Eating Disorders & Body Image
If you are struggling with an eating disorder, my goal is to help you find recovery. I believe you can reach a point when your mind no longer feels consumed with thoughts about food or worries about your body, so that you have more room to live the life you want and deserve.
Signs you may need support:
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Your mind is often overwhelmed with thoughts about food, calories, weight, and/or your body
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You feel guilty or shameful after meals
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You have started to diet or cut out certain food groups
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You've started spending more time alone
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You have a hard time focusing
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You feel weak, dizzy, cold, and/or tired
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You have stomach pains or cramping
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You spend a lot of time looking in the mirror
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You feel more anxious or on edge
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You feel hopeless or depressed
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You have a hard time knowing how you are feeling
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You feel the need to exercise for long periods of time, especially after meals
If any or all of these resonate with you, you do not need to struggle alone. In addition to seeking therapy it is also important to talk to your medical provider and a registered dietitian.
If you need more immediate support, please call the National Eating Disorder Helpline (available 9 AM- 7 PM) or 988.
My Approach:
In our sessions, I may provide you with specific skills to help you better respond to difficult emotions, encourage you to challenge negative thoughts related to your disordered eating, offer alternative ways of looking at situations, or invite you to express the emotions that feel hard to share. Over time, we will take a deeper look at your eating disorder and it's role in your life. Regardless of your needs, my approach is individualized, integrative, and relational. We will work together to determine what is most supportive to you and your unique needs, and I will start with simply getting to know you.
I have extensive experience helping teens and young adults change their relationships with food and their bodies, due to their eating disorders (Anorexia Nervosa, Avoidant Restrictive Food Intake Disorder, Bulimia Nervosa) as well as general challenges with eating and body image.
I have completed specific trainings on the treatment of eating disorders, including through the International Association for Eating Disorders and the National Alliance for Eating Disorders. I am trained in Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) for adolescents, which is an evidence-based therapy that is often helpful for individuals with disordered eating. DBT provides skills and strategies for managing feelings of distress, regulating difficult emotions, and enhancing relationships. As a Board-Certified Art Therapist, I can also provide Art Therapy, which provides an alternative way of expressing challenging thoughts and feelings related to the eating disorder, or that the eating disorder has worked to suppress.
For those struggling with body image, my approach is informed by the Health At Every Size model and my goal is for you to reach body neutrality. I understand that eating disorders come in all sizes, and that body size is not an indicator of health. On an ongoing basis, I am committed to examining the ways in which diet culture and anti-fat bias show up in our society and impact mental health.
If you have other clinicians involved in your care (medical providers, registered dietitians, etc.) I will prioritize collaborating with them in order to provide you with the most comprehensive care.