Therapy for Eating Disorders

in Mission Valley, CA

Shine Bright: Transform Your Relationship with Food and Self with Eating Disorders Therapy in Mission Valley

Having an eating disorder feels like being caught in a relentless battle with your own body and mind. Physically, there can be extreme behaviors such as restricting food intake, binge-eating, or purging, which are driven by a deep-seated sense of guilt, shame, or inadequacy. Emotionally, it's a rollercoaster of highs and lows, where self-worth becomes tightly linked to how you perceive your body. Recovery involves addressing underlying emotional issues, developing a healthier relationship with food and body image, and seeking support from healthcare professionals and loved ones to break free from the grip of the eating disorder.


Through therapy, I provide a safe space to explore the underlying issues driving your relationship with food and I will challenge your very loud eating disorder voice. Together, I will empower you to turn towards your eating disorder to find healing and wholeness, so you can begin to experience a life of joy, connection and inner peace.

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Move Beyond the Pain of Disordered Eating: Healing is Possible!

How Therapy in Mission Valley can Heal Eating Disorders


Therapy can be highly effective in helping you heal from your eating disorder by addressing its underlying causes, managing symptoms, and promoting overall well-being. I specialize in providing personalized treatment plans tailored to your unique needs, utilizing approaches such as Intuitive Eating, Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), and Internal Family Systems Therapy techniques (IFS). Here are several ways therapy can facilitate healing from eating disorders:

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Building Self-Compassion

Therapy promotes self-compassion and acceptance, helping individuals develop a more positive self-image and reduce feelings of shame or guilt associated with their eating disorder

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Nutritional Counseling

Therapists may provide nutritional counseling to help individuals establish balanced eating patterns and improve their relationship with food. I also like to coordinate with other medical professionals, such as a Physician and/or Dietician who can support with physical health

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Addressing Underlying Issues

Therapists help explore and address underlying emotional issues, such as low self-esteem, people pleasing behaviors, perfectionism, anxiety, or depression, which may contribute to the development or maintenance of the eating disorder

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Changing Thought Patterns

Dialectical-behavioral therapy (DBT) and other therapeutic approaches help challenge distorted thoughts and beliefs about food, body image, and self-worth, promoting healthier thinking patterns

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Behavioral Strategies

Therapists may use exposure therapy to gently confront fears related to food or body image to reduce avoidance. When it is appropriate, we may have snacks and/or meals with one another during therapy sessions to encourage exposure

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Identifying Triggers

Therapy helps individuals identify triggers that contribute to disordered eating behaviors, such as stress, emotions, body image issues, or past traumas

Practical Tips to Heal Your Eating Disorder

When we are deep into our eating disorder addiction, feeling alone and isolated, and when our eating disorder voice is really loud in our head, there are many coping skills we can implement. We can use these coping skills to soften the eating disorder voice and decrease those eating disorder symptoms, which can help us stay connected to the present moment. Some of these coping skills include: 

Create a Structured Routine

Recovery from an eating disorder is a journey that takes time and effort. Be patient with yourself and stay committed to the healing process

Seek Professional Help

It is important to build a team of professionals who can help. Work with a registered dietitian to create balanced meal plans that support physical health and recovery from the disorder

Limit Triggers

Identify and avoid situations, environments, or people that may trigger disordered eating behaviors or negative emotions

Avoid Triggers and Set Boundaries

Keep track of your progress and setbacks in a journal or with a trusted therapist to identify patterns and adjust treatment goals accordingly

Establish a Support System

It is important when we are feeling alone in our disorder that we surround ourselves with understanding and supportive friends, family members, or support groups who can provide encouragement and accountability

Challenge Negative Thoughts

Use dialectical-behavioral techniques to challenge and reframe negative thoughts about food, body image, and self-worth

Healing From Eating Disorders Takes Time

Remember that healing from an eating disorder is a gradual process, and it is important to be patient with yourself. You can incorporate these tips into your daily routine and adapt them based on what works best for you. Consistency and self-care are key to managing an eating disorder and improving your overall well-being. The sooner we can address the eating disorder when it first develops, the better chance we will have at helping you to heal through it.

