Eating Disorder therapy in South Pasadena
Are you struggling with obsessive thoughts about food, weight, or appearance? Do you find yourself trapped in cycles of dieting, binging, purging, or exercising? Are you experiencing feelings of low self-worth, loneliness, or fear of rejection due to your body image? Does the idea of meeting a friend out for a meal fill you with dread? If the answer to any of these questions is yes, you may be dealing with an eating disorder.
I provide compassionate therapy in South Pasadena for eating disorders and body image issues. I specialize in helping individuals understand and improve their relationship with food, exercise, and self-image, so they can lead more fulfilling, peaceful lives. In my practice, I work with clients who are just beginning their healing journey, as well as clients who have been in treatment for some time. When we start work together, we will discuss any prior treatment experiences you have had, and how your current needs may be different or similar to your past needs for recovery.
Understanding Eating Disorders and Disordered Eating
Eating disorders are complex mental health conditions that impact your relationship with food, exercise, and body image. Eating disorders emerge from a complex interaction between genetic, biological, and environmental factors, including complex trauma, societal pressures, and temperamental differences.
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Anorexia nervosa is a condition characterized by profound fear of gaining weight and refusal or inability to eat in a way that sustains your weight and medical stability. People struggling with anorexia are often preoccupied with thoughts about food and body image, and may find themselves obsessively counting calories in/calories out and measuring their bodies in different ways.
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Bulimia nervosa is characterized by preoccupation with food and weight in addition to a pattern of
attempting to restrict food intake or eating in rigid ways
binging on large quantities of food, often foods that are “forbidden”
purging the food through the use of vomiting, laxatives, fasting or exercise.
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Binge eating disorder is characterized by thinking obsessively about food, struggling to implement regular eating habits, and binging on large quantities of food to the point of discomfort on a regular basis.
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Orthorexia is a condition where someone is preoccupied with perceived health benefits or detriments of food to the point where it is difficult to eat with friends, eat at restaurants, or go with the flow of travel. You may find yourself researching food extensively and thinking about food more than the people around you.
There is hope!
In our therapy sessions, we work collaboratively to understand how your relationship with food and body image is influenced by your unique life experiences. Together, we focus on:
Exploring the Underlying Factors: We address underlying issues like trauma, body image concerns, and other mental health conditions that may contribute to or exacerbate disordered eating patterns.
Increasing Self-Compassion: We gently work on building your openness to cultivating compassion for yourself
Aligning with Your Values: I support you in reconnecting with your core values, interests and goals, so you can build a fuller, more authentic life
Building on Strengths: Our work includes cultivating the strengths you already have, but that may have been overshadowed by heightened focus on food and weight
Improving Body Image: My therapeutic approach is informed by the Body Positive Model, which encourages a healthier, more compassionate relationship with your body, and by Intuitive Eating, a non-diet approach to eating that fosters mindful, attuned eating habits without restrictive behaviors. These approaches align with the principles of Health at Every Size (HAES), which advocates for well-being regardless of body size or shape.
I incorporate evidence-based therapeutic techniques, including Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), as well as mindfulness-based approaches like the Trauma Resiliency Model and Hakomi to address the eating disorders and promote lasting recovery.