Eating disorders are characterized by persistent food-related or eating behaviors that harm your health, emotions, or ability to function. They often involve an individual focusing too much on weight, body shape, and food. Most commonly, these take the form of anorexia, bulimia, or binge-eating. Anorexia involves excessively limiting calories and/or using other methods to lose weight (e.g. exercise, laxatives). People with anorexia often have an extreme fear of gaining weight and have an abnormally low body weight, along with a distorted perception of their weight or body shape. Bulimia involves periods of eating a large amount of food in a short time (bingeing), followed by attempting to rid oneself of the extra calories in an unhealthy way (such as forced vomiting). These behaviors are often accompanied by a sense of a total lack of control. Binge-eating disorder involves eating too much food, past the point of being full, at least once a week, and feeling a lack of control over this behavior. If you recognize any of these symptoms in yourself, a qualified professional therapist can help. Reach out to one of TherapyDen’s eating disorder experts for help today.
Whether it’s binge eating, overeating, over-exercising, orthorexia, bulimia, anorexia, or a combination of them, all behaviors are part of a spectrum of using eating to deal with life's challenges. We address body-image, self-esteem and self-regard and how our social standards surrounding beauty and health are impacting your behaviors and belief systems and, in turn, develop a new way of thinking and acting that will support a long-term fulfilling recovery.
— Miriam Chor Freitas, Clinical Social Worker in Poway, CAFor the past seven years, I have worked with clients struggling with eating disorders at the partial hospitalization, intensive outpatient, and outpatient level. After working as a milieu therapist, primary therapist, and group therapy facilitator at an eating disorder treatment center, I began working as an outpatient therapist in private practice specifically focusing on members of the LGBTQ+ community who struggle with body image and eating disorder behaviors.
— Zach Verwey, Licensed Professional Counselor in Denver, CODuring my master's program, I spent much time writing papers and researching eating disorders. EDs are a major concern for the adolescent and emerging adult communities. I completed my capstone project/presentation on EDs in order to spread awareness and knowledge to other young counseling professionals on the risk factors for these populations as well as ways in which to best treat these disorders within these two populations.
— Andrea Rose, Licensed Professional Counselor Associate in Austin, TXEating disorders are gnarly beasts that over-take more than just the eating parts of our lives. Any person, regardless of body size, can have any eating disorder. Rooted in the principles of Health at Every Size and Intuitive Eating I can help you begin or maintain recovery. When necessary I will collaborate with your clinical team, or help you find the appropriate level of care.
— Katie PIel, Addictions CounselorAs someone who's recovered from an eating disorder myself, I know that eating disorders can happen to otherwise totally normal people. In fact the research shows that the same things that make you a shining star in every other area of your like (being compassionate, tenacious, driven, strategic, disciplined, ect) make you more likely to develop an eating disorder. It's my passion to help people make peace with their bodies and fall in love with their life.
— Alyssa Williamson, Licensed Professional Counselor in Plano, TXI am a certified eating disorder specialist, trainer and educator
— Dr Stephanie Waitt, Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor Supervisor in Sherman, TXNegative feelings like anxiety, sadness, and stress leave us more vulnerable to critical thoughts about our appearance and self-worth. Eating disorders often develop to fulfill a need – control, manage feelings, numb pain, and self-punishment. You’re here because you want the cycle of fear, guilt, and shame to end. Together we can begin the process of healing from your eating disorder in the healthiest way possible.
— Amy Consovoy, Psychotherapist in Oradell, NJI have experience working at all levels of care with eating disorders, including inpatient work. I utilize a combination of approaches including CBT, DBT, mindfulness, and creative therapies to address difficulty around food, body image, and societal influence on diet/exercise culture.
— Kim Lycan, Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor in Richland, WAI have worked with eating disorders for several years. There are many underlining concerns when it comes to eating disorders, so I use a variety of techniques to help people reach their goals.
— Stephanie Milan, Licensed Clinical Social WorkerFood is one of the earliest ways we humans experience nurturance and interaction with a caring adult. food takes on many meanings about relationships, needs, control, and the value of self. The development of an eating disorder signals a problem in one or several of these areas; it arises as an attempt to solve this problem, by drawing attention to the problem, by pulling the family together to address symptoms of the eating disorder; or expressing/repressing feelings related to current problem.
