiences that may have triggered food avoidance.

• Improving confidence – creating a sense of safety and control around food choices.

• Supporting families and carers – giving loved ones strategies to provide encouragement without pressure.

For many participants, even small changes — like reducing mealtime panic or being able to add one new safe food — can create a big improvement in quality of life.

Why the NDIS Funds Counselling for ARFID

The NDIS is designed to support people with significant, long-term challenges that affect their ability to participate in everyday life. ARFID fits into this when:

• Food avoidance limits independence (e.g., needing support with meals).

• Emotional and behavioural challenges create barriers in daily living.

• Anxiety around food leads to reduced community participation or social isolation.

Counselling is recognised as a legitimate support under the NDIS because it helps participants build skills, manage emotions, and increase participation in life activities.

Using Self-Managed NDIS Funding for ARFID Counselling

If you are self-managed, you have the flexibility to choose your counsellor — even if they are not NDIS-registered. This means you can work with a professional who specialises in ARFID, anxiety, and trauma without being restricted to a registered provider list.

Here’s how it works:

1. Book your counselling session with your chosen provider.

2. Receive an invoice with all the details needed for NDIS claiming (participant name, NDIS number, session date, category: Improved Daily Living).

3. Pay the invoice directly.

4. Claim reimbursement through the NDIS myplace portal.

This process gives you full choice and control, a key benefit of self-management.

Choosing the Right Counsellor for ARFID

When looking for ARFID counselling under the NDIS, consider:

• Experience in anxiety, trauma, or eating-related issues.

• Approach that is gentle, supportive, and non-judgmental.

• Flexibility – do they offer online sessions, face-to-face, or both?

• Understanding of NDIS invoicing – so claims are simple and stress-free.

• Ability to work with families and carers, where needed, to support progress.

My Approach to ARFID Counselling

I work with self-managed NDIS participants in Adelaide and South Australia who are living with ARFID, anxiety, and trauma. My approach is:

• Gentle and supportive – building trust at your pace.

• Focused on emotional wellbeing – addressing the fear and anxiety that fuel ARFID.

• Practical and outcome-driven – helping you feel calmer at mealtimes, more confident, and better supported in daily life.

• Aligned with NDIS funding – clear invoicing under Improved Daily Living, simple for participants to claim.

Final Thoughts

ARFID can feel isolating and overwhelming, but with the right counselling support, it is possible to reduce fear, improve confidence, and make mealtimes less stressful. For self-managed NDIS participants in Adelaide and South Australia, counselling is a powerful way to use your plan funding for both better eating and improved emotional wellbeing.

📞 Contact me today to find out how ARFID counselling under the NDIS can support you or someone you care for.

NDIS Counselling for Anxiety and Trauma: A Guide for Self-Managed Participants

Living with a disability often brings challenges beyond the physical. Many NDIS participants in Adelaide and across South Australia also face anxiety, trauma, and other emotional struggles that can make daily life difficult. These experiences can affect sleep, independence, relationships, and confidence.

The good news is that if you are a self-managed NDIS participant, you can use your plan funding to access counselling services that directly support your mental health and emotional wellbeing. This guide explains how counselling for anxiety and trauma fits within the NDIS, why it matters, and how to make the most of your self-managed funding.

Why Anxiety and Trauma Are Important in the NDIS

The NDIS was designed to support people with permanent and significant disability — but disability is not only physical. Many participants experience psychosocial disabilities, including long-term mental health conditions such as:

• Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)

• Severe anxiety disorders

• Depression linked to trauma or disability

• Bipolar disorder and other mood disorders

For others, anxiety and trauma arise as a secondary challenge to physical or developmental disabilities. Living with mobility issues, chronic illness, ADHD, or neurological conditions can trigger ongoing stress, grief, or emotional pain. Counselling provides a safe space to process these experiences and build the skills needed for resilience.

What Is NDIS Counselling for Anxiety and Trauma?

NDIS counselling is professional therapeutic support that helps participants improve emotional regulation, recover from past experiences, and manage mental health challenges. Under the NDIS, counselling is usually funded through:

• Capacity Building Supports → Improved Daily Living

For self-managed participants, counselling sessions can be tailored to address:

• Anxiety management – tools for reducing panic, worry, and nervous system overload

• Trauma counselling – gentle approaches to work through past trauma in a safe way

• Stress regulation – strategies to calm the body and mind

• Grief support – adjusting to changes linked to disability, MS, or physical impairments

• Sleep and nervous system balance – learning how to reduce night-time anxiety and restore energy

Benefits of Counselling for Self-Managed NDIS Participants

For many people, counselling is life-changing. Some of the most common outcomes include:

• Reduced anxiety and stress – practical tools to manage panic, worry, and overthinking

• Healing from trauma – creating space to move past painful experiences

• Better sleep and energy – addressing the emotional causes of fatigue and insomnia

• Improved relationships – learning healthier ways to communicate and connect

• More independence – being able to take part in daily life with greater confidence

• Stronger coping skills – practical strategies for emotional resilience in tough situations

Why Self-Managed Participants Have More Choice

If you are self-managed, you have full control over which providers you see. Unlike NDIA-managed participants (who must use registered providers), self-managed participants can choose from a wider range of counsellors — including those who specialise in trauma, anxiety, or behavioural challenges but are not formally NDIS-registered.

