Eating Disorder Therapy
Our team of certified eating disorder specialists provide evidence-based eating disorder therapy in NYC, New York, and many other states, serving adults, adolescents, teens, and families.
Contact us | Our Eating Disorder Therapists in NYC, New York State & beyond
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 in nyc, 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 Certified Eating Disorder Specialist 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 have years of experience providing eating disorder therapy in higher levels of care prior to private practice and are either currently certified as an eating disorder specialist or are in process of obtaining their Certified Eating Disorder Specialist Certification, and have received extensive training in treating eating disorders. You deserve to work with eating disorder therapists qualified and trained as eating disorder specialists.
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).
At Sarah Davis Therapy, you will be receiving eating disorder therapy backed by certified, extensively trained, and experienced eating disorder therapists: Every therapist at Sarah Davis Therapy has years of experience providing eating disorder therapy in higher level of care eating disorder treatment programs prior to providing eating disorder therapy in a private practice setting.
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
Common Eating Disorder Therapy FAQs:
How do I know if I have an eating disorder or disordered eating? You don’t have to fit a specific diagnosis to deserve support. If food, exercise, weight, or body image is taking up a lot of mental space, if your quality of life is being impacted, and/or if your behaviors feel hard to stop even when you want to, therapy can help you understand what’s going on and start shifting patterns in a sustainable way.
Do you treat binge eating disorder and binge/restrict cycles? Yes. We provide therapy for binge eating, emotional eating, and binge/restrict cycles. Our approach is supportive and structured, with a focus on reducing shame, strengthening coping skills, and helping you build a more stable relationship with food.
Do you treat anorexia and high-functioning restrictive eating? Yes. Restriction doesn’t always “look” extreme from the outside, many clients are high-achieving and doing a lot while struggling internally. And anorexia and restriction can be present and severe for individuals of ALL body sizes. We help you address both the behaviors and the underlying drivers (anxiety, perfectionism, self-criticism, control, or trauma) that keep restriction going.
Do you treat bulimia and purging behaviors? Yes. We treat bulimia and related behaviors, including purging, laxative misuse, and compensatory exercise. Therapy focuses on interrupting cycles, improving emotional regulation, and building long-term recovery skills - not just short-term symptom management.
Do you treat ARFID? Yes. We work with clients experiencing ARFID, including low appetite/limited intake, sensory-based food avoidance, fear of choking or vomiting, and significant anxiety around eating. Treatment is individualized and paced thoughtfully, with an emphasis on safety and sustainability.
Can eating disorder therapy help if I’ve been to treatment before? Absolutely. Many clients come to outpatient therapy after intensive treatment and want support with relapse prevention, strengthening recovery skills, and working on the deeper emotional pieces that often remain underneath symptoms. We help you build continuity and long-term stability.
Do you work with trauma and eating disorders? Yes. Eating disorders often overlap with trauma, anxiety, OCD traits, perfectionism, or chronic stress. Our work is trauma-informed and focused on helping you feel more regulated, grounded, and connected to yourself so recovery is not just possible, but livable. All of our eating disorder therapists NYC and beyond are trained in specific trauma modalities, including EMDR. You can learn more about our trauma therapy approaches here.
Do you work with other providers as part of treatment? Yes. When appropriate, we take a team-based approach to eating disorder care. Many clients benefit from coordinated support with a specialized eating disorder dietitian, psychiatrist, and/or medical provider, and we’re happy to collaborate with members of your care team (with your consent), or connect with our trusted referrals, to support safety, continuity of care, and long-term recovery.
What level of care do I need - outpatient, IOP, PHP, or residential? This is one of the most common questions we get. We’ll help you assess the right level of support based on symptoms, safety, and medical stability. If a higher level of care is needed, we can help you navigate referrals and coordinate care - you will not be in that alone and we will be there to assist and support every step of the way.
How long does eating disorder therapy take? There isn’t one timeline that fits everyone. Many clients notice early shifts within the first few weeks, while deeper recovery work takes time - especially if symptoms have been present for years. Our goal is to help you build sustainable change, not quick fixes.
What if I need a higher level of care during treatment? If a higher level of care becomes necessary, we’ll discuss recommendations and help you navigate referrals and next steps. All therapists at the practice have previous experience providing eating disorder therapy in NYC higher levels of care (residential, inpatient, PHP, and IOP) and are well-equipped to assist in navigating the best programs for your specific needs. Our goal is to ensure you have the right level of support at the right time, with continuity and coordination of care throughout.
Can parents or loved ones be involved in care? Yes - when it’s clinically appropriate, we often involve supportive parents or loved ones as part of treatment. This may include occasional family sessions, check-ins, or guidance on how to best support recovery at home. We collaborate with each client to determine what level of involvement feels helpful, while also maintaining appropriate privacy and boundaries.
How do I find the best eating disorder therapist near me in NYC? If you’re searching for an eating disorder therapist near you, it is important to ensure that the provider’s specialization is backed by specific training and experience in working with eating disorders and that they understand the full range of care. Don’t be afraid to ask the clinician what qualifies their designation of treating and specializing in eating disorder treatment. Here is a great article that can help you learn more about this topic. All of our eating disorder therapists in NYC, New York, etc. are more than happy to answer all questions about their specialization and experience and if it does not feel like a great fit for any reason, we will help connect you to a better fit.