Eating Disorders
“Eating disorders are not about food. They’re about using food to numb emotions that feel too big to handle.”
Struggling with an eating disorder can feel like living in constant conflict with your body and mind. It often involves deep shame, fear, and a sense of losing control, even when the behaviors seem to be about gaining control. Many people feel isolated as the disorder consumes their thoughts, making even simple actions like eating overwhelming.
Eating disorders can take many forms, such as anorexia nervosa, which involves extreme food restriction and fear of weight gain; bulimia nervosa, which includes binge eating followed by compensatory behaviors like vomiting or excessive exercise; and binge-eating disorder, characterized by large food consumption and guilt.
These disorders often stem from deeper emotional struggles, such as anxiety, trauma, or a need for control. Society’s focus on thinness can lead individuals to define their worth through body shape, weight, or food choices. However, your value is not based on your weight, size, or what you eat. Therapy can help address the underlying emotional pain that fuels disordered eating, providing support to move beyond the cycle of guilt, shame, and control, and build a healthier relationship with food and self-esteem.
In my approach to therapy, I recognize that eating disorders are about much more than just food. They are often rooted in emotional pain, anxiety, trauma, or a desire for control. My goal is to create a safe and compassionate space where you can explore the underlying emotions and struggles that fuel your eating disorder. Together, we work to separate your self-worth from your body, weight, or food choices, helping you reconnect with a more compassionate and realistic view of yourself.
When addressing eating disorders, I focus on the cognitive, emotional, and behavioral aspects that contribute to struggles around nourishment.
I work with you to explore and challenge the negative thought patterns driving unhealthy behaviors. I also help you develop skills to manage intense emotions, especially when those feelings lead to disordered eating. We focus on building strategies to tolerate distress, regulate emotions, and manage the urge to act on unhealthy patterns. Additionally, we’ll explore how your relationships with others impact your self-image and eating behaviors.
Recovery from an eating disorder isn’t about achieving perfect eating habits; it’s about learning to listen to your body, building kindness toward yourself, and letting go of the unrealistic standards imposed by diet culture.
Disclaimer
While I provide therapeutic support, I am not a medical provider. If you are experiencing significant health issues related to your eating disorder, such as malnutrition or physical health concerns, please seek immediate medical attention.
For individuals with severe eating disorders, therapy may be part of a multidisciplinary approach that includes dietitians, doctors, and other healthcare professionals. I may recommend or collaborate with these providers to ensure the most comprehensive care for you.
