My Personal Philosophy
Eating disorders are rarely just about food; they are complex conditions that often serve a vital function. I recognize that a disordered relationship with eating is frequently a coping mechanism for underlying issues—whether that be traumas from the past, a way to manage overwhelming emotions, or a means of gaining control in an unpredictable world.
Because the eating disorder is serving a purpose, I work at your pace. Real, lasting change requires a compassionate approach that respects the difficulty of letting go of something that has, until now, helped you survive—even when it has become highly destructive.
How I Can Support You
Empathy Informed by Experience: My philosophy is rooted in my own recovery journey. I understand the reality of this process from the inside out, which allows me to offer support that is deeply empathetic, authentic, and free from judgment.
Navigating the Pitfalls: Maintaining the motivation to change is one of the greatest challenges in recovery. Having navigated this path myself, I am acutely aware of the obstacles you face and the specific resilience required to move through them.
Professional Specialist Support: With over 20 years of experience, my work is a professional collaboration. This is a dedicated space where my clinical background meets your unique story. Together, we focus on the practical, step-by-step behavioral shifts needed to build a life where the eating disorder is no longer your primary way of coping.
A CBT-Informed Approach
From Core Beliefs to Lasting Change
At the heart of my approach is an exploration of your core beliefs. These deeply ingrained convictions about yourself, others, and the world often stem from childhood influences and significant figures. They profoundly shape your thought processes, emotions, and behaviors, frequently fueling the eating disorder cycle.
Drawing heavily on Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), we will work collaboratively to identify these foundational beliefs. For instance, a core belief like “I’m not good enough” can lead to automatic negative thoughts such as “I’ll never truly recover,” triggering despair and potentially driving binge eating as a coping mechanism. We will identify these thought patterns and the underlying beliefs, then apply CBT techniques to:
- Challenge unhelpful thoughts: Develop strategies to question the validity of negative thoughts and replace them with more balanced and realistic perspectives.
- Develop alternative coping strategies: Create healthier behavioral responses to challenging situations and emotions, rather than relying on disordered eating.
- Identify cognitive distortions: Learn to recognize common thinking errors (e.g., all-or-nothing thinking, catastrophizing) that maintain the eating disorder cycle
Quieten the inner critic
We will work together to:
- Identify the Critic’s Voice: Pinpoint exactly when and how your inner critic speaks—is it a voice of perfectionism, harsh judgment, or fear?
- Challenge Negative Self-Talk: Scrutinize the validity of these critical internal messages. Is what the critic saying truly accurate or helpful for your recovery?
- Reframe and Replace: Transform critical thoughts into more compassionate, realistic, and supportive internal dialogues. This isn’t about ignoring challenges but fostering a kinder relationship with yourself.
- Develop Self-Compassion: Cultivate self-compassion by treating yourself with the same kindness and understanding you would offer a friend, directly counteracting the critic’s harshness.
Building on Strengths
The Power of Positive Psychology
My philosophy is further enriched by my training in Positive Psychology. This vital field moves beyond simply addressing what’s “wrong” and instead focuses on identifying and cultivating your inherent strengths, virtues, and positive experiences. It’s about helping you thrive, not just survive.
Rather than exclusively focusing on deficits or problems, we intentionally build upon your existing resources, resilience, and unique capabilities, equipping you with the tools to live a more fulfilling and meaningful life beyond the eating disorders
Emotional Balance and Sustained Motivation
Emotional dysregulation often sits at the core of binge eating, where food becomes a default coping mechanism for difficult emotions. A significant focus of our work will be developing robust emotional regulation strategies. You’ll learn healthier, more effective ways to navigate intense feelings, reducing the urge to turn to food for comfort or escape.
Motivation for change is both vital and fragile. Knowing this, I integrate Motivational Interviewing strategies to nurture and sustain your drive throughout recovery. We’ll collaboratively identify your intrinsic reasons for change, strengthening your commitment and keeping your motivation high, even when faced with obstacles.
Empathy Born from Experience
Having personally recovered from an eating disorder over 20 years ago, I appreciate the immense challenges you may be facing. While every person’s journey is unique, my experience allows me to meet you with genuine understanding and empathy. My commitment is to create a safe, non-judgmental space where you can explore, learn, and grow.
All consultations are conveniently conducted via Zoom, offering flexibility and accessibility regardless of your location.