Eating disorders are more than struggles with food—they’re deeply tied to emotions, self-worth, and past experiences. I, John Edwards, understand how overwhelming it can feel to break free from the cycle of disordered eating. Whether you’re dealing with anorexia, bulimia, binge eating, or emotional eating, I provide a safe, non-judgmental space to explore the challenges you’re facing.
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Together, we’ll work to uncover the emotions driving your relationship with food and body image. My goal is to help you develop a healthier, more compassionate relationship with yourself, so you can experience freedom from the shame and frustration that often accompany eating disorders.
Recovery is possible, and you don’t have to do it alone. Schedule a free 15-minute consultation with me to learn more.
West Coast Psychotherapy provides counseling for eating disorders in-person in the Oakland and San Fransico Bay area and online in California, Nevada, Oregon, Hawaii, New York and British Columbia, Canada.
What Are Eating Disorders?
Eating disorders aren’t just about food—they’re deeply tied to emotions, past experiences, and self-perception. Whether it’s restricting calories, bingeing, or feeling shame about eating certain foods, these behaviors often serve as coping mechanisms for complex emotions.
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According to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5), eating disorders are serious mental health conditions characterized by persistent disturbances in eating behavior that negatively impact physical and emotional well-being.
Disordered Eating is Common
If you have an unhealthy relationship with food or your body, you are far from alone. In our image-obsessed society, many people feel trapped in cycles of diet-related shame, blame, and guilt. Messages from media and culture often equate appearance with worth, leaving individuals feeling like they have to fit impossible standards.
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In many ways, emotional eating is woven into our culture. Traditions often tie food to happiness and belonging—birthdays celebrated with cake, and holidays centered around family feasts. Early experiences might even reinforce this connection, like being offered a cookie to soothe a tantrum. As adults, emotional eating has become so normalized that it’s a stereotype: ice cream for heartbreak, candy for anger, and pizza and fries for stress.
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Unfortunately, these patterns don’t teach how to cope with emotions—they teach how to bury them, often under layers of shame. When the relationship between food and emotions becomes tangled in guilt, it’s easy to believe that what you eat reflects your moral character. Eating "bad" food or having a "bad" body can feel like a personal failure, and food may become a tool for self-punishment or even social defiance.
LGBTQ+ Individuals and Eating Disorders
Eating disorders and poor body image are especially common in the LGBTQ+ community, yet finding affirming, compassionate care can often feel like an uphill battle. Many LGBTQ+ individuals struggle with anorexia, bulimia, over-exercise, bingeing, or overeating, but far too few resources are tailored to their unique needs. Gay men, in particular, are disproportionately affected by eating disorders, driven by societal pressures to conform to unattainable body ideals.
The Impact of Discrimination and Stigma
These struggles are often compounded by additional stressors like discrimination, stigma, and the search for acceptance in a world that can feel unkind. For many, eating disorders become a way to cope with these challenges, even as they take a toll on mental, physical, and emotional health.
Hope and Healing Are Possible
No matter your identity or struggles, recovery is within reach. As a gay male therapist specializing in eating disorders, I provide LGBTQ-affirming care that addresses your unique cultural context and emotional needs. Together, we’ll create a path to meaningful, lasting change in your relationship with food and your body.
Signs and Symptoms of Eating Disorders
Eating disorders often manifest in ways that deeply impact physical, emotional, and social well-being. Recognizing the signs is the first step toward seeking support and beginning recovery. While the experience of an eating disorder is unique to each person, here are some common signs to look for:
Physical Signs
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Significant changes in weight—either loss or gain, often tied to restrictive eating or binge behaviors.
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Frequent stomach issues such as bloating, constipation, or acid reflux due to irregular eating patterns.
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Dental problems like enamel erosion, often linked to purging behaviors.
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Fatigue or dizziness from inadequate nutrition or dehydration.
Emotional Signs
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Preoccupation with food, weight, or appearance, often dominating thoughts and conversations.
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Extreme self-criticism or feelings of unworthiness tied to body image.
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Mood swings, irritability, or heightened anxiety around meal times.
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Obsession with control: Feeling the need to control food intake to feel in control of life.
Behavioral Signs
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Avoidance of eating in social settings to hide eating habits or restrictive behaviors.
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Compulsive exercising beyond physical health needs, often driven by guilt or a need to control weight.
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Hoarding or hiding food as part of binge cycles or secret eating.
Impact on Daily Life
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Difficulty maintaining relationships due to secrecy or preoccupation with eating behaviors.
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Neglecting work, school, or hobbies because of the mental and physical toll of disordered eating.