— Tatum Santacasa, Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist in Denver, COFood is one of the earliest ways we humans experience nurturance and interaction with a caring adult. food takes on many meanings about relationships, needs, control, and the value of self. The development of an eating disorder signals a problem in one or several of these areas; it arises as an attempt to solve this problem, by drawing attention to the problem, by pulling the family together to address symptoms of the eating disorder; or expressing/repressing feelings related to current problem.
— Tatum Santacasa, Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist in Denver, CODisordered Eating? I've been there and done it all. I've been to the dark side of both under and over eating and learned so much in my 15 years of recovery. My training and experience has taught me that intuitive eating can be an eventual reality for everyone. I take a Health at Every Size approach to recovery and wholeheartedly believe in your ability to find freedom with food. Note that health at every size and intuitive eating does not mean chaos and endless weight gain (I promise!)
— Lauren Ball, Licensed Clinical Social Worker in Las Vegas, NVI have worked in eating disorder treatment on and off since 2012. I have worked in outpatient, Intensive Outpatient, Partial Hospitalization, Residential, and Inpatient treatment settings. I feel passionately about helping those struggle with eating disorders, one of the most complex and tormenting mental health disorders. I work alongside Registered Dieticians and physicians when necessary.
— Alexandra Klein, Licensed Clinical Social Worker in Greenwood Village, COEating disorders have always been an interest and passion of mine. I have first hand knowledge and experience of individuals with eating disorders and the effect on the entire family system. I know how it is managing life with an eating disorder and the constant struggle a person and his/her family go through during its vengeance.
— Mallory Peterman, Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor Associate in Fort Worth, TXNegative feelings like anxiety, depression, and stress leave us overwhelmed and more vulnerable to critical thoughts about our appearance and self-worth. Eating disorders often develop to fulfill a need – control, manage feelings, numb pain, and self-punishment to name a few. You’re here because you want the cycle of fear, guilt, and shame to end. Together we can begin the process of healing from your eating disorder in the healthiest way possible.
— Amy Consovoy, Psychotherapist in Oradell, NJI have experience working with all types of eating disorders across multiple levels of care. I integrate self-compassion, Health at Every Size, and radical body acceptance to help women challenge their eating disorders and experience full recovery.
— Lindsey Cope, Licensed Clinical Social Worker in Atlanta, GAEating disorders can feel hopeless, but they aren’t. Whether this is your first time seeking help, or your umpteenth time, I believe everyone can recover. There are many reasons eating disorders are invited into your life. Whether it’s perfectionism, judgment, loneliness, self-improvement, health, family issues…Just as there are many reasons why a person develops an eating disorder, the way you recover will be just as unique.
— Tessa Gordon, Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist in San Francisco, CAI have over 15 years experience as a Clinical Psychologist. I have worked in a range of treatment settings from inpatient, intensive outpatient, counseling centers, and private practice. Areas of specialization include disordered eating from restrictive patterns to overeating, binge eating, and emotional eating, as well as bulimia and body image disturbances. It is important to know that there is hope to overcome disordered eating/eating disorders and recovery is possible.
— Laura Riss, Clinical Psychologist in Atlanta, GACreate a meaningful recovery and relationship with food and your body with the help of a specialized therapist who understands eating disorders. Together, we'll identify potential triggers in order to prevent relapse and heal the parts of yourself that prevent you from living fully. We can also address how to integrate exercise, mindful eating, and body acceptance into your life post-treatment.
— Erin Peterson, Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist in EDINA, MNOnce you make the choice to begin living your life again and not use your eating or lack thereof to deal with your problems, I can show you how to get your life back for good. I can also show you how to reconnect with the different parts of you to create a more harmonious balance between what happens in life and your reactions to it. I can help you connect to your body in a way that helps you feel more centered and grounded and less chaotic and anxious.
— Yehonatan Banayan, Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist in Brooklyn, NY