Joan Lavendar PSD - Comprehensive Personalized Psychotherapy Services

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Help for your eating disorder

  • Anorexia Nervosa
  • Bulimia Nervosa
  • Compulsive Exercise
  • Disordered Eating
  • Body Image Issues
  • Associated relationship, family and work problems

Eating and body size problems are often initiated by over concern with the media and contemporary views of what people's bodies should look like. But then, these problems take on a life of their own, as a person attempts to manage emotional or life problems by changing their diet, eating style or size. This can lead to serious emotional and medical problems. And it does not solve the problems in living.

Eating disorders can be confusing as well as distressing. The symptoms – of restricting, overeating, purging, etc. – can serve different purposes at different times, and may seem impossible to give up. So here is a good place to start:

It takes a lot of courage to start the process of therapy. You may feel now that all this is your fault so you have to solve the problem all on your own. People with eating disorders have very high standards for themselves. After all, it takes a lot of energy to maintain an eating disorder in secrecy! And not eating is quite a challenge too. So it will take serious dedication on my part to help you to trust me as part of your recovery process.

Maybe you feel that you must look your best. That's understandable. But you will find out that while looks may matter, in the long run they just aren't the key to a better life. Food restriction, overeating and compulsive exercise have been your best attempt to manage your feelings and experiences. One goal is to give you permission to move from secrecy to openness. Once you do this, you can use the support of your friends and family (ideally) to help you feel better about yourself. You may also need the help of a supportive physician and knowledgeable nutritional counselor.

Relief from symptoms is, of course, a major part of the process, but you will probably decide to get more out of your therapy. Eating disorders often affect other aspects of your life, such as school, work, family, and love life; I am ready to help you go the distance to create a life that you feel proud of.

I will help you to understand the types of eating disorder services available for your needs. My network of related professionals includes psychiatric evaluation for medication management, medical providers, inpatient and intensive programs and nutritional care. If you need a team approach, I will help you find the best team members and will coordinate their services. We will work on your life together at your pace.

  • What kind of symptoms/diagnoses can you get help for?

  • Adjustment Reactions
  • Anorexia Nervosa
  • Anxiety Disorders
  • Bipolar Mood Disorder
  • Body Image
  • Bulimia Nervosa
  • Complex Post Traumatic Stress Disorder
  • Depression and Mood Disorders
  • Dissociative Disorders
  • Personality Issues: Overly Sensitive, Intense, Moody, Avoidant, Self-Defeating, Obsessive-compulsive, Perfectionistic
  • Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder
  • Social Phobia
  • Somatization
  • Women's Issues

  • What kind of life situations can you get help for?

  • Abuse and neglect
  • Adult siblings
  • College transition
  • Competition, jealousy and envy
  • Cross-cultural situations
  • Creativity, talent and accomplishment
  • Family
  • Friendship issues
  • Grief and loss
  • Intimacy
  • Loneliness and Aging
  • Work

  • For

  • Individuals (older adolescents and adults)
  • Couples
  • Families
  • Groups
  • Joan Lavendar Office Phone Number