This means you can:

• Pick the counsellor you feel most comfortable with

• Access therapy more quickly without waitlists

• Work with a specialist in anxiety and trauma support

• Choose flexible options like online (Zoom) or in-person counselling in Adelaide

How to Use Your Self-Managed NDIS Funding for Counselling

The process is straightforward:

1. Book a session with your chosen counsellor.

2. Receive an invoice after the session, clearly marked with:

   • Your name and NDIS number

   • Support category (Improved Daily Living)

   • Date and duration of session

   • Hourly rate (usually aligned with the NDIS Price Guide)

3. Pay the invoice directly.

4. Claim the cost back through the NDIS myplace portal.

As a self-managed participant, you’re not bound by NDIS price limits, but most counsellors set their fees in line with the official Price Guide (around $156/hour in 2025) to make funding last longer.

Choosing the Right Counsellor for Anxiety and Trauma

When looking for the right NDIS counsellor in Adelaide or South Australia, consider:

• Specialisation: Do they have experience with trauma, PTSD, or anxiety?

• Approach: Is their style gentle, practical, and supportive?

• Flexibility: Do they offer both online and face-to-face sessions?

• Professionalism: Do they provide clear service agreements and NDIS-compliant invoices?

• Comfort: Most importantly, do you feel safe and heard when speaking with them?

My Approach to NDIS Counselling

I work with self-managed NDIS participants who want to overcome the emotional challenges of anxiety and trauma. My sessions are focused on:

• Calming the nervous system

• Building resilience and coping strategies

• Working safely with trauma so it no longer controls daily life

• Supporting grief and adjustment linked to physical disabilities or health conditions

• Helping participants regain confidence, independence, and a sense of wellbeing

Sessions are available online via Zoom or face-to-face in Adelaide, with clear, simple invoicing that makes NDIS claims easy.

Final Thoughts

For many NDIS participants, anxiety and trauma are just as disabling as physical conditions. The good news is that with the flexibility of self-management, you can access counselling that truly meets your needs — without long waitlists or rigid restrictions.

If you’re a self-managed NDIS participant in Adelaide or South Australia, you have the choice and control to find the right counsellor for your journey.

📞 Contact me today to learn more about NDIS counselling for anxiety and trauma, and start your path toward calmer, more confident living.

Practical Strategies for Overcoming Depression with Hypnosis and NLP 3 of 3

Introduction

In the first part of this series, we explored how depression often shows up differently in men over 35, with symptoms like irritability, fatigue, and withdrawal. In the second part, we looked at why traditional approaches such as medication and talk therapy may not always provide lasting relief.

Now in this final article, we will focus on solutions. Specifically, we will explore how hypnosis and NLP offer practical, rapid, and lasting strategies to help men move beyond depression and reclaim energy, confidence, and purpose.

This article will cover:

• What to expect in a hypnosis or NLP session

• Specific techniques used to overcome depression

• How these strategies create long-term resilience

• Self-help tools men can use daily to support recovery

• A roadmap for moving from depression to vitality

The Power of Practical Tools

One of the main reasons men over 35 resonate with hypnosis and NLP is that these methods are not only about insight. They are about action, experience, and real-world results. Unlike purely analytical therapies, hypnosis and NLP go beyond talking to create new mental and emotional patterns that stick.

What to Expect in a Hypnosis Session

At Adelaide Hypnotherapy, a typical session is designed to create both safety and focus. Here is what men can expect:

1. Relaxation and Induction
   The process begins with guiding the client into a calm, focused state of relaxation. This is not sleep. It is a natural state of heightened awareness where the conscious mind relaxes and the unconscious mind becomes more open to change.

2. Uncovering Core Beliefs
   Through conversation and hypnotic techniques, hidden beliefs and unconscious associations are identified. For example, a man may consciously say he feels exhausted, but the deeper belief may be “I have to carry everyone’s burdens alone.”

3. Releasing Blocks
   Using visualisation, guided imagery, and hypnotic suggestion, the client can safely release suppressed emotions such as grief, guilt, or anger that fuel depression.

4. Installing New Patterns
   Positive suggestions are introduced to replace negative beliefs. For example, “I am not good enough” is transformed into “I am worthy and capable.”

