Eating Disorder Therapy for Bulimia and Anorexia
Find the counseling you deserve to overcome your eating disorder
Eating disorder therapy is one of the most important components of the bulimia recovery process .
While working to become well might seem like a daunting process, with the help of the correct professionals you’ll unlock your potential for health and happiness and can begin to THRIVE!
Please check out our bulimia recovery ebook filled with real world experiences from recovered bulimics and how they found the best treatment along their road to recovery.
How do I find a local eating disorder therapist?
The best therapist for you can be found through many different resources. One way to start your search is online. Doing a search for “eating disorder therapist,” plus the name of your city is a great way to find specialists in your local area.
If you are a college student, consider going to your student counseling center or campus medical center and ask them what they know about different therapists or support groups where you live. Even if you aren’t attending your local college or university the staff can be a great resource to the community and are often more than willing to help someone find help for bulimia.
Another idea is to consider speaking to your general practitioner or therapist for a referral to bulimia therapists they know. Your doctor may also be able to help you navigate your insurance and which providers may or may not be covered by your particular insurance provider.
Why Eating Disorder Therapy?
Eating disorder therapy is not a crutch. It’s a helping hand from competent and compassionate professionals who have worked with other women just like you and who understand what you’re going through. It’s not unusual if you have bulimia or anorexia to feel isolated and alone. I know first hand how consuming and secretive an eating disorder is and taking steps to get help takes courage and a strong desire for a new life.
If this sounds like you, the most important thing to remember is this: you are not alone! There are millions of women out there just like you—either currently suffering from an eating disorder or going through the process of recovery. Working with a bulimia therapist can help you find partnership and support during your recovery. Suffering from an eating disorder can seem like a burden, but with the help of a trained eating disorder therapist, you will have a partner to work with throughout the process.
When considering out-patient therapy, there are essentially three different types available. Here are the most common methods and a little about each to help you get an idea what would be best for you.
Family Therapy & Bulimia
Instead of a one-on-one counselor to patient relationship, an eating disorder therapist works with the patient’s entire family. Family therapy has been found to be most helpful for teens still living at home. I personally feel family therapy can be effective when there are addictive tendencies in members of the immediate family (or spouse/partner) or there is great influence and control exerted upon the bulimic and successfully healing and recovering could be achieved if the entire family underwent therapy.
Group Therapy for Bulimia
Group therapy involves working with a bulimia therapist (or an experienced coach) alongside others who are struggling with the disorder. While bulimics seem to have better outcomes with group therapy, partly due to the fact that anorexics tend to be more rigid, anxious and withdrawn, anorexics also have more trouble identifying and expressing their feelings. Group therapy helps you realize you are not alone and this is huge when you feel so isolated by your closet behaviors. With the support of a committed group of like-minded individuals and the guidance, compassion, and professionalism of a trained therapist, the path to recovery can be filled with connection and supportive relationships.
One-on-One Eating Disorders Therapy
A common choice if you’re seeking treatment for the first time is working with a trained professional therapist in a one-on-one environment. The 1:1 therapy sessions allow for a safe and private setting where you can discuss topics that might be uncomfortable or upsetting if discussed in front of a group. An individual therapy program can help you make big strides quickly because you’re working on your individual situation and the treatment can be custom tailored to your needs, thereby possibly speeding the healing process.
Need Help Choosing an Eating Disorder Therapist?
Once you’ve decided what type of therapy you want, please check out our advice for how to choose an eating disorder therapist.
The Treatment of Eating Disorders and You
I don’t think any recovered bulimic would tell you that recovery will be an easy process. It will require a lot of work, both on your part and your eating disorder coach or counselor. Whether you decide to work with a therapist in a family setting, with an eating disorder support group, or one-on-one, you’ll find that the support during the process will help uplift and guide you through the process.
Remember that the ultimate goal is your health and well being—and with the assistance of a trained counselor or therapist, you can start on the path to wellness and have the support you need to stay there!
We want to hear about your experience with eating disorder therapy. Contact us via email or post a comment below to let us know how you’re doing. Every recovery journey is unique and other can benefit from hearing what’s working or not working for you.