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Dr Inge Gnatt

Bachelor of Dance, Graduate Diploma in Psychology, Bachelor of Psychology (Honours), Doctor of Philosophy (Clinical Psychology)

About me

Hi, I’m Inge.
I’m a registered psychologist and clinical psychology registrar based in Melbourne, Australia. I grew up in Wellington, Aotearoa New Zealand, and have called Melbourne home for the past 25 years.

As a psychologist, I work with adults who are navigating mental health difficulties, life transitions, and periods of emotional strain. Many of the people I see are outwardly functioning, working, caring for others, meeting responsibilities, while quietly struggling inside.

I’ve worked across inpatient, outpatient, and community settings, supporting individuals, families, and groups across the lifespan. I founded Eir Practice in 2025 to create a space where people can receive thoughtful, compassionate care that respects both their difficulties and their strengths. It is a genuine privilege to walk alongside people in this work, and one I never take lightly.

Areas I support

I take a whole-person approach that recognises the many layers that shape how we think, feel, and cope. I commonly work with people experiencing:​

  • Eating disorders including anorexia, bulimia, binge eating disorder and ARFID

  • Caregivers/parents of young people experiencing an eating disorder

  • Body image concerns

  • Navigating bodily changes for example during and after pregnancy, perimenopause/menopause, life transitions and when taking weight-loss medication*

  • Anxiety, low mood and depression

  • Obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) and related disorders

  • Difficulties with emotional regulation and emotions

  • Work, family, and caregiving stress

  • The impact of trauma

  • Dancers who are navigating the demands of work, or transitions such as pre-professional training to a company, or retirement
     

*I offer support to people who are using, or considering using, medically prescribed weight-loss medications (including GLP-1 agonist medications). This work often focuses on the psychological and emotional aspects of weight change, including body image, identity shifts, appetite and eating patterns, expectations, and the impact of weight loss on mood, relationships, and self-worth. My aim is to create a supportive, non-judgemental space to explore the complexities of this relatively new area, recognising that experiences with these medications can vary widely.

How we work together

People come to see a psychologist for many different reasons. Some arrive with a clear goal; others feel overwhelmed, stuck, or unsure where to begin. We take the time to understand what you’re experiencing and what you would like support with knowing that goals can change as therapy unfolds.

Often, sessions are more frequent at the beginning (weekly or fortnightly), and then gradually space out over time. Some people return after months or even years when something new arises. The door remains open.

My work is trauma-informed and collaborative, with a strong emphasis on choice, transparency, and respect for your lived experience. I draw from a range of evidence-based approaches, guided by your preferences and goals, including:

  • Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)

  • Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)

  • Compassion-Focused Therapy (CFT)

  • Specialist Supportive Clinical Management (SSCM)

  • Family-based treatments for anorexia and ARFID

  • Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing (EMDR)

 

Where helpful, I work collaboratively with other professionals involved in your care, such as your GP, psychiatrist, or dietitian, to ensure support is well-coordinated.

If you’re considering reaching out but unsure whether therapy is right for you, you’re very welcome to get in touch.

Research

Research is a central aspect of my work and a key motivation behind my pursuit of a PhD. My research spans various areas of clinical psychology, with a particular focus on eating disorders and the psychological impact of trauma exposure. I have presented my research in Australia, the United States of America, Italy and Germany.

I am committed to understanding the lived and living experiences of individuals, and to integrating these perspectives into both research and clinical practice. 

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I co-founded and actively co-lead the BEAM Lab at Swinburne University of Technology with Dr Kathleen de Boer, and am a member of the Scientific Work in Anorexia Nervosa & Other Eating Disorders (SWAN) Research Group led by A/Professor Andrea Phillipou

Inge-presenting-research-new-york.HEIC

Professional Training Opportunities

Compassion Focused Therapy for Eating Disorders: 1-Day Online Training

 

Date: 2026 to be confirmed

This will once again be provided by The Centre for Eating, Weight and Body Image www.cewbi.com.au

Publications

Eating Disorders and Trauma

  • Conducted research into evidence-based treatment for eating disorders, focusing on cognitive flexibility, trauma, and posttraumatic stress.

