Eating Disorder Therapy
Words cannot adequately describe the pain and frustration that come alongside an eating disorder. We know first hand the devastating effects an eating disorder can have on all aspects of one’s life in addition to the turmoil experienced by those wanting to support their loved one, but do not know how. Eating disorders interfere with one’s ability to be present with themselves and others and tend to cause an overall feeling of disconnection. We are passionate about this work because we get it.
We believe in full recovery and we believe in your ability to create a fulfilling life grounded in meaning and purpose. You no longer need to struggle alone.
Maybe you feel as though you are the only person in the world who cannot recover from your eating disorder – you may think it is possible for anyone else, but not for you. Well, listen close – whether you have been struggling for a brief period of time or you have tried again and again at recovery to no avail - you are not destined to live with your eating disorder forever. There is hope. You can be recovered. You have found your way to this site and are reading this now because something inside of you, no matter how small it may be, likely believes that too.
You Are Not Alone
We have years of experience treating adults, adolescents, and children struggling with Anorexia, Bulimia, Binge Eating Disorder, Other Specified Feeding or Eating Disorders (OSFED), Avoidant Restrictive Food Intake Disorder (ARFID), disordered eating, and related body image disorders at the outpatient and residential levels of care. Prior to starting the practice, Sarah has served in roles from primary therapist to director at one of the nations top eating disorder treatment centers. Sarah has completed the years of direct experience required and extensive training for approval as a Certified Eating Disorder Specialist (CEDS) and an Approved Supervisor through the International Association of Eating Disorder Professionals, which is presently the only nationally recognized certification credential for eating disorder clinicians. Additionally, all therapists at the practice are in process of obtaining their Certified Eating Disorder Specialist Certification.
We Will Partner With You
An eating disorder is an external solution to inner turmoil. It has served a function for you. Perhaps it has been a way to cope, communicate, defend against, and even solve other problems. Maybe your eating disorder has helped you feel safe, secure, and even in control at times. Of course the thought of losing that may seem insurmountable! I will partner with you in your recovery to dis-empower the eating disorder and uncover the factors contributing to it’s existence and work to move toward greater authenticity and balance in your life while developing new solutions and skills.
No one treatment approach works for all individuals with eating disorders; Therefore, no ones path towards recovery looks the same. We believe in treating the individual, not just the disorder. We will use a combination of approaches specific to you. Talk therapy or psychodynamic approaches are helpful but these approaches alone can be ineffective. Years can be spent gaining insight into the ‘how and why’ of your eating disorder, yet you may still be engaging in destructive symptomatic behaviors with no recourse. This can be frustrating and leaving you to feel as though therapy will not help you. We incorporate a variety of interventions, some of which include cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), interpersonal therapy (IPT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), EMDR, and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT).
Co-Occurring Symptoms and Disorders
Eating Disorders are not merely problems with food and weight, but because the symptoms of the eating disorder such as binging, purging, restricting, or over-exercising can be so disruptive and alarming, it is easy to pay attention only to those behaviors. In doing this, the complete picture is missed. The observable symptoms are the manifestation of a very complex world of feelings and experiences that encompass the disorder: Anxiety, depression, self-worth, perfectionism, shame, trauma, anger, fear of rejection or abandonment, need for approval or nurturance, inability to express feelings, ruminating thoughts or difficulty trusting others - just to name some. We will tackle all of this too!
Eating disorders sometimes exist with other disorders. Some common co-occuring disorders include Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), Mood disorders, Depression, Anxiety Disorders, Substance abuse, and Body Dysmorphic Disorder, but this is certainly not an exhaustive list. Your treatment will target these difficulties as well and appropriate therapeutic modalities will be incorporated.
Ready to take the next step?
Eating disorders are life threatening illnesses and often require a collaborative approach with other treating professionals and your loved ones. We will work with you in developing an individualized treatment plan, collaborating with you and other members of your treatment team along the way.
Therapy for the treatment of eating disorders is conducted at a minimum of 1 time per week, but often 2 times per week, in 50 minute sessions.
Please contact us to schedule an appointment or to set up a complimentary phone consultation to discuss your needs.
Listen to the mustn’ts, child. Listen to the don’ts. Listen to the shouldn’ts, the impossibles, the won’ts. Listen to the never haves, then listen close to me… Anything can happen, child. Anything can be. – Shel Silverstein