![Joyful Eating in Los Angeles, California [Image description: drawing of 2 females joyfully eating ice cream] Represents potential eating disorder counseling clients in Los Angeles, California challenging diet rules and eating even when not hungry](https://www.eatingdisordertherapyla.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/ice-cream-final1-1024x708.jpg)
TL;DR “Only eat when you’re hungry” is one of diet culture’s most deeply ingrained rules, and one of the most harmful for people recovering from eating disorders. The truth is, there are many valid reasons to eat even when hunger isn’t present, including: Eating disorder recovery: following a structured meal plan helps restore hunger and …
TL;DR If you’ve ever felt out of control around sugar and wondered if you’re addicted, the real culprit is likely restriction, not addiction. The concept of “sugar addiction” is widely discussed in diet culture and wellness spaces, but the science doesn’t support it. Animal studies show that addictive-like behaviors around sugar only appear when access …
TL; DR If you’re stuck in a cycle of binge eating, the solution may be the opposite of what you’d expect. Restriction and dieting are most likely the root cause of your bingeing, not a lack of willpower or emotional weakness. Our bodies are biologically wired to overeat in response to food deprivation, a survival …
TL; DR In Family-Based Treatment, parents play a crucial role in helping their teens recover from eating disorders by providing adequate nutrition. Here’s a simplified overview of how much to feed: Feed More Than You Think: Healthy teens, especially those needing weight restoration, often require 2000-6000 calories daily. Early weight gain (4-5 pounds in the …
Carly Poynter, Psy.D., Licensed Psychologist (PSY 36704) In-person and telehealth Who I Am Hello! My name is Carly Poynter. I am a licensed psychologist. What I Do My primary clinical focus and passion is working with individuals struggling with feeding and eating disorders. I also frequently help with other conditions including PTSD, OCD, and postpartum …
![Help for night eating syndrome in Los Angeles, California [Image description: drawing of a person standing near a refrigerator and the moon is in the background] Represents a potential person with night eating syndrome seeking counseling in Los Angeles, California](https://www.eatingdisordertherapyla.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/DALL·E-2023-06-10-16.36.12-a-drawing-of-a-person-in-purple-pajamas-holding-open-a-refrigerator-door-and-that-person-is-looking-inside-the-refrigerator-and-it-is-dark-and-the-onl2.png)
Do you find yourself eating late into the night? Do you wake up and eat large meals before going back to sleep? Have you wondered whether this is an eating disorder? Read on to learn more about the problem and how we can help. What is Night Eating Syndrome? Night Eating Syndrome (NES) is a …
![Eating Disorder Recovery Journey [Image description: drawing of a happy woman driving in a purple car] Represents a client in eating disorder recovery in Los Angeles, California](https://www.eatingdisordertherapyla.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/DALL·E-2023-06-05-12.41.25-a-drawing-of-a-purple-car-driving-on-a-road-and-there-is-a-happy-woman-leaning-out-of-the-drivers-window.png)
Relapse Prevention Plan A relapse prevention plan is an important tool for maintaining recovery. Complete this worksheet created by EDTLA’s therapist, Carly Poynter, MA. Recovering from an eating disorder takes time. You did not develop your eating disorder overnight and it will not go away that quickly either. It is important to remember that recovery …
![Sharon Maxwell shopping while fat in recovery in Los Angeles, California [Image description: photo of a happy fat woman holding clothing at the Plus Bus in Los Angeles, CA]](https://www.eatingdisordertherapyla.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/image1-768x1024.jpg)
Shopping While Fat–And Recovering by Sharon Maxwell, Practice Manager Growing up, I loved the concept of shopping. But as a fat person, I rarely actually enjoyed it. It wasn’t that I didn’t like shopping or finding new things. However, an invitation to go shopping with friends meant that the message that my body was intrinsically …
![Horseback riding when fat [Image description: back of a fat person with long flowing blonde hair and a purple shirt, riding a horse]](https://www.eatingdisordertherapyla.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/DALL·E-2023-01-25-21.27.36-a-fat-person-with-long-flowing-hair-wearing-a-purple-t-shirt-riding-a-horse-viewed-from-the-back-at-a-distance-in-style-of-oil-painting1-1024x1024.png)
By Carolyn Comas, LCSW, CEDS-S, Clinical Supervisor Can you horseback ride if you are fat? Navigating the world in a fat body can be frustrating and may feel disheartening. There are, unfortunately, some activities and spaces that do not accommodate people in large bodies. When someone in a big body encounters spaces that do …
![What Parents Need to Know About Diet Culture [Image description: a larger woman smashing a scale] Represents a potential parent of a teen receiving eating disorder counseling in Los Angeles, California](https://www.eatingdisordertherapyla.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/bodyliberationstock-51970_ccexpress.jpg)
Parents and Diet Culture Many parents experience guilt when their teen is diagnosed with an eating disorder. Nearly every parent can point to a time they themselves dieted, opted not to have a dessert they really wanted, expressed a preference toward thinness, or discouraged their child from keeping eating. You may have done things to …