Binge eating disorder treatment
Compassionate, Real Support for Women Ready to Break Free from Binge Eating
Binge eating disorder treatment can help you break free from cycles of shame, restriction, and out-of-control eating episodes that leave you feeling trapped and alone. I'm here to guide you toward a healthier relationship with food and yourself through evidence-based therapy that actually works – not another diet plan or quick fix that leaves you right back where you started.
Binge eating disorder treatment in my Lynnwood, Washington practice is designed specifically for women who are tired of feeling out of control around food and ready for real, lasting change. As a licensed therapist, my approach goes deeper than managing symptoms – I help you understand what's truly driving your eating behavior so we can develop sustainable strategies for recovery that honor your body and your story.
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.
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 different consultations lengths 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.
Getting Started
Wondering if you struggle with emotional eating? Download this FREE checklist now to see a better picture of your relationship with food
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.
Located at:
Lynnwood, WA
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
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Binge eating disorder treatment in my practice is rooted in understanding what's happening beneath the surface of your eating behaviors. We work together to explore the emotions, trauma, and patterns that drive binge episodes. I use modalities like Brainspotting, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, and Intuitive Eating Therapy to help you heal your relationship with food from the inside out. Sessions are collaborative, direct, and focused on your specific needs. This isn't about meal plans or food tracking. It's about getting to the root of why binge eating has become your coping mechanism.
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My approach to binge eating disorder treatment rejects diet culture completely. I don't believe in restriction, counting calories, or labeling foods as good or bad because those approaches often make binge eating worse. Instead, I help you tune into your body's signals, understand your triggers, and develop real coping strategies that don't involve controlling food. We look at the whole picture: your trauma history, your relationship with yourself, the ways you've learned to push down difficult emotions. This is body-led, trauma-informed healing that respects your intuition instead of fighting against it.
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The timeline for binge eating disorder treatment varies because everyone's healing journey is different. Some women find significant relief within a few months, while others need longer to work through deeper trauma or longstanding patterns. I schedule sessions consistently for three-month blocks, which gives us time to build momentum and see real progress. Some clients benefit from my intensive therapy options for more concentrated healing work. What matters most isn't rushing through treatment but creating lasting change that sticks. Recovery isn't linear, and I'm here to support you through all of it.
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Absolutely, and honestly, that's the only way true recovery happens. Binge eating disorder treatment in my practice is specifically designed to help you heal without dieting because restriction is often what fuels the binge cycle in the first place. When you restrict food or follow rigid eating rules, your body and brain eventually rebel, leading to those out-of-control eating episodes you're trying to stop. I help you break this cycle by teaching you to trust your body again, eat intuitively, and address the real reasons you turn to food for comfort. You can recover and have food freedom at the same time.
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Yes, I offer a Binge Eating Group where women can connect with others who understand what they're going through. Group therapy provides a powerful space to share struggles, celebrate wins, and realize you're not alone in this. Many women find that hearing others' stories helps them understand their own patterns better. The group setting also allows you to practice vulnerability and learn from different perspectives on recovery. I also offer individual binge eating disorder treatment for those who prefer one-on-one work, and some clients choose to do both for maximum support.
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Trauma plays a huge role in binge eating disorder, and it's something we absolutely address in treatment. Many women I work with have used food to cope with difficult emotions, past trauma, or overwhelming stress. Binge eating often develops as a survival mechanism when you didn't have other ways to manage what you were experiencing. I use trauma-focused modalities like Brainspotting and Accelerated Resolution Therapy to help you process the underlying wounds driving your eating behaviors. Healing from binge eating disorder means healing the whole person, not just changing your relationship with food.
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If you're experiencing regular episodes of eating large amounts of food in a short period, feeling out of control during these episodes, and dealing with shame or distress afterward, professional binge eating disorder treatment can help. You might notice you're eating when you're not physically hungry, eating until you're uncomfortably full, or eating in secret because you're embarrassed. Maybe you've tried to stop on your own but keep falling back into the same patterns. If binge eating is affecting your quality of life, your mental health, or your sense of self-worth, reaching out for support is a sign of strength, not weakness.
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Your first session is about getting comfortable with each other and understanding what's really going on for you. We'll talk about your history with food, your relationship with your body, what you've tried before, and what isn't working. I'll ask about your goals for treatment and what recovery looks like to you. This is also when you get to ask me questions and see if my approach feels right. I want you to know from the start that I'm not here to judge you or put you on another restrictive plan. I'm here to help you understand yourself better and find real, sustainable healing.
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Intuitive Eating Therapy is a core part of my binge eating disorder treatment because it helps you rebuild trust with your body and food. When you've been stuck in diet culture or restricting for years, you've likely lost touch with your natural hunger and fullness cues. Intuitive Eating teaches you to listen to your body again, honor your hunger, and let go of food rules that keep you trapped in the binge-restrict cycle. It's not about eating whatever you want whenever you want. It's about reconnecting with your body's wisdom and learning that you can trust yourself around food again.
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My binge eating disorder treatment is effective because I get it. I understand the pressure women face to look a certain way, to be productive, to keep everyone else happy while ignoring their own needs. I work specifically with women who've been people-pleasers, perfectionists, and over-functioners, because I know how those patterns show up in your relationship with food. My approach combines evidence-based therapy with a spiritual, body-led perspective that honors your whole self. I'm engaged and present in every session, and I'll be real with you about what's working and what's not. This is personalized care that meets you exactly where you are.