When Food Is Family

Sex

Sexual Communication: Unpacking Motivation and Intent

Judy Scheel Ph.D., L.C.S.W., CEDS, PLLC on July 22, 2026

Understanding what we are truly motivated by, which is reflected in our sexual behaviors and communication, can help us get what we want.

Understanding what we are truly motivated by, which is reflected in our sexual behaviors and communication, can help us get what we want.

Eating Disorders

Multi-Determinism in Eating Disorders

Judy Scheel Ph.D., L.C.S.W., CEDS, PLLC on March 17, 2026

Theoretical approaches, treatment preferences, and clinician bias all play a role in the ways we understand eating disorders.

Theoretical approaches, treatment preferences, and clinician bias all play a role in the ways we understand eating disorders.

Eating Disorders

Motivation and Manualized Treatment for Eating Disorders

Judy Scheel Ph.D., L.C.S.W., CEDS, PLLC on December 10, 2025

Much has changed in how we understand and treat eating disorders. Some significant aspects have remained consistent or stalled. Here's why.

Much has changed in how we understand and treat eating disorders. Some significant aspects have remained consistent or stalled. Here's why.

Therapy

How the Language of Therapy Is Changing

Judy Scheel Ph.D., L.C.S.W., CEDS, PLLC on June 12, 2024

What we have lost or gained in the shift in therapeutic terminology?

What we have lost or gained in the shift in therapeutic terminology?

Eating Disorders

Ethical Considerations for Patients With Eating Disorders

Judy Scheel Ph.D., L.C.S.W., CEDS, PLLC on May 31, 2024

Eating disorder treatment is rife with sensitive and ethical treatment considerations. Adding telehealth therapy to the mix creates new opportunities and potential risks.

Eating disorder treatment is rife with sensitive and ethical treatment considerations. Adding telehealth therapy to the mix creates new opportunities and potential risks.

Media

When Social Media Is Used to Harm

Judy Scheel Ph.D., L.C.S.W., CEDS, PLLC on October 10, 2023

Personal Perspective: Social media provides a platform for hatred, abuse, and lies; none of that reality escapes even the most generous individuals, including psychotherapists.

Personal Perspective: Social media provides a platform for hatred, abuse, and lies; none of that reality escapes even the most generous individuals, including psychotherapists.

Eating Disorders

Relational Origins of Eating Disorders

Judy Scheel Ph.D., L.C.S.W., CEDS, PLLC on December 28, 2022

Empathic responses, compassion, and not taking the bait are tools for family members of those struggling with eating disorders to reach for throughout the holiday season.

Empathic responses, compassion, and not taking the bait are tools for family members of those struggling with eating disorders to reach for throughout the holiday season.

Trauma

When Complex Trauma & Severe Character Pathology Meet Part 2

Judy Scheel Ph.D., L.C.S.W., CEDS, PLLC on September 20, 2022

Part II of this series explores treatment options for complex trauma patients with severe character pathology and clinical considerations for the treating providers.

Part II of this series explores treatment options for complex trauma patients with severe character pathology and clinical considerations for the treating providers.

Trauma

When Complex Trauma and Severe Character Pathology Meet

Judy Scheel Ph.D., L.C.S.W., CEDS, PLLC on August 8, 2022

How sadism and masochism, rage and pain, loss and empathy, define the patient with complex trauma and severe character pathology.

How sadism and masochism, rage and pain, loss and empathy, define the patient with complex trauma and severe character pathology.

Anxiety

Anxiety Is a Mask and a Symptom, Not Just an Evolutionary Signal

Judy Scheel Ph.D., L.C.S.W., CEDS, PLLC on May 31, 2022

Anxiety may motivate us toward action, but its purpose and use are more psychologically complex.

Anxiety may motivate us toward action, but its purpose and use are more psychologically complex.

Eating Disorders

Eating Disorder Symptoms and Shame

Judy Scheel Ph.D., L.C.S.W., CEDS, PLLC on July 23, 2019

Guilt and fear of wrongdoing often induce shame in people with eating disorders. Examining what underlies shame aids in recovery.

Guilt and fear of wrongdoing often induce shame in people with eating disorders. Examining what underlies shame aids in recovery.

Eating Disorders

Crossing the Divide: Eating Disorder in Full Recovery

Judy Scheel Ph.D., L.C.S.W., CEDS, PLLC on December 4, 2018

What is full recovery from an eating disorder? How might resilience play a role and what contributes to a person's decision/capacity to recover fully?

What is full recovery from an eating disorder? How might resilience play a role and what contributes to a person's decision/capacity to recover fully?

Eating Disorders

Eating Disorder Recovery: The Connection to Sex and Intimacy

Judy Scheel Ph.D., L.C.S.W., CEDS, PLLC on June 4, 2018

People with eating disorders often are disconnected from emotions & have difficulty experiencing pleasure & joy; Sexual pleasure and relational intimacy follow a similar path.

People with eating disorders often are disconnected from emotions & have difficulty experiencing pleasure & joy; Sexual pleasure and relational intimacy follow a similar path.

Trauma

Me Too: Big “T” vs. Little “t” Trauma: Fact and Perception

Judy Scheel Ph.D., L.C.S.W., CEDS, PLLC on March 22, 2018

Eating Disorders are responses to trauma. "Me Too" validates. But who or what determines trauma? When is perception in the eyes and experience of the one perceiving?

Eating Disorders are responses to trauma. "Me Too" validates. But who or what determines trauma? When is perception in the eyes and experience of the one perceiving?

Advice and reflections for mothers with a history of trauma and an eating disorder. What is an attempt to be corrected or avoided gets repeated.

Symptoms and behaviors that attempt to deal with emotions and replace relationships abound.

Eating Disorders

Cause and Cure of Eating Disorders

Judy Scheel Ph.D., L.C.S.W., CEDS, PLLC on August 16, 2017

The language of eating disorders has changed, and there are now opportunities for greater understanding.

The language of eating disorders has changed, and there are now opportunities for greater understanding.

Suicide

Changing the Tide for the Severely Ill Eating Disordered

Judy Scheel Ph.D., L.C.S.W., CEDS, PLLC on June 5, 2017

​Eating disorder patients who have been on death's door provide profound opportunities for recovery. Doing the work is difficult, but fantastically rewarding: A therapist reflects.

​Eating disorder patients who have been on death's door provide profound opportunities for recovery. Doing the work is difficult, but fantastically rewarding: A therapist reflects.

Eating Disorders

Furthering the Discussion on FAT: Fear Not

Judy Scheel Ph.D., L.C.S.W., CEDS, PLLC on April 17, 2017

Ingesting fat is feared because of links to weight gain by people with eating disorders and those who don’t have an eating disorder. Addressing confusion and misrepresentation.

Ingesting fat is feared because of links to weight gain by people with eating disorders and those who don’t have an eating disorder. Addressing confusion and misrepresentation.

Eating Disorders

Recovery and Fulfillment in Loss and Longing:

Judy Scheel Ph.D., L.C.S.W., CEDS, PLLC on March 17, 2017

Understanding unconscious motivation, strengthening ego defenses, experiencing loss & longing facilitate eating disorder recovery and enable responsible & honorable decision making

Understanding unconscious motivation, strengthening ego defenses, experiencing loss & longing facilitate eating disorder recovery and enable responsible & honorable decision making