SPECIALTY · BINGE EATING DISORDER
This is not about
willpower. And you are not alone.
If you are looking for a binge eating disorder therapist in Santa Clarita or across California, I want you to know that what you are experiencing is real, it is valid, and it is treatable. I am a licensed clinical psychologist who takes a non-diet, compassion-focused approach to treatment.
Ph.D. -Eating Disorder Psychologist
Telehealth in Santa Clarita and throughout California
Adults, Teens 14+, and Families
What you need is not another set of rules. What you need is someone to help you understand what has been driving this, and a path out that does not involve more shame.
YOU MIGHT RECOGNIZE THIS
What binge eating disorder
feels like from the inside
You may find yourself eating past fullness, sometimes feeling almost disconnected from the experience, and then feeling a wave of shame afterward. You have probably tried diets, programs, and plans. The cycle continues. The shame deepens.
Food feels like the one reliable source of comfort, but it is also the thing you most want to escape.
You feel out of control during a binge, and deeply ashamed after. Neither feeling is easy to sit with.
You have tried restriction, rules, and programs. They work for a while and then they don't.
The shame has started to affect how you see yourself. It is not just around food, but in general.
You wonder if you just lack discipline. You don't. This is not about discipline.
READY TO TAKE THE FIRST STEP?
A free 15-minute call, no pressure
You can ask questions, share what is going on, and get a sense of whether I am a good fit for you or your loved one. There is no obligation and nothing to prepare.
Session length
Location
Telehealth
Ages
45 minutes
Santa Clarita, CA
Throughout California
14+ and Adults
Binge eating disorder is the most common eating disorder, and one of the most misunderstood. It is not a character flaw. It is a real, diagnosable condition with effective treatments.
UNDERSTANDING THE DIAGNOSIS
What is Binge Eating Disorder?
Binge eating disorder involves recurrent episodes of eating large amounts of food in a short period of time, accompanied by a sense of loss of control and significant distress afterward. Unlike bulimia, there are no compensatory behaviors such as purging or restriction.
BED is the most common eating disorder in the United States, affecting people of all genders, ages, and body sizes. It is not about a lack of self-control. It is a complex psychological condition rooted in emotion, experience, and biology.
Common Signs of Binge Eating Disorder:
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Eating large amounts of food rapidly
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Eating when not physically hungry
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Significant distress after eating
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Ongoing attempts to diet or restrict
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Feeling out of control while eating
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Eating alone due to shame
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No compensatory behaviors (no purging)
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Food preoccupation throughout the day
A note on weight and treatment
My practice is rooted in Health at Every Size principles. Treatment for binge eating disorder does not focus on weight loss. The focus is your relationship with food, your emotional wellbeing, and your quality of life. Many clients find that as the bingeing reduces and their relationship with food improves, other things in their life improve too.
TREATMENT
How I treat Binge Eating Disorder
My approach to binge eating disorder is non-diet, weight-inclusive, and deeply compassionate. We work to understand what is driving the binges emotionally, build skills for tolerating difficult feelings without turning to food, and gradually restore a sense of trust and ease around eating.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Eating Disorders (CBT-E)
CBT-E addresses the patterns of thought and behavior that maintain binge eating, including dietary restraint, emotional triggers, and the shame cycle that follows an episode. It is one of the most evidence-supported treatments for BED.
Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)
Dialectical Behavior Therapy teaches skills for tolerating distress and regulating intense emotions without turning to food. For many people with BED, bingeing has been the primary way of managing overwhelming feelings. DBT offers alternatives.
Will we talk about dieting?
No. Restriction and dieting are often part of what maintains the binge eating cycle. My approach does not involve calorie counting, food rules, or any form of prescribed restriction. We move toward food freedom, not more control.
Psychodynamic Psychotherapy
We explore the deeper emotional roots of binge eating, what it manages, what it soothes, and what it communicates. This work helps ensure that recovery is lasting rather than surface-level.
Intuitive Eating Principles
Informed by intuitive eating, we work toward rebuilding trust with your body, recognizing hunger and fullness cues, and making peace with food without rigid rules or restriction.
Do I need a diagnosis?
No. You do not need a formal diagnosis to work with me. If your relationship with food is causing you distress or affecting your quality of life, that is enough reason to reach out.
WHO I SEE
Who I work with
I work with adults, teens aged 14 and older, and families navigating binge eating disorder in Santa Clarita and throughout California via telehealth.
Adults
Individual therapy for adults at any stage, whether you are newly recognizing the problem or have been struggling for years.
Teens (14+)
Specialized care for adolescents, with family involvement where appropriate and a strong emphasis on the teen's own voice.
Families
Guidance and support for those who love someone with BED and want to understand how to help.
COMMON QUESTIONS
Frequently Asked
Questions
Will treatment focus on weight loss?
No. My practice is rooted in Health at Every Size principles. The focus of treatment is your relationship with food, your emotional wellbeing, and your quality of life, not your weight.
02
I am not sure if what I do counts as binge eating. Should I still reach out?
Yes. You do not need to meet the full clinical criteria to deserve support. If your relationship with food is causing you distress, that is enough.
03
I have tried everything. Can therapy actually help?
Yes. Most people with BED have tried diets, programs, and willpower, which do not address the emotional roots of the behavior. Therapy works at a different level, and the research on CBT-E and DBT for BED is strong.
04
Do you accept insurance?
I do not participate directly with managed care plans. Payment is made directly to me, but I am happy to provide you with a detailed statement (“superbill”) that you can submit to your insurance company for out-of-network reimbursement.
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