![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 have bulimia nervosa, being at a weight lower than your body’s natural high point ( known as weight suppression) may actually be fueling your binge eating. When the body is pushed below its natural weight, hormones like leptin drop, metabolism slows, and appetite increases, making bingeing the body’s way of fighting back …
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 Family-Based Treatment (FBT) is a specialized, evidence-based therapy for children and teens with eating disorders, developed in the 1970s and 1980s. It’s important for parents to differentiate true FBT from general family therapy or other approaches, as not all treatments that claim to be FBT are fully compliant with its structured methodology. Key indicators …
![Eating on a date with ARFID [Image description: a man and a woman smiling at each other seated at a table. The man holds a glass and the woman has food in front of her] Depicts a potential couple on a date where one of the members has ARFID](https://www.eatingdisordertherapyla.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/happy-valentines-day-1807617_1280-1024x682.jpg)
by Carly Poynter, Psy.D. & Emily Walker, AMFT Dating under normal circumstances is hard. Nerves are high. Palms get sweaty. And you wonder nervously, ‘Does this person like me?’ Many people find dating challenging, even though common dating activities are supposedly fun. Many first dates revolve around meeting over food or drinks — grabbing a …
![Are you ready to begin eating disorder therapy [Image description: a man wearing a purple sweatshirt is looking at his calendar on a wall] Represents a person beginning eating disorder therapy in California](https://www.eatingdisordertherapyla.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/DALL·E-2023-10-21-19.40.45-a-drawing-of-a-person-viewed-from-the-rear-and-they-are-looking-at-and-holding-a-purple-calendar2.png)
Maybe you’ve been thinking about getting help for a while but haven’t known where to look. Or perhaps someone has recently confronted you about your eating and you’re feeling pressured to get help now. Or maybe your problems have recently begun to feel worse. Even so, you’re still not sure it’s the right time. It’s …
![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 …
![Early morning eating disorder therapy in California [Image description: a woman sits in bed drinking her coffee] illustrating a potential client drinking coffee during her early morning therapy session in California]](https://www.eatingdisordertherapyla.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/bodyliberationstock-89526-2-1024x683.jpeg)
Rise and Shine! Start your day in California with an early morning virtual psychotherapy session at 6 am, 7 am, or 8 am If you are struggling with an eating disorder, including anorexia, bulimia, binge eating disorder, OSFED, ARFID, or atypical anorexia, we know scheduling can be tough. We are aware that it is difficult …
![Regular Eating in Eating Disorder Recovery in Los Angeles [photo description: a black couple smiling as they wash and cut vegetables] Represents a possible person in recovery from an eating disorder engaging in regular eating in Los Angeles, CA.](https://www.eatingdisordertherapyla.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/allgo-an-app-for-plus-size-people-lAXOrQqrEjM-unsplash1.jpg)
If you have been struggling with an eating disorder or disordered eating, step one of recovery requires the establishment of daily regular eating. This is important for people with anorexia, bulimia, binge eating disorder, and ARFID in all body sizes. Regular eating is one of the earliest goals of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) for Eating …
![CBT plus HAES for Eating Disorders [Image description: large bodied gender neutral person seated and facing a therapist whose back is to the camera] represents a potential client with an eating disorder receiving CBT plus HAES in Los Angeles, California](https://www.eatingdisordertherapyla.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/allgo-an-app-for-plus-size-people-OxwQT1woe-Y-unsplash.jpg)
“What is Weight-Inclusive Cognitive Behavioral Therapy CBT-WI? Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy is the most effective approach for treating adults with eating disorders, including bulimia nervosa and binge eating disorder. The most recent, commonly taught, and implemented version is an “enhanced” protocol, CBT-E (Fairburn, Christopher G., 2008). Unfortunately, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) for eating disorders is not always …