Online Therapy for Eating Disorders in Philadelphia and Beyond
Imagine a life in which food feels easy and your mind is free.
You think you’ll feel better if you could just lose a few more pounds. But you’re also starting to realize that the lengths you’re going to are costing you. Maybe you got really stressed when a friend suggested getting pizza or a family member commented on how you look. Or you felt total panic when offered a bagel for breakfast instead of your usual yogurt. You tell yourself that you can manage the feelings and just need to stay focused on your goal. But when you reach that goal, it’s not quite good enough so you try for a bit more. And the more you do to feel better about it, the more you find yourself thinking about food or your body. Eventually you notice the toll that all of this is taking on the rest of your life.
With an eating disorder:
You've stopped going out to eat with coworkers because you can't handle the looks you get when you don't order, or you find yourself making excuses about having already eaten or not feeling well. Social situations that used to be enjoyable now feel like minefields of judgment and anxiety.
You take forever to get ready because you won't wear half your clothes, and you change outfits multiple times trying to find something that feels "safe." And jeans? Forget it. They stay crumpled at the bottom of your drawer because the thought of putting them on fills you with dread.
You're spending money on late-night grocery runs when the urge to binge feels unbearable, and you've found yourself googling fridge locks or hiding food from yourself. The shame of these behaviors is exhausting, but the cycle feels impossible to break.
You avoid traveling or spending the night at other people's homes because you can't weigh yourself first thing in the morning without your scale. The thought of being away from that daily ritual creates intense anxiety that keeps you isolated.
Your partner has started to worry because you go to the bathroom after dinner every night, and you can see the concern in their eyes even though they haven't said anything directly. You're running out of excuses and the secrecy is taking a toll on your relationship.
You're spending extra time at the gym instead of taking care of other responsibilities, and you feel guilty or panicked if you have to skip a workout. Exercise has stopped being enjoyable and has become something you feel compelled to do, no matter what else suffers.
You lose track of a conversation with your friend because you're checking your stomach or scrutinizing your reflection every time you pass by a reflective surface, mirror, or window. You're more focused on how your body looks than on being present in the moment.
After eating disorder treatment:
Listen to your body while eating and exercising intuitively, which means honoring your hunger and fullness cues rather than following rigid rules or external diet plans. This involves paying attention to what foods make you feel energized and satisfied, moving your body in ways that feel good rather than punishing, and recognizing that your needs may change from day to day based on stress, activity level, sleep, and other factors.
Learn to ride out urges and manage difficult feelings without turning to food or restrictive behaviors. This involves developing coping strategies like mindfulness, journaling, or reaching out to support systems when emotions feel overwhelming.
Improve body image and find value in yourself beyond appearance by identifying your strengths, values, and qualities that have nothing to do with how you look. This might include your creativity, kindness, intelligence, humor, or the relationships you've built.
Address underlying issues like anxiety, trauma, and depression, so you can achieve long-term health and well-being. These root causes often fuel disordered eating patterns, and working through them with professional support creates sustainable healing.
Challenge internalized diet culture messages and examine where your beliefs about food, weight, and health actually come from. Many rules we follow aren't based on science or our individual needs.
Build a support system of people who respect your recovery journey and can offer encouragement when things feel difficult. This might include therapists, dietitians, support groups, or trusted friends and family.
Practice self-compassion when you have setbacks or difficult days, recognizing that recovery isn't linear and treating yourself with the same kindness you'd offer a friend going through something similar.
How therapy for disordered eating and body image works
It may feel impossible now, but you can feel comfortable with food. The constant thoughts about food and exercise will slow down, and you can focus on what makes your life truly fulfilling and meaningful. Maybe that’s volunteering, spending time with your family, getting great feedback from your boss, or just relaxing with your dog. Your happiness does not have to be determined by your weight on the scale, your time at the gym, or your reflection in the mirror. You’re free to just be. I’ll help you through this process, tailoring each step to your unique needs and circumstances. My approach to eating disorder treatment involves consistent emotional and behavioral support, paired with research-backed therapies to give you the insight and skills needed for well-being. Perhaps just as importantly, I offer hope. I truly believe that recovery is possible for everyone, so I work diligently to help my clients achieve it.
Anorexia
Anorexia nervosa is an eating disorder that involves restricting food, an intense fear of weight gain, and a distorted view of one's body. People with anorexia often see themselves as overweight even when underweight, and may exercise excessively or engage in other behaviors to control their weight. This condition affects both physical and mental health.
Recovery from anorexia is possible with the right support. Therapy helps you challenge unhelpful thoughts about food and your body, develop healthier ways to cope with difficult emotions, and rebuild a peaceful relationship with eating and movement. We'll also address any underlying issues like anxiety, depression, or past trauma that may be contributing to the eating disorder. While recovery takes time and commitment, many people go on to live full, healthy lives free from anorexia.
