I specialize in the treatment of eating disorders (ED) – anorexia, bulimia, binge eating – and also work with clients who don’t have these symptoms but who are obsessed by thoughts of food and body image. I often meet people who are dissatisfied with prior attempts at therapy. I believe this sometimes happens when the treatment approach is too rigid and assumes that “one-size-fits-all.” There are many ways to design a successful treatment plan for eating disorders. I work collaboratively with each client to construct an individual plan that is flexible and can be changed as necessary. I also emphasize that eating disorders are culturally-created – that clients too often blame themselves for distorted standards of weight, health, and success prevalent in our society.
An eating disorder is fundamentally an emotional problem with potentially serious medical complications. While ED is commonly thought of as an adolescent illness, it also develops, or persists, into adulthood. Eating Disorders affect people of all genders, ethnicities, and socio-economic backgrounds. Even if you have been suffering with ED symptoms for years, you can make dramatic improvements with the right approach and live a much freer life than may now seem possible.
Many clients fear that they have to give up all eating disordered behaviors when they begin therapy, and worry that this expectation will set them up for failure. I agree that stopping ED behaviors abruptly is usually unrealistic. Instead, I take an attitude of respect in regard to the eating disorder symptoms and encourage my clients to become curious about their own behavior. In my thinking a symptom is just the tip of the iceberg, a sign of an emotional wound that needs attention. I find that identifying and understanding symptoms ensures the success of the skill-building strategies that are also necessary for recovery—for example CBT or a Mindfulness practice.
Treatment
For individual clients, I offer both one-on-one psychotherapy and recovery support groups (see below). For mental health professionals, I offer specialized ED supervision. I maintain active networks with ED treatment facilities and ancillary providers in the Boston area, and I can refer my clients to physicians and nutritionists who are sensitive to their concerns. Similarly, I can recommend additional resources to mental health professionals under my supervision.
Recovery Support Group for Eating Disorders
Recovery from eating disorders requires commitment and time. Support groups contribute to recovery by providing a confidential place where clients can share their struggles without shame and find strategies for continued success.
Groups meet weekly for 75 minutes on weekday evenings or Saturday mornings and are limited to 5 participants. Clients commit to a minimum of 6 weeks and then can choose to renew for more sessions. Participants select individual short-term goals that are reviewed each week by the group and revised as necessary.
Requirements:
- Serious commitment to recovery
- One individual initial session before beginning group
- Engaged in ongoing individual psychotherapy