Deck The Halls with Unhelpful Comments, Fa la la la la, la la la la

Navigating Food Comments During the Holiday Season for those with Eating Disorders, Disordered Eating, or in the Process of Recovery The holiday season is often a time for joy, celebration, and togetherness, but for those who struggle with disordered eating or an…

Binge Eating Disorder – What is it anyway?

Think just for a moment about eating disorder portrayal in the media. What do you see? If I had to guess…it’s likely a white woman living in a thin body struggling with anorexia nervosa. It’s also likely that your high school health…

Creating a healthy relationship with your body

Feeling distressed about the way you look is something that society tells us is “inevitable.” We believe that body image distress is something we will all experience for our entire lives; that it’s just something we have to deal with. We’re taught…

Body Image on a Spectrum

When we have negative thoughts about our body, we often believe that we will always feel negatively and that there is no other option. In fact, society seems to suggest that this is the case. The way you feel about your body…

New Year, New Me?

Talking about New Year’s resolutions becomes quite a hot topic in the last few weeks of the year. After reflecting on the highs and lows of the past 365 days, it’s common to feel motivated by the blank slate of a new…

That’s Actually Not a Compliment

To the general population, a compliment is recognition of something that we view as positive. However, to individuals with eating disorders (EDs) compliments are much more complicated. Unsolicited compliments are a regular topic of conversation in my sessions with individuals with EDs….

Who’s Talking, You or Your Eating Disorder?

Eating disorders (EDs) can be difficult mental illnesses to treat, and come with a lot of internalized shame. This is often related to the inner conflict that accompanies eating disorders that can be different from other mental illnesses. Most mental illnesses are…

The Body is a Battlefield

The body is a battlefield. The logical mind acts as the commanding officer, assessing the risks, calling the shots, ultimately sending you out onto the frontlines. The emotions are there, lobbying for justice, for what is “right.” Much of the battle occurs…

When Healthy Behaviors Become Unhealthy

Someone asked me recently how when I’m working with clients, I strike the balance between promoting positive, healthy behaviors and distinguishing unhealthy ones that are present in eating disorders. A solid wellness plan includes all aspects of your physical and emotional health,…

A Therapists Perspective: Cultivating Body Image

Many of my clients have long histories of unhealthy and complicated relationships with their bodies. Many of them have memories of negative thoughts and beliefs forming in childhood and early adolescence. Their body image distress was, and is, not created in a…

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