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Common Questions About Eating Disorders

  • Am I experiencing an eating disorder?

    Eating disorders are serious mental  health conditions characterized by abnormal eating behaviors, distorted body images, and often, an intense fear of gaining weigh or body dissatisfaction. These disorders can have severe physical, emotional and social consequences and typically require professional treatment.


    There are several types of eating disorders that include: Anorexia Nervosa, Bulimia Nervosa, Binge Eating Disorder, Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder and Other Specified Feeding or Eating Disorders. 


    Eating disorders can affect individuals of any age, gender, or background, although they are more prevalent among adolescents and young adults. Risk factors for eating orders include genetic predisposition, psychological factors (such as low self-esteem, perfectionism and people pleasing behaviors), environmental influences (such as societal pressure or trauma), and dieting or weight-related behaviors. 


    The treatment approach I take involves a multidisciplinary approach, including medical management while working with a Primary Care Doctor, and nutritional counseling while working with a Dietician. Research shows that intervening as early as possible when someone first develops an eating disorder is the most effective way to promoting recovery, and preventing long term health complications. 


    I have first hand experience working with clients who have had eating disorders and I take this disorder very seriously. This is because this disorder can be fatal, and it is one of the most complex and complicated mental illnesses to work with. I spent time working at an eating disorder clinic here in San Diego for a couple of years with both teenagers and adults. My experience included working with patients at residential centers and intensive outpatient centers. I have been trained in using the evidence based model therapy called Intuitive Eating, which is similar to doing mindful eating. If you have questions about this type of therapy, I would be happy to have a conversation with you about what this entails.


    Often times clients are unsure about having an eating disorder until they speak to a medical or mental health professional, and if this is the case, it is important to reach out to obtain support as soon as possible. If you are unsure of this and would like to have an assessment completed, I would be more than willing to sit down with you to complete one. This does not mean you have to commit to any type of therapy with myself, but more so I can help advise as to which services can best support your treatment. The type of treatment that can be offered by myself will consist of being enrolled in outpatient services (weekly therapy once or twice a week), or if you may require more support the next option would be intensive outpatient services (attending an eating disorder program multiple times a week for a number of hours at a time), and lastly, if you require a significant amount of support, this option would include attending a residential treatment center (this is a center where you will often live at for 4-6 weeks) or inpatient hospitalization (this option is often for patients who are severely underweight and who need to be hospitalized for immediate assistance). 


    If you think you are experiencing an eating disorder and are considering therapy, please feel free to reach out to me. I would be happy to work with you to develop a treatment plan that addresses your specific needs and goals, and support you on your journey towards healing and recovery.

  • What are symptoms of an eating disorder?

    Symptoms of eating disorders can vary depending on the specific disorder (such as anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, binge-eating disorder) but generally include:


    • Restriction of food intake: Severely limiting the amount or types of food consumed, leading to significant weight loss or failure to gain weight in growing children.


    • Preoccupation with body weight and shape: Obsessive thoughts about weight, body shape, and appearance, often leading to distorted body image perceptions.


    • Intense fear of gaining weight: An overwhelming fear of gaining weight or becoming fat, even when underweight.


    • Compulsive or excessive exercise: Engaging in excessive physical activity beyond what is considered healthy, often driven by the need to burn calories or compensate for food intake.


    • Binge eating: Consuming large amounts of food in a short period, often feeling out of control during the episode.


    • Purging behaviors: Self-induced vomiting, misuse of laxatives, diuretics, or enemas to compensate for food intake or to control weight.


    • Use of diet pills or other weight-loss aids: Using substances or medications without medical supervision to suppress appetite or control weight.


