SERVICES
Eating Disorder Therapy
I provide outpatient eating disorder therapy for individuals six-years-old and up and their families/support systems.
In my experience, eating disorders thrive in isolation; therefore, a primary focus of my eating disorder treatment with clients is supporting you to build or strengthen a support system for your treatment, including other treatment professionals as well as personal supports.
LEVEL OF CARE ASSESSMENTS
I provide level-of-care assessments for anyone interested in eating disorder treatment. This means that, depending on your need, I may clinically recommend that you pursue a higher level of care than I can provide for you in an outpatient setting.
PREREQUISITES FOR TREATMENT
I ask that all eating disorder clients, if possible, make contact with their primary care physicians or pediatricians to get a baseline wellness check, including bloodwork, vitals, and other baseline health information. This is to ensure that it is safe for you to engage in an outpatient level of care for eating disorder treatment. If you do not have a doctor or pediatrician, or you do not have insurance, I can help connect you with a referral in the community. If you believe that you are unable to access these services due to financial limitations or other limitations, I may be able to connect you with care in the community at no cost to you.
Depending on your care needs, I may recommend that you work with an eating disorder dietician who can support you nutritionally. Some insurance plans cover those services; others do not. If I make this recommendation to you, I will provide what referrals I am able to in order to support you in getting care. If having a dietician is not a financial option for you, we may discuss a higher level of care that includes nutritional support.
My goal, if possible, is always to keep individuals in the lowest level of care possible that is still sufficient for your safety and care needs. That said, if I believe your physical health may be in danger or may require medical care, I am ethically required to share this with you and as such, may not be able to work with you in a clinical capacity.
MY APPROACH
I approach all eating disorder, disordered eating, chronic dieting, and body image concerns from a Health at Every Size™, Intuitive Eating™, Body Trust™, and fat liberation lens. I am not a weight loss therapist, I do not do assessments for bariatric operations, and I do not engage in “weight management strategies” with my clients. If this is the type of service you are looking for, I am not the right fit for you as a therapist.
Wondering how to know if eating disorder therapy is for you?
YOU ARE DOMINATED BY THOUGHTS OF FOOD OR WEIGHT
Fixation on food and body size or weight is exhausting; eating disorder therapy can support a healthier relationship with food and our bodies.
YOU CAN’T EAT WITHOUT STRICT RULES OR WITHOUT EXERCISING TO “MAKE UP FOR” YOUR FOOD
Rigid food rules and compulsive exercising can be damaging to your physical and mental health; eating disorder therapy can help you find balance and safety in your relationship with food and movement.
YOU CAN’T STOP THINKING ABOUT CHANGING YOUR BODY, OR CAN’T STOP TAKING MAJOR STEPS TO ALTER YOUR BODY
Any extreme measures (laxatives, diuretics, self-induced vomiting, detoxes, diet pills, fasting/not eating, etc.) to change your body size or shape is dangerous for physical and mental health; working with an eating disorder therapist will allow you the support you need to be safe in your body.
WHAT IF THE STATEMENTS ABOVE DESCRIBE MY CHILD, FRIEND, SPOUSE OR LOVED ONE?
If your loved one demonstrates the behaviors above, please know that they are struggling and doing the best they can with the coping behaviors available to them. Eating disorders are the second-most deadly mental health diagnosis globally, so if you are concerned about a loved one or your child, please look at my resources page or call for an assessment.