Therapy For Eating Disorder Recovery

Online & in-person eating disorder treatment in Winter Park, FL

What is Eating Disorder therapy?

Eating disorder therapy is a specialized form of treatment that addresses the underlying factors contributing to disordered eating behaviors. Through individualized counseling sessions, individuals explore the emotional, cognitive, and behavioral aspects of their eating disorder. Therapy for eating disorders emphasizes nutritional education, body image exploration, and the development of healthy coping mechanisms to promote sustainable recovery and improved quality of life.

Types of Eating Disorders

Anorexia Nervosa

Anorexia is a serious eating disorder characterized by extreme food restriction due to an intense fear of gaining weight. Individuals with anorexia often have a distorted body image and strive for an abnormally low body weight, leading to significant physical and emotional health concerns

Binge Eating Disorder

Binge eating disorder is recognized by recurrent episodes of consuming unusually large amounts of food within a discrete period, often accompanied by feelings of distress or lack of control. Unlike other eating disorders, individuals with binge eating disorder do not regularly use compensatory behaviors, such as purging or excessive exercise, after binge episodes. This can lead to changes in weight, emotional distress, and a persistent cycle of overeating, affecting overall health and quality of life

Bulimia Nervosa

Bulimia nervosa is characterized by recurrent episodes of binge eating, followed by behaviors aimed at compensating for the binge, such as self-induced vomiting, misuse of laxatives, or excessive exercise. Individuals with bulimia often have a persistent preoccupation with body weight and shape, leading to a cycle of secretive bingeing and purging behaviors.

Eating Disorder Symptoms

Anorexia Nervosa

    • Limiting food intake

    • Only eating certain food groups.

    • Only eating at certain times during the day

    • Taking Small bites

    • Throwing away food

    • Severe weight loss to obtain a certain look that is never enough.

    • Impacts physical health

    • Loss of menstrual cycle in females (amenorrhea)

    • Distorted beliefs of weight gain

    • Influences body checking

    • Distorted view of weight and body

    • Causes comparison to others

    • Difficulty looking at self and body

    • Impacts choice in clothes; often wear baggy or excessively tight clothes

    • Negative self talk

    • Constantly thinking about food and next meal/snack

    • Obsession with cooking/baking

    • Counts calories

    • Chooses “healthy” options

    • Dieting

    • Water Loading

Binge Eating Disorder

    • Consuming a significantly large amount of food within a relatively short period.

    • Feel a loss of control over their eating behaviors.

    • May occur secretly

    • Eating beyond the point of feeling comfortably full

    • Unable to stop binge behaviors

    • Emotional eating

    • Disconnected/Dissociation

    • Strong urges

    • Eating more quickly than most

    • Not tasting the food

    • Eating even when the body isn’t needing to

    • Eating past the point of fullness

    • Causing physical discomfort and even pain

    • Experiencing shame & guilt after a binge

    • Causes the Binge/Restrict Cycle

    • Eats alone due to embarrassment

Bulimia Nervosa

    • Consuming a significantly large amount of food within a relatively short period.

    • Feel a loss of control over their eating behaviors.

    • May occur secretly

    • Eating beyond the point of feeling comfortably full

    • Self-induced vomiting

    • Misuse of laxatives, diuretics, or other medications

    • Fasting

    • Excessive exercise.

    • Unable to stop binge behaviors

    • Emotional eating

    • Disconnected/Dissociation

    • Strong urges

    • Dental erosion and cavities caused by frequent exposure to stomach acid

    • Swelling of the salivary glands

    • Acid reflux disorder and other gastrointestinal issues

    • Dehydration and electrolyte imbalances

    • Calluses or scars on the knuckles or hands from self-induced vomiting

    • Abnormal bowel function, including constipation or diarrhea, due to laxative misuse

    • And many more

  • Unexplained weight fluctuations, typically within a normal or slightly above or below normal weight range.

Eating Disorder Focused Therapy

Collaborative Care

Collaborative care in eating disorder therapy emphasizes a multidisciplinary approach, bringing together a team of healthcare professionals, including therapists, nutritionists, physicians, and sometimes psychiatrists. This collaborative effort ensures comprehensive and holistic treatment tailored to address the physical, emotional, and nutritional aspects of the disorder.

Eye Movement Desensitization & Reprocessing (EMDR)

Maybe you’re wondering ‘what’s the best therapy for eating disorder recovery?’ And fortunately, there are some really great ones out there — EMDR being one of them! EMDR helps process and cope with traumatic memories by using techniques that activate parts of the brain where the negative beliefs & memories are stored. This allows any negative beliefs related to the body, self-worth, & food to be stored properly in the brain so that they aren’t impacting how you see yourself and the world around you. Research has shown that EMDR therapy supports your brain's natural healing process, making it easier to deal with distressing experiences like eating in public, trying on new clothes, going to the beach, & any other experience that the ED has been holding you back from.

Here’s more information on EMDR

Benefits of Eating Disorder Therapy

Embracing this therapeutic journey unlocks a myriad of benefits, including gaining invaluable self-awareness, cultivating healthier relationships with food and body image, and developing essential coping skills. Empowering individuals to challenge harmful beliefs, navigate emotional triggers, and establish sustainable recovery strategies. Beyond the tangible tools and strategies, eating disorder therapy fosters a sense of community, validation, and understanding, reminding individuals they're not alone on their path to healing.

  • We work with individuals experiencing anorexia, bulimia, binge eating, body image distress, and disordered eating linked to trauma or anxiety.

  • Many clients find that unresolved trauma or emotional pain influences their relationship with food and body image. Our therapists use EMDR and trauma-informed therapy to address root causes, not just symptoms.

  • Yes. When needed, we coordinate care with dietitians, physicians, and psychiatrists to ensure full-body healing and safety.

  • Absolutely. We understand that sensory sensitivities, routine needs, or executive functioning challenges can affect eating patterns. We adapt treatment to support your unique needs.

Common Questions About Eating Disorder Therapy

Have more questions? See all FAQs

Let’s Get Started

Looking for eating disorder therapy near you? Ready to heal your relationship with your body and food? Reach out for a free consultation call and we can explore if Calming Tides Counseling is the right fit.

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