It Doesn’t Have to Be this Way:
There may have been a time when you felt at ease in the presence of food. Maybe you even felt confident listening to your bodies natural hunger and fullness cues and honoring what your body was telling you.
On the other hand, maybe you can’t remember a time when you had a peaceful relationship with food. That’s okay too.
Instead of feeling a sense of peace with food, you may be ruminating about it through out your day, worrying about how you will find a way to purge, or planning a binge for later in the evening. You may feel anxious eating in front of others for fear that they might suspect something is amiss. Maybe you are finding that the eating disorder behaviors are starting to increase with each passing day and it feels impossible to break the cycle.
Is Therapy for You?
Therapy may be for you if:
- You feel like you can’t stop eating once you start.
- You purge, use laxatives, or excessive exercise to “compensate” for eating certain foods or too much food.
- You are using food to cope with difficult emotions but would like to find other tools and coping skills
- You feel fearful of food and don’t feel that you can trust yourself in the presence of food.
- You feel ashamed of how much money you spend on food, and feel that you must hide how much you are eating.
- You are struggling with body image and find yourself feel dissatisfied or disgusted with your body.
How it Works:
We will meet for your initial intake session to get a sense of what has led you to seeking therapy. This first session will be 60 minutes to go over key points in the paperwork and to get to know each other. We will also set one or two goals for our work together. We will revisit these goals, and possibly add more as we continue working together. Each session after the initial intake appointment will be 53 minutes long. In most circumstances, I recommend that we meet weekly as we build momentum in the work we we are doing. I will check in with you periodically about the cadence of therapy to ensure that it feels like the right fit, and we may adjust the cadence (bi-weekly or monthly appointments) after some of the therapeutic goals have been reached.
The Therapeutic Part:
In our work together, we will construct an understanding of the factors that have led to a problematic relationship with food. I believe that all behaviors serve a function and a purpose. We will explore how the eating disorder behaviors have helped you, even if only momentarily. Then, we will identify new ways of coping with emotions that will better serve you in the long-run.
I’m excited to help clients who feel motivated to have a healthier relationship with food and their bodies. I will create a safe atmosphere for you to share and be vulnerable. My goal is always to meet my client’s where they are at and follow their lead, and yet, I will also challenge you at times to help build momentum in the work you are doing. I often recommend that the people I work with also see an eating disorder specialized dietitian. This can be a great additional support and can help the progression of the work we are doing.
I take a Health at Every Size approach in my work and strive to always create a therapeutic space that is inclusive of all body shapes and sizes. In addition to this, I want therapy to feel safe and welcoming regardless of race, gender, sexual orientation, or ability. Each and every person I meet is different and has a unique background that I want to understand. I’ll approach getting to know you with curiosity and openness.