eating disorders

Why Your Black & White Thinking Makes Your Anxiety Worse

Why Your Black & White Thinking Makes Your Anxiety Worse

When you approach your life in extremes, it either all works out, or it’s a horrible failure.  But even if it all works out, it’s fleeting and temporary.  You still fall back into the pattern of aiming for the “all” and fearing the “nothing.”  This is an exhausting

Healing the True Hungers Beneath Emotional Eating

Healing the True Hungers Beneath Emotional Eating

If your eating feels out of control to you, it could be a sign that there is something you are avoiding feeling, experiencing or doing. Getting to know the true hungers at the root of emotional eating and disordered eating can give you a new way to heal.

Releasing Shame to Heal Your Relationship with Food & Body Image

Releasing Shame to Heal Your Relationship with Food & Body Image

All the efforts you make to change or “perfect” yourself only deepen your feelings of shame.  You are constantly in a state of “I’m not ok, unless....

The Insidious Nature of Shame and Finding Your Way Out (Part 3)

The Insidious Nature of Shame and Finding Your Way Out (Part 3)

You may wonder how Shame shows up in your own life, or you may already have a good sense of that.  Usually shame is so deeply rooted that only what is noticed on the surface is your first clue. (The first 2 parts of the series will help you understand how it developed in the first place)

The Insidious Nature of Shame and Finding Your Way Out (Part 2)

The Insidious Nature of Shame and Finding Your Way Out (Part 2)

Since shame usually develops slowly over time, from early experiences with caretakers and family dynamics, Shame develops as a sense of self.  

The Insidious Nature of Shame and Finding Your Way Out (Part 1)

The Insidious Nature of Shame and Finding Your Way Out (Part 1)

Shame is a tricky emotion.  I call it insidious because it really creeps in slowly and subtly, almost stealth.  It doesn’t rise up quickly like rage, panic, or excitement.  It holds on tight just beneath the surface and colors one’s perception of themselves in their world and in their relationships. 

Mac 'n Cheese, Comfort Food, and Oxytocin

Mac 'n Cheese, Comfort Food, and Oxytocin

What struck me was the attraction of the warm and creamy texture of this delectable food.  It made me think about how often mac and cheese serves the function of a comfort food.  The kind that will be soothing, calming, nurturing, and just all around feel good.  I also started thinking about the need this type of food meets for anyone indulging for emotional reasons.

Dear Client Fighting an Eating Disorder,

Dear Client Fighting an Eating Disorder,

You will get to a point when you are free from these food and body tortures.  An eating disorder is like being in a prison.  I know you are stuck there and hate it but you also feel like you can’t live without it.  It’s the worst kind of dilemma you can find yourself in. 

Your Voice - Embracing Your True Self

Your Voice - Embracing Your True Self

If I look at a typical week in my work with clients I must comment on someone finding and using their voice several times a week.  But what does that even mean?