Online Eating Disorder Therapy in California
Are you consumed with thoughts about food, exercise, or your weight?
Seeing an online eating disorder therapist can help you finally feel at peace with food and your body
Do you find yourself constantly thinking about dieting, counting calories, or exercising? Are you constantly on a mission to reach your “goal weight”…yet you feel empty, anxious, and with no satisfaction to show for it? Maybe you find yourself in the kitchen late at night, eating until you feel sick; feeling like you just can’t stop and you don’t know why. Perhaps you spend hours of each day worrying about food and your body. Are you thinking, “If only I could just eat effortlessly and stop thinking so much about food and my weight…then I could live a normal life”? Imagine finally feeling at peace with food and your body. Whether you struggle with food restriction, binge eating, purging, over-exercising, poor body image, or a combination of these – online eating disorder therapy can help.
You are not alone...
Disordered eating and poor body image can affect all ages, genders, and ethnic groups. At least 30 million people of all ages and genders suffer from an eating disorder in the United States. Focusing on achieving the “ideal body” is incredibly prevalent in our society today, which includes a $60 billion dollar industry that promotes diet products and weight loss. We are surrounded by images and messages that tell us how we “should” look, and that we are failing and lack willpower if we do not complete our diet and reach that “goal weight”. These messages can come from the media, but also from family or friends. It makes sense that you are feeling this pressure! Many, many people do. Unfortunately, it is so common that excessive exercise and chronic dieting are sometimes deemed as “normal” behaviors, when in fact, they are not normal and can be quite harmful both mentally and physically.
Online Eating Disorder Therapy Can Help
- The ability to be more present with loved ones, as you will no longer be constantly thinking about food when you are with them or skipping social events due to food-related anxiety
- Improved mood and more stable emotions
- Improved mental clarity and energy
- Improved overall self-esteem
What Are the Benefits of Doing Eating Disorder Therapy Online?
Online therapy has many benefits. Eating Disorder therapy online can provide the same therapeutic benefits that you would get in person, which include the ability to understand and process your difficult emotions, improved coping skills, and setting and achieving goals. In addition to reaping these benefits, you can do it from the comfort of your own home. You can even do therapy in your jammies if you want! With virtual eating disorder therapy, you don’t have to worry about traffic, and it saves you time due to no commute. Sometimes talking about disordered eating tendencies and processing the underlying emotions can be difficult, so it may be helpful to be in a place where you already feel familiar and comfortable. Another huge benefit of online therapy is that you don’t even have to live local! I can see clients for online therapy located anywhere in California.
What Does Online Therapy for an Eating Disorder Look Like?
Why Book an Online Eating Disorder Therapy Session with Me?
- Evidence-based practices such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Exposure Response Prevention (ERP) therapy, Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) therapy, and elements of Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT).
- Intuitive Eating principles
- Health At Every Size (HAES) philosophy
- Collaboration with dietitians and primary care physicians to provide safe, well-rounded, and holistic treatment.
- Experience and therapeutic skills gained as a previous Program Director at a residential eating disorder facility.
- Certified in Eating Disorder Intuitive Therapy (EDIT)
- Currently working towards CBT-E (Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Eating Disorders) training completion.
You CAN live your life free from anxiety, worry, and focus on food or your body...free to live your life peacefully on your own terms.
Contact Me to Schedule a 15 Minute Phone Consultation and See If Online Eating Disorder Therapy Is Right for You!
My Standard Rate is $200 Per Session (50 Minutes)
As an out-of-network provider, I have partnered with Mentaya to help my clients save money on therapy. Use the out of network benefits calculator to see if you qualify for reimbursement for my services. Learn more about my rates and insurance.
You may have some questions about seeing an online therapist for eating disorders...
I’m not sure if I have an actual eating disorder...do I really need therapy?
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 the free online quiz.
You may be thinking, “I can figure this out on my own.”
Maybe you have tried to figure this out on your own without online 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 online 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. Online eating disorder therapy is even more convenient and accessible than in-person therapy, as you do not even need to leave your home or live local to your therapist!
I’m worried that if I receive online treatment and stop dieting or thinking about my weight, I will gain a bunch of weight.
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.
What if my friends and family don’t understand why I’m receiving help? Many of them diet and focus on their weight.
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 an online therapy session (or multiple sessions) to help them understand, that is welcomed and encouraged.
What if I don’t have an eating disorder, but I need to find help for my loved one...will virtual eating disorder therapy still help?
Perhaps it is not you that needs help with an eating disorder, but it is your child or a loved one. I offer virtual eating disorder therapy for both adults and adolescents, and I would love to help. When working with adolescents, we participate in family sessions online via video chat. We do this in addition to the individual therapy in order to ensure that we are all on the same page and to achieve the best treatment outcomes for your child. It can be scary at first, but you are not alone and there are many parents that seek out online therapy for their loved ones. For an additional supportive resource if you are a parent or family member affected by eating disorders visit the Families Empowered And Supporting Treatment for Eating Disorders (F.E.A.S.T) website.
Will you tell me what to eat in eating disorder therapy?
I will not be giving you dietary advice in eating disorder therapy, 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 eating disorder treatment.
I don’t think I have a problem with food and exercise, but my friends and family seem to think so. How do I know if I should try eating disorder therapy?
Even if you are unsure if you have a problem with food and exercise, eating disorder therapy 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.
Is online eating disorder therapy as effective?
Even if you are unsure if you have a problem with food and exercise, eating disorder therapy 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.
What is the cost of online eating disorder therapy?
The cost of online eating disorder therapy is the same as it would be for an in-person session. My fee is $150 for a 50 minute therapy session.
