Eating Disorder Therapy in
Chevy Chase, Maryland
Welcome to Recovered and Restored Eating Disorder Therapy Center, where we provide compassionate and comprehensive eating disorder therapy in Chevy Chase, Maryland. Our experienced team is dedicated to helping individuals navigate their journey to recovery, offering personalized care and support every step of the way.
Members of our team specialize in treating Anorexia Nervosa, Orthorexia, ​Bulimia Nervosa, Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorders, and Orthorexia. They are also skilled in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), which focuses on altering dysfunctional thought patterns; Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), known for its emphasis on emotional and behavioral regulation; and Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) therapy, a dynamic technique effective for trauma processing.
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At Recovered and Restored, we understand the unique challenges that come with eating disorders. Our goal is to create a safe, non-judgmental environment where you can explore the underlying issues contributing to your eating disorder and develop healthy coping mechanisms. Our therapy services are tailored to meet your specific needs, ensuring you receive the best possible care.
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A little bit about our team...
Our team is uniquely qualified to support you on your recovery journey. In addition to their professional expertise, each member also brings a wealth of knowledge from their own personal experience, making them deeply empathetic and understanding of the challenges you face. You can take a closer look at the incredible individuals who make up our team here.
Several of the team members have personally recovered from an eating disorder. Their firsthand experience provides invaluable insight and compassion, allowing them to connect with clients on a deeper level. They understand the complexities of eating disorders and are dedicated to helping you navigate your path to recovery with empathy and expertise.
Our therapists employ a trauma-informed approach to therapy, ensuring that they are well-versed in understanding and supporting clients through trauma-related challenges. If past traumas are impacting your present and future, our online therapy services in Pennsylvania, Delaware, New Jersey, South Carolina, Maryland, Connecticut, and Florida offer a path to reclaim your life safely and effectively. Our team specializes in treating eating disorders and the associated traumas, with a deep commitment to understanding each client's unique history.
Find Your Tribe!
Recovery from an eating disorder in Chevy Chase Maryland is a journey best traveled with support. Finding your tribe – a group of people who understand and support your recovery – can make all the difference. At Recovered and Restored Eating Disorder Therapy Center, we strive to be a part of your tribe. We offer a safe space where you can share your struggles, celebrate your victories, and receive the encouragement you need.
True happiness comes from self-acceptance and understanding that you are worthy just as you are.
Eating disorder recovery is about learning to show up for life, regardless of your body’s appearance. It’s about recognizing that your body deserves to experience good things and that you do not need to change it to live fully. By shifting focus from achieving a “perfect” body to embracing a healthy relationship with food and your body, you can begin to find true happiness and peace.
How to Go Out to Eat While Suffering from an Eating Disorder in Maryland
Navigating a meal out can bring up a lot of anxiety, especially when dealing with an eating disorder. Stressing about the food, the comments, and the social interaction can make the experience daunting. Here are some tips that might help:
Ask for Support: Identify your support system – whether friends, family, or your therapist. If you're going out to eat, let them know about your anxiety. Having someone to cheer you on and hold your hand can make a significant difference.
Challenge Disordered Thoughts: Eating disorders often bring thoughts of delaying eating or only choosing the "healthiest" option on the menu. Remember, all food is good food, and your body needs nourishment. Challenge these thoughts by reminding yourself that you don’t need to earn your food. You deserve to eat because food keeps you alive and is delicious.
Focus on the Purpose: Why are you going out to eat? Whether it’s to celebrate a birthday, catch up with friends, or spend time with family, focus on the purpose of the outing rather than the food itself. This shift in focus can help reduce anxiety and make the experience more enjoyable.
Plan Ahead: Checking the menu online beforehand can help you feel more prepared and less anxious about making a decision in the moment. Choose something that feels safe but also nourishing.
Practice Self-Compassion: Be kind to yourself. It’s okay if you’re not ready to challenge every disordered thought right away. Progress is more important than perfection. If you need to stick to safe foods for now, that’s perfectly fine. The goal is to nourish your body and enjoy your time out.
Engage in Supportive Activities: Leading up to the meal, do something that makes you feel good. Whether it’s texting a friend, listening to your favorite music, or engaging in a relaxing activity, find ways to reduce stress and boost your mood.
We encourage you to take the first step towards recovery by reaching out to our team. Our therapists are experienced, compassionate, and ready to help you on your journey.
Our virtual therapy services are available to residents of Chevy Chase, Maryland, ensuring that support is accessible no matter where you are.
Contact us today to learn more about our services and how we can support you on your path to recovery. Together, we can work towards a healthier, happier you.
Remember, Food is Not the Enemy!
Almost every single client expresses a desire for a better relationship with food. Unfortunately, diet culture has turned food into enemy number one, leading many to believe that the foods they consume impact their morality. Here are some tips to help reshape your relationship with food:
Remember Your Biological Need for Food
Our bodies are biologically designed to need food for survival. Without proper nourishment, our bodies can't function optimally. It's essential to honor your hunger and ensure you are eating enough throughout the day. The rule of 3's – three meals and three snacks every three hours – can be a helpful guideline to maintain a regular eating rhythm.
Embrace Practical Hunger
Life doesn’t always allow for perfect intuitive eating. Sometimes we need to eat on a schedule due to external factors like work or school schedules. This is where practical hunger comes in. Planning ahead and eating when you have the opportunity is perfectly okay and can help your body maintain its biological needs.
All Foods Fit and Are Beneficial
Making peace with food involves allowing all foods to fit into your diet. No food should be off-limits. This process, known as habituation, helps diminish the power food holds over you and allows you to rediscover your personal food preferences.
Food as Comfort and Pleasure
Food is inherently emotional and comforting. It's normal to seek comfort in food during emotional times. Remember, it’s okay for food to be a source of pleasure and comfort in your life.
Food as Connection and Community
Food brings people together. Whether it’s a holiday meal, a birthday celebration, or a simple dinner with friends, food plays a central role in our social lives. Building a healthy relationship
with food enables you to fully engage in these meaningful experiences.
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Recovered and Restored is an eating disorder therapy center founded by Gabrielle Morreale, LPC, specializing in helping teens and young women heal from eating disorders such as anorexia, bulimia, orthorexia, and binge eating disorder. We also treat disordered eating, anxiety, depression, and PTSD. Our therapy services are available to those in Chevy Chase, Bethesda, Rockville, Silver Spring, Kensington, and the surrounding areas. We offer both in-person and virtual eating disorder therapy, ensuring flexible support for those in need.
In addition to our local services, we provide virtual therapy across Maryland, New Jersey, Delaware, and Florida, serving towns such as Baltimore, Gaithersburg, Columbia, and more. Wherever you are, we’re here to guide you on your journey to recovery.
