EATING DISORDER RECOVERY

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Let Go of the Past and Choose Your Next Meal with Intention
MELISSA GERSON, LCSW MELISSA GERSON, LCSW

Let Go of the Past and Choose Your Next Meal with Intention

The past has no power over the present moment, and this is especially true when it comes to food. It’s easy to fall into the trap of guilt and perfectionism after a meal that doesn’t go as planned, but one choice doesn’t define your entire day. Let go of the "all-or-nothing" mindset and embrace the freedom of the present moment. Whether you're recovering from an eating disorder or simply striving for a healthier relationship with food, each meal is an opportunity to reset. Release guilt, tune into your body’s cues, and choose to nourish yourself with intention. Remember, eating isn’t about perfection—it’s about balance, self-care, and the power to begin again, no matter what happened earlier. Choose your next meal with intention, and let go of the past.

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How to Find an Eating Disorder Treatment Specialist: A Comprehensive Guide to Finding the Right Professional for You
MELISSA GERSON, LCSW MELISSA GERSON, LCSW

How to Find an Eating Disorder Treatment Specialist: A Comprehensive Guide to Finding the Right Professional for You

Finding the Right Eating Disorder Treatment Specialist: A Guide to Recovery

If you or someone you know is struggling with an eating disorder, such as anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, or binge eating disorder, finding the right treatment is crucial for recovery. Eating disorders are complex mental health conditions that require specialized care from experienced professionals. Evidence-based treatments like Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT-E), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Family-Based Therapy (FBT), and Interpersonal Therapy (IPT) are proven to help in recovery.

Why it’s Important to Choose the Right Specialist

Eating disorders affect both physical and mental health. An experienced specialist can address underlying emotional, psychological, and behavioral patterns to support long-term recovery.

Step 1: Understand Effective Treatments

Explore therapies like CBT-E, DBT, and FBT, all of which are evidence-based and effective for treating eating disorders.

Step 2: Find Qualified Specialists

Use specialized directories such as the National Eating Disorders Association (NEDA) and Psychology Today to find experienced eating disorder treatment providers. Your healthcare provider can also offer referrals.

Step 3: Evaluate the Specialist’s Approach

Look for individualized, holistic treatment plans that address both mental and physical health. Ensure that the specialist’s approach is structured and focuses on progress.

Step 4: Assess the Fit

Comfort and trust are essential in therapy. Choose a specialist who demonstrates empathy, non-judgment, and clear communication.

Step 5: Monitor Progress

Recovery is a journey. Regular assessments and adjustments to the treatment plan will ensure continued progress.

Choosing the right eating disorder treatment specialist is an empowering step toward healing. Recovery is possible, and the right professional can help you or your loved one develop a healthier relationship with food and body image.

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Breaking Free from Emotional Eating
MELISSA GERSON, LCSW MELISSA GERSON, LCSW

Breaking Free from Emotional Eating

Emotional eating is a common response to emotions like stress, boredom, or even happiness, where food is used as a coping mechanism rather than for nourishment. Breaking free from this cycle is possible through mindfulness, understanding your triggers, and developing healthier coping strategies, such as mindful eating and self-soothing techniques.

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It’s a New Year, Find your values: Empowering Eating Disorder Recovery
MELISSA GERSON, LCSW MELISSA GERSON, LCSW

It’s a New Year, Find your values: Empowering Eating Disorder Recovery

Rather than centering your attention on the end result, try shifting your focus to how you want to live. When you think about ‘how’ you want to live, you think about what you stand for and what matters to you most. This is not about achieving an outcome; it’s about choosing the kind of person you want to be. This is the power of living according to your values.

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Tips to help you break free: eliminating Emotional eating
MELISSA GERSON, LCSW MELISSA GERSON, LCSW

Tips to help you break free: eliminating Emotional eating

Breaking the cycle of emotional eating requires a shift in how we approach food and our emotions. By creating a mindful, supportive routine, we can learn to respond to our feelings with awareness, rather than turning to food for comfort.

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Strategies for Self-Soothing
MELISSA GERSON, LCSW MELISSA GERSON, LCSW

Strategies for Self-Soothing

This blog offers practical self-soothing strategies to support those in recovery from eating disorders. By providing tools like mindfulness, grounding exercises, and physical self-care, it empowers individuals to cope with emotional intensity and self-doubt in healthier ways—without resorting to disordered eating behaviors. These techniques help foster emotional resilience and encourage a more compassionate relationship with oneself on the path to healing.

