Eating Disorders

Teens

I primarily use the Family Based Therapy (FBT) treatment modality for teens with eating disorders, including anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa. I received my FBT training at Stanford University. FBT is a three phase, evidence-based, and highly effective model of treatment for anorexia and bulimia and I receive professional supervision and consultation in this method. I provide FBT virtually or in person at my Oakland office. FBT empowers the teen’s family to help them heal, with the guidance of the therapist who acts as a consultant throughout the process. This is a highly structured approach that requires participation from all integral family members of the patient. FBT is often successful at treating anorexia and bulimia and helping the patient avoid a higher level of care, such as an IOP, PHP, or residential care program.

I also do individual therapy with teens who have already completed FBT or other intensive treatment, or are in the recovery stage of their eating disorder, with the goal of supporting sustained recovery and working through any lingering emotional/psychological difficulties tied to the eating disorder. Interventions vary dependent on the teen’s interests, and often involve art-centered activities, self-expression, skill building, and my own modified version of intuitive eating geared for a teen audience.

Young Adults & Adults

With young adults, I incorporate some aspects of FBT when appropriate, but integrate other treatment modalities to best meet the needs and life goals of the client. Sometimes there is additional work to be done in adulthood that was not possible in childhood, and that may be the focus of the treatment. I practice using a Health at Every Size HAES® approach. Other modalities we might integrate into your treatment include DBT (Dialectical Behavior Therapy), CBT (Cognitive Behavioral Therapy), Narrative Therapy, or even a more traditional talk-therapy or psychodynamic approach. I have also enjoyed integrating art-based interventions into my practice, so we might utilize our collective creativity to help you work through blockages to your healing via art.

I also have experience treating people with severe and enduring eating disorders (meaning over 10 years of eating disorder symptoms) using a combination of treatment modalities personalized to meet the individual client’s needs. This has been effective with those who have tried “everything” and still have not experienced a true end to their eating disorder symptoms.