SPECIALTY · ANOREXIA NERVOSA
You are more than the number on a scale
Finding the right therapist for anorexia nervosa is an important step, and I'm glad you're here. I'm a licensed clinical psychologist based in Santa Clarita, and I've spent over 20 years working with teens, adults, and families navigating anorexia.
YOU MIGHT RECOGNIZE THIS
Do any of these sound like you or someone you love?
Food thoughts take up most of your mental space, often from the moment you wake up.
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.
You may be functioning at a high level at work or school. The people around you might not know anything is wrong.
Part of you knows something needs to change. Another part is not ready, or not sure how.
You might count, calculate, and plan around food from the moment you wake up. Eating feels frightening, and the rules that once felt like safety have slowly become a prison. You may look fine to the people around you. Inside, you are exhausted.
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 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
Treating anorexia requires more than symptom management. It requires understanding what the eating disorder has been doing for you, what it has been protecting you from, and what a life without it might actually feel like. That is the work we do together.
COMMON QUESTIONS
Frequently Asked Questions
01
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.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.
04
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.
SESSION LENGTH
45 minutes
SESSION FEE
$250
per session
PAYMENT
Credit & debit
cards accepted
INSURANCE
Out-of-Network
Superbill provided