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Disordered Eating Therapy Service

Not everyone who experiences an unhealthy relationship with food, weight, and body image has a clinically defined eating disorder. However, someone who exhibits concerning behaviors may be at risk for developing an eating disorder or other health problems. Early intervention through a disordered eating therapy service that includes the support of a registered dietitian can help individuals recover from these habits.

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Eating disorders are defined by specific diagnostic criteria, which is where most people start when trying to research symptoms. When the existing symptoms don’t completely match the definition of an eating disorder, it does not mean there is nothing to worry about. In fact, this might be the best time to seek professional support. Licensed therapists and registered dietitians who specialize in eating disorders can help individuals identify disordered eating behaviors and prevent them from progressing.

What is Disordered Eating?

Disordered eating is not a clinical diagnosis. Rather, it is a general term for a variety of behaviors that are associated with an individual’s preoccupation with food, weight, and/or body image. These behaviors include:

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  • Frequent dieting

  • Excessive focus on “healthy” eating

  • Excessive exercising 

  • Rigid food rituals

  • Skipping meals

  • Focusing on the negative impact of food choices

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Although it is normal for families and social groups to talk about food and the nutritional value of various choices, these discussions can sometimes become imbalanced, focusing too much on the negative. Someone who internalizes those negative thoughts is at risk of engaging in disordered eating.

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The signs that someone has disordered eating behaviors are varied, but often include:

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  • Chronic weight fluctuations

  • Expressing anxiety, guilt, or shame around food choices

  • Compensatory behaviors like exercising and skipping meals to make up for food choices

  • Restricting food intake in social situations

  • Talking only about the negatives of food

  • Preoccupation with body image, weight, and comparison with others

 

Recognizing these behaviors in a loved one, or even in yourself, can be scary. Even scarier is feeling strongly that something is wrong, but that it doesn’t seem like treatment is an option if it’s not actually an eating disorder.

 

The good news is that you do not need to be scared! At Recovered and Restored Eating Disorder Therapy Center, we offer preventative therapy and nutrition counseling to help you get on the path to healing from disordered eating.

The factors that can lead to disordered eating behaviors can be genetic, psychological, social, and cultural. There are often complexities that contribute to an individual’s motivations, such as trauma, desire for control, or other mental health concerns. Professional therapists and registered dieticians at Recovered & Restored are specially trained to address all of these influences so that our clients can find lasting healing.

 

Our disordered eating therapy services include the vital aspect of nutritional counseling and education. In order to heal from disordered eating, we believe that you must come to an empowered understanding of how food works to fuel and nourish your body. Our registered dietitian helps clients view food through a nutritional lens that supports healthy thoughts about food and eating.

 

Combined with disordered eating therapy, nutrition services support each client’s comprehensive recovery. At Recovered & Restored, our treatment options are fully personalized to your specific needs. Your therapist will help you identify the underlying thoughts and behaviors that impact your relationship with food and your body. Your dedicated nutritionist will teach you the facts about balanced nutrition while guiding you through effective meal planning.

 

Through our online therapy format, clients can enjoy our full range of disordered eating therapy services from the comfort of home. Every appointment takes place in a private online setting that is focused on your personal recovery journey.

Therapeutic Support with or without a Diagnosis

If your relationship with food, weight, or body image causes you distress, don’t wait to reach out for support. You might not have a traditional eating disorder like anorexia, bulimia, or binge eating disorder. But you might still have something going on that you know is not healthy or how you want to feel. You do not have to figure it out all alone.

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Disordered eating therapy services, including registered dietitian support, can help you find your way to recovery and restoration. Online therapy is immediately available to provide preventative treatment for disordered eating behaviors. Recovered & Restored is licensed to treat individuals who reside in Delaware, New Jersey, Florida, Maryland, South Carolina, Connecticut, Vermont, and Pennsylvania. Rachel Dodson, RD, LDN provides personalized nutrition counseling to help you learn how to use food to care for yourself.

 

If you are worried that your disordered eating habits are disrupting your ability to enjoy life, you do not have to keep suffering. Take the first step toward healing and a healthy relationship with food today.

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