EATING DISORDERS
in Adults and Young Adults
At Compassion Connection Therapy, I offer specialized support for individuals struggling with eating disorders, disordered eating, and body image concerns. These are complex physical and emotional issues, and I take an integrative approach to treatment that addresses both the mental and physical aspects of recovery.​
Eating disorders are not just about food.
They’re deeply tied to how we see ourselves, how we cope with emotions, and how we interact with the world. Whether you're struggling with anorexia, bulimia, binge eating, or disordered eating behaviors, therapy can be a key part of the healing process. My goal is to work with you to not only address the eating behaviors but also to explore the emotional and psychological factors that contribute to them.
What You Can Expect
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Comprehensive Assessment
Before starting therapy, I’ll work with you to conduct an assessment, where we’ll discuss your history, current struggles, and your goals for therapy. We’ll also review your physical health status, and as part of this process, I may ask for an updated primary care visit with weight, height, and vitals. This is essential for understanding your current physical health and determining appropriate next steps in your treatment.
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Treatment & Recovery-Focused Therapy
Whether you are currently in the midst of an eating disorder or in recovery, I offer both treatment-focused and recovery-focused therapy. After our initial assessment, we’ll decide together on the best approach for your care, including setting clear goals for recovery.
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Collaborative Care
Eating disorder treatment often requires a team approach. In addition to therapy, you may benefit from working with a registered dietitian and possibly other medical professionals for monitoring. I will work closely with your other providers to ensure a comprehensive, holistic approach to your healing. Therapy will focus on physical recovery goals while also addressing the emotional and behavioral aspects of your eating patterns.
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Therapy Focus Areas
Therapy for eating disorders and body image concerns focuses on multiple key areas:
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Reframing Thoughts: Together, we’ll explore the beliefs and thought patterns that contribute to negative body image and eating behaviors, and work on building healthier perspectives.
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Interrupting Disordered Eating Behaviors: We’ll develop strategies to identify and interrupt harmful eating patterns, promoting healthier relationships with food and your body.
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Long-Term Recovery & Healing: Our work will also focus on promoting long-term recovery and healing by developing skills to manage stress, anxiety, and emotional triggers in healthier ways.
Why Physical Health Monitoring Matters
Why is it important to have an updated primary care visit with weight, height, and vitals? Eating disorders can have significant physical effects on your body, especially when underweight or malnourished. Having up-to-date health data helps ensure that we’re addressing both the mental and physical aspects of your recovery.
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If you are underweight, our work together will include promoting weight restoration in a safe and supportive way. We will work together to achieve your physical recovery goals, which may involve collaborating with other professionals to support your journey.
The Road to Healing
Healing from an eating disorder is not just about weight restoration or adjusting eating behaviors—it's about finding peace with your body, breaking free from the cycle of shame, and learning to live in a way that supports your whole self.
My goal is to provide you with tools and strategies that go beyond short-term solutions, fostering long-term recovery and building a solid foundation for a healthier relationship with food and your body.
EATING DISORDER SUPPORT
for Kids and Teens
If you have a loved one struggling with an eating disorder, you know it can be a frightening and overwhelming experience. It can be difficult to motivate change, and the emotional toll on the whole family can be significant. You may be feeling unsure of how to help, but rest assured—there is hope, and healing is possible. ​
Family-Based Treatment (FBT)
When working with young people, I utilize Family-Based Treatment (FBT), also known as the Maudsley Method, which has been shown to be highly effective in treating eating disorders in children and teens. This model recognizes that the family plays a central role in the recovery process. It emphasizes empowering parents and caregivers to take an active role in their child’s healing journey, especially in the early stages of treatment.
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I recognize this approach to treatment and recovery may not fit for all families. During our first sessions we will discuss best options for moving forward.
How Family-Based Treatment Works
In the FBT model, I work with both your child and the family as a team. My role is not just to support your loved one but to also guide and support you as parents and caregivers in providing the right kind of in-home support. Together, we will focus on:​
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Restoring Healthy Eating Habits:
One of the primary goals is to help your child restore a healthy weight and establish consistent, nourishing eating patterns.
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Empowering Parents/Caregivers:
You will receive guidance on how to best support your child at home—this may involve being involved in meal planning, meal support, and working with your teen to challenge disordered thoughts and behaviors related to food and body image.
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Promoting Long-Term Healing:
This method has a focus on ensuring that recovery is sustained beyond therapy, with an emphasis on improving communication, addressing underlying emotions, and creating lasting, healthy behaviors.
Emotion-Focused Family Therapy (EFFT)
In addition to Family-Based Treatment, I also integrate Emotion-Focused Family Therapy (EFFT) when working with families. EFFT is particularly effective for helping parents navigate the emotional challenges of supporting a child with an eating disorder. This modality focuses on:
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Emotional Regulation: Helping parents and caregivers understand and manage their own emotions while supporting their child’s emotional needs.
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Strengthening Family Connections: EFFT helps to build deeper emotional bonds within the family, fostering compassion, understanding, and better communication.
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Supporting the Parent’s Role: One of the key components of EFFT is empowering parents to be the emotional caregivers their child needs while setting healthy boundaries and practicing self-care.
By combining FBT and EFFT, we work to create a strong foundation for recovery, not only for your child but for the whole family. Both methods allow us to address the complex emotional dynamics that contribute to eating disorders and provide practical tools to move toward healing.
Tailored Support for Your Family
I understand that Family-Based Treatment and Emotion-Focused Family Therapy may not fit every family’s needs, and that’s okay. My goal is to partner with you and your loved one in creating a treatment plan that makes sense for your family’s unique situation.
If these models aren’t the right fit, we will work together to find a path that supports your child’s healing, while also giving you the tools and support you need as caregivers.
You Don’t Have to Do This Alone
If your child or teen is struggling with an eating disorder, I’m here to guide and support you every step of the way. Therapy is a journey, and when it comes to treating eating disorders in young people, a collaborative approach—involving both the individual and their family—has been shown to lead to the best outcomes. You don’t have to figure this out alone.
For New Clients
In-person and virtual sessions available in Colorado.
Virtual sessions available for clients in Illinois and Wyoming.
