Psychotherapy Services in Utah
Psychotherapy
I am often asked, “How do you treat an eating disorder? What will help me to get better?” These are not questions that come with simple answers, but without question, a trusting therapy relationship is often vital in recovery. But, at the same time, therapy feels intimidating, and maybe, overwhelming. I am confident, however, that you will find therapy to be warm and caring, while also providing the push necessary to overcome these difficult disorders.
Therapy services are overseen by Wendy Hoyt, PhD. One of my additional goals is to provide training to other therapists seeking knowledge or expertise in eating disorder treatment. As a result, I may have other pre-licensed and licensed therapists available to provide services under my supervision.
Binge Eating Disorder
Many people struggle with binge eating behaviors, often triggered by restricting or dieting behaviors. However, they often feel as though they do not fit the criteria for what is treated by an eating disorder specialist. This could not be further from the truth. Binge eating behaviors, and the restricting that most often goes with this, are the most common disordered eating behaviors; a reality not accurately portrayed until recently.
In reality, whether the eating disorder behavior is dieting, restricting, binging, binging and purging, or exercise abuse, the underlying issues are often the same, and the treatment is very similar. Our goal is to help our clients get past the behaviors and get to where they can “eat for the sake of eating,” not to help manage emotions.
What is most important to understand is that here, you will not be put on a diet, advised as to how to better restrict your food intake, or demonstrate more “control.” Our goal is to help you become healthy, NOT control your weight; as such, the goal is not weight loss, though it may happen as you stabilize your eating.
Please contact me if you are sick of dieting and battling your body.
Self-Harm Treatment
It is not uncommon for those with eating disorders to also engage in self-harm behaviors. These behaviors serve similar purposes, and individuals often switch between symptoms, making treatment more complex. It is important to address all of the behaviors at once in order to achieve true recovery.
Making Sense of Self-Harm
Most people, including both family members and professionals, are perplexed by self-harm behaviors. They struggle to understand why people engage in these acts. There are numerous theories as to the reasons for self-harm, but the one that seems to fit the most is that self-harm serves an affect-regulation function.
What does that mean? It means that the self-harm does serve a purpose for the individual. In other words, they are not just doing it for no good reason. It helps the person manage his/her emotions. The best way I can think of to explain it is that self-harm seems to be very effective (i.e., it works for the intended purpose), but it is also very unhealthy. It helps some people numb their emotions, whereas for others, it helps them feel emotions that have become numbed. Clearly, it is a confusing behavior that requires specialized treatment.
Treatment Approach
My treatment approach for self-harm closely mirrors my treatment for eating disorders. Whether the behaviors are food-related or self-harm-based, the underlying issues are the same. In fact, many individuals who have an eating disorder also have a history of self-harm, and vice versa.
Just as individuals with eating disorders are frightened to give up their behaviors, individuals who engage in self-harm are scared they will not be able to manage their lives without the behavior(s) that have helped them to manage their difficult emotions. Many have a difficult time expressing themselves with words and are not sure how to explain what they are thinking and feeling. As with eating disorders, I believe it is important to identify the “functions” the self-harm behaviors serve and the needs they meet, and then identify healthier ways of meeting those needs.