  • Developed and evaluated a compassion-focused group therapy for individuals with co-occurring eating disorders and trauma-related symptoms.

  • Examined the roles of shame, emotion dysregulation, and interpersonal trauma in mental health outcomes.

Lived Experience in Research and Practice

  • Promoted the integration of lived experience into psychological research and mental health service design.

  • Explored the benefits and ethical considerations of embedding lived experience perspectives within research teams and clinical systems.

Mental Health Workforce and Systems

  • Investigated the impact of COVID-19 on the mental health workforce, including wellbeing, burnout, and system strain.

  • Examined factors influencing staff attraction, retention, and turnover in public mental health services.

  • Evaluated the relevance and application of phase-based treatment approaches for complex trauma in Australian clinical settings.

For an up to date list you can click on my Google Scholar profile​

Public Engagement & Media

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Why are some people extremely competitive while others are so chill?

Psychology research shows that competitiveness exists on a spectrum, shaped by personality, biology, and life experiences, with some people more driven by comparison and achievement, and others more oriented toward cooperation and emotional balance. Understanding these differences can help explain patterns in motivation, stress, relationships, and mental health.. (The Conversation, 2025)

How to host a meal if one of your guests has an eating disorder or is anxious around food

When hosting a meal with someone who has an eating disorder or intense anxiety around food, creating a supportive and comfortable environment, such as offering food variety, inviting people to bring dishes that suit their needs, and reducing attention on eating behaviour, can help ease stress around the table. It’s also important to avoid commenting on others’ food choices, bodies, or diets and instead focus on connection and inclusivity so that all guests feel safe and respected. (The Conversation, 2025)

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How can I stop using food to cope with negative emotions?

Psychological research explains that using food to cope with negative emotions, often called emotional eating, involves responding to stress, sadness, boredom or anxiety with eating rather than physical hunger, which can maintain unhelpful patterns and distress. Strategies to reduce this include increasing emotional awareness, identifying triggers, and developing alternative coping skills so that eating aligns more closely with physical hunger and wellbeing rather than emotional needs. (The Conversation, 2024)

Sore joints now it’s getting cold? It’s tempting to be less active – but doing more could help you feel better

Many people notice increased joint pain and stiffness in colder weather, but research suggests this is influenced by a combination of factors including reduced physical activity, sleep and mood changes, and the way movement supports joint function rather than cold temperature alone. Remaining physically active, through gentle exercise that maintains strength, mobility and circulation, can help improve joint comfort, overall function and quality of life even in colder seasons. (The Conversation, 2023)

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Inge contributed expert psychological insights to a Dance Australia feature on why dancers shouldn’t ignore or push through pain, highlighting the mental health risks of normalising injury and the importance of listening to the body (Why you should not dance through pain, Dance Australia, 2022).

Inge provided psychological commentary in a live Channel 7 News interview with Rebecca Maddern, discussing the risks of harmful eating disorder content on TikTok, its impact on vulnerable users, and the importance of digital safety and support.

(Channel 7 News Melbourne, 2022)

Research Participation​

I am not currently recruiting for any research but you are welcome to email me for future opportunities. ignatt@swin.edu.au 

Compassion Focused Group Therapy For Eating Disorders

Social Anxiety Group Therapy

We are currently recruiting for the Social Anxiety Group which will be held at The  Swinburne Psychology Clinic on Monday nights, starting in September, 2025.

 

I am also planning to facilitate more Compassion Focused groups beginning early 2026. If you are interested in potentially participating, then please contact psychprojects@swin.edu.au to express your interest. 

Research Supervision

I am currently supervising students at Honours, Masters and PhD level.

 

If my research interests align with yours you can contact me about research supervision at Swinburne University of Technology

Suite 11 Level 1, 493 Riversdale Rd Camberwell, VIC, 3146

p. 03 9125 2007

We acknowledge the Wurundjeri Woi-wurrung peoples of the Kulin Nation, the Traditional Custodians of the land on which we work.
We pay our respects to Elders past, present and emerging, and recognise the ongoing connection to land, water, and community.

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