Find Your Brave
Find Your Freedom
Psychotherapy for eating disorders and body dissatisfaction
Emerge from the cycle of being stuck.
Unearth what you desire.
Immerse in your path forward.
Discover and live your true self.
You were not born with an eating disorder or body dissatisfaction (negative body image)...
It is possible to achieve complete recovery.
Eating disorders are complex mental health conditions that develop due to a combination of genetic, biological, psychological, and environmental factors. There is, however, usually a source – a root cause – for eating disorders to develop.
Most people don’t know: RISK FACTORS
Genetic and biological factors may make some individuals more vulnerable to developing an eating disorder. Individuals with a family history of eating disorders or other mental health conditions may be at a higher risk of developing an eating disorder. There may also be underlying neurobiological differences in the brain that contribute to the development of an eating disorder.
Psychological factors, such as low self-esteem, perfectionism, inflexibility, and anxiety may also contribute to the development of an eating disorder.
Societal and environmental factors that can lead to eating disorders and body image issues and start at a young age. Early childhood experiences like being bullied or teased about weight or body shape can contribute to these problems.
Also, societal beauty standards that advocate for an extremely thin and specific body type can make people feel inadequate and trigger a desire to change their weight or body shape. Additionally, the rise of social media is another avenue that promotes a culture of self-promotion and comparison, which can pressure individuals to conform to unrealistic beauty standards and feel inadequate.
Cultural and familial attitudes regarding body shape and weight can also be a contributing factor to the development of eating disorders and body image problems, with some cultures valuing thinness or muscularity and others prioritizing larger body sizes.
Lastly, the diet industry which has created the ‘diet-culture’ often promotes restrictive eating and weight loss as the solution to achieving the “ideal” body. This can lead to disordered eating patterns, over-exercising, on/off dieting (yo-yo dieting), food related aversion and a negative relationship with food.
It’s important to know: PREVENTION WORKS
Not everyone who is exposed to these risk factors will develop an eating disorder.
Earliest intervention and treatment can improve outcomes for individuals who are at risk or are experiencing symptoms of an eating disorder.
Psychotherapy can help by developing strategies to manage disordered thoughts and behaviors. Together, we’ll create a tool kit leading to improved mental health and overall well-being, so you can immerse yourself into a life you love.
You’ve come to the right place. Complete recovery is possible —I can help.
“The Binge/Restrict Cycle is REALLY a thing. Now that I understand it, I practice the things we talked about. I didn’t realize how much of Diet Culture I bought into. I am going through my social media now to get rid of the triggering images and add images that make me smile.”
Let’s start by breaking up with diet culture
Psychotherapy can help you emerge fully recovered from loathing your body and from an eating disorder.
As an anti-diet advocate
Evidence-based and trauma-informed psychologist, I care deeply about helping adolescents and adults recover from diet-culture. Trained and licensed as a Be Body Positive certified facilitator, I offer a deep level of understanding, compassion and solutions for recovering from eating disorders and body image complex concerns.
Be Body Positive Model
Develop attuned eating and exercise by learning to respond to signals from one’s own body; why cultivating compassion for oneself and others leads to an improved ability to resist aggression and criticism; the power of declaring one’s own authentic beauty by radically accepting one’s ancestors; and how to engage in embodied social change efforts to build just and compassionate communities.
Intuitive Eating
Intuitive Eating is an approach to food and eating that focuses on listening to your body’s natural cues, honoring your hunger and fullness, and cultivating a healthy relationship with food. It is a philosophy that encourages you to trust your body’s innate wisdom to guide your eating choices, rather than relying on external rules or restrictions.
The road to recovery starts here.
Psychotherapy for eating disorders typically involves exploring and processing your emotions and experiences in a safe and supportive environment.
Grounded in dialogue, I will help you:
- Address underlying psychological factors that contribute to the eating disorder, such as low self-esteem, anxiety, or trauma.
- Set healthy boundaries in your relationships and daily life.
- Empower you to build your self-esteem and self-acceptance.
- Guide you to develop a healthy relationship with food, learning proper nutrition, and developing meal plans that promote a balanced diet.
- Guide you with personalized coping strategies to manage disordered thoughts and behaviors, and identify triggers.
- Provide ways to learn new skills to deal with difficult emotions.
You’ve come to the right place. Complete recovery is possible —I can help.
Common eating disorders I help with
- Anorexia Nervosa - an eating disorder characterized by severe food restriction and a distorted body image.
- Bulimia Nervosa - an eating disorder characterized by episodes of binge eating followed by purging, either through vomiting or other methods.
- Binge Eating Disorder - an eating disorder characterized by recurrent episodes of binge eating without compensatory behaviors.
- Orthorexia - an unhealthy fixation on eating only "clean" or "healthy" foods that can lead to nutrient deficiencies and social isolation.
- Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder (ARFID) - an eating disorder characterized by a limited intake of certain foods or an avoidance of food based on sensory issues, lack of interest, or fear of adverse consequences.
Let’s discuss how I can help.
“Think about your body as it is, neither good nor bad, and you might realize there is immense freedom within the ability to detach from your body. Freedom to breathe, to wear what you want, to be who you want to be.”
— Meagan Elemans
Let’s get started: 3 simple steps
1
Emerge & Learn
Contact me by phone or email to schedule a consultation and learn how we can work together.
2
Unearth & Plan
We’ll meet and customize an individual plan to help you move forward.
3
Immerse in Possibilities
Follow the guidance and plan we create together. Start seeing positive changes and celebrate every success.
Blog
From decades of experience, these collections of stories, strategies and tips will support your healing journey, inspire you and raise your self awareness.
As Seen In…
An essay I wrote later became a chapter in a Women’s Studies book and the inspiration for a documentary movie.
“The Illusionists”
Resources
Discover expert-guided learning created specifically to help you better understand your eating disorder or how to thrive as a highly sensitive person.