Eating Disorder Therapy in Philadelphia | LGBTQ+ Affirming Treatment
You don’t want to keep living like this, but letting go feels terrifying.
real talk.
I’m sure therapy is the last place you want to be right now. You’re tired of counting calories and the last thing you want to do is dedicate more time and energy to food.
You’ve been doing this on your own for awhile and it’s been sort of working, until your kid tells you their snack has too much sugar in it. Or you find yourself sneaking off after dinner to go throw up. These moments shake you to your core, but you’ve tried therapy only to feel stuck in the same unhelpful place.
It’s hard to imagine a life where food and the number on the scale don’t dictate how your entire day goes. You see your friends laughing over burgers and fries and think, “god I want that”. But that life feels so foreign to you because you’ve never felt at ease around food. So you wonder, what’s the point of even trying?
Let’s face it
Diet culture sucks and it isn’t going anywhere.
Maybe you want a better relationship with food, but you can’t stop dieting because you don’t want your body to change. It feels like no matter what you do, your body is never enough and you’re exhausted from trying to shrink yourself just to fit in.
this work is for you if…
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You skip meals and count calories, only to end up feeling so hungry you eat until you’re sick. You’re too embarrassed to eat in front of others because you’re afraid they’ll judge you for not ordering the salad. So you sneak into the kitchen at night while everyone is asleep so you can finally have the food you actually want.
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Managing your food intake feels like the only way to achieve your gender goals, and body acceptance feels like it’s made for straight, cis people. But you’re also tired, and constantly tracking your food is taking a toll on your mental health.
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You’re noticing some thigh chaffing and it’s freaking you out. Clothes don’t fit the way they used to, and between weight gain and thinning hair, you don’t recognize yourself anymore. You find yourself constantly thinking about food, working out, and your health.
Look, I get it. I’m not going to pretend this is easy.
As someone who’s been there, I can tell you that finding peace with food is possible. I’m here for whatever you bring to our sessions, and I’d love to support you.
I’m here to help with…
Anorexia
Bulimia
Binge-Eating Disorder
ARFID
Body Image
Chronic Dieting
Orthorexia
Disordered Eating
Specialized Therapy for Eating Disorders and Recovery
If you're struggling with anorexia nervosa, bulimia, or binge eating disorder, you deserve compassionate, evidence-based treatment that honors your whole identity. As a queer-identified therapist specializing in eating disorder treatment in Philadelphia, I provide a safe, affirming space where recovery is possible.
Living with an eating disorder can feel like every part of your life revolves around food and your body. Disordered eating affects your relationships, energy levels, and sense of self. Whether you're experiencing restrictive eating behaviors, binge eating patterns, or cycles of purging, eating disorders require specialized care that addresses both the symptoms and underlying causes.
You’ve probably tried to handle it on your own for a while, but it’s exhausting to keep fighting this by yourself. Healing means working through both the day-to-day struggles and the deeper pain underneath—and you don’t have to do it alone.
here’s how we’ll work together
Instead of fighting with your eating disorder, we’ll get curious about the ways it’s protected you.
Everyone’s story is different. That’s why I take time to really get to know you and your history with food.
Together, we’ll figure out what’s been driving your eating struggles and what a life beyond them could actually look like for you. Defining what you want out of this journey helps you stay committed when things feel hard. Real lasting change happens when it’s driven by your own motivations for recovery, not mine.
I use mind-body approaches including Art Therapy and Internal Family Systems to get to the root of your eating disorder. Art therapy can help you connect to your inner world in a way that words might not be able to. IFS helps you understand your conflicting feelings around your eating disorder, and make decisions grounded in your true self. When you start to understand where your food issues come from, you can heal the pain underneath them.
I practice from a weight-inclusive and social justice framework. That means we’ll look at how messages from your family, culture, and society have shaped how you see yourself and how you feel in your body. By unlearning these beliefs, you can begin to treat yourself with real compassion and actually connect to what really matters to you.
Recovery doesn’t have to be so lonely. We’ll work on building and strengthening a support system of people you trust, so you don’t feel like you’re doing this all on your own. The more you share your story, the lighter it feels.
I’m not here to fix you, because you’re not broken. You won’t have to follow a strict treatment plan and you don’t have to do recovery “perfectly”. We’ll build a plan together—one that has structure and is flexible.
It’s okay to want a healthy relationship with food and still want to lose weight.
My goal is for you to feel safe enough to lay everything out on the table so we can sort through it together.
My approach to eating disorder treatment.
I offer a unique, integrative approach to therapy for eating disorders that goes beyond traditional cognitive behavioral therapy. While CBT and dialectical behavior therapy are valuable evidence-based treatments, my practice combines multiple therapeutic modalities to create personalized healing experiences that resonate with your specific needs.
