The words we use don't just reflect our thoughts; they shape our experiences, both internally and in our relationships with others. We often ask: What's the deeper meaning behind someone's struggle with food? What could be going on beneath the surface? While these questions are important, we should also be thinking of how we can apply this understanding to create positive change.

Ever wondered why some dreams stick around while others vanish like morning mist? Jennifer shares that dreams we remember are like neon signs from our unconscious, emphasizing an underlying conflict. It turns out, that the more significant the conflict, the greater the unconscious's push to deliver the message through vivid dreams.

While diagnostic criteria, such as those outlined in the DSM (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders), exist for binge eating disorders, it's crucial to prioritize the individual's subjective experience. There is a limitation when it comes to these medicalized classifications and it’s important to recognize the subjective nature of these issues.

There is no doubt that I disagree with diet culture. But recently I’ve been noticing that a lot of these things that frustrate me with this culture are starting to show up in the anti-diet culture as well. Between the judging, the internal shaming, and the “cult behaviors”, the lines are starting to blur and the cycle we were trying to break has begun to repeat itself.

Feeling stuck isn't exclusive to one area of life; it can strike at any moment. Whether you're battling with your career, your relationships, or, as is often the case, your relationship with food, that suffocating feeling can be all too familiar. If you've ever grappled with issues related to your relationship with food or have felt trapped in various aspects of life, this discussion is going to be a game-changer for you.

This first question revolves around the decision-making process regarding various levels of care for eating disorder treatment. Many individuals with eating disorders receive outpatient treatment, but some may consider stepping up to higher levels of care like intensive outpatient programs, partial hospitalization, or even residential treatment. The challenge is figuring out which level of care is best for them. The answer is not one-size-fits-all.

In our journey to understand the distinction between CBT and psychodynamic therapy, it's essential to understand the intricacies underlying the medical model and its limitations when applied to mental health. Unlike physical ailments, mental health conditions aren't as straightforward to diagnose, with no blood tests or scans to conclusively pinpoint their existence.

In a world driven by absolutes and quick fixes, where opinions often seem black or white, it's time to stop for a minute and just think about how complex the situation really is. Let’s embrace the nuance in our decision-making, whether it pertains to nutrition, relationships, or any other aspect of life.

As I sat down with Dr. Gaudiani, she wasted no time in emphasizing the personalized and intricate nature of eating disorders. These conditions are shaped by a complex interplay of genetics and an array of factors still shrouded in mystery. Dr. Gaudiani made it clear that the web of complexities surrounding eating disorders extends far beyond our current comprehension, revealing the need for a bespoke approach to treatment.

As clinicians, our role goes beyond that of typical interpersonal relationships. We are healers, listeners, and guides to our clients, offering them a safe space to explore their emotions and experiences. When a client becomes upset or frustrated, it becomes a unique opportunity for us to understand their inner world better.

What do we do with the limitations in nutrition science? Much of the conversation among nutrition scientists, outside the realm of eating disorders, revolves around various fad diets or approaches involving highly processed foods, intermittent fasting, and keto diets, among other trends. But the majority of this evidence may lack comprehensive scientific support.

Since 2020, online therapy platforms like BetterHelp have become very popular, mainly because of their convenience and affordability. With a subscription-based model, easy therapist switching, and 24/7 accessibility, they promise an accessible and hassle-free mental health solution. But are these platforms really a replacement for traditional therapy? Are these platforms providing true therapeutic value?

In the world of mental health and therapy, there's often a buzz around "evidence-based treatment" or EBT. It sounds great, right? But what exactly does it mean, and is it the be-all and end-all of effective therapy? Is there a difference between EBT and psychodynamic psychotherapy (deep work therapy)? Why has CBT gotten a monopoly on the evidence-based title? So many questions!

In today’s episode, I am joined by Douglas Bunnell. Douglas W. Bunnell, Ph.D., FAED, CEDS-S is a clinical psychologist in Fairfield, Connecticut. He has specialized in the treatment of people with eating disorders for the past 30 years. Dr. Bunnell is a past board chair of the NEDA and recipient of their Lifetime Achievement Award.

Emotions not expressed through words don’t just go away… they are communicated in other ways — sometimes through eating disorders. I discuss with Tom Wooldridge what psychoanalysis is, how it relates to your relationship with food and recovery, and how psychoanalysis can help YOU in your own life. Find more information on disorder eating, eating disorder treatment, and deep work therapy in NYC and Brooklyn on my website.

You might not be surprised to hear that perfectionism and eating disorders do hand-in-hand, but WHY is that and HOW do we go about addressing it? Colby Golder is a Registered Dietitian who specializes in eating disorders and disordered eating. Read or listen to the podcast episode as we discuss what perfectionism looks like, how orthorexia plays a role, and questions to ask yourself to address your perfectionist tendencies. Find more information on therapy sessions and treatment in NYC and Brooklyn on my website.

Exploring your past and your relationships in deep work psychotherapy is more important than you realize — and ignoring them might actually be holding you back from recovering from your eating disorder. In this podcast episode, will discuss the affect your past has on your present (even if you don’t feel like you had any childhood trauma), why it’s important to look at your past with curiosity and not judgment, and how to get started today. Use these as your first steps toward disordered eating treatment and find more information on therapy sessions in NYC and Brooklyn on my website.

If you’re struggling with disordered eating or an eating disorder diagnosis, and even if you’re in deep work therapy or treatment, you might feel like you don’t understand WHY you do the things you do. It can be frustrating to have read all the research and know exactly what you’re supposed to do, but still feel like you’re not able to make a change. That’s where Jennifer Diaz, mindset success coach, comes in. She uses her training in psychology and neuroplasticity to help ambitious optimize their potential and feel more fulfilled in business and life.

When you’re in therapy — deep work therapy, psychoanalytic therapy, or otherwise — and hoping to find recovery from an eating disorder, it can be frustrating to feel like it’s not working out with your therapist. Take this as your guide to how to start the conversation in your next session and start finding the disordered eating treatment you need.

There is SO much information out there on therapy, eating disorders, and self-help that you could spend endless amounts of time reading and learning… but what do you do when you’ve learned so much, and your life STILL isn’t changing the way you’d hoped? Giuliana Hazelwood discusses what she’s discovered about disorder eating and why you can’t think your way out of an eating disorder. Find out more about my online therapy practice in Brooklyn and NYC at my website.

In the anniversary episode of the podcast Understanding Disordered Eating, I will explore my signature topic on eating disorders: understanding and treating eating disorders through our emotions and emotional experience. Using a psychoanalytic therapy approach, we will explore how eating disorders are developed and maintained, and how to go about treating them. Find out more about my online therapy practice in Brooklyn and NYC at my website.