Binge Eating Disorder Therapy in Lynnwood, WA
Compassionate, Real Support for Women Ready to Break Free from Binge Eating
If you're struggling with binge eating disorder and feeling trapped in cycles of shame, restriction, and out-of-control eating episodes, you're not alone. I'm here to help you develop a healthier relationship with food and yourself through evidence-based binge eating disorder therapy that actually works.
I'm a licensed therapist in Lynnwood, Washington, specializing in treating binge eating disorder for women who are tired of feeling out of control around food. My approach isn't about quick fixes or more diet rules – it's about understanding what's really driving your eating behavior and developing sustainable strategies for recovery.
Understanding Binge Eating Disorder
Binge eating disorder is the most common eating disorder in the United States, affecting approximately 2.6% of adults. According to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, binge eating disorder involves recurrent binge eating episodes characterized by eating large amounts of food quickly, feeling out of control during these episodes, and experiencing significant distress about the eating behavior.
Unlike bulimia nervosa, people with binge eating disorder don't engage in compensatory behaviors like vomiting or excessive exercise. This eating disorder often develops due to various risk factors including dieting history, mental health conditions, trauma, and genetics.
Many women I work with have been “following the rules” their whole lives – always putting others first, struggling with perfectionism, and using food as a way to cope with overwhelming emotions. If this sounds familiar, know that your binge eating isn't a character flaw – it's your nervous system's way of trying to manage stress and negative emotions.
“The opposite of addiction isn’t sobriety - it’s connection”
— Johann Hari
My Approach to Binge Eating Disorder Therapy
Evidence-Based Treatment That Goes Beyond Surface Symptoms
I don't do the sit-back-and-nod thing. I'm actively engaged in every session, providing you with real tools and strategies while we address the deeper issues driving your relationship with food. My treatment approach combines several evidence-based psychological treatments:
Intuitive Eating Therapy
If you've been caught in the diet-binge cycle, intuitive eating can help you rebuild trust with your body's hunger and fullness cues. This approach helps normalize eating patterns and develops a peaceful relationship with all foods, including certain foods that currently feel scary or triggering.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
Research shows that cognitive behavioral therapy is the most effective treatment for binge eating disorder. We'll work together to identify the thoughts and emotions that trigger binge eating episodes and develop healthier coping strategies. This isn't about positive thinking – it's about changing the actual patterns that keep you stuck.
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)
ACT helps you develop emotional flexibility, learning to sit with difficult feelings without immediately turning to food. We'll practice mindfulness techniques that improve emotion regulation and help reduce binge eating episodes naturally.
Somatic awareness
talking here about increasing connection with body’s signals and cues. Talking about the dysregulated nervous system and the role that that plays in BED.
Brainspotting
This powerful body-based approach helps process trauma and stuck emotions that might be contributing to your binge eating disorder. It also addresses negative cognitions and beliefs about yourself that are another contributing factor to binge eating. Many clients find this particularly helpful when traditional talk therapy alone hasn't been enough.
Personalized Treatment Plans
Every woman's relationship with food is different, which is why I create individualized treatment plans based on your specific needs, history, and goals. Your treatment plan might focus heavily on trauma work, perfectionism patterns, family dynamics, breaking diet mentality, or developing better stress management skills – whatever will be most helpful for your recovery.
Who I Work With
My ideal client is a woman who's been struggling with binge eating disorder and is ready to try something different. Maybe you've tried every diet under the sun, worked with healthcare providers who didn't understand eating disorders, or felt like you were broken because nothing seemed to work long-term.
You might be someone who:
Experiences recurrent binge eating episodes that feel out of control
Has tried behavioral weight loss programs without lasting success
Struggles with negative emotions and uses food to cope
Feels shame and guilt around your eating behavior
Has been the "good girl" who over-functions and struggles to set boundaries
Is tired of the restrict-binge cycle and ready for real change
I work with women who are ready to do the deeper work of healing their relationship with food and themselves. This isn't about willpower or self-control – it's about understanding what's driving your eating behavior and developing healthier ways to meet those underlying needs.
Individual Therapy Services
Regular Therapy Sessions
I provide consistent, weekly therapy sessions where we can build rapport and work through the complex issues surrounding your binge eating disorder. I schedule sessions for 3-month blocks to provide stability and consistency in your treatment.
