Find An Eating Disorder Therapist in Santa Fe Springs, CA.

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 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.

I work with clients on body image, self-esteem, and their emotional relationship with food and our bodies. Often times these processes get stuck because of relationship issues (not just romantic), trauma, or how we rely on food in our lives. There can also be a lot of meaning that is placed on food, as it is a big part of our culture and societal influence.

Understanding the emotional connection between food intake and feeling a lack of control in life and the need to be in control of one’s self. The treatment approach is in restructuring the eating patterns, and understanding one’s personal individual links between self-acceptance, and emotionality, self blame, adolescent years and life long habits.

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.

support clients struggling with eating disorders by creating a warm, nonjudgmental space where we can explore the emotional and behavioral patterns underlying their relationship with food and body image. I approach treatment with curiosity and care, helping clients identify the function of their eating behaviors while building healthier coping mechanisms. My work integrates evidence-based approaches to support lasting recovery, self-compassion, and body trust. Together, we’ll work to untangle shame and rebuild a sense of agency, safety, and connection with yourself.

All of us find ways to "take the edge off" of difficult feelings. Loneliness, anxiety, and stress can make us feel scared and out of control. We all search for comfort in these painful times. From infancy, being cared for and cared about has often meant being fed. Ideally, we are not only fed with food, but emotionally attended to as well. But for some of us, food has always been paired with feeling soothed and comforted. It makes sense that we would turn to food to calm ourselves even now. But it doesn't have to be this way. Together we can get to the heart of what hurts, and learn other ways to feel safe and comforted. It is possible to feel full, even when your stomach is empty.

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@kevinflemingphd.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.