Therapy for Anorexia
Support for Anorexia Nervosa and Restrictive Eating Disorders
Healing from Anorexia Is Possible—And You Don’t Have to Do It Alone
If you're here, it may be because you—or someone you love—is struggling with anorexia. Maybe eating feels like a constant battle. Maybe your mind is filled with rules, guilt, or numbers. Maybe you feel disconnected from your body and unsure who you are without the eating disorder.
You're not alone. And you're not broken.
Anorexia is complex, painful, and often misunderstood. But with the right support, healing is possible. You don’t have to figure it out on your own.
Understanding Anorexia
Anorexia isn’t just about food or weight. For many, it’s about safety, control, or identity. It may start with a desire to “be healthier” or feel more in control—but over time, it can take over your thoughts, relationships, and sense of self.
Anorexia can become a way to cope with overwhelm, perfectionism, or trauma. It often thrives in silence, reinforced by shame or the fear of losing something that feels like a lifeline.
In therapy, we create space to understand the eating disorder—not just stop the behaviors. We get curious about how it’s helping you cope, so we can explore gentler, more sustainable ways to meet those needs in a way that feels more aligned to your values and interests.
You don’t have to be ready to “give up” the eating disorder to start therapy. We begin with wherever you are.
Why Healing Takes a Compassionate Approach
Anorexia is not something you chose, and it’s not something you can simply will your way out of.
That’s why I approach healing with compassion, not control. As a trauma-informed, person-centered therapist, I work alongside you to understand what’s underneath the eating disorder—not just what’s on the surface.
My approach integrates:
Evidence-based tools from CBT, DBT, and parts work
Somatic awareness to reconnect with your body safely
Body liberation frameworks to build a sense of empowerment
Curiosity over compliance—always honoring your pace and agency
Together, we’ll work to build safety, explore your values, and move toward a more connected, empowered version of you.
Signs and Symptoms of Anorexia
Anorexia can show up differently for everyone. It affects people of all sizes, genders, ages, and backgrounds. Some common signs include:
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Rapid weight loss or inability to gain expected weight
Fatigue or dizziness
Loss of menstrual cycle or delayed puberty
Cold sensitivity or poor circulation
Digestive issues
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Obsessive thoughts about food, weight, or body image
Intense fear of gaining weight
Perfectionism and rigid thinking
Anxiety, depression, or emotional numbness
Feeling disconnected from your body
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Restricting food intake or skipping meals
Excessive exercise
Secretive eating behaviors
Withdrawing from friends and family
Distress around eating in public or with others
Working with Teens & Adults
I specialize in supporting teens and adults living with anorexia. In younger clients, anorexia may look like rigidity around food, refusal to eat, or an intense fear of “being unhealthy.”
What these behaviors often mask is a deeper experience of anxiety, sensitivity, or overwhelm.
In therapy, I help clients understand their experience with compassion and honesty—never shame. I also work closely with caregivers of teens to create a supportive home environment where food and emotions can be approached with curiosity, not conflict.
Every person deserves a safe place to grow, explore, and heal from anorexia.
There’s Nothing “Atypical” About Atypical Anorexia
Do you think you may have anorexia but fear you don’t “fit the mold” because of your body size? Have health professionals overlooked or minimized your struggles?
For those who struggle with anorexia but are in a larger body, you are not alone and your experience matters. You deserve to have compassionate care where your needs and concerns are met with respect, consideration, and competence.
What to Expect in Therapy
Therapy for anorexia begins with listening—really listening—to what’s been going on beneath the surface.
We’ll explore:
The emotional function of the eating disorder
How to manage overwhelming thoughts or urges
Tools for emotional regulation, boundaries, and self-compassion
Building trust with your body and your hunger cues
Planning for sustainable recovery and relapse prevention
There are no ultimatums here. Progress may be slow, nonlinear, or uncertain—and that’s okay. You get to set the pace. My role is to walk beside you.
Reclaiming Your Life Beyond the Eating Disorder
Let’s Take the First Step Together
Living with anorexia can shrink your world—food becomes the center of everything, and joy, relationships, and spontaneity fade into the background.
Therapy is about more than “managing symptoms.” It’s about helping you reconnect with who you are beneath the eating disorder. What brings you joy? What matters to you? What kind of life do you want to build?
We’ll work together to rediscover those answers and create space for healing—not just from anorexia, but toward something more meaningful.