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Isolation as a result of shame or fear of judgment.
How Counseling Can Help Your Heal from an Eating Disorder
Eating disorder counseling provides a safe, supportive space to explore and address the emotions and patterns underlying your relationship with food. Whether you’ve struggled for years or are just beginning to recognize the signs, therapy can help you build a healthier, more compassionate connection with yourself and your body.
Understanding Your Emotions and Patterns
Eating disorders are often fueled by deep emotions—fear, shame, anger, or sadness—that become entangled with eating behaviors. Through counseling, you’ll uncover the root causes of these patterns. Together, we’ll explore how your past experiences, thoughts, and feelings contribute to disordered eating and how you can begin to shift those patterns.
A Non-Judgemental, Compassionate Approach
Change is hard, and no one expects perfection. My role is to guide you with compassion, humor, and insight—not to judge or shame you. We’ll work at a pace that feels right for you, focusing on developing resilience and self-awareness without pressure to transform overnight.
Developing Self-Compassion and Confidence
Part of the therapeutic process involves understanding the critical voice in your head—the one that tells you you’re not enough. By identifying where that voice comes from and what it’s trying to protect you from, you can learn to replace self-criticism with self-compassion. Over time, you’ll start to see yourself more clearly and build the confidence to live a life that feels good to you.
Transforming Your Relationship with Food
Counseling isn’t about what you eat—it’s about why you eat. By addressing the emotional drivers behind your eating habits, you can develop healthier ways of coping with stress and distress. You’ll learn how to validate your feelings, recognize triggers, and create new, supportive behaviors.
Your Path to Healing and Freedom
Recovery from an eating disorder is possible. No matter how long you’ve struggled or how impossible it feels, you can make lasting changes. You deserve a life free from the grip of disordered eating—a life where you feel empowered, confident, and at peace. Schedule your complimentary consultation today.
Common Concerns About Eating Disorder Counseling
“The Problem Isn’t My Emotions—It’s My Body. What I need is a trainer, nutritionist and a doctor.”
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You may believe the root of your struggles lies in your physical body and that what you really need is a trainer, nutritionist, or doctor to "fix" it. While physical health is essential, emotional, mental, and physical well-being are deeply interconnected. How you feel often shapes how you behave, and addressing the emotional drivers behind disordered eating is a critical step toward lasting recovery.
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To facilitate your healing and recovery, I collaborate with dietitians and doctors who specialize in the physical features of eating disorder treatment. My role is to help you implement their recommendations by providing emotional support that helps you to become aware when disordered eating behaviors and thoughts are being used to manage your emotions and identify and integrate helpful alternatives.
“I Should Be Able to Get It Together On My Own.”
It’s common to feel embarrassed about seeking help, especially when you’ve been managing your eating habits for so long. You might think you should be able to figure it out yourself or feel like reaching out is admitting failure. But recognizing that you need support is not a sign of weakness—it’s a courageous step toward healing.
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Through therapy, I’ll help you understand the conflicting thoughts and feelings that contribute to your struggles. Together, we’ll work on challenging unhelpful beliefs and building healthier habits, so you can move forward with clarity and confidence.
"What If I Can’t Have a Healthy Relationship with Food?"
The thought of changing your relationship with food can feel overwhelming. Disordered eating often serves as a coping mechanism, and letting go of these patterns can seem daunting. You may wonder what life would look like without the behaviors that have become so ingrained.
These fears are valid, and therapy provides a safe space to explore them without judgment. I’ll guide you in developing new, healthier coping strategies and strengthening your emotional regulation skills, so you can approach food and emotions with confidence. Together, we’ll work toward a life where food doesn’t control you, and you can focus on pursuing your passions and relationships.
Recovery is Possible
No matter how overwhelming your struggles with food, body image, or emotions may seem, recovery is possible. Disordered eating doesn’t have to define your life. With the right support and tools, you can begin to rewrite your story, fostering a healthier relationship with yourself and food.
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Therapy isn’t about perfection—it’s about progress. Through counseling, you’ll gain the skills and insights needed to navigate life with greater confidence, resilience, and self-compassion. The journey isn’t always easy, but the rewards are immeasurable: freedom from food-related shame, emotional peace, and a life centered on joy and fulfillment.
You are worthy of healing, and you don’t have to face this journey alone. Every small step you take toward recovery is a testament to your strength and commitment to yourself.
Explore More Areas of Counseling Expertise
At West Coast Psychotherapy, a compassionate and tailored approach is at the heart of every session. In addition to fluency in treating eating disorders, John offers expert guidance in other areas to support your emotional and mental well-being.
