Binge Eating Therapy
“When someone is struggling with binge eating, our role isn’t to judge their behavior, but to understand their pain—because behind every binge is a story, and behind every story is a person longing to be seen, soothed, and supported.”
– Bren M. Chasse, LMFT
UNDERSTANDING BINGE EATING DISORDER TREATMENT
Binge Eating Disorder (BED) is a complex struggle that goes far beyond food. It is deeply intertwined with societal pressures and cultural expectations that shape how we experience ourselves, our bodies, and our sense of worth. More specifically, food and weight are inextricably linked to the world we live in—a world that often devalues individuals, particularly women and marginalized groups, based on their appearance. The relentless pressure to conform to beauty standards, be thin, and look a certain way often leads to feelings of inadequacy and shame. These societal messages teach us to disconnect from our bodies, to prioritize external validation over our own health and well-being, and to see ourselves through the narrow lens of what is "acceptable" to others.
The objectification of our bodies, and diet culture in particular, plays a massive role in shaping our relationship with food. Diet culture is a billion-dollar industry built almost exclusively on a socially constructed and unattainable definition of beauty. Whether it’s through the latest fad diets, weight-loss supplements, or body transformation programs, diet culture predisposes us to believe that we are not good enough the way we are. It tells us that our worth is tied to our size and how well we conform to a socially constructed standard of beauty. These messages can lead to the development of unhealthy eating patterns, including binge eating, as we attempt to reclaim some sense of control in a world that is constantly telling us to be different.
RECLAIMING BODY AUTONOMY AND TRUST
The focus of our work is not just on managing eating behaviors but on reclaiming body autonomy and trust. It's about rediscovering the innate wisdom your body already holds. For so long, we’ve been taught to ignore our body’s signals, to shame ourselves for hunger, and to punish ourselves for eating "too much." This requires us to abandon ourselves, dismiss our body’s innate ability to self-regulate, and commit to the rigid demands of society. When we learn to trust our body again—when we recognize hunger and fullness as natural, biological cues rather than problems to be fixed—we can begin to rebuild a healthy relationship with food.
This process of reclaiming trust in your body is, in and of itself, empowering and constitutes an act of bravery. It means choosing to listen to your body’s needs and to honor those needs with compassion, instead of guilt or shame. As our work begins to turn inward, our focus shifts away from controlling or restricting food and toward a deep sense of care and respect for yourself. In other words, it’s not about striving for a "perfect" body, but rather about embracing the body you have—appreciating it for its strength, its resilience, and its capacity to nourish and be nourished.
CHALLENGING PERFECTIONISM AND EMBRACING IMPERFECTION
A key element of healing from Binge Eating Disorder is challenging the idea of perfection. Diet culture thrives on the notion that we must always be striving for perfection: the perfect body, the perfect relationship with food, the perfect lifestyle. But perfectionism is exhausting, and it’s often rooted in the belief that our worth depends on meeting unattainable standards. Perfectionism, in and of itself, is circular in nature. That is, if the goal is to be perfect and perfection is unattainable, we will consistently come up short, reinforcing the belief that we are not enough.
The truth is that healing is messy. It’s imperfect, and it’s nonlinear. Some days may feel more challenging than others, and that’s okay. Our work centers on developing the ability to authentically celebrate imperfection as part of the human experience, acknowledging it’s okay to have setbacks, to make mistakes, and to be kind to ourselves in the process. Healing is about dismantling the societal pressure to be flawless and authoring a new narrative embracing the beauty of your authentic self, flaws and all.
HOW TRAUMA IMPACTS OUR RELATIONSHIP WITH FOOD
For many people with Binge Eating Disorder, past trauma—whether emotional, physical, or psychological—can disrupt our relationship with food. Trauma can create a disconnect between the mind and body. With a holistic approach and expansive definition of trauma, I encourage clients to consider the impact of systemic trauma, such as the oppression of women, marginalization of groups, and having been made to feel less-than because of their individual identity.
Therapy creates a space for clients to explore emotional wounds that have influenced or shaped their relationship with food and their body, and allows clients to grieve, process, and heal those wounds. Trauma-informed care in therapy focuses on empowerment, self-compassion, and creating a safe environment where you can reclaim your power without judgment.
TAKE THE FIRST STEP TOWARD HEALING
Healing from Binge Eating Disorder is a revolutionary act. It’s about reclaiming your power, challenging the systems that have hurt you, and embracing the entirety of who you are. If you’re ready to take that first step toward a more empowered relationship with your body, food, and yourself, I am here to walk with you. Together, we will challenge the harmful narratives that have held you back and help you rediscover your strength and your worth—just as you are
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OTHER MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES OFFERED AT ANCHOR PSYCHOTHERAPY, INC.
In addition to Binge Eating Disorder treatment, I offer a wide range of mental health services to support you on your journey. These services include individual therapy for all ages, couples therapy, child and family therapy, trauma-informed therapy, and EMDR, AF-EMDR and Internal Family Systems (IFS). I specialize in helping individuals navigate complex issues such as high-conflict divorce, parental alienation, and challenging family dynamics.