Eating Disorders Therapists in Washington, DC

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Photo of Sara Petrasso, Psychologist in Washington, DC
Sara Petrasso
Psychologist, PhD
Verified
Verified
Prior to that, I worked extensively in treating OCD, phobias, and eating disorders at a practice in NYC.
I work with individuals who feel their lives are hindered by unwanted or distressing feelings, or self-defeating patterns of behavior, and who experience depression, anxiety, anger, low self esteem, compulsive or impulsive behaviors, or relationship difficulties. By establishing more effective coping skills and responses, positive changes can develop and lead to a greater sense of fulfillment. I approach each individual treatment collaboratively, exploring the foundation of the problem, identifying problematic patterns, and then developing treatment goals tailored to the unique needs of each individual client.
(202) 618-5571
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Washington, DC 20036
Photo of Monica Leonie Meerbaum, Psychologist in Washington, DC
Monica Leonie Meerbaum
Psychologist, PhD
Verified
Verified
I have special expertise and interest in treating the effects of trauma, including bullying, incest, and dissociation, and in the treatment of eating disorders and obesity.
There is nothing like being listened to and understood on a deep level, with genuine interest and acceptance. This is what I strive to offer in therapy or analysis, as we explore together your hopes and dreams, your losses and regrets, your longings and fears. Many people come to therapy to free themselves from self-defeating patterns and the legacy of past traumas, so they can be more truly themselves in relation to others and live with greater satisfaction and meaning. My analytic training enables me to work intensively, and I enjoy incorporating experiential techniques like journaling, psychodrama, and art.
(240) 813-9612
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Washington, DC 20008
Photo of Megan Nemeth, Counselor in Washington, DC
Megan Nemeth
Counselor, MA, NCC, LGPC
Verified
Verified
Aside from treating eating disorders , I also work with clients struggling with anxiety, depression, family conflict, relational/peer issues, OCD, stress, trauma/PSTD and life transitions.
Beyond fear, there is freedom from your eating disorder. Living with an eating disorder is a burden you no longer need to carry on your own. Together, we can work to find freedom from the grasp of the eating disorder, to find joy out of moments around food and relationships, to gain body neutrality. Let’s take the first step to reintroducing yourself, to YOU again. I operate from a Health at Every Size and Anti-Diet approach and treat all eating disorders or disordered eating along with body image and self-esteem issues.
(202) 791-4286
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Washington, DC 20008
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Photo of Abby Brown, Psychologist in Washington, DC
Abby Brown
Psychologist, PhD
Verified
1 Endorsed
Verified
1 Endorsed
I specialize in working with adults with eating disorders and disordered eating, and the conditions that often co-occur with eating concerns such as anxiety, depression, relationship difficulties, and trauma. I also have an extensive research background in chronic fatigue syndrome (sometimes called myalgic encephalomyelitis or ME/CFS) and have worked on multiple NIH-funded studies; I am aware of the unique challenges faced by individuals living with ME/CFS and other poorly understood, stigmatized health conditions. I provide evidence-based interventions that are tailored to my client’s needs and progress.
(703) 215-3275
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Washington, DC 20003
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Photo of Mary C Quigley, Clinical Social Work/Therapist in Washington, DC
Mary C Quigley
Clinical Social Work/Therapist, LCSW
Verified
Verified
I enjoy working with couples, families, and individuals. My specialties include grief counseling, eating disorders , depression, anxiety, and couples conflict. I have over 30 years of experience working with young adults in university settings and with individuals and couples in private practice. I have been the head clinician in an eating disorder and mood disorder clinic at a major university. I am particularly interested in working with clients who are struggling with low self worth and self loathing. I also have an expertise in working with gay couples.
(202) 417-2746
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Washington, DC 20037
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Photo of Hayley Gould, Counselor in Washington, DC
Hayley Gould
Counselor, MS/EdS, LGPC, NCC
Verified
Verified
Eating disorders can be all encompassing and can start to take over so many different aspects of your life. It becomes hard to do anything without hearing the eating disorder’s disapproving voice in your head making comments about your food intake, your body, and most painfully, who you are as a person. This voice is not you. We can work together to help you fight back and regain your identity. You do not need to have an eating disorder for us to work together, I also work with those struggling with anxiety, depression, ADHD, OCD, life transitions, trauma, relationships, and identity.
(202) 978-7251
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Washington, DC 20008
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Photo of Brooke McGinnis, Psychologist in Washington, DC
Brooke McGinnis
Psychologist, PhD
Verified
1 Endorsed
Verified
1 Endorsed
Dr. McGinnis' specialty training is in providing evidence-based treatment for eating disorders , complex trauma, depression, insomnia, and various anxiety disorders. The treatment modalities Dr. McGinnis uses include cognitive behavioral therapy for eating disorders , family-based treatment for anorexia nervosa, prolonged exposure, cognitive processing therapy, exposure and response prevention, modified dialectical behavioral therapy, process based cognitive behavioral therapy and mindfulness based interventions.
