Eating Disorder Therapy San Diego

Eating disorders are typically treated by licensed mental health professionals with specialized training in eating disorders. These therapists often have experience with evidence-based approaches like CBT, DBT, and EMDR, and may collaborate with dietitians and medical providers as part of a treatment team. It’s important to work with a mental health professional who understands the complexity of eating disorders and has experience supporting recovery with compassion and a non-judgmental approach.

The length of a session of counseling for eating disorders  varies based on the individual’s needs, the severity of symptoms, and any co-occurring issues like trauma or anxiety. Some people benefit from a few months of therapy, while others may need longer. Recovery isn’t linear, and lasting change often takes time, especially when working to heal both behaviors and the underlying emotional pain. Your therapist will work with you to create a plan that supports your long-term recovery at a pace that feels manageable and sustainable.

You don’t need to have a diagnosable eating disorder to deserve help and support. Whether your behaviors classify as a diagnosable eating disorder or not…if your current behaviors are preventing you from living a satisfying life, then you could benefit from therapy. Perhaps it feels scary to let go of the false promises that the diet industry sells us, making us believe that “everything in life will be better if you just lose weight”. Hyper-focusing on food and our bodies can be a way to cope and distract us from more painful emotions or situations that we may not know how to work through. However, this hyper-focus also keeps us from being fully present in our lives and from living our lives to the fullest. It is truly possible to learn healthier ways to cope and find body acceptance, regardless of how big or small your behaviors may feel. If you are wondering if you may have an eating disorder, you can take a free online quiz to get more information.

Maybe you have tried to figure this out on your own without therapy. You may have tried different things to help stop these disordered behaviors and constant thoughts about food and your body. Perhaps you are feeling frustrated, fed up, or unsure why you can’t just feel “normal” around food or in your body. Receiving therapeutic help can provide you with a different perspective and new set of skills that you may not have tried yet. I can also help you discover why these behaviors started in the first place, and how to effectively work through distressing feelings related to them. There is no shame in asking for help. I consider therapy to be like a “cheat code” in life in the way that it can help us heal and recover faster than we would have been able to on our own.

This is a very common and understandable concern. A surprising fact to most clients is that I rarely see this happen. I take an Intuitive Eating and Intuitive Movement approach in my work, which ultimately means that you will learn how to be in touch with your body’s natural hunger cues, fullness cues, and move in a way that feels good to you. Your body will find a place where it feels most comfortable, and eventually you will learn to trust in your body’s intuitive nature to eat and move in a way that helps you feel your best.

Your friends and family may not understand your desire to give up the focus on food and your body by receiving therapy. Unfortunately in our society today, disordered eating tendencies and focus on our body is incredibly common. Something as common as chewing gum to help curb appetite is actually considered to be a disordered eating tendency. Just think about it — how many people do you know that were taught that it is normal to constantly be trying to lose weight or “improve” their body? This may be common, but it is not a part of having a normal and healthy relationship with food and your body — and most importantly, it does not have to be your normal. They may not understand at first, and that is okay. Not everyone needs to understand your desire for self-improvement. If you would like to welcome your family or significant other in for a therapy session (or multiple sessions) to help them understand, that is welcomed and encouraged.

Perhaps it is not you that needs help with an eating disorder, but it is your child or a loved one. I offer eating disorder recovery therapy for both adults and adolescents, and I would love to help. When working with adolescents, we participate in family sessions in addition to the individual therapy, in order to ensure that we are all on the same page and to achieve the best eating disorder treatment outcomes for your child. It can be scary at first, but you are not alone and there are many parents that seek out therapy for their loved ones. Visit the Families Empowered And Supporting Treatment for Eating Disorders (F.E.A.S.T) website for additional supportive resource if you are a parent or family member affected by eating disorders.

I will not be giving you dietary advice in the counseling for eating disorder , as that is outside of my scope of practice as a psychotherapist. However, I always advocate for holistic care for the treatment of eating disorders, meaning that I will recommend you also establish a Registered Dietitian to work with you regarding the dietary aspect of treatment for eating disorders.

Even if you are unsure if you have a problem with food and exercise, counseling for eating disorder  may still be helpful for you. Oftentimes, we may not even realize or know if the behaviors we have been doing are problematic or potentially dangerous. If you are unsure if you have an eating disorder or need treatment, I recommend setting up a free phone consultation where we can discuss your current symptoms, struggles, and goals.