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IFS recognizes that eating disorder symptoms often serve protective functions. Through this approach, we'll explore the different "parts" of yourself with curiosity and compassion. You might discover a part that uses eating behaviors to manage anxiety, while another part desperately wants recovery. Together, we'll help all parts of you feel heard and work toward internal harmony, addressing the root causes of your eating disorder rather than just the symptoms.
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Sometimes the most profound healing happens beyond words. Art therapy provides a powerful avenue for exploring emotions, body image concerns, and experiences related to your eating disorder that might be difficult to articulate. You don't need artistic skills – it's about the process of creation and self-discovery. Through creative expression, many clients reconnect with parts of themselves that felt lost to their eating disorder behaviors.
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Understanding how past experiences shape current eating behaviors is crucial for lasting recovery. Focal psychodynamic therapy helps us explore how early relationships, trauma, and family dynamics influence your relationship with food and body. This depth-oriented approach provides insights into why certain patterns developed and how to create healthier alternatives.
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When obsessive compulsive disorder intersects with eating disorders, ERP becomes an essential treatment tool. We'll gradually expose you to anxiety-provoking situations related to food and body image while helping you resist compulsive behaviors. This behavioral therapy approach includes homework between sessions to practice new skills and build confidence in managing eating disorder symptoms.
Specialized Support for LGBTQ+ and Gender-Diverse Individuals.
eating disorder treatment that is affirming, creative, and tailored to your unique goals.
Traditional eating disorder treatment often fails to address the unique needs of LGBTQ+ individuals.
As someone deeply connected to the queer and trans community, I understand how identity, marginalization, and eating disorders intersect. In our work together, your full identity isn’t just accepted—it’s central to how you heal.
If you’re trans or non-binary, it might feel complicated to live in a body that doesn’t always match how you see yourself. When body image, gender dysphoria, and eating struggles all mix together, it can feel like a constant tug-of-war inside.
Queer people are not immune to the the white-cis—thin ideal, and also face unique pressures in their own community. Having a certain body shape may be a way to feel safe in a world that is hostile to queer people. Perhaps it’s hard to imagine yourself in your true gender, because our society pressures you to fit into a binary.
eating disorder treatment for trangender individuals
For trans and non-binary individuals, the relationship between gender dysphoria and eating disorder symptoms adds layers of complexity that many therapists don't understand. I bring both expertise and lived experience to these conversations, having supported countless individuals through the intersection of gender transition and eating disorder recovery.
In our work together, we'll:
Differentiate between gender dysphoria and ED symptoms
Develop strategies that affirm your gender identity while healing your relationship with food
Address fears about body changes during transition without using harmful eating behaviors
Create a recovery plan that honors your authentic self
Therapy for eating disorders can help you…
Cultivate Relationships
Laugh with friends, grab coffee, and accept dinner invites without hesitation. Go to board game night, book club, or a music concert with energy to spare.
Reduce Stress Around Food
Rebuild trust with your body’s signals, quiet the constant food thoughts, and open up space for what truly matters to you.
Embrace Your Uniqueness
Show up at work events with confidence. Go on dates without second-guessing yourself. Wear outfits you love regardless of the size on the tag. Feel proud of who you are, and worry less about what other people think.
Rediscover Who You Are
Do you miss writing fanfiction, D & D nights, and going to yoga class? Maybe you’ve been wanting to take up painting or create a vision board. Therapy helps you uncover the pieces of yourself that got buried under your eating disorder.
Increase Spontaneity
You’ll be able to grab ice cream on a whim, without it overwhelming you. You can actually eat with your family on pizza night, instead of sitting on the sidelines.
Build Resiliency
Diet culture, racism, and transphobia mess with your self-worth. Therapy gives you the strategies to push back and reclaim your body and your relationship with food.
REcovery is possible and your body doesn’t define your worth.
It's time to make peace with food & accept yourself as you are.
faqs
Common Questions About Treatment
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Our first session focuses on what’s bringing you to therapy. We work together to craft a timeline of the history of your eating disorder and how it’s affecting you now.
We’ll explore what recovery means to you, identify the people in your community, and discuss whether you need more support.
Sessions may involve just talk therapy, while other sessions may incorporate mind-body approaches, like Art Therapy and Internal Family Systems.
Eating disorder treatment is collaborative. If needed, I will help you build a care team of people you trust. This often includes a dietician, primary care physician and sometimes a psychiatrist.
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Recovery timelines vary greatly depending on individual needs, severity of symptoms, and co-occurring mental health conditions. Some clients work with me for several months, while others benefit from longer-term support. We'll regularly assess your progress and adjust our approach as needed.
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It can be a big leap to make that first appointment! There are no guarantees, but here are some things to look for.
You might be ready if you…
Have been trying to manage your eating disorder on your own, but you need help.
Feel ready to add some accountability.
Just completed intensive outpatient treatment and are looking to step down.
Think body acceptance sounds nice in theory, but struggle to put it into practice.
Are interested in intuitive eating, but feel scared to try it alone.
