Serving Fairfield & Westchester Counties
203.552.5280

e a t i n g  d i s o r d e r s

 w h y ?

Adolescent and adult Eating Disorders are a very complex illness often misunderstood by the general population and even by those suffering from them. Eating disorders are about controlling the food, the weight, the calories, the exercise - but more. They are about finding a way to not feel, or to deal with an overwhelming amount and variety of conflicting feelings, but more. Eating disorders are also about dealing with a combination of psychological, behavioral, physiological, social and familial experiences and more. Often eating disorders are accompanied by other factors that complicate matters further, including depression, anxiety, and alcoholism to name a few.

Another component of Eating Disorders (and life in general) is how we are affected by the values of our current culture and the focus of the media. We are exposed to an extraordinary number of advertisements, TV shows and movies that present unrealistic physical ideals for woman and men. Very often our society defines our worth and identity as measured by the sum of "acceptable" body parts. I can help you sort through these lifelong influences in understanding their contribution to your self esteem and self acceptance.

If you are struggling with an eating disorder, I can help. I have 15 years of experience (inpatient, outpatient, partial hospital programs and currently, in private practice) working with people struggling with all types of eating disorders, including:

Adult & Adolescent
Anorexia	Binge Eating Disorder
Compulsive overeating	Compulsive exercising
Athletes and Eating Disorders	Obesity
Body Dysmorphic Disorder.	Disordered Eating
Bulimia

I understand being caught between wanting a "normal" life and being terrified of giving up the eating disorder. I understand the shame and embarrassment that often accompanies binging, purging and compulsive overeating. As you know, you are in charge of your body and your life. Regardless of treatment, you still have the choice of whether or not to work towards letting the eating disorder go. I cannot take it away from you, nor will I force you to give it up, or leave you with the gaping hole that it once filled. Lastly, I promise to include you in treatment decisions and explain the perspectives of the professionals, to every degree possible.

 p r o c e s s

For those of you who know someone with an eating disorder: parents, spouses, friends, family members, this can be a very difficult time. I can help you identify things you can do to help, both your loved one and yourself, understand and survive this illness. I will guide you through the process, including:

• Helping you understand your role in the treatment process
• Providing regular treatment progress updates while maintaining confidentiality
• Helping with all types of treatment decisions
• Clarifying treatment goals and expectations
• Helping sort through the "language" of professionals

I work with males and females of all ages - adolescents and adults - in a team approach including physicians, psychiatrists, and nutritionists as needed. Unlike treatment centers with a limited choice of professionals under one roof, I collaborate with professionals in the community. This offers much more flexibility in finding the most optimum "match" or "fit" between client and care provider.

 a p p r o a c h e s

I use a combination of approaches in my work depending on your needs. These include:

• Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
• Psychodynamic Therapy
• Family Systems Therapy
• Meditation/Guided Imagery
• Energy psychology techniques

 r e c o v e r y

Relapse prevention is an important component of recovering from an eating disorder. Often the patient and family members are relieved that the scary physical components have quieted and some semblance of normal life can be seen in the near future. I can help you and your family members navigate through this exciting but often difficult transition, where new behaviors and new ways of relating to the world can feel unfamiliar and tenuous.

Often there is a question of what it means to be "recovered" from an eating disorder, as there is a thin line between them and what is now being called "disordered eating" - eating behaviors that are not dysfunctional enough to be classified as a disorder - yet are outside of the realm of "healthy eating".

There are a number of fantastic websites providing in depth information on types of eating disorders, their causes, health consequences, and resources. I urge you to visit these for further information.

• http://www.nationaleatingdisorders.org
• http://www.eatingdisorderhope.com
• http://www.edreferral.com