Therapy for eating disorders can bring the grace you deserve.
Are you insecure or anxious about your appearance? Do you tend to use food as a way to soothe your stress? Have you tried extreme measures to lose or avoid gaining weight, such ask keeping yourself from eating or over exercising? Or, do you tend to lose control, binge, and then feel guilty?
American culture has taught us to prioritize thinness over well being. This has led to so many of us taking drastic, unhealthy measures regarding our bodies – also known as disordered eating.
It’s too easy to become obsessed, and it’s even easier to lose hope.
My name is Laureen DiMattia, and I founded Seasons of Strength to help people regain control over their eating, find balance, and move forward with a life of wellness. I offer individual therapy for people who struggle with appearance-related insecurities, eating disorders (anorexia, bulimia, binging, etc.), and other body related issues – and I would love to work with you.
If you are interested and ready to sign up, contact me today. To learn more about eating disorders and how therapy can help, read on!
What are eating disorders?
Eating disorders are a broad category of issues related to weight, feeding, body image, and self-control.
The most well-known ones include anorexia (restrictive eating, over exercising, dangerously low BMI, etc.) and bulimia (pattern of intentional purging after eating). However, most people don’t know that loss of control while eating (binging) and using food to cope with stress or worry also count as disordered eating.
Eating disorders are incredibly common in the United States, especially among women and young girls. However, research has begun to also notice an increase in prevalence in eating disorders amongst men and young boys. Athletes, bodybuilders, models, for example, are all at risk of developing extreme unhealthy habits, insecurities, and negative attitudes about themselves. Even though they may seem outwardly “fine” and healthy, there may be other internal struggles.
Some of the most common signs of an eating disorder include:
Left untreated, eating disorders (particularly anorexia and bulimia) can be dangerous and deadly.
You deserve a chance to be well and find balance, which is why I provide therapy for eating disorders for people just like you. If you believe you or someone you love struggles with an eating disorder, contact me today.
How can therapy help?
Thankfully, eating disorders are very treatable.
Therapists (like me!) can help you in three main ways.
First, therapy offers a safe, shame-free space for you to process your thoughts and feelings. You get the chance to open up with someone who is expertly trained to help you feel heard and understood without worrying about what others might think. This is especially important for people who may also feel lonely, isolated, or unloved by others.
Second, therapy can help you begin to understand what drives your fears and insecurities. You may have had difficult, even traumatic experiences about your body image or weight. Perhaps you were bullied, shamed by parents or siblings, or otherwise put down for being yourself. Or, maybe it comes from the incredibly unrealistic standards in the U.S. regarding appearance and beauty. Once you can recognize the pain and struggle beneath the bad habits, change becomes easier.
And third, you get to discover new perspectives and develop essential skills for setting healthier, sustainable lifestyle habits. Learn to practice compassion and love towards yourself and others. Reshape and rethink how you see yourself and others. Take a step back from your life and figure out what really matters most.
Therapy can help you do all of this and more – all you have to do is get started
What does therapy for eating disorders look like with Laureen DiMattia?
I provide therapy for teens and adults who struggle with eating disorders, and I’d love to work with you!
Each session is completely confidential and specifically designed to meet your goals. Our first meeting is all about helping us get to know each other. I’ll ask lots of questions about your story to get a sense of what might be contributing to the problem, and you get the chance to learn more about how I work and what to expect from treatment.
I offer an individually tailored, evidence-based approach to therapy for eating disorders. I use psychotherapy techniques from psychodynamic, CBT, and DBT modalities to offer you a comprehensive therapy experience. In addition to meeting with me, I may also recommend consulting with a physician and/or dietitian to identify any other medically related concerns that may need to be addressed before or during the therapy treatment process.
Therapy for eating disorders can help you:
- Discover new insights about yourself and how others see you
- Find healthier ways of coping with stress
- Address underlying issues that drive disordered eating
- Feel confident and have self-control
- Think positively and understand your feelings
- Identify other issues (depression, anxiety, trauma, etc.)
I call my practice Seasons of Strength for a reason.
All of us experience hardship. All of us go through times where we feel helpless, defeated, and broken. All of us live through ups and downs, through misery and joy. I believe that, no matter what life has thrown your way, you have the power to make things better. You can find your source of strength, freedom, and control.
Together, we can make that happen.
Find Your Season of Strength
Interested in hearing more about my practice?
Want to learn more about how I can help?
I would love to hear from you. Click on Contact in the menu above to get started.
Phone Number:
201-822-1394
Office:
Telehealth available in the Washington DC area.
Contact seasonsofstrength@gmail.com or call for more information or to schedule an appointment!