The truth is, restriction can take many forms, all of which can contribute to the cycle of binge eating. Understanding these different types of restriction is key to breaking free from the binge-restrict cycle and developing a healthier relationship with food and self-care.

The first priority in ARFID treatment is ensuring that a person is meeting their basic nutritional needs. This often starts with introducing foods that feel “safe”—ones that the individual can tolerate and are less likely to trigger anxiety. Once an initial, balanced eating pattern is established, the focus shifts to the individual’s specific experiences and goals.

While it’s natural to seek community and connection, it’s important to be intentional with the process, especially if you’ve experienced religious trauma. Therapy for religious trauma can help you understand and heal from these past experiences, helping you can move forward with clarity and confidence.

While diagnoses can provide useful frameworks for understanding a person’s experience, they often don’t capture the full picture

Being on the path to recovery for an eating disorder can feel overwhelming, but finding the right support group can make all the difference in your healing journey.

As the understanding of religious trauma and religious trauma therapy grows, therapeutic approaches like Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) are being explored for their effectiveness in helping individuals heal and rebuild their lives.

Opening up to your loved ones about an eating disorder is a significant step in the recovery journey.

It’s not easy to discuss something so personal, but letting those you trust in can be a turning point. Sharing your struggle isn’t just about informing them—it’s about finding support, reducing feelings of isolation, and lifting the weight of shame.

I want to help you understand why this step matters and how you can confidently approach these conversations.

If you suspect that you’ve experienced religious trauma, it’s important to reach out for support. Working with a therapist who understands the complexities of religious trauma can help you process your experiences, regain a sense of agency, and move toward healing.

Eating disorders require specialized care, and while there are many professionals out there, not all of them will have the expertise or approach that aligns with what you need. When searching for an eating disorder recovery therapist, there are a few key factors to consider: experience, treatment modalities, personality fit, and cost.

When addressing eating disorder care, it's important to recognize that individuals have unique needs. This is why there are varying levels of eating disorder care— what works for one person may not be suitable for another. Individuals often require different levels of care at various stages of their recovery journey.

If you have a religious upbringing and experience disordered eating, it's important to consider how these two areas of your life may be interconnected.

Whether your child is already connected with a treatment team, or you are newly navigating and learning about your options, you need support. You’re navigating a unique experience that will have its ups and downs.

Though there are often overlapping similarities in eating disorders, it’s helpful to understand how specific they differ. Knowing the differences can assist with effective diagnosis, tailored treatment, improved awareness, and it can help reduce stigmas by minimizing misunderstandings.

As an eating disorder therapist, I’m going to share my expertise on three ways Avoidant Retractive Food Intake Disorder (ARFID) is different from picky eating.

Neurodivergent individuals may struggle with sensory issues and executive functioning difficulties, hindering their ability to cultivate a positive relationship with food and often leading to negative impacts on their relationship with it.