Behavioral approaches are one of the strongest pillars of my therapeutic approach because they offer immediate skills and an approachable framework for change. Among the most “evidence-based” therapies, the behavioral approaches I tend to use are rooted in mindfulness, compassion, respect for inner wisdom, and the building of a meaningful, valued life:

• ACT (Acceptance and Commitment Therapy)

• CBT-E for eating disorders

• ERP (Exposure and response prevention) for OCD, anxiety, and eating disorders

• DBT (Dialectical Behavior Therapy): I do not offer the full DBT protocol, but I do support folks going through DBT programs and also rely on its guiding principles as a touchstone in my work.

My approach is influenced by both psychodynamic and existential/humanistic therapies. These are often referred to as “relational” therapies because the therapeutic relationship is treated as a real connection between two human beings that supports learning, healing, and growth. We can explore the past and the “here-and-now” with a commitment to developing self-awareness, freedom, and a sense of meaning.

Emotion-Focused Family Therapy is an approach that supports parents/caregivers/partners in taking a significant, powerful role in their loved one’s healing. Caregivers learn how to strengthen relationships, reduce symptoms, increase cooperation, and respond to strong emotions. Caregivers are supported to identify and work through fears and challenges encountered along the way. EFFT is an evidence-based approach that has been shown to reduce caregiver burnout, self-blame, and helplessness, and increase feelings of self-efficacy. I enjoy offering EFFT in combination with Family-Based Treatment or as stand-alone, short-term caregiver coaching.

In FBT, caregivers are empowered to work together with their child/loved one to reduce the symptoms of the eating disorder. We reduce shame and blame for both parents/caregivers and individuals with EDs so all are freed to move towards healing. FBT has been shown in controlled studies to be the most effective front-line treatment for eating disorders for adolescents, and can also be adapted for transition-aged youth and adults.

Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy is an emerging treatment that offers promise in healing from depression, trauma, eating disorders, and more. In collaboration with a psychiatrist, I offer Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy on a limited basis with existing clients. I also offer “integration work,” whether after experiences with ketamine or other forms of altered consciousness. Integration work involves processing, making meaning, and then incorporating wisdom gained from “non-ordinary” experiences into your daily “ordinary” life.

Weight-inclusive approaches to recovery from eating disorders are based on research that tells us that weight-loss diets do not usually work or improve quality of life. Instead, they often lead to feelings of shame, frustration, and helplessness. Non-diet/weight-inclusive therapy offers tools to make peace with food and to best care for our own unique bodies, as they are.

Somatic or body-oriented therapy takes the view that the mind and body are connected, and that working with, listening to, and learning from our bodies is necessary for healing. Yoga can be thought of as an ancient body-oriented therapy. The word “yoga” actually means “to yoke” or “bring together”–so a goal of yoga is to peacefully reconnect the body and mind.

Yoga therapy brings the yogic techniques of mindfulness, movement, breath, and meditation to support the health and healing of the whole person. Clients practice finding balance and flexibility, both physically and mentally. They learn to accept and meet their body and mind as they are while simultaneously challenging themselves to grow, change, and build strength. Yoga therapy also helps achieve relaxation, enjoyment in body sensations, and a sense of inner peace.

Here are some things we may do in a yoga therapy session:

• Breathing techniques (pranayama) to bring balance to the nervous system

• Movement and body postures (asana) to learn to listen to your body and develop strength, flexibility, calm, and energy

• Meditation and guided visualization (yoga nidra) to focus the mind, develop insight, rest the body, and increase ability to cope

• Mindfulness and compassion techniques to improve your relationship to thoughts, feelings, and behavioral change

• Lifestyle tools to for emotional regulation

Expressive Arts Therapy incorporates the use of creative arts–drama, dance/movement, visual art, music, poetry, prose, and storytelling–into the therapeutic process. The arts can be used in many ways, providing a rich form of self-expression as well as providing a space to experiment with problem-solving and new ways of being. Clients learn to create their lives as if they, too, were a work of art.

People with eating disorders are best supported by a multitude of providers–in addition to seeing a therapist, clients are advised to work with some of the following professionals: physicians, psychiatrists, registered dietitians, family therapists, and meal coaches. I value collaborating with other specialists and coordinate treatment closely with all other providers. When other providers are not yet part of a team, I can provide referrals. For clients coming from or going to higher levels of care, I work with your treatment program to provide continuity and consistency.

I also consider the client and the family to be the key members of the team! I welcome questions and feedback from clients and seek to always prioritize the client’s needs and wishes in co-creating a treatment plan.