top of page
Delicate white dried flowers arranged ag

Eating Disorder Therapy

SPECIALIZED VIRTUAL CARE FOR TEENS & ADULTS 

Living with an eating disorder can feel exhausting and isolating, even when you are doing your best to hold things together. You may be thoughtful and self-aware, yet still find yourself caught in familiar struggles with food or your body, worn down by the constant mental effort it takes to manage them. You might wonder why insight or determination hasn’t led to lasting change, and feel discouraged by how persistent these patterns can be. And still, part of you may be ready for something different, for a quieter relationship with food and your body, and for more steadiness, ease, and trust in yourself. I want to help you get there.

Whether your struggles are new or have been part of your life for years, therapy offers a place to understand why these thoughts feel so powerful and how to quiet them. Healing isn’t about control or perfection. It’s about learning to listen differently to yourself, to trust your body again, and to find peace where shame once lived.

This Space is For You

​This is individual therapy centered on your experience. You do not need to fit a specific diagnosis or reach a certain level of distress to seek support. What matters is how your relationship with food or your body is affecting your life.

 

You do not need to have everything figured out before beginning. Many people come to therapy simply because something no longer feels sustainable, and they want a gentler, more compassionate way forward.

You may find it helpful to learn more about how eating disorders develop and how they affect both the mind and the body. Understanding what’s happening beneath the surface can bring clarity and self-compassion.

Why People Develop Eating Disorders

Eating disorders aren’t really about food. They’re about what food represents: safety, control, comfort, identity, or whatever it uniquely means for you.


They can develop when life feels chaotic, when perfectionism or pressure takes over, or when emotions are hard to name. What starts as a coping strategy can become something that feels impossible to stop.

 

In therapy, we’ll explore:

  • How your eating behaviors are trying to protect you, even if they now cause pain.

  • How perfectionism and self-criticism keep the cycle alive.

  • The beliefs that keep you feeling stuck (“I’ll feel better when my body changes”)

  • How to start rebuilding trust with your body and yourself

How Eating Disorders Affect the Body and Mind

Eating disorders impact the entire body, not just how someone eats, but how their systems function day to day. When the body isn’t getting enough nourishment, or is caught in cycles of restriction, bingeing, or purging, it moves into survival mode. This can affect the brain, heart, hormones, digestion, and nervous system, leading to changes in energy, focus, mood, and overall well-being.

When your body is deprived, overwhelmed, or pushed beyond its cues, it adapts in ways that can feel confusing, sometimes even like betrayal.

Because every eating disorder disrupts the body in different ways, the physical and psychological effects can vary widely. Below, we’ll look at how three of the most common eating disorders, Anorexia Nervosa, Bulimia Nervosa, and Binge Eating Disorder, impact both the body and the mind. Understanding these effects can help bring clarity and compassion to what may otherwise feel confusing or invisible.  

  • Anorexia Nervosa

. Many of the effects of anorexia are the body’s attempt to protect itself in the face of prolonged undernourishment. This can affect both physical and emotional functioning, including thinking, mood, and body temperature. These responses are not a choice, but the nervous system doing its best to cope. With steady nourishment and supportive care, the body has a strong capacity to heal. As the system stabilizes, energy, clarity, and emotional balance often begin to return gradually over time.

  • Bulimia Nervosa

. The effects of bulimia are often misunderstood, and many reflect a nervous system under significant strain. Bulimia can place ongoing stress on the body and nervous system through cycles of bingeing and purging. These patterns can disrupt physical balance and emotional steadiness, affecting digestion, energy, and mood. This is not a lack of control, but a system caught in a cycle of strain. With consistent therapeutic support and care, this cycle can begin to loosen. As eating patterns and emotional triggers are addressed, the body’s rhythms and sense of stability often gradually return.

  • Binge Eating Disorder

. Binge eating is often a response to stress, deprivation, or emotional overwhelm, not a sign of weakness or lack of discipline. Binge eating disorder can affect both the body and emotional well-being through repeated episodes of eating past comfort. Over time, this can disrupt hunger and fullness cues, energy levels, and physical comfort. These experiences reflect a system responding to stress, not a failure of willpower. With compassionate support and guidance, patterns can begin to shift. As trust in the body’s signals is rebuilt, greater physical comfort and emotional steadiness often emerge.

What If I Don't Have an Eating Disorder Diagnosis?

You may not see yourself in the term ‘eating disorder,’ and that is completely understandable. Many clients come to therapy simply because their relationship with food or their body feels more stressful, rigid, or consuming than they want it to be. If something in you is signaling that you want a different way of living, therapy can be a supportive place to explore that.

Eating Disorder Therapy FAQ

​​​It’s completely understandable for you to have questions about starting therapy, especially when it comes to something as personal as your relationship with food and your body. Below are some of the most common concerns clients share before reaching out. If you don’t see your question here, please reach out. 

​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​How do I know if I need therapy for an eating disorder?

If food, weight, or body image takes up more mental space than you’d like, therapy can help. You don’t need a diagnosis or a crisis to reach out. Many clients begin when they simply realize, “I don’t want to keep feeling this way.

What types of eating disorders do you treat?

I offer therapy for anorexia, bulimia, binge eating disorder, and disordered eating that doesn’t fit neatly into any label. If your relationship with food or your body feels complicated, we can explore what’s underneath and build a path toward healing.

Do you offer online therapy in California?

Yes. I provide virtual eating disorder therapy across California, including Los Angeles, Santa Monica, Santa Clarita and surrounding areas. Sessions are held through a secure video platform, giving you flexibility and privacy while maintaining the depth and connection of in-person work.

What if I’m afraid recovery will mean losing control or changing my body?

That fear is common, and completely understandable. We move at a pace that feels safe. Therapy isn’t about forcing change; it’s about building trust with yourself and your body. You’ll never be pushed into something you’re not ready for.

How long does therapy take?

There’s no set timeline for recovery. Some clients start feeling relief after a few months; others continue longer-term as they deepen emotional growth. What matters most is consistency, honesty, and a therapeutic relationship that supports real, sustainable change.

 

Do you collaborate with dietitians or medical professionals?

Absolutely. I often work in coordination with registered dietitians, physicians, or 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.

 

Still have questions?

 

You don’t need to have everything figured out to begin. Sometimes the first step is simply giving yourself space to talk things through. If you’re curious or unsure, I invite you to schedule a free consultation to see whether this feels like the right fit.

bottom of page