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In my practice I provide psychotherapy to adolescents and adults. I focus on empirically validated treatments that science demonstrates work. I specialize in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) for problems including depression, anxiety, and eating disorders. I am a Certified Eating Disorder Specialist (CEDS) through IAEDP.
Eating Disorders Treatment
I have special interest and expertise in the treatment of adult and adolescent eating disorders including Anorexia Nervosa, Bulimia Nervosa, Binge Eating Disorder, and Body image issues. My approach to working with eating disorders is based on empirically validated treatments. I provide CBT to adults and older adolescents with eating disorders and family based therapy (Maudsley model) to adolescents with eating disorders. A course of CBT for bulimia is usually about 20 sessions. Family based therapy (FBT) usually consists of 20 treatment sessions over a course of 6 to 12 months.
I work collaboratively with other treatment professionals and have a dietitian in my suite who is available to provide dietary counseling.
Family Based Therapy for Anorexia and Bulimia (Maudsley)
For adolescents with anorexia, the outpatient treatment of choice is Family-Based Treatment (FBT or Maudsley Approach). I am certified in Maudsley Family Based Treatment through the Training Institute for Child and Adolescent Eating Disorders and am one of the only therapists in my area to have this certification. In this treatment, no one in the family is blamed for the development of the eating disorder. The symptoms are viewed as outside the child’s control and having taken on a life of their own.
In contrast to traditional therapies, Maudlsey Family-Based Therapy enlists the support of parents and siblings and even extended family as resources in helping the adolescent battle the eating disorder. Treatment initially focuses on weight restoration, with the parents tasked with providing adequate nutrition for their child during family meals. The therapist supports the parents in this difficult task of refeeding and also models a non blaming stance that views the eating disorder as an external force that must be fought off by the family working together. In the second phase of treatment, once the child has gained weight and starts to exhibit more normal eating behaviors, the child is gradually given back more control over their own eating. In the last phase of treatment development and comorbid issues are addressed within the family context
Adult Treatment
Cognitive behavioral therapy for eating disorders was pioneered by Christopher Fairburn, MD in 1981 and has been updated several times, including a revision in 1993 co-authored by my mentor, Dr. Terence Wilson (Fairburn, C. G., Marcus, M.D., & Wilson, G. T. (1993). The most recent revision is an “enhanced” (CBT-E) protocol (Fairburn, Christopher G., 2008).
A core issue in all eating disorders is overconcern with shape and weight. Cognitive behavioral therapy, which focuses on addressing the various behaviors, thoughts, and feelings that are components of this core overconcern, is particularly well-suited to treat eating disorders. Cognitive behavioral therapy also addresses general personality characteristics that maintain eating disorders.
Cognitive behavioral therapy has become the leading evidence-based treatment for adults with eating disorders. It has been tested in numerous clinical trials and proven successful. Research studies indicate that about two-thirds of the patients who complete treatment have an excellent response. It can also be successfully employed with older adolescents with bulimia nervosa.
Cognitive behavioral therapy focuses primarily on factors in the present that are keeping the eating disorder going. The therapist and client work collaboratively to understand the client’s problem and develop strategies to overcome it.
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