Carolina Gaviria, LMHC, NCC, CEDS-C
Psychotherapist

Eating disorders are serious psychiatric disorders associated with severe disturbances in the way individuals related to food, weight, and their body. Often, individuals eating behaviors, thoughts and emotions are consumed by preoccupation with food, body weight, and shape. Common eating disorders include Anorexia Nervosa, Bulimia Nervosa, Avoidant Restrictive Food Intake Disorder (ARFID), and binge-eating disorder (BED) and they can be experienced by males and females all ages and ethnicity.

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Symptoms include:

• Extremely restricted eating or binge eating

• Extreme thinness (emaciation), weight loss or gain 

• A relentless pursuit of thinness or "fitness"

• Unwillingness to maintain a normal weight for their height, age, and gender

• Intense fear of gaining weight

• Distorted body image and a self-esteem that is heavily based by body weight and shape

• Minimization and denial of the seriousness of the symptoms

• Using compensatory behaviors for weight gain such as purging through vomit, exercise and the use of laxatives

• Guilt and shame connected to food intake and body image

• Depression and anxiety are associated with these disorders

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Eating disorders have serious medical consequences and early intervention is key. My practice is informed by a non diet approach which is a health justice and weight inclusive framework. I collaborate with other specialists to help the client understand the function of their eating disorder and form a healthier relationship with food and their body. This collaborative treatment team approach offers a holistic view of the individual and involves the family as the main source of support. I also follow intuitive eating principles to promote body respect and self-compassion in eating recovery. For more information, please give me a call today at 561.305.2497 or email me at carolinagaviriamhc@gmail.com. I will provide a FREE 20 minute phone consultation to answer your questions and determine if therapy can help!