Therapy for Eating Disorders
Restore your relationship with food and your body with compassionate, evidence-based care.
What is an eating disorder?
Eating disorders are complex mental illnesses that are characterized by persistent disturbances in eating behaviors and impairment in psychological functioning. (Source: NEDA) Yet what we understand about eating disorders is that they are often much deeper than a person’s relationship to food, representing a complex combination of biological, psychological, and sociocultural factors. (Source: NEDA)
For many people, eating disorders are often an attempt to cope with overwhelming emotions or find control amidst chaos. They’re never a sign of personal failure, but rather a reflection of legitimate struggles––with self-worth, with unresolved trauma, or with unmet needs.
At White Oak Counseling, we offer compassionate, trauma-informed, and evidence-based treatment for individuals experiencing eating disorders. Together we’ll go beyond addressing the behaviors to explore the emotional and psychological issues beneath so that you can reclaim your relationship with yourself.
What causes eating disorders?
Eating disorders are often a complex combination of personal struggles, environmental pressures, and biology. Anyone can develop an eating disorder at any age, but it is most common for young people to develop eating disorders during their adolescent or teen years.
Several risk factors can increase a person’s likelihood of developing an eating disorder:
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Family history: having an immediate family member who has/had an eating disorder can increase a person’s risk, both for genetic reasons and as a result of learned behavior.
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Environmental pressure: a person is more likely to develop an eating disorder if they have been shamed or bullied for their weight by a family member, peer, or authority figure.
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Frequent dieting can increase a person’s risk of developing an eating disorder because it can influence brain chemistry, making it harder to regain balanced eating habits.
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Stress in the form of big life changes such as moving or attending a new school can increase the likelihood that a person will develop an eating disorder to cope with difficult feelings.
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Other mental health issues such as depression, anxiety, or obsessive-compulsive disorder, etc., can increase the risk of eating disorders.
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Trauma such as abuse, neglect, loss, or other painful experiences can create an overwhelming urge to control their body when everything else feels out of control.
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Societal pressure around physical appearance can also influence how people feel about their bodies and their relationship with food.
Signs you may have an eating disorder:
Discerning whether you have an eating disorder can be difficult, especially if it feels like a way of coping with stress. However, there are several signs that may indicate that you’re struggling with an eating disorder:
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Behavioral signs such as binging, purging, or restrictive eating are signs of an eating disorder. Isolating yourself from social situations that involve food to avoid the discomfort of eating in the presence of others is also a sign of an eating disorder.
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Physical signs such as noticeable changes in weight, energy levels, or other health symptoms can also be signs of eating disorder.
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Emotional signs such as feeling overwhelming shame around eating, feeling disconnected from your body, or distressed by trying to meet unattainable standards can be signs of an eating disorder.
Eating Disorder vs. Disordered Eating:
What's the difference?
Many people’s behavior may fall in the category of what’s known as disordered eating: patterns or attitudes around food that may feel stressful or complicated, but don't consistently disrupt a person's ability to function day-to-day. They may diet often, feel guilt after eating certain foods, or have unpredictable eating habits, yet still maintain their routines and relationships.
For someone living with an eating disorder, their attitudes and behavior toward food has a distinct and profound impact on their daily life, and is often a result of an intense fear of how food will affect their body. The level of distress they feel may lead them to avoid social situations that involve food, or they feel so worried about food or body image that relationships, work or school life begin to suffer.
There is also a distinction between someone experiencing an eating disorder or disordered eating, and someone whose appetite is affected by depression or anxiety.
Therapy can help an individual discern where they fall along that spectrum, whether there are other mental health factors at play, and find the right treatment approach to meet their unique needs.
How therapy can help treat
eating disorders:
For people living with diagnosable eating disorders or disordered eating, therapy offers a path toward breaking harmful patterns and building a healthier, more peaceful relationship with food and themselves. Treatment provides practical tools for navigating everyday challenges while also helping you understand and heal the emotional experiences that shape your relationship with your body and with food.
At White Oak Counseling, you’ll find a supportive, nonjudgmental environment where you can safely explore both the behaviors that disrupt daily life and the deeper feelings—such as anxiety, shame, trauma, or perfectionism—that often accompany eating concerns.
Our therapists use evidence-based approaches such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) to help you identify unhelpful thought patterns, build emotional regulation skills, and develop more flexible and compassionate ways of relating to food and your body. Together, we focus on restoring balance, strengthening self-trust, and creating sustainable habits that support long-term recovery.
Hi, I'm Carly.
I'm a certified eating disorder specialist and licensed clinical psychologist. Over the years, I’ve supported many clients as they navigate the complex and deeply personal challenges of eating disorders.
I often work collaboratively with a network of trusted professionals, including dietitians, physicians, and other specialists to ensure you receive comprehensive, coordinated care that supports your physical and emotional well-being.
My goal is to help you build a sense of safety, confidence, and self-compassion as you move toward healing. Recovery is a long journey, but you don’t have to walk it alone—I'm here to offer empathy, clarity, and evidence-based care every step of the way.
Ready to get started?
Please complete the contact form to request an appointment or ask if you have questions about our services. Once you fill out this form, we will contact you within 1 - 3 business days to schedule an appointment.