SPECIALTY · ANOREXIA NERVOSA
Anorexia nervosa therapy for teens, families, and adults
For the person whose rules around food have taken over, and for the parent watching it happen.
Serious, and treatable.
YOU MIGHT RECOGNIZE THIS
Do any of these sound like you or someone you love?
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Food thoughts take up most of your mental space, often from the moment you wake up.
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The rules that once felt like safety have quietly become something you can't imagine living without, and also a wall between you and the life you can sense is possible.
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You may be functioning at a high level at work or school. The people around you might not know anything is wrong.
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Part of you knows something needs to change. Another part is not ready, or not sure how.​​
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Your teen has started skipping meals, cutting foods out, or eating alone, and gets angry or frightened when you bring it up.
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You have watched them get colder, quieter, and more rigid, and you are not sure whether to push or wait.
UNDERSTANDING THE DIAGNOSIS
What is anorexia nervosa?
Anorexia nervosa is a serious eating disorder characterized by restricted food intake, an intense fear of weight gain, and a distorted or deeply painful relationship with body image and self-worth. It is not a choice, a phase, or a reflection of vanity. It is a complex psychological condition with real medical consequences. Anorexia affects people of all genders, ages, body sizes, and backgrounds. It does not discriminate, and it does not always look the way the media portrays it.
COMMON SIGNS
Common signs of anorexia nervosa include:
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Intense fear of weight gain
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Withdrawal from social eating
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Excessive or compulsive exercise
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Difficulty concentrating
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Distorted body image
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Rigid rules or rituals around food
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Preoccupation with calories or body shape
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Wearing loose clothing to hide the body
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Fatigue, feeling cold, lightheadedness
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Low mood or irritability
TREATMENT
How I treat anorexia nervosa
Anorexia is the one eating disorder where the order of things matters most. A starved brain cannot do the work of therapy, so restoring regular eating and weight comes first, and a physician monitors medical safety while that happens. I will always be honest with you about where things stand, and if a higher level of care is needed I will say so and help you get there.
At the same time, we work on what the anorexia has been doing for you: the fear it holds off, the control it seems to offer, the parts of life it has quietly replaced. That understanding is what makes recovery hold once eating is stable.​
For teens, parents are central to this work. You will have practical guidance for meals at home from the start, a written plan, and my support in holding the line when your teen's fear is loudest. There are many factors behind an eating disorder, and your support is what will do the most to move things forward.
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Related: Bulimia nervosa, Disordered eating, Support for families and loved ones.
COMMON QUESTIONS
Frequently asked questions
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Do I have to want recovery to start therapy?
No. Ambivalence is one of the most common and well-documented features of anorexia. You do not need to be fully ready or fully convinced. You just need to be willing to show up and see what happens. We can work with uncertainty.
02
What if my teen refuses to come to therapy?
This is very common. I can begin by working with parents alone, helping you build a stronger understanding of the eating disorder and a more confident approach at home, while we work toward getting your teen engaged in treatment.
03
Do you collaborate with dietitians or medical professionals?
​Absolutely. I often work in coordination with registered dietitians, physicians, and psychiatrists to ensure that your care is comprehensive and aligned across disciplines. When needed, I help you assemble a collaborative team that supports both your emotional and physical well-being.
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What if I need a higher level of care than outpatient therapy?
If at any point I believe a higher level of care is needed, I will tell you directly and help coordinate the transition. I will not leave you to navigate that alone. I have referral relationships with leading eating disorder programs across California.
INSURANCE
Out-of-Network
Superbill provided
PAYMENT
Credit & debit​​
cards accepted
SESSION FEE
$250
per session
SESSION LENGTH
45
minutes