eating disorder recovery for queer and transgender individuals
Eating Disorder Therapy in Philadelphia
You don’t want to keep living like this, but letting go feels terrifying.
real talk.
I’m sure therapy is the last place you want to be right now. You’re tired of counting calories and the last thing you want to do is dedicate more time and energy to food.
You’ve been doing this on your own for awhile and it’s been sort of working, until your kid tells you their snack has too much sugar in it. Or you find yourself sneaking off after dinner with your family to go throw up. These moments shake you to your core, but you’ve tried therapy only to feel stuck in the same unhealthy place.
It’s hard to imagine a life where food and the number on the scale don’t dictate how your entire day goes. You see your friends laughing over burgers and fries and think, “god I want that”. But that life feels so foreign to you because you’ve never felt at ease around food. So you wonder, what’s the point of even trying?
Let’s face it
Diet culture sucks and it isn’t going anywhere.
Maybe you want a better relationship with food, but you can’t stop dieting because you don’t want your body to change. It feels like no matter what you do, your body is never enough and you’re exhausted from trying to shrink yourself just to fit in.
this work is for you if…
-
You skip meals and count calories, only to end up feeling so hungry you eat until you feel sick. You feel too embarrassed to eat in front of others because you’re afraid they’ll judge you for not ordering the salad. So you sneak into the kitchen at night while everyone is asleep so you can finally have the food you actually want.
-
Managing your food intake feels like the only way to achieve your gender goals, and body acceptance feels like it’s made for straight, cis people. But you’re also tired, and constantly tracking your food is taking a toll on your mental health.
-
You’re noticing some thigh chaffing and it’s freaking you out. Clothes don’t fit the way they used to, and between weight gain and thinning hair, you don’t recognize yourself anymore. You find yourself constantly thinking about food, working out, and your health.
Look, I get it. I’m not going to pretend this is easy.
As someone who’s been there, I can tell you that finding peace with food is possible. I’m here for whatever you bring to our sessions, and I’d love to support you.
I’m here to help with…
Anorexia
Bulimia
Binge-Eating Disorder
ARFID
Body Image
Chronic Dieting
Orthorexia
Disordered Eating
Specialized Therapy for Eating Disorders and Recovery
If you're struggling with anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, or binge eating disorder, you deserve compassionate, evidence-based treatment that honors your whole identity. As a queer-identified therapist specializing in eating disorder treatment in Philadelphia, I provide a safe, affirming space where recovery is possible.
Living with an eating disorder can feel like every part of your life revolves around food, your body, or trying to stay in control. It touches everything—your relationships, your energy, even the way you see yourself. Maybe you’re stuck in a cycle of restriction and guilt, or find yourself binging when things feel too hard.
You’ve probably tried to handle it on your own for a while, but it’s exhausting to keep fighting this by yourself. Healing means working through both the day-to-day struggles and the deeper pain underneath—and you don’t have to do it alone.
here’s how we’ll work together
Together, we’ll take a honest look at your eating disorder with compassion.
Everyone’s story is different. That’s why I take time to really get to know you and your history with food.
Together, we’ll figure out what’s been driving your eating struggles and what a life beyond them could actually look like for you. Defining what you want out of this journey helps you stay committed when things feel hard. Real lasting change happens when it’s driven by your own motivations for recovery, not mine.
I use mind-body approaches including Art Therapy and Internal Family Systems to get to the root of your eating disorder. When you start to understand where your food issues come from, you can heal the pain underneath it.
I practice from a weight-inclusive and social justice framework. That means we’ll look at how messages from your family, culture, and society have shaped how you see yourself and how you feel in your body. By unlearning these beliefs, you can begin to treat yourself with real compassion and actually connect to what really matters to you.
Recovery doesn’t have to be so lonely. We’ll work on building and strengthening a support system of people you trust, so you don’t feel like you’re doing this all on your own. The more you share your story, the lighter it feels.