(202) 915-4036
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Washington, DC 20003
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Photo of Kristen Quigley, Clinical Social Work/Therapist in Washington, DC
Kristen Quigley
Clinical Social Work/Therapist, LICSW
Verified
Verified
I specialize in the treatment of eating disorders and also work extensively with many other issues such as trauma, PTSD, grief, anxiety, depression, addiction, relationship issues, self-esteem, infertility, perinatal & postpartum issues (including post pardon depression), self-sabotage habits, stress, family of origin issues, OCD, ADD, ADHD, domestic violence and abuse, separation & divorce.
Welcome! Recognizing that something in your life isn't working is a great sign of hope & resilience and those who find their way to my practice are usually looking for something to change in their lives. The reasons why you are seeking therapy are my top priorities and helping you have the life you want is my job. I am often described as compassionate, intuitive, empathetic, open and honest. Seeking out a therapist you connect with and trust it critical. Please come in and decide if you feel that I'm the right therapist for you! I have Tuesday-Saturday hours available.
(202) 760-2882
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Washington, DC 20007
Photo of Natalie Chaykin, Psychologist in Washington, DC
Natalie Chaykin
Psychologist, PsyD
Verified
1 Endorsed
Verified
1 Endorsed
Dr. Natalie Chaykin specializes in the treatment of chronic pain/illnesses, insomnia, OCD, anxiety disorders, eating disorders , body image concerns, life transitions, and depression. Dr. Chaykin is board-certified in biofeedback and practices therapy primarily from CBT/ACT and positive psychology perspectives through a health psychology lens to help patients manage stress, transition after an injury or disease, and cope with pain, loss, feeling “stuck,” anxiety, and depression.
(703) 952-5233
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Washington, DC 20003
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Photo of Sonja Linn, Psychologist in Washington, DC
Sonja Linn
Psychologist, PhD
Verified
Verified
While I am a generalist, I specialize in relationship issues, eating disorders , sexual trauma, college adjustment, transitions, family problems, depression, anxiety and career issues.
I view therapy as a process that can facilitate healing and change, as well as understanding and fulfillment. Whether stuck in a conflicted relationship, feeling lost, struggling with depression or anxiety, adjusting to a transition or life change, feeling unable to break unhealthy patterns or resolve past issues and pain, it can be difficult to know where to start. Together, we can explore the issues you face and identify the direction you want your life to take and the steps needed to get you there. Once established, our relationship can provide the foundation and safety for this process.
(202) 670-9935
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Washington, DC 20007
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Not accepting new clients
Photo of Catie M Ehrler, Licensed Professional Counselor in Washington, DC
Catie M Ehrler
Licensed Professional Counselor, MA, NCC, LPC, LCPC
Verified
Verified
Catie has been helping clients achieve recovery from their eating disorders during the most challenging points of their wellness journey.
“There is no greater agony than bearing an untold story inside you” – Maya Angelou. Catie strives to create a nurturing space filled with authenticity, mutual empathy, collaboration, and humor. She sees the best in her clients and takes pride in walking towards authenticity, empowerment, and improved self-esteem with them. Catie is dedicated to creating a safe space in her practice for the stories of all gender identities and cultures to be seen and heard. Catie’s work is grounded in Relational-Cultural Therapy (RCT), which believes that individuals grow through connectedness, and that disconnection is a major source of suffering.
(586) 371-6761
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Washington, DC 20016
Not accepting new clients
Photo of Tishanna Hollins, Psychologist in Washington, DC
Tishanna Hollins
Psychologist, PhD
Verified
1 Endorsed
Verified
1 Endorsed
Dr. Hollins specializes in the treatment of eating disorders , body image concerns, OCD, panic disorder, anxiety disorders, PTSD/trauma, racial/ethnic/cultural-related concerns, and depression. Dr. Hollins combines evidence based treatments with a sense of compassion, collaboration, and a nonjudgemental approach.
(571) 568-7141
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Washington, DC 20003
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Not accepting new clients
Photo of Ami Norman Levy, Clinical Social Work/Therapist in Washington, DC
Ami Norman Levy
Clinical Social Work/Therapist, LICSW, LCSW-C
Verified
1 Endorsed
Verified
1 Endorsed
As a Licensed Clinical Social worker, I provide individual psychotherapy as well as marriage and couples counseling in a safe, compassionate and non-judgmental environment. I specialize in guiding individuals through the complexities of eating disorders as well as helping couples repair their connections and establish secure, lasting bonds with one another.
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Washington, DC 20036
Not accepting new clients
Photo of Chris Quam Sherman, Counselor in Washington, DC
Chris Quam Sherman
Counselor, LGPC, ERYT200, CPT, GFI
Verified
Verified
