EMDR for Binge Eating & Eating Disorders

Dealing with the challenge of food choices and the back-and-forth of the binge-restrict cycle is both physically and emotionally demanding. Whether it’s an eating disorder, disordered eating, or emotional eating, those caught in its grip face a continuous inner struggle: wanting to relish their meals, yet feeling bound by stringent self-imposed rules. This seesaw of emotions, swinging between indulgence and strict control, not only affects one's physical well-being but also brings a storm of guilt, sadness, and frustration. It's like being on an exhausting pendulum, where each meal can feel like both a treat and a battle. This relationship with food often becomes a silent turmoil, with the simple joy of eating overshadowed by the weight of the emotional aftermath.

Heal Your Relationship With Food

Overcome binge eating, emotional eating, and other eating disorders by resolving underlying trauma through integrative EMDR therapy.

Rebecca Hoffenberg, Psy.D
Clinical Psychologist
Expertises
Binge & emotional eating related to trauma
Approach
EMDR, trauma-informed & person-centered
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Laura Faiwiszewski, Psy.D
Clinical Psychologist
Expertises
Binge eating, emotional eating & bulimia
Approach
Hypnosis, acceptance-based & CBT
Read more
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How We Work with Eating Disorders, Binge Eating, & Emotional Eating

Our therapists are Clinical Psychologists who specialize in EMDR, paired with other forms of therapy grounded in clinical research, to assist individuals in triumphing over their struggles with food. They are adept at treating adults grappling with a wide array of eating-related issues, spanning from emotional eating and a tumultuous relationship with food to more acute challenges such as binge-eating disorder and bulimia. The objective extends beyond merely curtailing these behaviors; it's about aiding clients in transcending the binary view of food as 'good' or 'bad' to halt the cycle of overindulgence and subsequent self-reproach.

Their approach stands out because they comprehend the psychological underpinnings of eating struggles deeply. They both hold doctorates in Clinical Psychology, possess specialized training in eating disorders and other food-related issues. They utilize the profound strategies of EMDR to assist clients in finding balance and reconnecting with their bodies, while also implementing CBT, mindfulness, hypnotherapy and analytic therapy techniques to help reconcile internal conflicts and achieve tranquility with food. As such, they assist individuals in overcoming complex food struggles, such as binge and emotional eating, recognizing that the struggle isn’t about a lack of dietary knowledge, but a pendulum swing between excessive restriction and overindulgence that culminates in both physical and emotional distress.

"Our therapists help by looking not just at eating habits but also at the hidden emotional battles underneath. For many people, these problems aren't just about food or weight. They're also about an ongoing inner struggle—limiting food to feel valuable or eating too much when feeling swamped with emotions."

Our Specialists in EMDR for Eating Disorders & Binge Eating

Dr. Rebecca Hoffenberg

Clinical Psychologist

Dr. Hoffenberg specializes in binge eating and emotional eating, particularly when they are triggered by trauma. Her advanced training is not just in EMDR but is deeply specialized in its application for eating disorders and relational trauma, which enables her to strategically help clients navigate through their food-related struggles by directly addressing the roots that often underpin these challenges.


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Dr. Laura Faiwiszewski

Clinical Psychologist
Dr. Faiwiszewski adopts an action-oriented approach to help individuals navigate through the challenges of compulsive eating, binge eating, and bulimia, merging the impactful technique of EMDR with hypnosis, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT), and acceptance-based therapy. Her method moves beyond conventional dialogues, directly engaging with behavioral patterns and emotional undercurrents to actively drive change, navigate through psychological hurdles, and pave a proactive path towards establishing healthier eating habits and emotional well-being.

Read More about Dr. Faiwiszewski

How EMDR Helps with Eating Disorders and Disordered Eating

People often approach us after having tried other forms of therapy. While other forms of therapy may have helped for a myriad of reasons, they still feel trapped in their struggles with food. Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), emerges as a highly effective tool specifically for addressing the root causes of eating disorders and emotional eating. Unlike traditional methods that might merely scratch the surface, EMDR delves deep into traumatic memories and negative beliefs that often underpin such disorders. The process helps individuals process these memories and replace them with healthier beliefs. Numerous studies advocate for EMDR, highlighting its capacity to effectively tackle challenges like binge eating, distorted body image, and the emotional turmoil tied to food. 

Several research studies have highlighted the benefits of EMDR for issues with food. One study, published in the "European Eating Disorders Review," found that EMDR reduced the frequency of binge eating episodes and improved body image perception among participants. Another study in "Frontiers in Psychology" highlighted that EMDR could notably diminish symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), which is frequently interlinked with eating disorders, providing a window into how it might also alleviate the emotional burdens that often accompany binge eating. It is the targeted approach of EMDR towards disrupting and transforming the association between emotional pain and maladaptive eating behaviors promotes this transformation.

FAQ About EMDR for Binge Eating & Eating Disorders

How does EMDR work for eating disorders?

EMDR heals eating disorders by disrupting and reshaping the connection between emotional distress and harmful eating behaviors.

How does EMDR rewire the brain?

EMDR facilitates the reprocessing of traumatic memories by stimulating the brain's adaptive information processing mechanisms, effectively rewriting neural pathways to reduce the emotional charge of these memories and foster healthier cognitive and behavioral patterns.

How Long Will it Take to Get Results?

The time EMDR takes to treat binge eating varies for everyone. Some people see changes in a few sessions, while others need more time. Factors like the type of trauma and its severity can affect how long it takes.

How is EMDR conducted virtually?

We utilize remotEMDR in our therapy sessions, which is an innovative online platform designed to facilitate EMDR therapy remotely, providing the crucial bilateral stimulation needed to help process traumatic memories.

How Do I Get Started?

Begin your therapy journey with us by booking a free phone consultation online or, if you're ready, schedule your first appointment directly through our online system.

Ready To Overcome Your Challenges with Food?

Begin a journey where self-compassion and balanced eating unite. Allow us to lead you towards a healthier mindset, liberating you from detrimental cycles and nurturing a peaceful relationship with food.