Whether you're just beginning to recognize your struggle with food or are well into recovery and need more support, finding a safe space to explore this is a wise first step.

Sadly, eating disorders have the second highest mortality rate of any psychiatric illness. Just behind opiate use disorder. That being said, they can escalate quickly.

It may be hard to seek help because often it becomes intertwined with ones identity.

It can feels easier to hide it. Maybe your food behaviors have been what has helped you emotionally regulate, maintain control or even feel empowered.

I’m here to help you face the hard questions, or to support you in keeping your recovery going, wherever you find yourself in the journey. We will work at your pace and readiness.

• Restricting food intake or skipping meals.

• Fear of eating socially or being seen eating.

• Binge eating (consuming large amounts in a short time, often with loss of control).

• Purging behaviors (vomiting, laxative/diuretic misuse).

• Excessive or compulsive exercise.

• Rigid food rules or rituals (cutting food into tiny pieces, eating very slowly, avoiding certain food groups).

• Frequent dieting or preoccupation with calories/macros.

• Gastrointestinal issues.

• Hair thinning, fatigue, dizziness.

• Distorted body image and/or fear of gaining weight.

• Difficulty regulating mood around meal times or intense irritability.

I generally use a mix of approaches. Dependent on the issue we are addressing, you may find one or more of these at work within a session. These are my most used therapeutic approaches with eating disorder or body image issues containing a brief description about each.

• Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)

  Addresses unwanted thoughts, behaviors or feelings with through restructuring and self compassion.

• Dialectic Behavioral Therapy (DBT)

  Focuses on ideas surrounding acceptance and change. This approach will focus on increasing distress tolerance to cope with intense emotions as they arise through mindfulness and coping mechanisms.

• Interpersonal Therapy (IPT)

  Proven effective especially in experiencing role transitions within relationships and within self.

• Attachment Based / Psychodynamic Approach

  Explores deeper emotional patterns based on early attachment experiences.

• Mindfulness & Somatic

  Uses body scanning and deep breathing techniques to reduce distress and regulate. Increases bodily awareness, orientation and connection to self.

• Treatment Team Coordination

  Those with eating disorders may require advanced nutritional and medical care. I work closely with your medical team to provide applicable treatment and assess the appropriate level of care.