Therapy for Eating Disorders

Many people have complicated relationships with food. We all need to eat to sustain energy, keep our bodies healthy, and look and feel our best. However, it can be easy to develop disordered eating habits. In fact, our culture makes it easier to eat unhealthy meals. When is the last time you passed a fast food restaurant selling salads and raw veggies in the drive-through? The world may not always make it easy for you to develop a healthy relationship with food, but there is hope and we’re here to help with therapy for eating disorders at Counseling Works. Our skilled clinicians and registered dietician and nutritionist can offer support and guidance to help you develop healthier eating habits.

What are Eating Disorders?

Individuals who struggle with eating disorders may experience a range of disordered eating habits, including eating too much or too little, compulsively eating certain foods or non-nutritive items, obsessing over caloric intake, or vomiting after eating. For many people, eating disorders stem from underlying weight and body image issues.

Are You Struggling with Your Body Image?

Many people struggle with body image issues like negatively comparing themselves to others, and others experience more severe self-image struggles like body dysmorphic disorder. If you answer “yes” to any of the following questions, you may be struggling with body image issues:

• Do you have a love/hate relationship with food?
• Do you have irregular eating habits?
• Do you obsess about your body weight?
• Do you have severe distress or concern about body weight or shape?
• Do you use excessive exercise or purging to control your weight?

How Does Therapy Help with Eating Disorders?

The intention of therapy for those struggling with an eating disorder is for each individual to have a unique, compassionate experience while, as a team, we sift through the hardships of the past and build a more positive future with a healthier image of yourself. During therapy for eating disorders, a Counseling Works therapist will assist you with:

• Exploring common symptoms and causes of eating disorders in a safe and supportive environment
• Learning and practicing ways to cope effectively utilizing techniques from Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)
• Identifying the importance of accepting the past
• Practicing mindfulness
• Learning controlling strategies and tolerating distress
• Identifying & learning the difference between diffusion and infusion
• Recognizing how to control feelings of shame or self-compassion
• Gaining tools to live a meaningful life through gratitude

Should I Meet with a Dietitian or Nutritionist?

At Counseling Works, we have a registered dietitian and nutritionist, Colleen O’Sullivan, on our team. She partners with our clients to better understand their relationships with food and help them to develop healthy eating habits. She can help you start making satisfying and sustaining nutrition choices.

Learn More About Nutrition Counseling

Want to Have a Better Relationship with Food & Nutrition?

If you find yourself struggling to cope with and heal from an Eating Disorder contact one of the Counseling Works therapists. We look forward to assisting you in discovering and loving the real you.

Click here to learn more about our counselors who specialize in therapy for eating disorders.