Areas of Specialty

Seeking therapy for an eating disorder can be challenging but a necessary step towards recovery. There are some things to consider when looking into therapy for an eating disorder:

1. Eating disorders can manifest in many ways. No eating disorder looks the same and do not discriminate on the basis of race, culture, gender, ethnicity or body size. You cannot look at someone and tell if they have an eating disorder. Many people with eating disorders question if they are or look “sick” enough to seek treatment. I strive to break down those barriers and create a safe and supportive environment for anyone who wants to heal.

2. Eating disorders are about the food and not about the food at all. Eating disorders serve a function. My goal is to help clients explore the function of the behavior.

3. Treating clients with eating disorders takes a team. It is likely that you may be asked to consider seeing a medical doctor and/or dietitian as a part of your recovery process. I can provide referrals for these providers if needed.

4. Find a therapist who really understands the complexity of eating disorders. Not all therapists are specifically trained in specialized treatment and this can ultimately cause harm.

5. Recovery is not linear. It takes time to heal and it is ok to have set backs.

Mood disorders, depression, and anxiety may present with or without co-occurring disorders. Either way, mood disorders can feel scary and isolating. As humans, we all have mood shifts— times of feeling nervous, hopeless, or sad.

However, it is when we feel these emotions are controlling our daily lives that it may be time to seek help. With our work together, I will help you identify what may be causing the mood dysregulation and navigate how to self-regulate in a healthier way.

When someone has experienced a traumatic event, the memory of the experience sometimes stays “stuck” in the body and mind causing both mental and physical symptoms. These symptoms are what we refer to as “trauma”.

In my practice, I use Judith Herman’s tri-phasic model to help my clients heal from painful experiences. First, I help my clients develop a sense of safety. Next, we will begin processing the identified trauma. I will never push a client to talk about something that they do not feel comfortable sharing. Processing trauma is individualized and should always be done at the client’s pace. Finally, clients will learn to reconnect with themselves and often, develop a new sense of self.

Many of us are at war with our bodies and the battle often begins at a very young age. This war comes at a cost to our physical, emotional, financial, relational, and mental well-being. Preoccupation with body shape, size, and appearance are often part of an eating disorder and may get in the way of seeking eating disorder treatment.

I work with my clients to change their relationships with their bodies. I am passionate about helping people quiet those negative, obsessive body image thoughts and finding the freedom to focus on what gives their lives meaning.

Throughout our lives, it is expected to face transitions in relationships, schooling, jobs, health, and experience major life events. Some of these changes can be overwhelming and cause unmanageable stress.

Therapy can assist in resolving internal conflicts that may be making these transitions more challenging than they need to be. I can help clients identify alternative coping strategies to successfully manage these transitions and find relief in their symptoms.

Some examples of life transitions and adjustments are:

Family conflict, emerging into adulthood, loss of a loved one, illness, loss of a relationship, job loss or changes, relocation, divorce, parenthood, and struggles at school.