Eating Disorders

At Whole Space Family Therapy, we know that healing from an eating disorder can be a multilayered process. Our compassionate team is dedicated to providing personalized therapy that addresses both the emotional and physical aspects of recovery.

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Our Approach

We believe in a holistic approach to treating eating disorders, integrating evidence-based therapies with a deep respect for individual experiences. Through compassionate counseling and collaborative support, we empower individuals to explore the underlying causes of their disorder and develop sustainable strategies for long-term wellness.

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Services Offered

• Individual Therapy: Tailored sessions to address the unique challenges and triggers of eating disorders.

• Family Therapy: Supportive sessions that involve loved ones in the healing process.

• Group Therapy and Workshops: Providing a supportive community to aid in the recovery process. 

• Treatment Team Coordination: We work collaboratively with registered dietitians and other members of the treatment team. 

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Why Choose Us?

At Whole Space Family Therapy, we foster a safe and non-judgmental environment where healing can flourish. Our therapists are trained in the latest therapeutic techniques and are committed to providing compassionate care that respects each individual's journey.

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Understanding Eating Disorders

Eating disorders are serious mental health conditions characterized by unhealthy relationships with food, body image, and eating behaviors. They often involve extreme emotions, attitudes, and behaviors surrounding food and weight.

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• Anorexia Nervosa: Individuals with anorexia nervosa have a distorted view of their bodies, which leads them to restrict vital nutritional needs as a means to reach a certain standard or desired goal. They may severely limit their food intake, sometimes to the point of starvation, and may also engage in excessive exercise

• Bulimia Nervosa: Bulimia nervosa involves cycles of binge eating, followed by compensatory behaviors to prevent weight gain, such as self-induced vomiting, excessive exercise, or the misuse of laxatives or diuretics.

• Binge Eating Disorder: People with binge eating disorder experience recurrent episodes of consuming large quantities of food in a short period, often feeling a lack of control during these episodes. Unlike bulimia nervosa, there are no regular compensatory behaviors such as purging or excessive exercise.

• Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder (ARFID): An eating disorder characterized by an extreme avoidance or restriction of certain foods, leading to inadequate nutritional intake. Unlike other eating disorders, ARFID is not driven by body image concerns.

• Other Specified Feeding or Eating Disorders (OSFED): This category includes eating disorders that do not meet the full criteria for anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, or binge eating disorder but still cause significant distress or impairment.

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Impact on Health:

Eating disorders can lead to severe physical health complications, including but not limited to:

• Malnutrition: Lack of essential nutrients due to inadequate food intake.

• Cardiovascular Issues: Such as irregular heartbeats, heart failure, or sudden cardiac arrest.

• Gastrointestinal Problems: Such as constipation, acid reflux, or gastric rupture.

• Bone Density Loss: Increasing the risk of fractures and osteoporosis.

• Mental Health Issues: Such as depression, anxiety disorders, and suicidal thoughts or behaviors.

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Treatment and Recovery:

Treatment for eating disorders is a comprehensive process that involves compassionate and collaborative care. This is achieved through talk therapy, medical supervision, and nutritional guidance. The aim is to alleviate physical symptoms and address and heal emotional and psychological factors that play a role in the development and maintenance of the disorder. The goal is to provide holistic healing, addressing both the bodily and mental aspects needed for long-term recovery.

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Seeking Help:

Interrupting the behaviors that perpetuate the cycle early on can often mean successful recovery from an eating disorder. Our Whole Space Family Therapy therapists will come alongside you or your loved one to help you break the cycles necessary to live authentically, autonomously, and with self-love. Remember that there is hope, and recovery is possible.

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