Therapy for Eating Disorders in Charlotte, NC
Experience compassionate therapy for eating disorders in Charlotte, NC. Our expert counselors offer personalized treatment to help you overcome challenges, foster a healthier relationship with food, and regain your well-being.
Does any of these feel familiar?
- Eating feels like a battleground: stress, guilt, shame, fear, rules, exhaustion.
- You feel overwhelmed by food – either trying to control it, avoid it, or make up for it.
- You’re constantly thinking about exercise, your body, or what you did or didn’t eat.
- You’re not sure what’s “normal” anymore – but you know this doesn’t feel good.
- You’re worried these things apply to someone in your life, but don’t know how to bring it up.
Eating disorders can be incredibly isolating. Know that you have the capacity to heal, and evidence-based treatment does help
What Is An Eating Disorder?
An eating disorder is a mental health condition that impacts how you think about food, your body, and yourself.
Some people restrict what they eat. Some binge. Some purge. Some avoid food entirely because of sensory or trauma-related reasons. Some do all of the above.
At its core, an eating disorder isn’t really about food. It’s about what’s underneath, which may relate to:
- Escaping from painful emotions or memories
- Self-punishment
- Seeking safety from discrimination, or living in a body that doesn’t feel safe
- Sensory needs
- The belief that your worth depends on your body
- Gender dysphoria
- The need to feel in control
- A response to societal pressure and expectations
Common Types of Eating Disorders
No two people experience an eating disorder the same way. While these are some of the most common clinical types, many people have overlapping symptoms or don’t fit perfectly into one box.
- Binge Eating Disorder: Repeated episodes feeling out-of-control while eating large amounts of food in a short period of time, often accompanied by shame or guilt. Unlike bulimia, there are no regular purging behaviors.
- Bulimia Nervosa: Cycles of binge eating (feeling out-of-control while consuming a large amount of food within a short time period) followed by purging (vomiting, laxatives, over-exercising).
- Anorexia Nervosa: Restriction of food intake, fear of gaining weight, and a distorted body image.
- ARFID: Limited eating due to sensory issues, fear of choking, or lack of interest in food. Unrelated to weight or body image, someone with ARFID may have “safe foods” and experience intense fear/distress when eating outside of these foods.
- OSFED: Disordered eating, which doesn’t fit neatly into another category, that causes significant distress and impairment. Note: this is the most common eating disorder.
Signs You (Or Someone You Love) Might Be Struggling With An Eating Disorder
Emotional and Behavioral Signs:
- Constant or intrusive thoughts about food, weight, or body image
- Feeling anxious, guilty, or ashamed around eating
- Following strict or rigid food rules (e.g., “good” vs. “bad” foods, “safe” vs “dangerous” foods)
- Eating large amounts of food quickly, feeling unable to stop
- Purging behaviors after eating (vomiting, laxatives, diuretics, or over-exercising)
- Avoiding eating around others or skipping meals regularly
- Restricting certain foods or entire food groups without a medical reason
- Fear or anxiety around trying new foods, textures, or eating situations (common in ARFID)
- Feeling disconnected from hunger or fullness cues
- Using food to cope with emotions like stress, sadness, or numbness
- Social withdrawal, especially from activities involving food or body exposure
- Constant checking, criticizing, or avoiding looking at your body
- Mood swings, irritability, or difficulty concentrating
Physical Signs:
- Missed or irregular menstrual cycles (for those who menstruate)
- Sore throat, dental erosion, or mouth sores (can be related to purging)
- Muscle weakness or joint pain
- Significant changes or fluctuations in body shape
- Digestive complaints such as stomach pain, bloating, constipation, or acid reflux
- Feeling cold more often, especially in hands and feet
- Fatigue, dizziness, or fainting spells
- Hair thinning, dry skin, or brittle nails
- Nutritional deficiencies or signs of malnutrition
- Changes in sleep patterns or insomnia
How Are Eating Disorders Treated?
Eating disorder treatment often includes building a care team who understands both the emotional and physical parts of healing.
Therapy:
Working with a therapist who understands eating disorders can help you:
- Understand the root causes of disordered eating
- Learn new ways to cope with emotion, stress, and trauma
- Challenge unhelpful thoughts about food, body, and worth
- Reconnect with your body in ways that feel safe and affirming
Common evidence-based approaches include:
- CBT-E (Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Eating Disorders) helps identify and challenge harmful beliefs and behaviors around food and body
- ACT (Acceptance and Commitment Therapy) helps you learn to sit with painful emotions without responding in ways that harm you or your body
- FBT (Family-Based Therapy) often for adolescents and young adults, involving caregivers in treatment. Parents play an active role in helping their child recover.
Nutrition Support
A registered dietitian (RD) with experience in eating disorders can help with:
- Rebuilding a flexible, nourishing relationship with food
- Understanding your body’s needs without shame or judgment
- Navigating hunger/fullness and fear foods
- Supporting weight restoration or stabilization, if needed
Medical Care
A medical provider (often a primary care provider and/or psychiatrist) helps monitor physical health and may assist with:
- Lab work, vitals, and medical stabilization
- Prescribing medications for co-occurring issues like anxiety, depression, or ADHD
Connect with one of our clinicians today. We offer online therapy in 40+ states.
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