What does ADHD have to do with Eating Concerns? Part 2
The more we learn about ADHD and eating disorders, the more we are coming to understand that the incidence of ADHD is actually higher in the eating disorder population and is not just eating disorders “looking like” ADHD. Something is happening here that warrants...
What does ADHD have to do with Eating Concerns? Part 1
Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) seems to be the diagnostic soup de jour. We all heard about the Adderall shortages that started in late 2022 and still aren’t fully resolved now in 2024. Everyone is talking about ADHD and more and more people are...
In Defense of Emotional Eating
The term “emotional eating” is often used with a negative connotation. Eating for emotional reasons, rather than to satisfy hunger, is usually talked about as something physically and emotionally unhealthy. Here’s my take: Emotional eating isn't inherently unhealthy! ...
Finding Purpose Outside Your Appearance
I recently saw the movie Mean Girls in theaters. As a body image and eating disorder therapist, I could not help but notice how the myriad of messages about appearance and unrealistic beauty standards influence the characters in the film. At one point in the movie,...
The Year of Self-Compassion Goals
Maybe this is the year… You make memories instead of resolutions You count smiles instead of calories You cut the sizes out of your clothes instead of cutting out sugar or bread You sign up for more sleep instead of more fitness classes You step into your own...
Nurturing Self-Compassion: A Journey Away from Overthinking About Your Body
In a world that often emphasizes external appearances, it's easy to find ourselves trapped in a cycle of overthinking about our bodies and self-image. The constant comparison to societal standards can lead to stress, anxiety, and a negative impact on our mental...
Body Reflections
If you struggle with body image, your relationship with the reflection of your body in the mirror might feel complicated. Maybe you find yourself spending too much time in front of the mirror, picking apart your reflection, and feeling upset about what you see. Or...
Your Best Might Not Always Be the Best
My clients know I use a LOT of metaphors in therapy. It’s just how I roll! Here is a metaphor that I’ve shared with a couple of clients lately that might resonate if you’re dealing with perfectionism. Let’s pretend you’re driving a car. What if when you were driving,...
Welcoming Darkness
Have you ever thought about the reality that almost everything that has life began life in darkness? Giant Sequoias began their life as small seeds nestled into the dark, damp earth. Potatoes and carrots start and finish growing inside the dark earth. You and I, we...
Navigating the Holidays in Eating Disorder Recovery: A Survival Guide
The holiday season is often a time of joy, celebration, and togetherness, but for those in recovery from an eating disorder, it can also be a period of stress, triggers, and challenges. Coping with the abundance of food, social gatherings, and societal pressures...
How to Stop Obsessing Over Your Physical Appearance
As I reflect on past years and growing up with unrealistic expectations regarding my body, I have realized how much time we as women often spend thinking about our physical appearance. Thinking about what we could change, how to be “prettier,” or how to be valued by a...
My Body Is a Wonder, and So Is Yours
Recently, I was watching my 9-month-old baby as he played on the floor. Laying on his back, he held his hands up in front of his face, staring at them intently. I watched him clasp and unclasp his hands, clap, stretch his tiny fingers, twist and turn his pudgy wrists,...