Eating Disorders

Often times eating disorders go untreated...

I was talking to a colleague today who also specializes in treating eating disorders and she asked me how I got into this field. The truth is I didn't go out looking for eating disorders, they found me. Early on in my career people were coming in discussing their problems and thinking they were struggling with depression or anxiety when in fact they were dealing with a full-blown eating disorder.

Then I began to see them in children, one as young as 6.

I learned how to recognize eating disorders as they often mask themselves. 

I reached out to doctors, dietians, and other therapists in the area to assist and they were also clueless to the world of eating disorders. This is when I sought specialized training and supervision in treating eating disorders. I located a dietian that specialized in treating eating disorders in all ages and created a collaborative approach. What was once a dark field, I have began to shed light on, addressing the common barriers to finding an eating disorder therapist and offering a collective approach to treating eating disorders in children and adults in-person & virtually. 

Common Eating Disorder Behaviors

Restriction of fluids

Excessive fluids

Comparison (body, food, job ect.)

Excessive condiment use

Using condiments on weird foods

Eating VERY slow

Eating VERY fast

Excessive crumbs left on plate or napkin

Only eating "healthy" foods

Eating foods sequentially (healthiest to least healthy)

Will only eat alone

Bringing their own food to parties, restaurants, family events, ect.

Fear foods and/or binge foods

Excessive exercise

Ritualistic food behaviors

Body Checking

Weight Checking

**If you are concerned about any of these behaviors in yourself or your child, please reach out for a free 15min consultation to discuss your situation.

My Approach-

Eating disorders require a collective approach meaning a therapist + dietian and possibly a doctor/psychiatrist. Often times a client is either seeing a therapist or dietian but typically not both. The therapist and dietian work together collaboratively to support a client in their journey. You can choose a dietian of your choice or I can refer you to the dietian that I work with in treating eating disorders. 

Our work together starts with a focus on stabilization, gathering support, and reconnecting with your body. Once stabilization is achieved, we explore what modalities are appropriate to address the deeper/larger issue (this could be trauma, anxiety, depression ect). Sessions could include a blend of the following modalities and topics:

Art Therapy

EMDR

Biofeedback

Brainspotting

Somatics

Meditation + Mindfulness

Intuitive Eating

Integration

Long term healing

Family and/or couple work

Collaborations with dietian and/or doctor/psychiatrist

**Level of care is important in our work together. In the event that you require a higher level of care, I will help refer you to the appropriate resources.

I'm excited to support you in your recovery, give me a call at 970.316.5009 or Book Now