Find An Eating Disorder Therapist in Chico, CA.

You might be very interested in food, but repulsed by eating. Or you might lose control at times, and keep 'filling' yourself with food, unable to stop. Are you puzzled by this behavior and would you like to break away from it? Are you starting to become curious about finding new ways in going about life and your relationships? I offer a welcoming, warm and safe place where you can truly speak, and where I will truly listen to you. In this place you can start to create your own new ways of going about your life: in tune with what you want. This is a creative process, and I would be honored to help you along your journey.

I help clients overcome addictive relationships with food. Like all addictions, the behavior is the tip of the iceberg, used to cope with underlying thoughts and emotions. Through collaborative conversations, clients gain insight into underlying concerns, gaining coping skills to more effectively navigate these issues. I draw on Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) and Motivational Interviewing (MI), helping clients achieve a sense of freedom and control over their lives, leading to long-term change.

An eating disorder is not a lifestyle choice. An eating disorder is a serious and often fatal illnesses that causes serious disturbances to a person’s eating behaviors, physical health, and relationships. Obsessions with food, body weight, and shape may also signal an eating disorder. The sooner someone struggling with this illness, or displaying behaviors and attitudes consistent with these disorders, can get connected to help, the better. Common eating disorders include anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, and binge-eating disorder. As with any illness or psychological disorder, these problems will not go away on their own; without clinical support they often only escalate dangerously.

Eating disorders are complex, often rooted in deep emotional pain, perfectionism, or a need for control. I provide a compassionate, nonjudgmental space where clients can explore their relationship with food, body image, and self-worth. Using a blend of Solution-Focused and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, we work to uncover underlying patterns, challenge distorted thinking, and build healthy coping strategies. My goal is to help clients reconnect with their bodies, rebuild trust in themselves, and move toward lasting healing and freedom.

My approach to eating disorder therapy emphasizes a holistic understanding of the individual in the context of relationships, phase of life, and physical health. By integrating various therapeutic techniques tailored to the unique needs of each client, I aim to uncover the underlying emotional factors contributing to the eating dysregulation. Clients benefit from this personalized approach as it not only addresses the symptoms but also fosters resilience, self-awareness, and healing in a supportive environment. My approach encourages a sustainable recovery by empowering you to develop healthier relationships with food and yourself, promoting overall well-being.

Eating disorders benefit from the same or similar approach used for all addictive behaviours. One of the main therapeutic approaches I use is Mindfulness Based Cognitive Therapy. The relationship to food can be quite complex involving societal or cultural pressures, self-image, past traumas, addictive non-nutritious junk food, media images, social media pressures, bullying. Shame and guilt need to be addressed along with peer pressures. The most common eating disorders are: Anorexia, Bulimia, Binge Eating, Pica, Rumination Disorder, Avoidance/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder (ARFID), Orthorexia, Purging Disorder etc. The benefits of therapy are enhanced self-image, health and well-being.