Therapy for Eating Disorders in Denver and Across Colorado
Eating disorders can profoundly impact both physical health and emotional well-being, but recovery is possible with the right support.
Whether you're dealing with disordered eating patterns, body image concerns, or the emotional distress that often accompanies these struggles, we’re here to offer guidance and care. Our team is dedicated to helping you regain control, foster a positive relationship with food and your body, and embark on a journey toward healing.
We specialize in providing compassionate, evidence-based therapy for eating disorders, serving individuals in Denver and across Colorado.
What Are Eating Disorders?
Eating disorders are complex mental health conditions often characterized by unhealthy eating habits and a distorted body image, and distress around food and body. They can affect anyone, regardless of age, gender, or background.
Common types of eating disorders include:
Anorexia Nervosa: Involves extreme restriction of food intake, intense fear of gaining weight, and a distorted self-image.
Bulimia Nervosa: Characterized by cycles of binge eating followed by compensatory behaviors, such as vomiting or excessive exercise.
Binge Eating Disorder: Involves recurring episodes of eating large quantities of food, often accompanied by feelings of loss of control and distress.
Other Specified Feeding or Eating Disorders (OSFED): Includes a range of disordered eating behaviors that don’t meet the full criteria for the above categories.
Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder: Characterized by a limited range of foods consumed and an intense aversion to certain foods or eating situations. Unlike other eating disorders, ARFID does not involve concerns about body weight or shape. Instead, it often stems from sensory sensitivities, a fear of negative consequences (like choking), or a lack of interest in food.
Signs and Symptoms of Disordered Eating and Body Image Issues
Recognizing the signs of an eating disorder can be challenging. Some common symptoms include:
Preoccupation with weight, food, body image, and/or exercise
Significant weight loss or fluctuations
Withdrawal from social activities, especially those involving food
Emotional distress related to eating habits and body image
Physical symptoms such as fatigue, dizziness, or gastrointestinal issues
Causes and Risk Factors
The development of eating disorders is often influenced by a combination of genetic, biological, environmental, and psychological factors. Some risk factors include:
Family history of eating disorders or mental health issues
Sociocultural pressures regarding body image and appearance
History of trauma or abuse
Low self-esteem or perfectionism
Depression, anxiety, anger, or other disruptions in mood
Vulnerable personalities
Support and Treatment for Eating Disorders in Denver
Eating disorders can have serious physical and emotional consequences. Seeking professional help is crucial for recovery. With appropriate treatment, individuals can develop healthier relationships with food and their bodies and find freedom from the distress that can stem from struggling with an eating disorder.
If you or someone you know is struggling with an eating disorder, we’re here to help. Contact us today to schedule a consultation with Kayla, our eating disorder specialist, or learn more about our approach to the treatment of eating disorders.
FAQs About Therapy for Eating Disorders
What types of therapy are used to treat eating disorders?
In addition to CBT, Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) and Radically Open Dialectical Behavior Therapy (RO-DBT) are both effective therapies for treating different presentations of eating disorders. DBT is often used to help individuals who struggle with emotional dysregulation, impulsivity, and binge eating behaviors. It teaches skills in mindfulness, emotional regulation, distress tolerance, and interpersonal effectiveness, helping individuals gain more control over their emotions and actions, particularly in situations where food is used to cope with overwhelming feelings.
RO-DBT, on the other hand, is particularly helpful for those with more restrictive forms of eating disorders, such as Anorexia Nervosa. It focuses on individuals who may have an overly rigid, perfectionistic approach to life, often leading to behaviors like extreme food restriction. RO-DBT helps individuals develop greater emotional openness, flexibility, and social connection, addressing the isolation and control tendencies that often accompany restrictive eating disorders.
Both DBT and RO-DBT target the underlying emotional and psychological patterns that contribute to different types of disordered eating, offering tools to help individuals regain balance and create healthier relationships with food and their bodies.
How do I know if I or someone I know needs professional help for an eating disorder?
It can be difficult to recognize when eating habits have crossed into a disorder. Some warning signs include a preoccupation with weight or food, drastic weight changes, withdrawal from social situations involving food, or physical symptoms like dizziness or fatigue. Emotional distress around eating, such as intense guilt or shame, is also a red flag. If these behaviors are affecting daily life or relationships, it’s important to seek help. Early intervention can make a significant difference in recovery outcomes.
What can I expect during therapy for an eating disorder?
Therapy for eating disorders begins with a thorough assessment of your symptoms, history, and any underlying issues such as anxiety, depression, or trauma. Your therapist will then work with you to develop a personalized treatment plan. Therapy sessions often focus on addressing unhealthy thought patterns, developing coping strategies, improving body image, and gradually normalizing eating habits.
Some people may see significant improvement in a few months, while others may require longer-term support. Eating disorders often take time to address because they involve deep-seated patterns of thinking and behavior. Recovery is a process, and it's important to remember that progress may come in stages. With the right support and a tailored treatment plan, many individuals can achieve lasting recovery.
Find Freedom from Eating Disorders
