If you’re needing support and help to heal, therapy for eating disorders in Alabama can help.
You are not sure when it started, but you have an unhealthy relationship with food. You’re restricting certain foods, skipping meals, or binging and purging. Maybe you have anxiety about your body and food.
Perhaps, you’re struggling with starting diets only to fall off and feel like a failure. Maybe you diet often and your weight is constantly fluctuating. Or, anytime you eat “unhealthy” foods, you feel guilty and ashamed. You just know this isn’t how life is supposed to be and you to feel better. Or, you feel like you can’t control your eating habits and it’s negatively impacting your life.
What is an Eating Disorder?
An eating disorder is “an unhealthy relationship with food and eating that negatively impacts one’s life.” This could look like someone who is not eating enough (restricting), eating too much (binging), or vomiting after eating (purging).
Signs of an Eating Disorder can include:
- Unhealthy thoughts or feelings relative to their body and food
- A relationship with food that they cannot control
- Anxiety about their appearance
- Chronic weight fluctuations
- Unhealthy routines or habits related to food
- Guilt and shame associated with eating
These are just a few signs that you or a loved one may be struggling with an eating disorder. It’s important to note that not everyone will experience all of these signs and symptoms.
Types of Eating Disorders
There are four main types of eating disorders: anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, binge eating disorder, and diabulimia. Our team of professionals has experience working with individuals struggling with all types of eating disorders. We strive to provide a supportive environment where you can feel safe to share your experiences and start the journey to healing.
Anorexia
Anorexia is the type of eating disorder where you may not consume enough calories, you may over-exercise, and have an intense fear of gaining weight. You may also not eat for long periods and may avoid social situations.
Bulimia
With bulimia, you may eat food but then purge it through vomiting or over-exercising. This can be done in cycles and you may feel like you can’t control your eating. This can be triggered by the guilt of eating “bad” foods.
Binge Eating Disorder
If you have a binge eating disorder, you may eat large amounts of food in a short amount of time. This can lead to feeling out of control, feeling ashamed, and feeling guilty. You may also have a hard time stopping once you start eating.
Diabulimia
Diabulimia is when someone with diabetes withholds insulin to lose weight. This can be extremely dangerous. It can also lead to long-term health complications.
How Can Therapy for Eating Disorders Be Beneficial?
Eating Disorder Therapy can help you heal your relationship with food and your body. It’s not about weight loss or following a diet. It’s about learning that you are worthy and lovable just as you are. But, also learning skills to cope with difficult emotions more productively.
Some benefits of seeking treatment are:
- Improved self-esteem
- A decrease in anxiety
- An improved relationship with food
- A sense of control in your life
- Improved physical health
Treatment for eating disorders will look different for each person. Our team of caring therapists will work together to create a treatment plan that is unique to you and your needs.
Our Therapists Can Help
At Aspire Counseling and Consulting Services, our team of caring therapists has worked with many individuals struggling with eating disorders. We have had patients come seeking support to get off the diet rollercoaster or who are needing help to heal their relationship with food. With time and support from our therapists, they were able to better manage their stress without using food. They were able to have a more positive relationship with their bodies, and they felt more in control of their lives. These patients were able to learn to let go of the control they exert over their food choices and live a more joyful life.
Our Approach to Eating Disorder Therapy
Our approach to eating disorder treatment is meeting weekly or bi-weekly depending on your preference and needs. As a team our focus is more on therapy and counseling as opposed to treatment language. This means that we will work together to understand your thoughts, feelings, and behaviors relative to your body and food. Your therapy plan is customizable to meet your needs, but will not be comprised of a full treatment team. However, we can collaborate with other providers, if needed.
We are Here to Help You Feel Peace in this Life Change
We understand that seeking treatment for an eating disorder can be scary. That you are scared of feeling judged or that you will be told to just do the opposite of what you have been doing. But, that’s not how we work here. We meet you where you are at and support you on your journey to living a more joy-filled life.
Ready to Start Therapy for Eating Disorders in Alabama?
You have been through enough. You don’t have to go through this alone. Our compassionate and understanding therapists at Aspire Counseling and Consulting Services are here to help. We will support you as you work to heal your relationship with food and your body. To get started on your journey:
- Schedule an appointment
- Learn more about our team of therapists
- Start living the life you want to live
Other Mental Health Services at Aspire Counseling and Consulting Services
Our team at Aspire Counseling and Consulting services understands you may be struggling with more than an eating disorder. We also have a variety of other mental health services to help you with those struggles as well. You may be struggling with depression due to your eating disorder. Maybe you are having anger issues because of the stress that has been put on your body. Or, you just need individual counseling to help you cope with the life changes that have happened because of your eating disorder. Regardless, we are here to help and support you. We also offer in-person and online therapy services.