I’m not here to fix you, because you’re not broken. You won’t have to follow a strict treatment plan and you don’t have to do recovery “perfect”. We’ll build a plan together—one that has structure, but also leaves room for the curve balls life throws at you.
It’s okay to want a healthy relationship with food and still want to lose weight.
My goal is for you to feel safe enough to lay everything out on the table so we can sort through it together.
If you’ve tried therapy before and it still feels like something’s missing, you’re not alone. Sometimes learning new skills or trying to think differently isn’t enough to create the change you want. In our work together, we’ll use creative, body-based, and insight-oriented approaches to gently explore what’s keeping you stuck. Bit by bit, you’ll start to feel more settled in your body, more trusting of yourself, and more at peace with food and life.
My approach to eating disorder treatment.
-
Sometimes it feels like there’s a battle happening inside you—one part that clings to food rules for a sense of control, and another that just wants to feel free and at peace. In our work together, we’ll get to know these different sides of you with curiosity and compassion, instead of judgment. Each part has its reasons for being there, even the ones that feel frustrating or destructive. As we help these parts communicate and start to trust each other, you’ll begin to feel more balance inside—less chaos, more calm. You don’t have to silence or fight against yourself to heal. We’ll help every part of you feel seen, supported, and ready to move toward real recovery.
-
There are some feelings you just can’t talk your way through—and that’s where art can help.
Art therapy gives you another way to express what’s been trapped inside, especially when words feel too small for what you’re carrying.
You don’t need any artistic skill—it’s not about making something pretty, it’s about finding clarity and release through the creative process.
As you work with different materials and colors, you might start to notice emotions or parts of yourself that you thought were gone coming back to life. Bit by bit, you’ll begin to feel more grounded, more connected, and more like yourself again.
-
Your relationship with food didn’t start in a vacuum. It’s often tied to old patterns—like trying to keep the peace in your family, managing chaos, or meeting impossible expectations that started years ago.
In therapy, we’ll gently look at how those early experiences may still be showing up in your relationship with food and your body today. As you start connecting the dots, you’ll begin to understand why certain behaviors took root—and how to care for yourself in ways that feel kinder, calmer, and more aligned with who you really are.
-
When obsessive compulsive disorder intersects with eating disorders, ERP becomes an essential treatment tool. We'll gradually expose you to anxiety-provoking situations related to food and body image while helping you resist compulsive behaviors. This behavioral therapy approach includes homework between sessions to practice new skills and build confidence in managing eating disorder symptoms.
Specialized Support for LGBTQ+ and Gender-Diverse Individuals.
If you’ve ever felt like eating disorder treatment wasn’t built for you—you’re not imagining it.
Too many programs overlook what it’s like to live in a queer or trans body, or how gender and identity can shape your relationship with food and yourself.
As a queer therapist with deep roots in the trans community, I know how painful it can feel when your care doesn’t reflect your reality. In our work together, your full identity isn’t just accepted—it’s central to how we heal.
If you’re trans or non-binary, it might feel complicated to live in a body that doesn’t always match how you see yourself. When body image, gender dysphoria, and eating struggles all mix together, it can feel like a constant tug-of-war inside.
For some of you, being in a smaller body is connected to trying to feel safe in a world that is hostile to queer people. Perhaps it’s hard to imagine yourself in your true gender because you haven’t been exposed to queer and trans people in different body types.
eating disorder treatment for queer and trans folks
As someone who’s part of the queer and trans community, I get how exhausting it is to explain your experience to therapists who just don’t get it. I’ve walked alongside many people navigating both transition and recovery, and I know how deeply those journeys can overlap. Here, you don’t have to sensor yourself or over-explain — this is a space where your body, identity, and healing all matter.
In our work together, we'll:
Differentiate between gender dysphoria and ED symptoms
Develop strategies that affirm your gender identity while healing your relationship with food
Address fears about body changes during transition without using harmful eating behaviors
Create a recovery plan that honors your authentic self
What Makes My Practice Different
You’ve probably tried therapy before—maybe approaches that focused on changing your thoughts or managing symptoms—but it still feels like something’s missing. My work goes deeper than coping skills or surface fixes.