What is an Eating Disorder?
Main Types of Eating Disorders
Anorexia Nervosa
Anorexia Nervosa is diagnosed when an individual has severely restricted their caloric needs, thus leading to a significantly low body weight (less than minimally normal or expected based on age, gender, developmental trajectory, and physical health). This diagnosis also includes an intense fear of gaining weight and/or persistent behavior that interferes with weight gain. Lastly, individuals with anorexia nervosa experience very negative body image and may not recognize the seriousness that their low body weight could be having on their overall health. Eating disorder treatment and therapy can be very helpful for treating Anorexia Nervosa, as we will get to the root of how the problem developed in the first place and replace the maladaptive behaviors and thought patterns with healthier coping skills.
Binge Eating Disorder
Binge Eating Disorder is diagnosed when recurrent episodes of binge eating occur at least once per week for 3 months. An episode of “binge eating” can be defined as: eating an amount of food that is larger than what most people would eat under similar circumstances within a discrete period of time, and also a lack of sense of control over eating during the episode. The binge eating is not followed by compensatory behaviors to avoid weight gain. Eating disorder treatment and therapy can help those struggling with binge eating disorder because we will identify the underlying emotions that are facilitating the binge eating, process and work through these emotions, and replace the eating disorder behaviors with healthier coping skills.
Bulimia Nervosa
Bulimia Nervosa is categorized by recurrent episodes of binge eating, followed by compensatory behaviors (such as self-induced vomiting, misuse of laxatives or diuretics, fasting, and excessive exercise) to prevent weight gain. Individuals with binge eating disorder tend to be highly influenced by their body shape and weight. Eating disorder treatment and therapy can be helpful in treating bulimia nervosa, as we will replace the maladaptive patterns with healthier coping skills and help you to achieve increased self-esteem and a more positive body image.
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EMERGENCY HELPLINE If you are experiencing extreme symptoms of any of these disorders and need immediate help, please contact the NATIONAL EATING DISORDER HELPLINE.
Visit this site for additional information related to the eating disorders listed above.
Visit this site for additional information related to the eating disorders listed above.
Eating Disorder Symptoms
- Orthorexia - Though not formally recognized in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM), “Orthorexia” is becoming increasingly common today. Orthorexia refers to an obsession or preoccupation with “healthy” eating. Warning signs and symptoms of Orthorexia include: compulsive checking of ingredients and nutrition labels; an inability to allow self to eat anything other than a narrow group of foods that are deemed “healthy”; unusual interest in the health of what others are eating; spending hours per day thinking about what food might be served at upcoming events; showing high levels of distress when “safe” or “healthy” foods are unavailable.
- Atypical Anorexia Nervosa - All of the criteria for Anorexia Nervosa above are met, but an individual’s weight is within or above normal range.
- Unspecified Feeding or Eating Disorder - Symptoms characteristic of an eating disorder cause significant distress or impairment in social, occupational, or other important areas of functioning but do not meet full criteria for an eating disorder.
Online Eating Disorder Treatments
Body Image Therapy
If you struggle with negative thoughts about your body, spend excessive time criticizing your body, and are often worrying about your weight, shape, and size…Body Image Therapy could be helpful for you. In Body Image Therapy, we will identify thoughts you have about your body and how these affect your mood, relationships, and daily life. We will explore and determine what triggers negative body image for you specifically. We will also learn and practice coping skills to combat negative self-talk regarding your body.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is a type of therapy that examines the relationship between our thoughts, emotions, and behaviors. It helps you to become more aware of negative thoughts so that you can view difficult situations in a new way and respond to them more effectively. CBT is often recommended as a first-line treatment for eating disorders, and positive outcomes while utilizing this treatment are common.
Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)
Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) incorporates both cognitive behavioral strategies and mindfulness strategies. DBT can help clients increase their ability to tolerate distressing emotions, gain further strategies to reframe negative thought patterns, and implement helpful mindfulness practices into their daily lives. DBT skills are taught by the therapist and clients can utilize them in between sessions to help self-soothe and tolerate overwhelming emotions.
EMDR Therapy
In Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) therapy, you are guided by your therapist to engage in bilateral stimulation of your eye movements while imagining distressing scenarios. The act of bilateral stimulation will help your brain to fully process the distressing feelings and events, shifting your attention towards more positive thoughts and helping anxiety to dissipate. EMDR Therapy has been shown to be effective to help with a variety of mental health conditions, including the treatment of eating disorders. EMDR therapy has also been shown to have long-lasting effects in terms of symptom reduction.
Collaborative Treatment Approach
Eating disorders are serious and can potentially even be life-threatening. With the right treatment and support, full recovery is absolutely possible. But in order to achieve full recovery, we must address all aspects of an individual’s life which includes their emotional, medical, and nutritional state. Therefore, I work collaboratively with a multidisciplinary team whenever possible. With consent from the client and/or parent (when necessary), I collaborate with the client’s dietitian and primary care physician to ensure that we are all on the same page and to facilitate positive treatment outcomes.
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Online Eating Disorder Therapy for California Residents
If you’re ready to overcome your eating disorder and learn more about my online therapy for eating disorders, please use the button above or call (619) 800-5393 for a free 15 minute phone consultation.
Self emBody Therapy
EMDR, Eating Disorders, Anxiety
5330 Carroll Canyon Rd Suite 120,
San Diego, CA 92121
(619) 800-5393
EMDR, Eating Disorders, Anxiety
5330 Carroll Canyon Rd Suite 120,
San Diego, CA 92121
(619) 800-5393
Online Therapy for California Residents
License – LMFT 115162 California
License – LMFT 115162 California