“Food takes up too much of my head.”
Therapy for eating disorders and body image
When thoughts about food or your body crowd out everything else, therapy can help. You don't need a diagnosis to reach out, and eating disorders happen in bodies of every size.
If you're thinking about hurting yourself or feel unsafe right now, call or text 988, or call 911.
What it can feel like
- You plan your whole day around what you will or won't eat.
- Eating in front of other people makes you anxious.
- You check the mirror again and again, or avoid it completely.
- Food feels like a set of rules you can't break.
- A comment about your body, even a kind one, stays with you for days.
How therapy can help
Eating disorders can affect your physical health, so therapy often works alongside a doctor or dietitian. Your therapist may ask about your health and suggest a checkup, especially at the start.
In sessions, you'll look at what food and your body have come to mean to you, and what feelings sit underneath. You decide what to share and when. Change usually comes in small steps, and your therapist can help you plan for harder moments, like meals out or holidays.
Who on our team works with this
Mike Lane
LCSW
Anxiety, depression, trauma and eating disorders, with CBT, DBT and cognitive processing therapy.
Speak to us about seeing MikeCirilla Shedletsky
MFT intern
Individuals, couples and families, including eating disorders and ASD-related concerns.
- LGBTQIA+ affirming
- Supervised intern
Sofia Delarosa
Social work intern
Kids, teens and adults dealing with anxiety, stress and self-esteem.
- Habla español
- Supervised intern
Questions people ask
Do I need a diagnosis to get help?
No. If food or body image is taking up a lot of your thoughts or your time, that's reason enough to talk to someone.
Will I have to talk about my weight?
Your therapist may ask about your health, but you set the pace for what you talk about. If numbers are hard for you, you can say so.
What if I'm not sure I want to change yet?
That's okay. Mixed feelings about change are common with eating disorders. You can start by talking about that.
The first step is a phone call or a short form.
You don't need the right words. We'll take it from there, and you can switch therapists any time it doesn't fit.