Binge-Eating
Binge-eating disorder involves recurring episodes of eating large amounts of food in a short period while feeling a loss of control. Unlike bulimia, binge-eating disorder doesn't involve purging or other compensatory behaviors. People with this disorder often eat quickly, beyond the point of fullness, and may eat alone due to embarrassment or shame. These episodes can lead to significant emotional distress and may affect physical health over time.
Recovery from binge-eating disorder is possible with the right support. Treatment helps you understand what triggers binge episodes, develop healthier ways to cope with stress and difficult emotions, and rebuild a balanced relationship with food. We'll work on recognizing your body's natural hunger and fullness signals, challenging thoughts that fuel the binge cycle, and addressing underlying issues like anxiety, depression, or trauma. With time and commitment, many people successfully overcome binge-eating disorder and develop a more peaceful, intuitive approach to eating.
Bulimia
Bulimia nervosa is an eating disorder that involves cycles of binge eating followed by behaviors like vomiting, excessive exercise, or misuse of laxatives to try to compensate. During binges, people often feel out of control and eat large amounts of food, then feel intense shame or guilt afterward. This pattern can be physically dangerous and emotionally exhausting.
Recovery from bulimia is absolutely possible. Treatment helps you break free from the binge-purge cycle by identifying your triggers, developing healthier coping skills for stress and difficult emotions, and rebuilding a healthy relationship with food. We'll also work on the thoughts and feelings driving these behaviors, and address any underlying issues like stress or trauma that may be contributing. With support and commitment, many people fully recover from bulimia and find peace with food.
ARFID
Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder involves very limited eating that isn't driven by concerns about weight or body image. People with ARFID may avoid certain foods due to sensory sensitivities like texture, taste, or smell, fear of negative consequences like choking or vomiting, or simply lack interest in eating. This can lead to nutritional deficiencies, weight loss, difficulty functioning in social situations involving food, and reliance on a very narrow range of foods.
Recovery from ARFID is possible with specialized support. Treatment is tailored to the specific reasons behind your food avoidance and helps you gradually expand the variety of foods you can comfortably eat. We'll work at your own pace using strategies that might include exposure to new foods in a safe environment, addressing any anxieties around eating, and developing coping skills for managing sensory sensitivities. If there are underlying issues like anxiety or past negative experiences with food, we'll address those as well. With patience and the right approach, many people with ARFID are able to broaden their diet and feel more comfortable and confident around food.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does eating disorder treatment involve?
Individualized Treatment Plans: Developing a personalized treatment plan that caters to your specific needs, history, and circumstances, recognizing that eating disorders manifest differently in each person.
Cognitive-Behavioral Therapies: Utilizing techniques from Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) and Dialectic Behavioral Therapy (DBT) to help you identify and challenge distorted thoughts related to food and body image, to develop healthier coping mechanisms, and to find and follow your values in life.
Nutritional Counseling: Working in collaboration with your dietitian to provide you with education on food and your body’s needs, create meal plans, and address any nutritional deficiencies or misconceptions about food.
Medical Monitoring: Ensuring regular medical check-ups to monitor your physical health, as eating disorders can have severe physical consequences that require medical attention and intervention.
Family/Friend/Partner Involvement: Including the people closest to you in some sessions to offer education, helping them understand the disorder and equipping them with strategies to provide a supportive environment. This is optional but usually encouraged.
What are eating disorder therapy sessions like?
I understand that recovering from an eating disorder is hard, and that sometimes you might not even be sure you want recovery. That’s why I approach each session with appreciation for your efforts, compassion for your feelings, and respect for your autonomy. Early in therapy, you and I will identify your reasons to recover, including the things that are meaningful to you and make the hard work worth it. I will support you in setting and achieving weekly goals related to eating, exercise, food, and body image, such as logging hunger/fullness cues, eating something new, or wearing that shirt you love but feel really uncomfortable in. Sometimes we will eat a meal or snack together, giving you support and accountability. You’ll learn new skills for coping and navigating difficult experiences, and I’ll practice those skills with you, whether that’s deep breathing for relaxation or communication for setting a boundary. I will also teach you new ways to interact with your thoughts and feelings, sometimes challenging unhelpful beliefs while promoting acceptance. Additionally, you’ll spend some time exploring how your past has contributed to the eating disorder, looking for potential roots such as trauma, and I will work to address those causes or contributing factors to support long-term recovery.
I’ve heard eating disorder treatment can take a while. How long do I need to be in therapy?
There is no pre-established session amount or limit, as each client’s needs are different. You and I will work together to determine frequency of sessions and length of therapy based on your goals and progress.
How do I know if eating disorder treatment will work for me?
I’ve seen it happen; it’s possible. I’ve helped clients achieve peace with food, comfort with their bodies, and joy in what’s meaningful to them. My expertise is founded in research and years of experience, and it’s important that you work with a therapist who has specialized knowledge and skill in the nuances of eating disorder treatment. If you’re ready to try, I’m here to help.
Will I have to gain weight?
I work closely with your medical provider and dietitian to support you in finding and maintaining a weight range that works for your body. My goal is to help you reconnect with your whole self, because you’re so much more than a number on a scale.