Therapists

I am a proud Health at Every Size clinician. ‘Health at Every Size’ (or HAES) is an approach and a growing movement which is based on the belief that everyone, at every size, is capable of pursuing health-related behaviors if they wish to, irrespective of weight loss. This approach recognizes that diets do not work and that attempts to lose weight almost always perpetuate weight cycling (rapid weight loss and weight gain) and disordered eating, and ultimately cause more harm than they do good. The HAES approach also embraces the concept of body diversity—the simple fact that there are many, many kinds of bodies in this world, as there always have been and always will be—and that all bodies are good bodies, worthy and fully deserving of respect.

This approach doesn't negate the unfortunate fact that we live in a world of diet culture, fatphobia, and weight stigma, and many parents worry about how to protect their children from the toxic messaging diet culture sends. I can help you get grounded in the HAES approach and mindset, and if necessary, help you 'do your own work' with respect to body image and beliefs around food and weight, empowering you to break the inter-generational cycle of diet-related trauma and poor body image. As of 10/29/20, I'm only offering telehealth services (virtual or video therapy) in response to the pandemic, and plan to continue offering telehealth moving forward.

Family-based treatment and education help with boundaries. We also have Life Coaches available with one specializing in disordered eating.

I have been working with people struggling with body image and eating disorders since 1983. Having recovered from an eating disorder as a teen and young adult, I have dedicated my life to trying to support others in truly understanding this illness. Parents are a child's most important support system and they should always feel welcomed into a therapist's office. I work with the family and ask them to join the team as collaborators.

In all sessions I do counseling and I help my clients to explore the principles of HAES and intuitive eating as they are ready. I practice from a trauma-informed perspective and frequently help clients to brainstorm ways in which they can manage difficult life situations and relationships. If the client is also interested in hypnotherapy, then we incorporate a range of different hypnotic techniques into the session which can help to integrate the counseling. I can help support parents who have kids with eating or body issues through education, building compassion skills, and teaching relational skills.

I love working with families and couples to help with eating and body issues. My background is in marriage and family therapy and the intersection of this area and eating/body issues are my passions. I work with families and couples to provide therapy and necessary resources for the entire family system. I generally work from a systems perspective to find the role of the eating and body issues and find other workable ways to meet this same need. I offer support groups for families and individuals as well.

We understand that eating disorders are not “black and white”, and every child is different. We also know that early intervention in eating and body image concerns results in better outcomes. The evidence-based methods we use are rooted in science to help children and adolescents improve and overcome their own unique mental health struggles.

We begin each relationship with an initial consultation, in which we take the time to get to know your child’s particular struggles and concerns with eating and body image, mood, anxiety and fears, and any concerns related to experiencing trauma.

My approach is eclectic in that my way of being with clients/patients is client-centered, I conceptualize psychodynamically, and I use CBT techniques when indicated. Although I treat adult patients I am willing to work with parents about how best to support their child who has eating/body/weight issues. First and foremost I talk with them about making sure anyone providing treatment to their child is weight neutral and educated in what eating disorders are/are not. I encourage them to rely on those providers to do what they are trained to do and that parents should do the same - that is they are best equipped to love and support their child in a way that no provider can (the caveat to this is FBT/Maudsley method for tx of anorexia nervosa). I allow parents to express their concerns and ask whatever questions they have - providing the best answers I have and/or directing them to exceptional resources.

I am a NYC-based therapist, specializing in the treatment of eating disorders, disordered eating, trauma and body image dissatisfaction. I approach treatment through a Health at Every Size, fat positive, weight neutral, social justice and trauma-informed lens. I am in the processes of becoming a Body Trust Certified Provider through Be Nourished and have extensive training in evidence-based treatment models (DBT, DBT-PE, CBT-E and ACT).