Eating Disorders

 How would you describe your relationship with food and your body? Have you been a chronic dieter most of your life? When someone pulls out dessert do you notice yourself feeling embarrassed, ashamed, or even withdrawn? Do you believe that if you were “the right size” you would finally be happy? Or maybe if you were just disciplined enough and spent more time in the gym, you would be better off? You might even consider yourself to be an emotional eater and that you cope with emotions using food.

The way we think and feel about our bodies and food directly impact our physical health. What is truly unhealthy is the guilt and anxiety we have around food.

As size inclusive and eating disorder therapists, we have worked with hundreds of people just like you. The relationship we have with food and our bodies often starts at a young age. Society only fuels this fire by making us believe we would be better if our bodies are ideal. Whether you are noticing that your body image is quite distressing or if you have struggled with food and your body for years, we are here to help. Our team helps people reclaim their sense of self and their worth without the ties of weight, shape, and food you eat.

How do I know if I have an Eating Disorder?

It can be really difficult to recognize and acknowledge that what you might be struggling with is an eating disorder. Like many mental health conditions, eating disorders can make you feel like you are fine on the outside, but internally, it’s straight chaos! There are common symptoms that those with eating disorders struggle with including: constantly thinking about food or dieting, or the way their body looks, making sure that they track their calories, or “macros” consistently, taking small portions of food in front of others, but eating more in secret or “overeating” when alone. Other symptoms could include excessively exercising or purging, skipping meals, only eating “healthy” foods, and withdrawing from friends and family. If you are unsure as to whether or not you might be struggling with an eating disorder, reach out today to meet with an expert on our team so we can collaboratively come up with a plan to improve your life!

Body Image

Although many people are unhappy with their bodies, many adults suffer from extreme body image difficulties that can be part of more complicated issues. In a culture that values appearance more than our inner values, it can be so challenging to accept and love your body just the way it is. Having a body image disorder involves believing that your body is unacceptable and should be hated and hidden. This can interfere with social and occupational functioning, increase levels of anxiety and depression, or lead to an eating disorder. When your symptoms have impacted your mood, relationships with others, and the way you eat, it is time to seek professional support.

Our Approach to Eating Disorders and Body Image

Beginning your recovery from an eating disorder is a brave decision and we do not take that lightly! Our team is trained in evidence-based treatment modalities that have been demonstrated in research to decrease symptoms and improve your functioning. Taking care of your body is necessary in recovery from an eating disorder. In our work together, we will tune into the cues your body is expressing, learn about the forms of exercise you like/dislike, increase your ability to handle difficult situations, and cope with intense emotions. At The Center For Every Body, we wholeheartedly incorporate Health At Every Size (HAES) approaches. You can read more about how we incorporate HAES here.

Most of the people we work with benefit greatly from a collaborative approach. This means, including an anti-diet and eating disorder dietitian to your treatment team. As we establish care, we are happy to help you create your support team by providing referrals to professionals we know and trust! We know how difficult it is to begin treatment with a new provider!