As an art therapist, I help you use creativity to explore what’s happening beneath the surface, especially the feelings that are hard to put into words. Together, we’ll work through what’s keeping you stuck so you can start to feel more at ease in your body and in your life. As a queer therapist, I know how important it is to feel truly seen in your healing process. This is a space where all parts of you—your body, your identity, your story—are welcome.
Recovery can feel overwhelming—especially when you’ve tried approaches that didn’t quite fit. The truth is, your eating struggles didn’t appear out of nowhere; they developed for reasons that make sense in the context of your life. Whether you’ve been stuck in a cycle of restriction and bingeing or turned to food to cope with stress, you deserve care that meets you exactly where you are. When the world makes it hard to be yourself, it matters to have a space where your queerness is supported and celebrated. Together, we’ll work to understand what’s driving your eating patterns and find a path toward healing that truly fits you.
Therapy for eating disorders can help you…
Cultivate Relationships
Laugh with friends, grab coffee, and accept dinner invites without hesitation. Go to board game night, book club, or a music concert with energy to spare.
Reduce Stress Around Food
Rebuild trust with your body’s signals, quiet the constant food thoughts, and open up space for what truly matters to you.
Embrace Your Uniqueness
Show up at work events with confidence. Go on dates without second-guessing yourself. Wear outfits you love regardless of the size on the tag. Feel proud of who you are, and worry less about what other people think.
Rediscover Who You Are
Do you miss writing fanfiction, D & D nights, and going to yoga class? Maybe you’ve been wanting to take up painting or create a vision board. Therapy helps you uncover the pieces of yourself that got buried under your eating disorder.
Increase Spontaneity
You’ll be able to grab ice cream on a whim, without it overwhelming you. You can take part in pizza night with your family instead of sitting on the sidelines.
Build Resiliency
Diet culture, racism, and transphobia mess with your self-worth. Therapy gives you the strategies to push back and reclaim your body and your relationship with food.
REcovery is possible, and your body deserves kindness.
It's time to make peace with food & accept yourself as you are.
The Treatment Process
-
Your journey begins with a free 20-minute phone consultation where we'll discuss what's bringing you to therapy for eating disorders. This no-pressure conversation allows you to ask questions about my approach and determine if we're a good therapeutic match.
If we decide to move forward, I'll help you set up your client portal and complete intake paperwork.
During our first full session, we'll explore your history with eating behaviors, screen for various eating disorder symptoms, and discuss your goals for recovery. I'll explain how my evidence-based treatment approaches can support your healing journey.
These first few sessions are way to see if it will be a good fit for both of us. So there’s no pressure to commit before you’re ready and my feelings won’t be hurt if you decide to it’s not a good fit. I want the best care for you, and will help you connect with a therapist who’s right for you.
-
I typically meet with clients weekly for one-hour sessions, though some benefit from meeting more frequently or for extended 90-minute sessions depending on the severity of their eating disorder symptoms. Consistency is crucial in eating disorder treatment – we'll establish a regular time that becomes your dedicated space for healing.
Our sessions blend different therapeutic approaches based on your evolving needs. Some weeks might focus on IFS work to understand internal conflicts, while others might involve art therapy to process emotions or exposure therapy to challenge fear foods. Between sessions, I provide journal prompts and, when appropriate, ERP homework to help you practice new skills and continue your recovery work.
-
In addition to individual eating disorder treatment, I offer group therapy that provides unique benefits for recovery. Connecting with others who understand the challenges of anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, or binge eating disorder firsthand creates powerful opportunities for support and growth. My groups are specifically designed as inclusive, affirming spaces where all identities are welcomed and celebrated
Who I Work With
I specialize in working with:
LGBTQ+ individuals and teens
Professionals, entrepreneurs, people in tech, project managers
Creatives, geeks, and nerds.