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Why Diets don’t Work: The Evidence
Tools for Recovery MELISSA GERSON, LCSW Tools for Recovery MELISSA GERSON, LCSW

Why Diets don’t Work: The Evidence

The promise of a quick fix through dieting is tempting, but does it actually work? Science says no. Most diets don’t work in the long run, leaving people caught in a frustrating cycle of weight loss and regain. Why? From biological survival mechanisms to the flaws of diet culture itself, the evidence is clear: dieting isn't the answer. Discover why the system is broken—and explore a healthier, more sustainable path to well-being.

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Body Weight Set Point: When the Shoe Fits…
Tools for Recovery MELISSA GERSON, LCSW Tools for Recovery MELISSA GERSON, LCSW

Body Weight Set Point: When the Shoe Fits…

The "shoe size analogy" is an illustrative concept used to help individuals understand that just as our feet have a unique, natural size, so too does our body have a weight range that is healthy and natural for us. This analogy can be especially helpful in eating disorder recovery, body image struggles, and the fight against societal pressure to conform to unrealistic beauty standards.

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Compulsive Eating: What It Is and How You Can Recover
MELISSA GERSON, LCSW MELISSA GERSON, LCSW

Compulsive Eating: What It Is and How You Can Recover

Compulsive eating, often driven by emotional distress, involves consuming excessive amounts of food beyond physical hunger and can be managed through professional support, cognitive-behavioral therapies, emotional regulation strategies, and developing healthier coping mechanisms.

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All About DBT for Eating Disorders: A Guide for Patients and Loved Ones
MELISSA GERSON, LCSW MELISSA GERSON, LCSW

All About DBT for Eating Disorders: A Guide for Patients and Loved Ones

Dialectical Behavioral Therapy for Eating Disorders (DBT-ED) is a specialized treatment that helps individuals with eating disorders, particularly those who have not responded to traditional therapies, by teaching emotional regulation, coping strategies, and mindfulness to break the cycle of disordered eating behaviors.

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3 Advanced Treatment Approaches for Severe, Chronic, and Resistant Eating Disorders
MELISSA GERSON, LCSW MELISSA GERSON, LCSW

3 Advanced Treatment Approaches for Severe, Chronic, and Resistant Eating Disorders

Chronic or resistant eating disorders that don’t respond well to traditional treatments, require specialized and often multi-faceted approaches. Highly specialized providers can offer advanced treatment strategies and innovative therapies that offer hope and support for those struggling with more persistent forms of their conditions.

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A Guide to Family Based Treatment for Eating Disorders
MELISSA GERSON, LCSW MELISSA GERSON, LCSW

A Guide to Family Based Treatment for Eating Disorders

Family-Based Treatment, also known as “FBT” or the “Maudsley Method,” is widely recognized as the preeminent evidence-based therapy for anorexia nervosa in children and adolescents. FBT is also considered a primary treatment for young individuals with bulimia nervosa. 

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Virtual Eating Disorder Treatment: What You Need to Know
MELISSA GERSON, LCSW MELISSA GERSON, LCSW

Virtual Eating Disorder Treatment: What You Need to Know

In a rapidly evolving digital age, where screens are portals to both information and connection, virtual eating disorder treatment is becoming more and more popular. As traditional barriers to care dissolve and access becomes more equitable, this virtual recovery option is emerging as a powerful tool in the fight against these complex and often debilitating conditions. 

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7 Important Anorexia Recovery Tips for Working Professionals
MELISSA GERSON, LCSW MELISSA GERSON, LCSW

7 Important Anorexia Recovery Tips for Working Professionals

There are many subtle ways that anorexia can intertwine with career aspirations while at the same time, having a detrimental impact on both personal health and professional success in the long term. If you’re a working professional who’s struggling with anorexia, or simply want to know more about how this eating disorder can have an impact, keep reading.

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A Guide to Binge Eating Disorder Recovery
MELISSA GERSON, LCSW MELISSA GERSON, LCSW

A Guide to Binge Eating Disorder Recovery

Binge Eating Disorder (BED) is a treatable condition, with evidence-based therapies like Enhanced Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT-E) and Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) offering effective tools to help individuals overcome binge eating, regulate emotions, and build healthier coping strategies for long-term recovery.

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