Eating disorders are like chasing a rabbit down a hole in pursuit of something you lost. One day, you realize what you lost was yourself. Food, exercise, & body image are treacherous to navigate in a society that overvalues appearance and that values some body types over others. It can be especially challenging if you identify as autistic, an ADHDer, a highly sensitive person, and/or a human who wrestles with gender dysphoria. Who you are is a gift. You do not have to hide or become less of who you are. Through therapy we will uncover and use your unique strengths to move towards growth and healing.
(202) 516-7609
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Washington, DC 20036
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Photo of Jacquelyn LaRusso, Licensed Professional Counselor in Washington, DC
Jacquelyn LaRusso
Licensed Professional Counselor, MS, LPC
Verified
3 Endorsed
Verified
3 Endorsed
My goal as a therapist is to help clients embrace their authentic selves, foster meaningful relationships, and improve their quality of life. I work to create a safe and accepting environment that values the unique personality, lifestyle, and goals of the individual. My clinical expertise includes treatment of eating disorders , trauma, anxiety, depression and self-harm behaviors.
(202) 417-2701
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Washington, DC 20016
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Photo of Julie Mitchell, Licensed Professional Counselor in Washington, DC
Julie Mitchell
Licensed Professional Counselor, LPC, LCPC
Verified
8 Endorsed
Verified
8 Endorsed
I am skilled in working with adults and adolescents struggling with depression, anxiety, eating disorders , and relationship issues.
Welcome! My primary goal as a therapist is to help you feel safe and comfortable exploring your concerns and challenges with me. Therapy can be both a difficult and rewarding endeavor, and I feel privileged to get to share with my clients in their fears, hopes, and joys. My hope is to help you feel comfortable and understood in delving into your own life and identifying areas where you wish for change. In my practice, I integrate elements of mindfulness, humanistic, and psychodynamic therapies to help you find new ways to relate to difficult emotions.
(202) 813-1656
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Washington, DC 20036
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Photo of Mind Body Health, Psychologist in Washington, DC
Mind Body Health
Psychologist
Verified
2 Endorsed
Verified
2 Endorsed
At Mind Body Health, we have psychologists who specialize in the treatment of anxiety disorders, OCD, trauma, eating disorders , insomnia, weight management and depression. We also have dietitians who work with you to help you achieve optimal health. We have a strong understanding of how your physical health and diet affect your mental health and vice versa. We use approaches based in research and tailor our interventions to each individual.
(571) 297-1870
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Washington, DC 20003
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Photo of Sari Meltzer, Clinical Social Work/Therapist in Washington, DC
Sari Meltzer
Clinical Social Work/Therapist, LCSW-C, LICSW, LCSW
Verified
1 Endorsed
Verified
1 Endorsed
I specialize in providing support to individuals with eating disorders , disordered eating, and those who want to improve their relationship with food and their body. While challenges with food and body may be what brings a client to see me, I know that these struggles do not exist in a vacuum. This is why I take a holistic approach and support my clients in exploring and learning ways to cope with anxiety, depression, relational conflict, trauma symptoms and other life challenges. In addition to working with client's with eating disorders , I am also a rostered provider in Cognitive Processing Therapy for PTSD.
(202) 952-6235
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Washington, DC 20009
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Waitlist for new clients
Photo of Sara Battista, Licensed Professional Counselor in Washington, DC
Sara Battista
Licensed Professional Counselor, LCPC, LPC
Verified
7 Endorsed
Verified
7 Endorsed
We specialize in the treatment of eating disorders , mood disorders, anxiety, and adjustment issues- with a special interest in working with young adults.
Greenhouse Psychotherapy is a boutique mental health counseling practice serving adults and adolescents of all genders. We are a values-driven practice striving to provide the highest quality client experience. Our clients are motivated toward their goals for personal growth, and we are just as motivated to support them along the way. We maintain smaller caseloads than most clinicians in order to give each client the individualized attention they deserve. We dedicate ourself to staying up-to-date on best practices in our field, and are committed to advanced trainings to support our growth as clinicians.
(202) 851-2990
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Washington, DC 20009
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Waitlist for new clients
Photo of Carissa L Strohecker Hannum, Counselor in Washington, DC
Carissa L Strohecker Hannum
Counselor, MA, LCPC, LPC
Verified
7 Endorsed
Verified
7 Endorsed
I have five years of experience working in the field of eating disorders .
Welcome, I truly believe that therapy is a brave and courageous choice. I strive to create a warm, empathetic, and safe environment for each client that chooses to work with me. I have a special expertise working with both adolescents and adults with mood disorders. Our relationship will be used as an element of change. Often, I will utilize aspects of our relationship to highlight barriers to change and provide a warm and directive approach to push you towards growth. My approach within our therapeutic relationship tends to be more collaborative and I commonly use interventions including mindfulness, CBT, DBT and attachment theory.
(202) 410-6883
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Washington, DC 20036
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Eating Disorders Therapists

