Find An Eating Disorder Therapist in Manhattan Beach, CA.

Eating disorders are most often a reaction to other life events. Often clients feel like life is so chaotic that eating habits are the only aspect of life that they can control. Eating disorders are also often linked to anxiety and low self-esteem. In order to treat eating disorders, I would help clients to build a more positive body image, create and implement a healthy eating plan, and build support in the family system.

Disordered eating is a fairly recent phenomenon in history. I believe it is important to consider the context in which clients are living, and the cultural ideologies and norms for body image, weight, aging, sexuality, sex-appeal. Here in the United States, is health and beauty synonymous or do we sacrifice our health in order to conform to a certain definition of perfection? I have found that perfection plays a heavy hand in clients relationship to eating. I am interested in analyzing and contextualizing perfection's presence within the very fabric of our society in order to begin to show that it's pressures are palpable, powerful, and do not belong to any single person.

Eating disorders rarely are biological, in other words learned responses to stress and trauma which are specialties of mine. Mindfulness is a great help to those suffering from this addiction. I want to know what has happened to make the client want to "cover up" the grief, sadness, loneliness, abandonment, or social issues causing the overeating. Remember it's not what you are eating but what is "eating you." Counseling is needed here!

The goals for treatment of Eating Disorders consists of helping clients restore normal eating patterns and having a realistic perception of body size. The treatment involves assisting client's in recognizing their illness and the emotional issues that perpetuates their self destruction. My approach involves assessing the type and severity of their eating disorder and referring for appropriate referrals needed along with therapy. Therapy consists of processing their fears, issues with assertiveness, underlying issues of passive-aggressive control, issues of failure and self-esteem issues.

Eating disorders are progressive, debilitating psychological conditions which call for medical, psychological and nutritional interventions. There are different types of eating disorder, so in my practice I offer different ways of managing compulsive eating, bulimia nervosa, and anorexia. in my treatment approach I draw on Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, mindfulness and positive psychology.

While most eating disorder issues are treated by cognitive behavioral methodologies or specialized outpatient/inpatient programs, Grey Matters International and the work of Kevin J. Fleming, PhD provide relief first and foremost for the brain of one suffering from an eating disorder----without giving them medication. We believe that the neural circuitries responsible for the compulsive behaviors with eating are not necessarily only a neurotransmitter issue but of overused neural networks that affect the harmonization, balance, and decisions of the whole brain. Contact kevin@kevinfleminphd.com or 877-606-6161 to learn more about this safe and effective alternative.

If you have difficulties with your eating, there is always some emotional component. Together, we’ll examine what the psychological and emotional issues are that are involved in your particular problems with eating. This applies with compulsive overeating, anorexia, and bulimia. Even milder forms of overeating or undereating have emotional aspects, and we can deal with them. Bingeing or purging come in many forms, and we’ll examine how that may apply with you. It’s not about the diet, it’s about the dieter. It’s about the way you relate to your emotions, the people and situations in your life, and how you translate that to eating. You’re not damaged or a failure. Psychotherapy helps.

Struggles with food, weight, & body image are the norm in our society. However, when it takes so much space in your head and life that you can’t really focus on what’s really important or getting through the day to day stuff is too overwhelming, it’s probably more of a problem than you think. Think about your relationships--are you connected or isolated? Do you avoid situations where there's food? Do you constantly think about how much you hate your body? You don't have to be ruled by your eating disorder! Therapy is the #1 treatment for eating issues. You don’t have to have an eating disorder to transform your relationship with food and your body.

Do you feel imprisoned by your eating disorder? Are you ready to challenge it so that you can feel more free in the world? I realize that addressing your eating disorder can be frightening. I provide a safe, empathic environment where trust can be built and your thoughts, feelings, and behaviors can be understood. If you feel like it is time to end the relationship you have with yourself that is characterized by rigidity, harshness, and even self-hatred and enter into a new relationship characterized by self-acceptance and freedom, I welcome your call.

I view an eating disorder as a coping strategy (tool), and therapy is a place for you to replace this "tool" with one that is helpful rather than harmful. You and I would work together to find new ways of coping with uncomfortable feelings and situations. We would figure out what your triggers are and how to live with upsetting experiences. We might also discover that control has a lot to do with what's going on, and its roots might stem from how you were treated by your parents and other family members. So, we would also find ways for you to not only feel but actually BE more in control of your life.

This is a difficult issue to come forward and admit and to ask for help. However, there can be serious consequences to your physical health. You will need to consult an MD in while seeking therapy. You're not alone. I'm going to support you through this process. we will inlist support of your family, friends and extended family as well. You know there can be shame, isolation and low self-esteem associated with anorexia and bulimia. We will work together to set goals and implement them. We will unpack underlying assumptions about body image. We'll help you redirect urges that trigger negative behaviors, especially painful emotions of anger, vulnerability and fear. I'm here to help.

I have a multi faceted approach to Eating Disorders. I am trained in the Maudsley Family Based Treatment for Anorexia and Bulimia for adolescents 13 - 18. I also use DBT, mindfulness, family systems, and psychodynamic approaches working with eating disorders patients and their families. Trained at Stanford Family Based Treatment for Eating Disorders, LAISPS and IAEDP.

If you are over or under eating you are very likely to have had a painful trauma and will benefit from learning to face this difficult experience. Dare to share and ease the blame and shame. You will learn to use your body's signals to ease the pain through relaxation techniques, meditative skills and hypnosis. Find out how hidden beliefs and rules limit your progress.