    • Skipping meals or making excuses for not eating: Avoiding meals or making excuses to avoid eating in social situations.


    • Social withdrawal: Withdrawing from social activities that involve food or eating, due to fear of judgment or anxiety about food.


    • Changes in eating habits: Developing rituals around food, such as cutting food into tiny pieces, eating very slowly, or only eating specific foods.


    • Physical signs: Physical signs can include significant weight loss or fluctuation, fatigue, dizziness, fainting, hair loss, dry skin, dental issues, and gastrointestinal problems.


    • Emotional and behavioral signs: Mood swings, irritability, anxiety, depression, secrecy about eating habits, and avoiding discussing food or weight.


    It is important to note that individuals may exhibit a combination of these symptoms, and symptoms can vary in severity. If you are experiencing symptoms of an eating disorder, please feel free to reach out to me and I would be happy to work with you to develop a treatment plan that addresses your specific needs and goals, and support you on your journey towards healing and recovery.

  • Eating disorder screening questionnaire

    This is a Brief Seven-Item Eating Disorder Screening Questionnaire, EDE-Q7,and you can answer Yes/No to the questions below. Please consider the time frame of these questions occuring over the last 1-3 months. The scoring scale is at the end of the questionnaire.


    1. Have you been conciously trying to limit the amount of food you eat to influene your weight?


    2. Have you tried to avoid eating any foods you like to influence your shape or weight?


    3. Have you tried to follow definite rules regarding your diet to influence your shape or weight; for example, a calorie limit, a certain amount of food, or rules about what or when you should eat?


    4. Has your figure influenced the way you consider (judge) yourself as a person?


    5. Has your weight influenced the way you see (judge) yourself as a person?


    6. How dissatisfied have you been with your weight?


    7. How dissatisfied have you felt with your figure?


    *8. (Additional Question) Has someone close to you (family or friends) been concerned about your eating habits and suggested you get help?

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    If you answered yes to one or more of these questions, please feel free to reach out to me. I would be happy to work with you to develop a treatment plan that addresses your specific needs and goals, and support you on your journey towards healing and recovery.

  • How many sessions of therapy are necessary for healing an eating disorder?

    The number of therapy sessions needed to heal from an eating disorder can vary widely depending on several factors:


    • Severity of the Disorder: The severity of the eating disorder, including physical health complications and psychological distress, can influence the duration of therapy needed.


    • Individual Progress: Each person's response to therapy is unique. Some individuals may make significant progress in a relatively short period, while others may require more time to address underlying issues and develop healthier coping mechanisms.


    • Treatment Approach: The type of therapy and treatment approach used can impact the length of therapy needed. Evidence-based therapies like Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Family-Based Treatment (FBT), or Interpersonal Psychotherapy (IPT) may be used, and the duration of these therapies can vary.


    • Co-occurring Disorders: If there are co-occurring mental health disorders such as depression, anxiety, or trauma-related issues, these may require additional therapeutic attention and extend the duration of treatment.


    • Personal Factors: Factors such as motivation for change, willingness to engage in therapy, support system, and external stressors can also influence the length of therapy needed.


    In general, therapy for eating disorders is often long-term and may involve regular sessions over several months to years. Initially, more frequent sessions (e.g., weekly) may be recommended to establish rapport, address acute symptoms, and develop coping skills. As progress is made, sessions may become less frequent (e.g., bi-weekly or monthly), focusing on maintenance, relapse prevention, and continued growth.


    It's essential for individuals to work closely with their therapist and treatment team to develop a personalized treatment plan that meets their specific needs and goals for recovery. Flexibility in treatment duration is important, as recovery from an eating disorder is a complex process that requires patience, dedication, and ongoing support. 


    If you think you are experiencing an eating disorder and are considering therapy, please feel free to reach out to me. I would be happy to work with you to develop a treatment plan that addresses your specific needs and goals, and support you on your journey towards healing and recovery.

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