Compassionate Care for Lasting Recovery
Professional eating disorder treatment
Healing Beyond the Eating Disorder
Eating Disorder Treatment in Utah
Welcome to my site; I am so glad you are looking for help. I want to provide as much information as possible here on my site to help you understand what treatment with me would look like. I specialize, and almost solely treat, eating disorders in both teenagers and adults, including anorexia, bulimia, ARFID and binge eating disorder. In addition, I am here to help if you do not have a “full-blown” eating disorder, but recognize that your relationship with food is not healthy.
I do not work alone to help you with your eating disorder. The “gold standard” for eating disorder treatment includes working with a multidisciplinary treatment team consisting of a physician, therapist, and dietitian. Therefore, I work closely with local dietitians and physicians to facilitate the best care on an outpatient basis. Through this approach, most patients will not need to enter an eating disorder treatment center, as outpatient treatment can be incredibly effective, and allows you to stay in your normal life while getting help.
However, individuals struggling with eating disorders are often particularly skeptical about entering treatment. After all, the behaviors they engage in, whether it is undereating, overeating, or purging, serve a function in their lives. Therefore, they are often frightened of “giving up” these behaviors. Therefore, I believe it is important to identify the “functions” the behaviors serve and the needs they meet, and then identify healthier ways of meeting those needs. This can be a very difficult process, and it is often one that is hard for friends and family members to understand, as it is often hard to believe that these harmful behaviors serve a purpose.
As difficult as this situation is, there is clear evidence that individuals can fully recover from these disorders, particularly if they receive expert professional help. Increasingly, insurance companies are recognizing the severity of these disorders, and advocacy groups have helped to increase coverage for the treatment of eating disorders.
The most important thing to know is that recovery from your eating disorder is absolutely possible, and although treatment can be overwhelming and intimidating, patients indicate that it is absolutely worth it.
The “gold standard” for eating disorder treatment in Utah includes working with a multidisciplinary treatment team consisting of a physician, therapist, and dietitian. I work closely with local dietitians and physicians to facilitate the best care for those with eating disorders.
I work closely with University of Utah physicians or the patients’ own physician, if desired. This treatment team approach allows for close collaboration and the most effective treatment.
Individuals struggling with eating disorders are often particularly skeptical about entering treatment. After all, the behaviors they engage in, whether it is undereating, overeating, or purging, serve a function in their lives. Therefore, they are often frightened of “giving up” these behaviors.
What I Treat
Specialized Treatment for Eating Disorders
Binge Eating Disorder
Binge Eating Disorder involves recurring episodes of uncontrolled eating followed by distress.
Self-Harm Treatment
Binge Eating Disorder involves recurring episodes of uncontrolled eating followed by distress.
GLP-1 Overuse
Binge Eating Disorder involves recurring episodes of uncontrolled eating followed by distress.
Anorexia/Bulimia
Anorexia and bulimia involve unhealthy eating patterns, body image concerns, and harmful weight-control behaviors.
Binge Eating Disorder
Binge eating disorder involves loss of control eating. Treatment builds healthier coping and balance.
Treatment for ARFID
ARFID treatment expands limited eating. Therapy reduces anxiety and improves nutrition.
Self-Harm Treatment
Self-harm treatment addresses emotional distress. Therapy builds coping skills and emotional regulation.
GLP-1 Overuse
GLP-1 overuse affects eating patterns. Treatment restores balance and supports healthy behaviors.
Treating Teens & Families
Family involvement supports teen recovery. Treatment improves communication and supports healing at home.
Psychotherapy
Psychotherapy supports emotional healing. It builds insight, coping skills, and personal growth.
The Path to Recovery
A Compassionate Approach to Treatment
Change Can Be Challenging
This can be a very difficult process. Friends and family members often struggle to understand it because it can be hard to believe that harmful behaviors are serving an important purpose for the individual.
Understanding the Purpose Behind Behaviors
Therefore, I believe it is important to identify the “functions” the behaviors serve and the needs they meet. Once those needs are understood, we can work together to find healthier and more effective ways of meeting those needs.
Recovery Is Possible
Despite these challenges, there is clear evidence that individuals can fully recover from eating disorders, especially when they receive expert professional support.
Growing Access to Treatment
Increasingly, insurance companies are recognizing the seriousness of eating disorders, and advocacy efforts have helped expand access to treatment and improve coverage for eating disorder care.
Sustainable Recovery Support
Research shows that lasting recovery from an eating disorder requires ongoing, long-term support. For those who don’t need intensive treatment, outpatient therapy offers a flexible way to receive consistent care while continuing daily life and responsibilities.