5. Reinforcement and Integration
   Clients often receive recordings or simple techniques to use between sessions. This ensures the changes made in hypnosis are reinforced and become part of everyday life.

NLP Strategies for Rapid Change

NLP complements hypnosis by offering tools that men can use consciously and unconsciously to reshape how they think and feel. Some of the most effective strategies include:

Reframing Negative Thoughts

Depression often distorts perception. A setback at work becomes “I am a failure.” NLP helps reframe this. Instead of “I failed,” the new frame becomes “I learned something valuable that will help me succeed next time.”

Anchoring Positive States

Anchoring is a process of linking a specific physical gesture, such as pressing two fingers together, with a powerful emotional state like confidence or calm. Once established, the anchor can be used in real situations to trigger that state instantly.

Pattern Interrupts

Negative thought loops often repeat endlessly. NLP uses pattern interrupts to break the loop. For example, changing internal dialogue from a harsh voice to a comical one can immediately reduce its power.

Timeline Techniques

Many men carry unresolved events from the past that shape their current mood. Timeline techniques allow them to re-examine these events, change the emotional meaning, and remove the negative charge.

How Hypnosis and NLP Create Lasting Change

Working at the Root

Instead of managing surface symptoms like fatigue or irritability, hypnosis and NLP target the unconscious roots. When those roots shift, the symptoms naturally dissolve.

Rapid Results

Because the unconscious mind governs emotions, habits, and automatic responses, changes here are fast. Many men notice improvement in mood, sleep, and motivation after only a few sessions.

Empowering Self-Reliance

Clients are not left dependent on a therapist. They learn tools to manage their emotional state, reframe challenges, and maintain balance long after sessions end.

Holistic Impact

The benefits extend beyond depression. Men report improved relationships, better performance at work, and greater physical vitality as their mental health stabilises.

Self-Help Tools Men Can Use Daily

Hypnosis and NLP are not just techniques used in sessions. They also provide simple tools that men can integrate into daily life.

Daily Relaxation Practice

Spending even 10 minutes a day listening to a hypnosis recording or practicing deep breathing can reset the nervous system, reduce stress, and prevent overwhelm.

Anchoring Confidence

Men can create an anchor during a session and use it in daily life. For example, before a meeting or family conversation, triggering the anchor can create instant calm and confidence.

Reframing Journals

Writing down negative thoughts and then deliberately reframing them is a simple NLP exercise that rewires thinking patterns. Over time, it trains the brain to automatically see possibilities rather than problems.

Future Pacing

Visualising the future as if depression has already been overcome helps the unconscious mind align with that outcome. This is often used in sessions and can be continued as a daily habit.

Roadmap to Recovery

Here is how many men progress through hypnosis and NLP for depression:

1. Awareness
   Recognising that irritability, fatigue, or anger may actually be signs of depression.

2. Initial Sessions
   Accessing the unconscious mind, identifying beliefs, and releasing emotional blocks.

3. Breakthrough
   Experiencing noticeable changes in mood, energy, and perspective within weeks.

4. Integration
   Learning self-help tools and reinforcing new patterns to ensure lasting change.

5. Growth
   Moving beyond depression to create new goals, improved relationships, and a renewed sense of purpose.

Case Example: David’s Transformation

David, age 44, came to Adelaide Hypnotherapy after years of struggling with fatigue and irritability. He had tried medication, which dulled his feelings, and therapy, which gave him insight but little relief.

Through hypnosis, we uncovered a belief rooted in childhood: “I must never let anyone see my weakness.” This belief kept him emotionally shut down and disconnected from his family.

Using NLP reframing and anchoring, David learned to replace that belief with “My strength comes from being real and connected.” He reported a dramatic change in his relationships, describing deeper conversations with his wife and children and a renewed sense of energy at work. Within six sessions, he felt like he had reclaimed himself.

Why Adelaide Hypnotherapy is Different

At Adelaide Hypnotherapy, my focus is not just on managing depression but on resolving it at the unconscious level. I combine hypnosis, NLP, and coaching to create tailored programs that address each client’s unique patterns.

• Sessions are goal-focused and practical

• Clients experience relief quickly and build momentum

• The emphasis is on lasting transformation rather than temporary coping strategies

Conclusion

Depression in men over 35 often hides behind symptoms such as irritability, fatigue, and withdrawal. Traditional approaches can help but may not resolve the deeper patterns driving these struggles. Hypnosis and NLP offer practical, rapid, and lasting strategies to uncover hidden beliefs, release emotional blocks, and reprogram the unconscious mind for health and vitality.

If you are ready to experience how Adelaide hypnotherapy can help you overcome depression naturally, I invite you to book a consultation. Together we will create a personalised plan using hypnosis and NLP for depression that helps you move from surviving to thriving.