Individuals navigating perfectionism and people-pleasing
Those experiencing anxiety, trauma, or OCD alongside eating disorders
Partners and families affected by eating disorders
Anyone seeking affirming, non-traditional approaches to recovery
Supporting Partners and Families
Eating disorders affect entire family systems. I provide specialized support for:
Partners of individuals in recovery – Learn how to support your loved one through eating disorder treatment while maintaining your own wellbeing. We'll address communication strategies, boundary setting, and navigating the complex emotions that arise when someone you love is struggling with mental health conditions.
Parents of teens with eating disorders – Understand the connection between various mental health conditions and disordered eating. I'll help you advocate for your child's needs, create a supportive home environment, and develop practical strategies for meal support and body image conversations.
Partners of transitioning individuals – When gender transition and eating disorders intersect, the complexity multiplies. I provide a space to process your feelings and develop strategies to support both your partner and yourself through these intertwined journeys.
faqs
Common Questions About Treatment
-
Our first session focuses on what’s bringing you to therapy. We work together to craft a timeline of the history of your eating disorder and how it’s affecting you now .
We explore what recovery means to you. What are your hopes for recovery? What are your fears? Who are the supportive people in your life? Do you wish you had more support?
Sessions may involve just talk therapy, while other sessions may incorporate more mind-body approaches, like art therapy and IFS. If helpful, writing exercises are implemented between sessions to help support you outside of therapy.
Eating disorder treatment is collaborative. If needed, I will help you build a care team of people you trust. This often includes a dietician, primary care physician and sometimes a psychiatrist.
-
Recovery timelines vary greatly depending on individual needs, severity of symptoms, and co-occurring mental health conditions. Some clients work with me for several months, while others benefit from longer-term support. We'll regularly assess your progress and adjust our approach as needed.
-
It can be a big leap to make that first appointment! There are no guarantees, but here are some things to look for.
You might be ready if:
You’ve been trying to manage your eating disorder on your own but you need help.
You feel ready to add some accountability.
You’ve just completed intensive outpatient treatment and are looking to step down.
You think body acceptance sounds nice in theory, but struggle to put it into practice.
You’re interested in intuitive eating, but feel scared to try it alone.
You’re looking for a mind-body approach to therapy.
You want a more relational approach to therapy.
You want more than just coping skills and behavior change.
-
You can schedule a consultation by booking online.
You can also send an email through my contact form. I’ll reply to your email within 1-2 business days (not on weekends). From there, we’ll pick a day and time that works for both of us.
After the phone call, if it feels like a good fit, we can schedule that first appointment. You will receive an email to set up your client portal and complete the intake paperwork online. Once all of the forms are completed, your appointment will be confirmed.
-
You don't need to be fully ready for recovery to begin therapy for eating disorders. Many clients feel ambivalent about change initially. We'll explore this ambivalence together and work at a pace that feels manageable while gently challenging eating disorder behaviors.
-
Yes, I provide treatment for anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, binge eating disorder, and other specified feeding or eating disorders. My integrative approach adapts to address various eating disorder symptoms and behaviors.
Take the First Step Toward Recovery
You’re tired of thinking about food all the time—and even more tired of pretending you’re okay. It feels like there’s a voice in your head that never shuts up, counting, comparing, and criticizing until you’re completely drained. You want to feel present in your life again, but it’s hard to imagine what that would even look like.
Recovery doesn’t happen overnight, but it is possible. You don’t have to carry this alone anymore
You deserve a space where you can talk about food, your body, and your identity without feeling judged or misunderstood. This is a place where you can finally exhale—where every part of your story is welcome. We’ll use a mix of approaches that actually fit you and your goals, not a one-size-fits-all plan.
Together, we’ll help you find a way to feel at home in your body and at peace around food. You don’t have to earn your right to rest, eat, or exist—you already deserve that.
You’ve been carrying so much, and it makes sense that you’re exhausted. Whether you’re stuck in food rules, guilt after eating, or feeling out of control around food, you deserve care that helps you feel safe in your body again. If you’re ready to see what healing could look like, let’s start with a free 20-minute chat. You don’t have to have it all figured out before reaching out—we’ll take it one step at a time
