Find An Eating Disorder Therapist in Paramount, CA.

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.

I work with all eating disorders except Anorexia. First, it is vital to make certain of the client's health. Once it is clear that the client is ready for therapy, we explore the patterns and habits that are being acted out. We use cognitive behavior techniques to try at trouble shoot so that there are new resources when the client is in danger of acting out. Developing a supportive network and dietary research is important for their health. A log is frequently used to monitor change and growth. Once there is stabilization, we explore the family dynamics and control which most likelyexacerbated the eating disorder. The faulty thought processes need to be altered.

I work with a variety of eating disorders and work at treating both the behavior initially and the issues that are underneath the eating disorder. I am an expert at treating trauma and often trauma or traumatic relationships are at the heart of an eating disorder. Eating disorders typically are related to self-soothing or trying to gain control in areas where one doesn't feel he/she has control. Contact me for more information and assistance with an eating disorder. We are specialists in a variety of different areas and are able to offer help not only for the client with this issue bu also couple or family support. Experts in helping women & teens! Trauma experts too!

With over 16 years of clinical experience, I provide a comprehensive assessment of eating disorder/body image issues in order to determine the best course of treatment. Initial interviews focus on gathering a full history of symptoms, including any/all preoccupations with weight and appearance. We will work with your physician to screen for any medical complications, as well as refer you to a dietician if you need more structure with your nutritional intake. The goal is to improve the relationship you have with food and your body, so that you can move forward with life and create lasting change.

We ask you to consult your medical doctor, in order to rule out any medical condition which may contribute to your eating disorder. We focus on helping you understand the causes of your eat, as long as you are medically stable. If you are not medically appropriate for outpatient treatment we will refer you to an inpatient facility until you are ready to do psychotherapy.

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.

In addition to working with eating disorders in private practice, I also have experience working at inpatient facilities and running groups. I believe that eating disorders should be approached in a holistic manner and the underlying causes must be examined. There are many complexities when working with eating disorders and I take a warm, humanistic approach when doing so.

EMDR, Cognitive-Behavior Therapy, & Acceptance & Commitment Therapy have all been shown to be useful in the treatment of eating disorders. While anorexia is imminently life-threatening and is, therefore, best treated inpatient, bulemia, bulmarexia & compulsive over-eating may respond if matched well to one of the above out-patient therapies and used in conjunction with group therapy, a peer support group, or a 12-step program.

Using Acceptance Commitment Therapy, an empirically based treatment for eating disorders, we help clients to create relationships with their bodies. Working closely with your physician and a nutritionist, we can help you to effectively manage the relationship between your mind, emotions, and body. We recognize that each client is unique. Our approach is not a cookie-cutter approach. We will work with you to customize a treatment plan that targets outcomes that you choose and that you can feel good about achieving. Intentional change is the key to success. We offer guidance and support for you to incorporate new patterns of functioning that work. We often see results within several sessions

Eating disorders of abstaining or over-indulging causes imbalances in the physical body, which is perpetuated by one's thoughts, beliefs, and perceptions. When we look at those cognitive beliefs and adjust them so they are healthy and balanced, we are then able to align our behaviors with them. Learn what healthy eating means for you - in the sustainable, personalized sense.

I believe forming a healthy self-image requires change and healing on several layers. Constructive and healthy behavioral changes need to be implemented, as well as understanding the underlying factors that are contributing to the disorder. Only focusing on the behavior may result in temporary change, but the true healing will not be complete until the deeper issues are addressed. Too often those struggling with eating disorders do so alone, with no one aware of what they are fighting with. Therapy is a safe place to explore and process through the painful and private layers of intense self-criticism, as well as find support for the day to day (and sometimes moment to moment) hurdles.

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.

I have a history of working with compulsive dieters and compulsive overeaters. I work with clients to understand the underlying needs for the food and/or for the weight, while supporting clients' abilities to take care of themselves in profound ways, whether physically, spiritually, emotionally, or mentally. Clients find ways to create more nourishing and harmonious relationships with themselves as well as with food.