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 Nutritional supplement shakes play a vital role in eating disorder recovery by helping restore nutritional health. These shakes provide a high-calorie, nutrient-dense liquid option for those struggling to consume enough food, especially early in recovery when feelings of fullness can be challenging. Popular brands like Boost and Ensure offer various formulations, including dairy …
TL; DR Transitioning to college can be especially challenging for young adults with eating disorders. The stress of new environments, social pressures, and lifestyle changes can exacerbate their struggles. To assess readiness, it’s crucial to evaluate their recovery over the past six months, ensuring they’ve maintained a healthy weight, avoided eating disorder behaviors, and can …
TL;DR Family-Based Treatment (FBT) is not just for teens; it can be effective for adults, too. Originally designed for adolescents with anorexia and bulimia, FBT involves parental support in meal planning and supervision, which is crucial for recovery. Recent evidence suggests its application extends to young adults and older individuals, with many successfully using it …
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 …
![ARFID in College[Image description: photo of 3 college students in college dining hall, represents potential students with ARFID in college in California]](https://www.eatingdisordertherapyla.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/shutterstock_26147331192-1024x1024.jpg)
Going to College With ARFID: What to Know Going to college with Avoidant Restrictive Food Intake Disorder (ARFID) can be challenging for many reasons. Many people with ARFID find eating to be a chore and unpleasant, and the added stress of college, eating in front of others at the dining hall, and limited food options. …
![Eating Disorders and Bariatric Surgery [Image description: purple scrabble tiles spelling "Eating Disorders and Bariatric Surgery"]](https://www.eatingdisordertherapyla.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/IMG_21292-1024x767.jpg)
Health professionals often recommend bariatric surgery for patients with larger bodies. A large body size, referred to in the medical world as “obesity,”—a term we will not use unless citing medical data— is not the same as an eating disorder. Yet, there is an intersection. A considerable number of people considering bariatric surgery may have …
![Speakers at FEAST special webinar [Image description: "Promoting Life in the Treatment of Severe and Enduring Eating Disorders" featuring speakers Lauren Muhlheim, Psy.D., Lucene Wisniewski, Ph.D., Judy Krasna, Angela Guarda, MD & Walter Kay, MD. "Wed, Feb 28. 2024" Register at www.FEAST.ED.org"]](https://www.eatingdisordertherapyla.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/IMG_1604-1006x1024.jpg)
Dr. Muhlheim is busy with several speaking and training engagements this spring. See where you can catch her below. On February 4, she’ll be a speaker at the 2024 Families Empowered and Supporting Treatment of Eating Disorders (FEAST) of Knowledge. Her topic is Stages of Recovery: Setting Parental Expectations. Registration is available through FEAST’s website. …
Post by Carly Poynter, Psy.D., staff therapist What is Orthorexia? Orthorexia is an eating disorder in which an individual is fixated on the quality of food and avoidance—in the pursuit of health—of foods labeled as “unhealthy” or “bad.” The person continues to pursue “health” despite experiencing considerable negative health consequences and an impact on psychological …
![Therapy for ARFID in Children in California [Image description: a boy eating breakfast of cereal and juice and looking unhappy] Represents a potential client receiving counseling for ARFID in California](https://www.eatingdisordertherapyla.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Shutterstock_10970257732-1024x683.jpg)
Does My Child Have Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder (ARFID)? For the most part, kids are pickier eaters than adults. If your child is a “picky eater” you may be wondering whether their eating is normal or not. You may have heard about Avoidant Restrictive Food Intake Disorder (ARFID) and wonder whether your child might have …