Therapy in person in Orange County & online across CA, MA, & OH

Eating Disorder Therapy

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You want to feel at peace in your body—but the critical voice in your head won’t let up.

It seems like no matter what you wear, eat, or do, there’s always that inner voice telling you you’re not doing it “right.” You want relief—but it’s hard to imagine what that even looks like.

Maybe it…

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  • Your closet may look like a tornado came through it. You try on outfit after outfit and nothing looks “right.” Getting dressed might mean a mountain of rejected outfits on your bed—none of them “flattering,” none that feel right. You may anxiously flip through hangers, hoping something feels good enough to wear. Maybe you feel so overwhelmed, you cancel. Or you finally get dressed, but your anxiety follows you out the door. You show up hyperaware, scanning your body, imagining others are too. You feel consumed by how your body looks and how others might be judging it.

  • You’ve internalized rules about good vs. bad foods—and that inner voice pushes you to “be good.” You might avoid buying certain foods altogether because you fear losing control. You try to eat “right” but end up feeling dissatisfied and constantly thinking about food. You may find yourself eating past fullness, then spiraling into shame. Maybe the shame feels so unbearable that finding relief—through purging or working out—becomes the only way you know to cope. Maybe you hear an endless stream of thoughts about how food affects your health or body. The judgment and thoughts are constant, and it’s exhausting.

  • There are rules about what, when, and how to eat. Rules about movement. Your brain is always tracking—meals, snacks, calories, workouts, body changes. And when you're not tracking, you're avoiding. Avoiding…

    • Foods you enjoy or crave but don’t “let” yourself have

    • Meals you tell yourself you “don’t need”

    • Social plans involving food

    • Friends who want to try new food places

    The mental gymnastics takes a toll on your energy and ability to feel present and connected with others.

  • Exercise might feel non-negotiable—you “have to” do it or feel like you failed. Skipping a workout might not feel like an option without added distress. Or maybe you fluctuate between periods of structured exercising and avoiding it altogether, stuck in guilt and shame. Either way, movement doesn’t feel neutral. It’s tied to anxiety, rules, and self-worth.

You’re tired of the constant inner noise.

Eating, moving, existing—everything feels tangled in rules, fear, and shame.

You just want to eat in peace, move your body on your own terms–rather than pressure and guilt, and have permission to exist in your body without constantly feeling the need to change it.

You don’t have to be at war with food or your body.

Let’s build something gentler—rooted in self-trust, clarity, and care.

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Eating disorders are rarely just about food. They’re often about deeper needs: safety, control, identity, belonging, and emotional regulation. Together, we’ll explore beyond behaviors to help you heal the roots.

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We’ll begin by gently unpacking how your eating disorder is showing up—and why. You’ll learn to:

  • Understand the patterns, rules, and beliefs driving your behaviors

  • Identify the needs your eating disorder may be meeting

  • Build awareness around the shame, anxiety, or scarcity behind food struggles

  • Learn tangible tools to soothe overwhelm and respond with care instead of criticism

We’ll move at your pace, with a compassionate, nonjudgmental approach rooted in your autonomy.

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As we work together, you may begin to feel…

  • More flexible, less anxious around food

  • A quieter mind and softer inner voice

  • More trust in your hunger, body cues, food selections, and emotional needs

  • Less shame and pressure—and more self-compassion

My Approach to Eating Disorder Therapy

HAES®-aligned

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I honor that all bodies are worthy, valid, and diverse. I will never encourage intentional weight loss as a goal.

Intuitive Eating-informed

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I believe all food is morally neutral. Balance comes from building internal trust, not restriction or shame.

Modalities I use

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IFS, DBT, and ACT—these help you connect with your emotions, build coping skills, and support long-term healing.

Guided by social justice & fat liberation values

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Healing is more than behavior change — it’s about reclaiming your right to safety, dignity, and respect.

Together, we can create space for a new relationship—with food, your body, and yourself. One that’s sustainable, gentle, and deeply compassionate.

Eating disorder therapy can help you…

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  • Reclaim your mental energy and brain space by spending less time thinking about food

  • Build confidence using coping skills that help soothe shame, anxiety, and overwhelm

  • Release food rules and guilt so you can eat with more freedom and ease

  • Identify and meet your emotional needs to feel more anchored and self-aware

  • Show up more fully in relationships and social spaces—including ones that involve food

  • Reconnect with your cultural roots and personal values through deeper self-compassion and body respect

You don’t have to stay trapped in the loop of overthinking, overwhelm, and shame. Let’s chart a path toward the gentler, more fulfilling life you deserve.

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FAQs

Eating Disorder Therapy- Frequently Asked Questions

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  • Some eating disorder symptoms include, but are not limited to:

    • Limiting food intake

    • Eating to the point of physical pain

    • Compulsive exercise 

    • Taking laxatives

    • Hiding food

    • Avoidance of eating in public or around others

    • Compulsively monitoring body size and/or weight

    Eating disorder symptoms are often used as a means to cope or manage emotional pain. For some, they create a sense of control in an environment that restricts agency and autonomy. A non shame-based approach is important in this work. It allows for a deeper understanding of the factors driving these behaviors.

  • Yes, in fact the majority of people with eating disorders are not “underweight.” Unfortunately, societal weight stigma and racism contributes to misinformation related to eating disorders. This can cause people to feel like their struggle is invalid or inadequate. Unfortunately, this feeling can impact people's ability to get the support they need.

    If this is you, please know that eating disorders do not discriminate. Eating disorders impact all racial identities, body sizes, gender identities, and body abilities. You are worthy and deserving of support.

  • Do you experience high levels of stress and anxiety related to your body and food? Does this negatively impact your health, life, relationships, and responsibilities?

    If you answered yes to these questions, talking to an eating disorder therapist might help! Eating disorder therapists can help assess, diagnose, and treat eating disorders. Having the right support as you work towards eating disorder recovery is crucial. Working with an eating disorder specialist can be integral to achieving your goals!

  • Healing your relationship with food is comparable to improving a personal relationship.

    First, it's important to develop insight around the relationship's history and its dynamics. Next, we must identify the challenges and barriers to healing the relationship. To change something, requires us to understand it. 

    A good first step to heal your relationship with food is to start eating disorder therapy. This can help you gain some insight in a safe and judgment-free space. In therapy, you'll learn new ways to relate to food that will foster growth and healing!