What happens in therapy for eating disorders?

In therapy for eating disorders, patients typically describe their eating and exercise behaviors, their patterns of eating in relation to stress, their beliefs about their body, the ways their eating behavior affects their relationships, and their desire (or lack of it) to change. Such information helps the therapist understand the origins of the disorder and the role it plays in the patient’s life, important for guiding treatment. Attitudes and feelings about food and eating, body weight, and physical appearance are common topics of discussion throughout treatment.

What therapy types help with eating disorders?

Once any acute medical or psychiatric emergency is resolved, psychoactive medication is often prescribed, requiring the supervision of a psychiatrist. In addition, patients receive some form of nutritional counseling along with one or more forms of psychotherapy. For adolescents, family-based treatment is empirically validated and considered the first line of treatment; parents and their children meet weekly with a clinician as the adults are coached on how to nourish and psychologically support the young patient. Adults typically receive some form of individual psychotherapy, intended to resolve the cognitive and behavioral disturbances that underlie the disorder and to relieve the mood disturbances that accompany it. In addition, patients may also be helped by group therapy.

What is the goal of therapy for eating disorders?

The most immediate goal of treatment for eating disorders is to save the life of people who are on a path of starving themselves to death or engaging in eating patterns that are doing irreparable physical harm to their body. Once the acute medical danger is past, therapy is required to understand the nature of the disordered eating and/or exercise patterns, establish healthy eating behavior, and to tackle the many erroneous beliefs and distorted self-perceptions that underlie eating disorders and continue to pose a threat to health and life. Therapy also addresses the impaired mood that not only accompanies eating disorders but intensifies the danger to health and life.

What are the limitations of therapy for eating disorders?

Therapy can be very helpful for eating disorders—but that can happen only after people recognize they have a condition that must be treated. Especially with anorexia, the distortions in self-image that accompany the disorder can keep people from acknowledging they have a problem. Individuals may in fact see their eating disorder as a badge of self-control. Those with binge-eating disorder may feel too ashamed to seek help. Therapy cannot help those who do not avail themselves of it.

How long does therapy last for eating disorders?

Because of their complexity, recovery from eating disorders is usually a long-term process—measured in months and years— often marked by setbacks and relapse. Some form of help, such as individual or group therapy, may be advisable for much of that time. It is a general rule of thumb that the longer the illness has endured and the dysregulated eating behavior has taken root, the longer treatment is likely to be needed.