You’re looking for a mind-body approach to therapy, and want more than just coping skills and behavior change.
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You can schedule a consultation directly through my website by booking online.
You can also send an email through my contact form. I’ll reply to your email within 1-2 business days (not on weekends). From there, we’ll pick a day and time that works for both of us.
Your journey begins with a free 20-minute phone consultation where we'll discuss what's bringing you to therapy for eating disorders. This is a chance for you to ask me questions about my approach and see if we’re a good fit.
Once we book the first appointment, you'll receive an email to set up your client portal and complete the intake paperwork online. Once all of the forms are completed, your appointment will be confirmed.
During our first full session, we'll explore your history with eating behaviors, screen for various eating disorder symptoms, and discuss your goals for recovery. I'll explain how my treatment approaches can support your healing journey.
These first few sessions are a way to see if it will be a good fit for both of us. So there’s no pressure to commit before you’re ready, and my feelings won’t be hurt if you decide to go with another provider. I want the best care for you, and will help you connect with a therapist who’s right for you.
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I typically meet with clients weekly for one-hour sessions, though some benefit from meeting more frequently or for extended 90-minute sessions depending on the severity of their eating disorder symptoms. Consistency is crucial in eating disorder treatment – we'll establish a regular time that becomes your dedicated space for healing.
Our sessions blend different therapeutic approaches based on your evolving needs. Some weeks might focus on IFS work to understand internal conflicts, while others might involve art therapy to process emotions or exposure therapy to challenge fear foods.
Between sessions, I provide journal prompts and, when appropriate, ERP homework to help you practice new skills and continue your recovery work.
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You don't need to be fully ready for recovery to begin therapy for eating disorders. Many clients feel ambivalent about change initially. We'll explore this ambivalence together and work at a pace that feels manageable while gently challenging eating disorder behaviors.
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Yes, I provide treatment for anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, binge eating disorder, and other specified feeding or eating disorders. My integrative approach adapts to address various eating disorder symptoms and behaviors.
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You don’t have to check certain boxes to be struggling with disordered eating. In fact, a lot of people with an eating disorder have never received a diagnosis. This is because not everyone’s experience with food is the same. Diet culture also normalizes undereating, which can make it harder to know if you have an eating disorder.
Who I Work With
I specialize in working with:
LGBTQ+ individuals and teens
Professionals, entrepreneurs, people in tech, project managers
Creatives, geeks, and nerds.
Individuals navigating perfectionism and people-pleasing
Those experiencing anxiety, trauma, or OCD alongside eating disorders
Partners and families affected by eating disorders
Anyone seeking affirming, non-traditional approaches to recovery
Supporting Partners and Families
Eating disorders affect entire family systems. I provide specialized support for:
Partners of individuals in recovery – Learn how to support your loved one through eating disorder treatment while maintaining your own wellbeing. We'll address communication strategies, boundary setting, and navigating the complex emotions that arise when someone you love is struggling with mental health conditions.
Parents of teens with eating disorders – Understand the connection between various mental health conditions and disordered eating. I'll help you advocate for your child's needs, create a supportive home environment, and develop practical strategies for meal support and body image conversations.
Partners of transitioning individuals – When gender transition and eating disorders intersect, the complexity multiplies. I provide a space to process your feelings and develop strategies to support both your partner and yourself through these intertwined journeys.
What Makes My Practice Different
Unlike many approaches to eating disorder treatment, I provide a relational, experiential approach rather than purely cognitive interventions. As an art therapist specializing in eating disorders, I offer creative pathways to healing that complement traditional talk therapy. My personal connection to the LGBTQ+ community informs my compassionate, affirming approach to treatment of eating disorders.
I understand that recovery isn't one-size-fits-all. Your eating disorder developed for reasons unique to your life experience, and your path to healing will be equally individual. Whether you're a perfectionist struggling with anorexia nervosa, managing cycles of binge eating and restriction, or dealing with bulimia nervosa while navigating your queer identity, I provide personalized care that addresses your specific mental health needs.
Take the First Step Toward Recovery
Living with an eating disorder is exhausting. The constant mental chatter about food, body image, and control takes tremendous energy that could be directed toward living a fulfilling life.
Recovery from eating disorders is possible, and you don't have to navigate this journey alone.
In our work together, you'll find a judgment-free space where your experiences are validated, your identity is affirmed, and your recovery goals are honored. Using evidence-based treatment approaches tailored to your unique needs, we'll work toward developing a peaceful relationship with food and your body.
If you're ready to explore what eating disorder treatment could look like for you, I invite you to reach out for a free consultation. We'll discuss your specific challenges with eating behaviors, what you hope to achieve through therapy, and whether my approach aligns with your needs.
Your story matters. Your struggle with mental health is valid. And your recovery from anorexia nervosa, bulimia, binge eating disorder, or any eating disorder is possible. Contact me today to schedule your free 20-minute consultation and take the first step toward freedom from your eating disorder.
