EATING DISORDERS

Eating disorders can be described as patterns of eating that disrupt one’s daily living in areas of physical, emotional, and mental health. Common patterns of disordered eating include excessive eating (binge eating disorder), overeating followed by purging (bulimia), and restrictive eating leading to extremely low body weight (anorexia). In addition to these issues, individuals with disordered eating patterns often struggle with low self-esteem, out of control feelings, body dysmorphia, anxiety and depression, and feelings of guilt and shame.

Eating disorders create cycles of destructive behaviors that require therapeutic and often dietary intervention in order to restore body weight, healthy patterns of thinking, and emotional stability. Because these patterns of disordered eating are often a result of external factors, it is essential to work on developing healthy coping skills and rationalized thinking. Treating eating disorders often utilizes several therapeutic interventions. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is an intervention that uses structured exercises to challenge negative patterns of thinking in order to obtain better behavioral outcomes. Motivational interviewing (MI) is an encouraging form of talk therapy using interviewing to empower the individual. Dialectical behavioral therapy (DBT) is an intervention that focuses on balance and acceptance. DBT teaches skills like mindfulness, distress tolerance, interpersonal effectiveness, and emotion regulation.  

By taking the steps to recover from an eating disorder, individuals are able to gain the skills and power to overcome adversity and regain their lives back. Because an eating disorder negatively impacts so much of a person’s life (i.e. relationships, decision-making, self-esteem, physical and mental health), seeking treatment right away is essential to regaining control over one’s life. It is important to seek the level of treatment necessary to restore one’s physical and mental health. Therefore, it may be necessary to seek professional help from a medically-managed facility if extreme symptomology exists. Physicians may be able to assist you with determining your appropriate level of care for an eating disorder.

At Crossroads Counseling Services, Inc. we offer an outpatient level of care for the treatment of eating disorders. Our therapist is trained in eating disorder treatment to be able to provide optimum care for our clients. Through CBT, MI, and DBT, clients will have the opportunity to challenge themselves to overcome their disordered eating patterns as well as any co-occurring mental health issues. Because we understand an eating disorder can take time to overcome, we admire the individuals who are willing to seek assistance in their battles. Our therapist will work with patience and understanding that every client will be at their own level of readiness for change. Each therapeutic intervention will be tailored to meet the individual needs of each client seeking our services.