If you or someone you love is struggling with negative behaviors, thoughts, and attitudes towards food, eating, and body weight or shape, it’s time for professional help. Eating Disorders include Anorexia, Bulimia, and Binge Eating Disorder. While not technically categorized as an Eating Disorder, many of our clients who are experiencing or have experienced an eating disorder may also experience Body Dysmorphia.
Because Eating Disorders don’t discriminate, neither do we. No matter your age, weight, size, shape, gender identity, sexuality, cultural background, or socioeconomic group, the therapists at Ally Psych are here to help those that are ready for healthy change.
Eating Disorders can affect anyone, including males, females, children, teens, adults, and people of every gender and sexuality. Regardless of who is experiencing an Eating Disorder, it needs to be handled with care and understanding. We understand this can be a sensitive conversation to have, so to help start it, below are some signs and symptoms. If you or someone you love is ready for help, contact us today.
You find yourself purposefully not eating enough food. This leads to a significantly low body weight relative to appropriate levels.
Fear of gaining weight or of becoming fat, or persistent behavior that interferes with weight gain, even at a low weight.
Bothered by the way you experience/perceive your body weight or shape. Heavily self-evaluate your weight or shape.
You deny or have persistent lack of recognition of the seriousness of the current low body weight.
A feeling of lack of control over the amount you eat during a short period of time.
You engage in behaviors to prevent weight gain, such as self-induced vomiting, misuse of laxatives, fasting, or excessive exercising.
The therapists at Ally Psychological Services understand the complexity and difficulty that comes with recovering from an Eating Disorder. We know that you and your family have probably already tried a lot of things to help yourself too. If you haven’t been seeing the results you’re looking for, we’re here to help you.
Our Eating Disorder expert, Dr. Risa Alfieri will guide you and your family through recovery at a pace that feels comfortable for you. We’ll also make sure you have access to an entire team of professionals that might also be helpful, including medication management and nutritionists.
Talking with your primary care doctor, nutritionist, or Ally Psych therapist can help determine whether or not you meet the criteria for an Eating Disorder. Together, you and your team member will discuss behaviors, thoughts, and feelings around food, body image, and eating.
In the Eating Disorder community of treatment providers and patients, ANA stands for Anorexia Nervosa, MIA stands for Bulimia, and BED stands for Binge Eating Disorder. They’re commonly used as abbreviations and shorthand across medical providers, social media, and popular culture.
Absolutely. Therapy with a trained and licensed therapist is critical in recovering from an Eating Disorder.
Research has shown that one of the most effective forms of therapy for Eating Disorders is Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT). Other forms of therapy that can be helpful include family-based therapy, and other strength-based approaches.
While some individuals do end up going to the hospital as a result of their Eating Disorder, many clients have successful recovery without needing to be admitted to a hospital.
Nope, that’s not our style. We will never force you to do anything you don’t want to do, including having you eat during therapy. We’ll focus your therapy on changing negative behaviors and thoughts associated with food and eating.
When you’re ready to talk, we’re ready to listen. Fill out the form below to get in touch with Ally Psych and schedule your appointment.
