Eating Disorder — Clear Minds Counseling NY

Are you consumed by thoughts about food, weight and your body or feel out of control with your behavior?

Maybe you are feeling tormented by your eating habits or perhaps hopeless about trying to help yourself again. You may be depressed, frustrated or simply not finding pleasure or satisfaction in most areas of your life. Perhaps you’re feeling confused by your behavior. You may be too restrictive or you’re feeling these intense cravings all the time. You’re constantly thinking about food, weight or your body.

Do you struggle with the same patterns over and over again? Ever believe that you don’t deserve to eat because of your body size? Notice that you constantly feel hungry but don’t know what to eat? You may be comparing yourself to others and feeling insecure or ashamed. Do you have thoughts that tell you that you are not good enough unless you lose weight? If any or all these questions relate to you, and you want to talk about them, I am an eating disorder therapist in Long Island NY and I can help.

Whatever it is that you’re experiencing, you’re beginning to notice the impact on every facet of your life:

It’s difficult to focus on work, school or the family because your mind is consumed with so many other (usually negative) thoughts
You are avoiding being around others or social engagements, especially when food is involved.
You’re feeling disconnected from yourself and the people you care about, and others have begun to notice
It’s becoming overwhelming to make decisions about food choices at mealtime, at a restaurant or the grocery store
You may have noticed a change in your sleeping habits and your mood.
Notice that you never feel satisfied?

You want relief and you want to feel comfortable in your body. You are looking for some peace in your connections to yourself and others, but mainly within your relationship with food. You will develop satisfaction in your meals and to become more present in your life. There can be a time when your mind can be quiet and you can have peace with yourself. Eating disorder therapy will give you a sense of connection that will provide you with joy and overall well-being.

You are Not Alone

Eating disorders are relatively common and affect in people in all age groups, genders and cultural backgrounds. They can have serious mental and physical health consequences and appropriate treatment is crucial. Eating disorders can affect one’s emotional well-being, leading to low self esteem, impaired concentration, obsessive thoughts and anxiety or depression. They can also affect social relationships as people become so preoccupied with food and body image, or they begin to withdraw from social activities, then their relationships with others become strained. As one’s cognitive functioning declines, they begin to notice an impact on their school or work performance as well. If any of these circumstances are sounding familiar, know that you are not alone and working with an experienced, compassionate therapist can help you to begin your path to recovery.

There may be times when you feel that you are doing well and you think you have your symptoms and eating under control. And then when least expect it, you realize that you’re stuck in the same cycle again. You may also be feeling a lot of anxiety because you’re doing things you don’t want to do, you’re afraid to say no or hurt someone’s feelings and you still don’t feel good enough. These are common experiences and together we can explore them and get you on a path where you feel energized and nourished in your eating and living and you feel more comfortable being in your own skin.

Journey to Unravel Your Relationship With Food

Food is not the enemy. Now, I know that may scare and startle some people reading this. Food is a safe and available method that we have to change our mood. It helps to distract, numb and anesthetize one’s feelings and emotions. It can help offer comfort and solace especially when you may not want to feel certain emotions. There is a reason and purpose for the behavior you are engaging in, you just may not know what that is just yet.

Food and weight are symptoms, not the problem. The focus on one’s weight and body can offer a convenient distraction from the reasons people eat when they are not hungry. These reasons will not be solved with any amount of exercise, calorie counting or dieting. In your treatment for eating disorder, you will begin to think about other emotional struggles or psychological factors that may affect you and have increased your susceptibility towards an eating disorder.

Eating disorders are complex conditions that can arise from a combination of factors. Some of these may include biological, genetic, psychological and environmental. For example, people who have a family history of eating disorders may have a genetic predisposition. If someone is suffering from body image issues or low self-esteem, these may lead to dissatisfaction and a desire to change themselves for a sense of control or validation. Sometimes, there are traumatic experiences or stressful life events that can increase one’s risk of developing an eating disorder. There is also evidence that certain personality traits such as perfectionism, obsessiveness or impulsivity which have a correlation to an increased risk of development of an eating related issues.

Eating Disorder treatment can help.

It may feel impossible now, but you can have peace with food and your body. You can become more connected to your needs and to your true self.

Whether you are engaging in bingeing, purging, starving, etc you may be using food to comfort, reward or punish yourself for feelings you have. Together, we will identify the other factors and feelings you are struggling with which are complicating your relationship with food and your body. This is part of how you begin to heal in your recovery and find your peace.

You can live a life that is free from the misery of disordered eating. And I can help you get there.

Eating Disorder Treatment helps you do 4 things:

Unclutter your brain that is filled with food and body thoughts, so you can find confidence and energy to focus on what you are “hungry” for
Learn a new dialogue to counter the critical voice and self-deprecating thoughts.
Identify coping skills to help you manage your feelings.
Feel empowered as you nourish yourself and your needs.

How it works

I’ll help through this process, tailoring each step to your unique needs and circumstances. My approach to eating disorder therapy comes from a place of compassion and hope and I approach each session without judgment.

Together, we will recognize and identify any distorted beliefs you have related to your worth, your place in the world and how those beliefs affect you. You may need assistance in improving your communication skills and in exploring some of the underlying emotional factors that are contributing to the eating disorder. Some of the interventions used can be traditional talk therapy, the use of reading materials, visual aids, worksheets, grounding techniques. If needed, you may be referred for other services , such as a nutrition or group, or to an eating disorder treatment center for additional support. I am also happy to collaborate with any other member of your team that is already in place.

You are curious but still have some questions…

“How do I know if my eating issues are “bad enough” for treatment?”

Does it feel like you are truly living and experiencing joy to the fullest? Do your symptoms have to worsen in order for you to feel that you can get care for yourself? You don’t have to be in a severe state in order to “deserve” help.

“I am afraid of what I may be asked to do in therapy or what I may have to change.”

It’s common to feel some reluctance towards change and of what is familiar, but some of the things you are experiencing and doing is causing you distress and is keeping you stuck. The changes you make are gradual and you are never forced to do anything you do not want to do. You are never alone and always have support to get you through the difficult moments.

“Therapy costs too much money.”

There may be some financial investment in caring for yourself, that is true. What is the price you pay for not changing what you are doing and getting the assistance that you need? I know you have tried other methods to feel better and you have not had much success. What are the costs to your health and well-being if you do not get help for yourself? Professional treatment can provide you with the education and support that you need and deserve for long term relief.

It’s time to live a life that is free from food issues, body struggles and obsessions

Know that healing is possible. It might be a journey of ups and downs but you can build a life that is free from the constraints of an eating disorder. Reach out, take the first step and let your journey begin. Your future is filled with potential and you don’t have to wait any longer. In person and video sessions are available. Call for a free consultation and you can get started with an eating disorder therapist in Long Island, NY.

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