0434967604
counsellor
Scott Foster
Helping to heal relationships with food, others and yourself.
Scott Foster
Dip. Counselling
Chef
Cafe owner
ex head chef of The Sanctuary Private Rehabilitation.
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Scott focuses on general counselling including;
Individual therapy
Food and Kitchen therapy
NDIS compliant
Working with Children check approved
Police check approved
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Trusted Counselling Professional
Scott specializes with clients who have a fractured relationship with food.
Eating disorders, disordered eating patterns, re-establishing family and
food bonds are areas of specialization.
Scott works alongside NDIS clients who are in need to developing cooking skills, or simply do not possess the skills to cook for themselves. Scott is respectful and understanding that everyone learns in a unique way. Sessions conducted in a gentle and inclusive way,
General counselling short and long term available.
Therapy in a relaxed space, home visits, outdoor sessions; therapy in the space that makes you feel at ease.
Individual therapy sessions
Embrace Life’s Challenges
Life throws many surprises at us and while we cannot predict the outcome of any situation, we can take control of how we respond to certain situations.
I listen to people to help navigate the options that are within. I am not here to provide you with the answers, I am here to help you find the solutions with the skills you possess and some that can be learnt.
Food issues
Develop a better relationship with yourself around food.
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Scott Foster – Therapeutic Chef and Eating Disorder Specialist
With over a decade of experience at the intersection of food, therapy, and wellness, Scott is a compassionate leader in the field of food-based healing. Having worked as the Head Chef at The Sanctuary Private Rehabilitation in Byron Bay, Scott’s role transcended the kitchen—offering not just nourishment, but education and emotional support to those healing from complex food relationships.
Scott now devotes his work in his own private practice, to supporting individuals who struggle with eating disorders and disordered eating, helping them reshape their relationship with food and self. Grounded in empathy and individuality, his approach is tailored to each client’s needs, exploring the roots of food-related fears and anxiety.
He is a strong advocate for family involvement in recovery and is a practitioner of the Maudsley approach, which empowers families to take an active role in restoring healthy eating habits and body weight in children. Scott also works with young families to foster healthier dynamics around food—focusing on how we eat, who we eat with, and the stories we tell around the table.
With a unique blend of culinary artistry and therapeutic insight, Scott brings heart and purpose to every meal, using food as a pathway to healing, connection, and long-term wellbeing.
Scott's journey is deeply compassionate and purpose-driven. He’s bridged culinary expertise with therapeutic insight to support people in some of their most vulnerable relationships—with food and with themselves.
Kitchen therapy
Kitchen therapy blends the sensory act of cooking with the emotional work of therapy in an organic way. There’s something about chopping vegetables or kneading dough that can put people at ease—almost like their hands give voice to what their mouths sometimes struggle to say. And for those with food-related challenges, reintroducing food through a non-judgmental, mindful lens can be transformative.
It also taps into the idea that healing doesn’t need to happen in sterile rooms—it can happen among simmering pots, laughter, and the subtle rhythm of a shared meal. Scott has created a warm, safe space where vulnerability feels a little less intimidating.
We cannot solve our problems with the same thinking we used when we created them.
Albert Einstein
"My past experience with food and eating were wracked with discomfort and shame to even eat. Eating under the glare of a svelte pretty mother who could not get her chubby red haired wild daughter at all. A life time of never being comfortable to eat without stress. .
I mentioned the kitchen was not my friend, neither was food.They both became the object of my hatred.
It was misplaced hatred. I had no idea what this hatred’s cause was and was hooked onto the belief its all about food. I believed, as most people do, that the food was making me fat. Not true at all. I believed I was allergic to foods. Again not true. All misplaced hatred.
The brilliance of Scott is that he uses the food as a way into the underlying causes of this hatred by bringing love to food.
He is passionate and totally in love with the kitchen, everything I was not.
The first session was challenging to even enter the kitchen. I could happily have sat in a corner and sucked my thumb, like a child.
With his gentle loving guidance and simplicity in the kitchen he welcomed me in. Fully aware of how traumatic it was for me. Finally I had found someone who I could share the level of deep distress a kitchen and food were for me.
The fact was, that even eating anything was a cause of deep distress.
Imagine that every meal you eat is stress riddled. But because I had never found this support. I was not even able to admit to myself how traumatic food was to me.
The only relief I experienced with food was when I ate chocolates or junk food. At that point it felt like some form of relief.
There is no doubt it is the same as any addiction.
My addiction just happened to be chocolates.
Food was made to be the bad guy.
The amount of head space and anxiety dished out to food, fat and kitchens was enormous. A constant negative dialogue, non stop.
It was Scott persistent love of the kitchen, his joy in the kitchen and no judgement that invited me into the space.
The fact that I could ask him simple questions as simple as how to boil rice or an egg, that encouraged me to ask more questions.
I was not allowed in a kitchen growing up. I lacked all basic skills. I lacked all skills to nurture myself on any level, bar the hedonistic path I took.
Working with Scott has allowed me now to be honest with myself how deep my wounding was. I had no idea, at the extent of the wounding. At no point ever in our sessions would he sugar coat anything. If I needed to be told a truth he was forth coming. His truth would shake me up to look deeper at what I was avoiding.
I also had to learn boundaries and he certainly taught them to me by actually practising them on me.
My boundary system had been knocked right out of me from an early age . I was like a puppy dog boundless and with no control.
I have learnt and I am still learning. I check in with myself now and instead of over riding a discomfort I will honour myself and if need be, cancel appointments.
I am a work in progress ."
LH 2022
0434967604
"I first went to see Scott because I didn't enjoy cooking, but kitchen therapy has been the most delicious therapy I've ever done, I have learned so much about myself, about cooking and the importance of flavour and beauty in food. I highly recommend his sessions. I will never cook chicken, salmon or greens the same way again. His sessions are deeply nurturing and awaken all your senses. If you think you don't need this, or you're sitting on the fence just do it! I'm sending my kids along too!"
VL 2020