Intensive Therapy Sessions
Sometimes weekly sessions aren't enough to create the breakthrough you need. Intensive sessions allow us to dive deep into trauma work, process difficult emotions, and develop comprehensive coping strategies in focused, extended sessions.
Group Therapy Options
Binge Eating Group Therapy
Group therapy provides a powerful complement to individual work. In group sessions, you'll connect with other women who truly understand what you're going through. There's something magical about realizing you're not alone in your struggles with food and eating.
Women's Group Therapy
My women's groups address the broader issues that often contribute to binge eating disorder – perfectionism, people-pleasing, boundary setting, and learning to prioritize your own needs. These groups provide ongoing support and accountability as you work on developing a healthier relationship with yourself.
What Makes My Approach Different
Unlike healthcare providers who might focus solely on weight loss or symptom management, my approach addresses the whole person. I understand that binge eating disorder isn't really about food – it's about emotion regulation, trauma, perfectionism, and learning healthier ways to cope with life's challenges.
I bring my whole self to every session because this work matters too damn much to phone it in. I'll be real with you about what recovery looks like – the good, the messy, and everything in between. You won't get judgment from me; you'll get genuine understanding and practical tools that actually work.
Many of my clients have tried other forms of treatment without success. What often makes the difference is having a therapist who truly understands eating disorders and can provide the personalized support you need for lasting change.
Understanding the Recovery Process
Recovery from binge eating disorder isn't linear, and it doesn't look like never wanting to eat emotionally again. Real recovery means having more choices in how you respond to difficult emotions, being able to keep all foods in your house without fear, and bouncing back more quickly from setbacks.
The recovery process typically involves:
Understanding your personal triggers for binge eating episodes
Developing healthier coping strategies for negative emotions
Healing underlying trauma or emotional wounds
Learning to eat normally without restriction or bingeing
Building a support system that understands your journey
Addressing any related mental health concerns
Most people start feeling some relief within the first few months of treatment, though full recovery takes time and commitment. The key is finding a healthcare professional who understands eating disorders and can provide the support you need throughout the process.
Health Considerations
Binge eating disorder can lead to various health complications, including increased risk of high blood pressure, diabetes, heart disease, and gallbladder disease. Many people with binge eating disorder also struggle with body weight concerns and may have a higher body mass index. It’s important to note that weight cycling - gaining and losing weight over and over - causes more health issues than the BMi itself. I consider myself a HAES practitioner (Health At Every Size) and we will not focus on your body size, but rather how to best take care of the once precious body that you have.
However, effective treatment for binge eating disorder focuses on healing the eating disorder first, not on weight loss. Research shows that when people address the underlying psychological factors driving their binge eating, they often see improvements in both their eating behavior and overall health.
Getting Started
If you're ready to break free from binge eating disorder and develop a healthier relationship with food, I'd love to talk with you. I offer a free consultation where we can discuss what's been going on for you and whether my approach might be a good fit.
During our consultation, you can ask me anything about my background, treatment approach, what therapy looks like, or what you can expect from the recovery process. There's no pressure – just an honest conversation about where you are and where you want to be.
I currently accept Regence insurance through August 2026 and offer both in-person sessions here in Lynnwood and online sessions for added convenience.
Why Choose Specialized Eating Disorder Treatment
Working with a therapist who specializes in eating disorders makes a significant difference in treatment outcomes. General therapists, while well-meaning, often don't understand the complex psychological and physiological factors involved in binge eating disorder.
Specialized treatment means:
Understanding the difference between binge eating disorder and other eating disorders
Knowing how to address the restrict-binge cycle effectively
Having experience with evidence-based treatments that actually work
Understanding the role of trauma, perfectionism, and emotional regulation
Providing support that goes beyond symptom management
Take the Next Step
You don't have to continue struggling with binge eating disorder alone. Recovery is possible, and it starts with reaching out for support from someone who truly understands what you're going through.
If you're a woman in the Lynnwood area who's ready to break free from the cycle of binge eating, restriction, and shame, I'm here to help. Together, we can work toward a future where food isn't the enemy and you feel at peace in your own body.