👉 Book Your Free Consultation Today

Self-Managed NDIS Counselling in Adelaide: How to Use Your Plan for Emotional Wellbeing

Living with a disability can affect more than just the physical aspects of life. Many NDIS participants in Adelaide and across South Australia experience anxiety, stress, trauma, or emotional challenges that make daily life harder. Counselling can play a vital role in building resilience, improving mental health, and supporting independence.

For self-managed NDIS participants, accessing counselling can feel confusing at first. What’s covered? How do you claim it? Do you need to see a registered provider? This article explains how self-managed participants can use their NDIS plan to fund counselling, what benefits counselling provides, and how to get started.

What Is Self-Managed NDIS Counselling?

When you self-manage your NDIS plan, you have the freedom to choose the providers you want — whether they are NDIS registered or not. This means you can work with a counsellor in Adelaide who best understands your needs, even if they are not formally registered with the NDIS.

Self-managed NDIS counselling refers to using the funding in your plan to pay for professional counselling services that support your goals, health, and wellbeing. You simply pay for the service upfront (or receive an invoice) and then claim the cost back from your plan.

Where Counselling Fits in the NDIS Price Guide

Counselling services are usually funded under:

• Capacity Building Supports → Improved Daily Living

This category covers therapies and supports that help you build practical skills and emotional regulation, so you can participate more fully in everyday life.

The NDIS Price Guide (2024–25) sets the price limit for counselling for the per hour rate. Self-managed participants, however, are not bound to that exact rate. Still, most counsellors charge within or close to that limit so plan budgets are used effectively.

Benefits of Counselling for NDIS Participants

Counselling isn’t just about talking through problems — it’s about learning new tools, strategies, and ways of thinking that can improve quality of life. For NDIS participants, counselling can help with:

• Anxiety management: Learning calming techniques, reframing thoughts, and reducing panic or constant worry.

• Trauma recovery: Gently working through past experiences in a safe, supportive way.

• Emotional regulation: Developing resilience and learning to manage emotions without overwhelm.

• Sleep and stress management: Addressing insomnia, fatigue, and burnout so daily living becomes easier.

• Behavioural support: Finding healthier ways to respond to challenges and triggers.

For many people, improvements in these areas lead to greater independence, stronger relationships, and the confidence to engage in work, study, or community activities.

Why Self-Managed Counselling Is a Great Option

There are three main ways NDIS funding is managed: agency-managed (NDIA), plan-managed, and self-managed. Only self-managed and plan-managed participants can work with unregistered providers.

This gives you more choice and flexibility, such as:

• Choosing the counsellor you feel most comfortable with, even if they’re not registered with the NDIS.

• Accessing sessions more quickly without long waitlists.

• Finding specialists in trauma, anxiety, or behavioural challenges who may not be part of the registered system.

• Having sessions online or in person, depending on your needs.

For many participants in Adelaide, this flexibility is the key reason they self-manage their plans.

How to Claim Counselling as a Self-Managed Participant

Using your NDIS funding for counselling is straightforward if you’re self-managed:

1. Book your session with your chosen counsellor.

2. Receive an invoice after the session, which includes your name, NDIS number, the support category (Improved Daily Living), the date, and the hourly rate.

3. Pay the invoice directly or submit it to the NDIS portal for reimbursement.

4. Claim through the NDIS portal (myplace) using the invoice details.

Plan-managed participants follow a similar process, except their plan manager pays the provider directly.

Choosing the Right Counsellor in Adelaide

When selecting a counsellor as a self-managed participant, consider:

• Experience and expertise in areas that matter to you, such as trauma, anxiety, emotional regulation, or behavioural support.

• Professional membership with a body like the Australian Counselling Association (ACA) or PACFA. This shows commitment to ethical practice.

• Flexibility — do they offer both online and in-person sessions?

• Clear pricing and invoicing that aligns with NDIS requirements.

Why Work With Me for NDIS Counselling in Adelaide

I specialise in supporting NDIS participants with anxiety, trauma, stress, and behavioural challenges. My counselling sessions focus on practical outcomes, such as:

• Feeling calmer and more confident in daily life.

• Developing strategies to cope with triggers and challenges.

• Improving sleep and reducing fatigue.

• Gaining emotional independence and resilience.

All invoices are clear, simple, and aligned with NDIS claiming requirements, making the process easy for both self-managed and plan-managed participants.

Final Thoughts

Self-managed NDIS counselling in Adelaide is a flexible, effective way to use your plan funding for emotional wellbeing and improved daily living. By choosing a counsellor who understands anxiety, trauma, and behavioural challenges, you can invest in support that makes daily life easier, more balanced, and more fulfilling.

📞 Contact me today to learn how counselling can fit into your NDIS plan and support your wellbeing journey.