Eating Disorder Treatment

Two people sitting on a bed, one with short curly hair and the other with short dark hair and glasses, holding a mug and smiling at each other.
A woman with brown hair wearing a white shirt and black pants is sitting on a woven round cushion, working on a laptop in a bright, minimalist room with sheer curtains and a large green plant.
A family of three, including a man, a woman, and a young girl, sitting at a dining table. The girl is feeding the woman and all are smiling. The table has bowls of food and plates, and the background shows a kitchen with white cabinets.
Contact Us

Finding the right support for an eating disorder or eating behavior changes can feel overwhelming. We offer research-supported Cognitive Behavior Therapy tailored to meet your unique needs.

Whether you’re an individual ready to work on changing your relationship with food and body or a family seeking to support a loved one, we’re here to help guide you through recovery with compassion and expertise. Learn more about the approaches we offer.

What is Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Eating Disorders?

CBT is a goal-focused therapy that helps you understand and change the things that keep your eating disorder going. It has the most research to support its use with all different types of eating concerns.

Together, we’ll identify patterns that keep your eating disorder going and work to replace rigid food rules and harsh self-judgment with more balanced, compassionate ways of thinking and behaving. You’ll build skills that support lasting recovery and a healthier relationship with yourself.

CBT may be helpful if you:

  • Struggle with negative or unhelpful beliefs about your body or food.

  • Are motivated to learn practical skills to manage urges, emotions, and triggers.

  • Are ready to practice new skills both in and outside therapy.

  • Find yourself stuck in cycles of restricting, bingeing, or compensating behaviors.

  • Want to break free from rigid food rules and all-or-nothing thinking.

  • Are open to challenging unhelpful beliefs and creating new, balanced ways of relating to food and yourself.

  • Prefer a collaborative approach with clear goals and things to try between sessions.

More about CBT for Eating Disorders

  • Yes. Many people seek support because their relationship with food or their body feels stressful, confusing, or out of control—but they’re not sure whether it “counts” as an eating disorder. You don’t need a diagnosis for therapy to be helpful.

    CBT can support you in understanding patterns around food, body image, emotions, and coping—whether you’re dealing with chronic dieting, emotional eating, rigid food rules, body dissatisfaction, or simply feeling disconnected from your body. We’ll explore what’s going on with curiosity, not judgment, and work together to build skills, flexibility, and a more peaceful relationship with food and yourself.

  • Weight loss isn’t an explicit goal of this treatment. That said, many people come to eating disorder treatment with a desire to lose or prevent weight gain. Rather than focusing solely on a number on the scale, people often explore their relationships with food, their body, and their emotions to improve overall well-being.

    A weight-inclusive approach recognizes that bodies naturally come in different sizes, and that health is shaped by many factors—not just weight.

  • Typically 20–40 sessions, tailored to your pace. Sometimes, clients may take longer or shorter to complete therapy, depending on their individual needs.

  • Yes, this is recommended but not required. In CBT, involving supports can be incredibly helpful. Supports might be partners, parents, or trusted friends who can encourage regular eating, help reduce secrecy around symptoms, or provide accountability between sessions.

    We’ll talk together about who might be helpful, what their role would look like, and how to set clear boundaries so the support feels empowering rather than overwhelming. Your autonomy comes first, and any involvement is always collaborative, intentional, and tailored to your needs.

Additional FAQs

  • Dr. Patterson specializes in treating binge eating disorder, bulimia, disordered eating, and body image concerns.

    In situations when people experience medical instability or need significant weight & nutrition restoration, she may provide recommendations for a family- or support-based approach to treatment or a more intensive treatment program.

  • While CBT is Dr. Patterson’s preferred treatment method, she works with each client to find the best approach for them. She may also use other treatment approaches such as Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), and Family-Based Treatment, as appropriate.

  • Yes, we prefer to work with an interdisciplinary team when treating eating disorders. When needed, we'll ask for a release of information to speak with other members of your care team. Coordinated team care is essential for the successful treatment of eating disorders.

  • While we don’t offer phone-based coaching between therapy sessions, we do offer optional intermittent support to clients through Recovery Record, an app designed to provide support and feedback between sessions. This can assist with behavioral reinforcement and skill building.