Therapy for Eating Disorders

Support for disordered eating in St. Louis

Are you tired of obsessing about food & your body?

Maybe you’ve noticed that lately, your days revolve entirely around what foods you can eat or when you can exercise. Or perhaps you’re struggling with restricting, binge eating, or just feeling out of control around food. You may be struggling to just relax & enjoy time with friends & family, or simply avoiding them all together due to food or body image concerns. Perhaps you’re feeling stuck in an endless, anxious loop & you’re wondering if it will always feel this way.

Eating disorders & body image concerns can feel exhausting, frustrating, & isolating- gradually impacting so many meaningful parts of life:

  • Struggling with rigid thoughts & “rules” about what to eat & when, taking away the joy of a spontaneous meal with friends or holiday gatherings.

  • Cancelling or missing out on plans because of negative thoughts about your body.

  • Feeling like you can never miss a workout or eat something “unhealthy” because it will cause anxiety, guilt, & even shame.

Therapy for eating disorders can help.

It may feel impossible now, but you can find freedom from obsessive thoughts about food. You can release yourself from unattainable standards that lead to body shame. You can build a life that is SO much more than calories & control. And I can help you get there.

Eating disorder therapy helps you do three things:

  • Identify Patterns

    Identify patterns of thoughts & behaviors around body image & food that keep you feeling trapped in an exhausting, self-perpetuating cycle.

  • Examine the Function

    Examine the function of the eating disorder behaviors (i.e. sense of control), while disrupting any habits that do not serve you.

  • Challenge & Recover

    Challenge the problematic, image obsessed cultural messages we receive about self worth, bodies, & “wellness”.

Approach

I’ll help you through this process, tailoring each step to your unique needs & circumstances. My approach to eating disorders is Health At Every Size (HAES) informed & comes from a place of personal experience: I remember feeling stuck- like change was not only too scary, but flat out impossible when things were at their worst. I’m here with a message that recovery is not only possible, it is SO worth the fight.

If you’re ready to find trust in your body & start building a life you love, I get you, & I’ve got you.

Let’s do this.

 

FAQs - Eating Disorder Therapy

 

What are eating disorder therapy sessions like?

50 minute sessions with me are always collaborative, non judgemental, & compassionate. In our first few sessions, we’ll spend time getting to know each other & establishing a relationship based on trust. We’ll explore your interests, close relationships, & identify the values that drive you. Next, we’ll examine the thoughts, behaviors, & life events that have fueled eating disorder behaviors, & identify the reasons you feel stuck. As we work together, we will slowly work to push through limiting beliefs, challenge compulsive habits, develop self compassion, & unpack the societal messages & standards that have influenced the ways we show up in the world, & how we view ourselves.

How long do I need to be in therapy & how often do we meet?

The length of therapy will vary depending on a variety of factors & is specific to each individual & their unique situation. Meaningful & lasting change happens over time, & the length of therapy will reflect the needs of each individual I work with, rather than sticking to a predetermined timeline.

In my experience, I have found that meeting weekly for 50 minute sessions is most clinically appropriate & ensures we are making progress towards their goals. We will reassess & adjust the frequency as needed throughout our work together.

How do I know if eating disorder therapy will work for me?

Eating disorders, while having some consistent patterns, can also feel very unique to each individual. Eating disorder therapy may be a good fit for you if you’ve found that thoughts about food, exercise, or body image are interfering with your daily life & functioning. If intrusive thoughts about food & your body are leaving you feeling isolated or exhausted, now is the time to take the first steps towards recovery!

Who is impacted by eating disorders?

Eating disorders do not discriminate- they can affect people of every age, weight, body type, race, & gender.

You mentioned the phrase, Health At Every Size (HAES)- what does that mean?

The Health At Every Size (HAES) movement is, “a continuously evolving alternative to the weight-centered approach to treating clients & patients of all sizes. It is also a movement working to promote size-acceptance, to end weight discrimination, & to lessen the cultural obsession with weight loss & thinness. The HAES approach promotes balanced eating, life-enhancing physical activity, & respect for the diversity of body shapes & sizes.” This approach emphasizes that all bodies deserve dignity & respect.

How much does therapy cost?

My session fee is $170 for 50 minutes with limited openings reserved for sliding scale/scholarship pricing. I am an out-of-network provider with most insurance companies. If you have an insurance plan that includes out-of-network benefits, you may be able to use it for reimbursement for my fees of service. Each month, I provide a “superbill” (billing statement) that you may submit to your insurance company for possible reimbursement. The best way to determine your out-of-network benefits is to call the number on the back of your insurance card.

Do you take my insurance?

I am not in-network with any specific insurance company. I am an out-of-network (OON) provider meaning that if your plan has OON benefits, you may be able to submit a claim to your insurance company for reimbursement for some or all of session costs. After making payments to me for therapy services, I provide you with a monthly “superbill” that includes all necessary information for you to submit claims to your insurance company. This is different from a regular invoice due to the additional claim information that is included such as a diagnosis code, CPT codes, my provider number, etc. You may then be reimbursed by your insurance company depending on your plan’s specific benefits.

Do you offer in person &/or virtual sessions?

I provide both virtual & in-person sessions. Many clients I work with prefer a combination of both depending on circumstances, health concerns, or simply convenience. If meeting virtually, a secure link to my “virtual appointment room” is sent via email about 10-15 minutes before each appointment (using HIPAA compliant Zoom as a back up if there are connectivity issues).

What is your availability?

I see clients Monday-Thursday. I am exclusively virtual on Mondays & Thursdays and see clients in my CWE office on Tuesdays and Wednesdays. I have a limited number of evening spots available for teens & young adults that are unable to be excused from school during the day & those with conflicting work schedules.

Where is your office located?

Emily Lombardo Counseling is located in the Central West End neighborhood of St. Louis City at 408 N Euclid Ave Suite 208 Saint Louis, MO 63108 in the Lorraine Building above the former Pi Pizza. There is paid off street parking available via app & free street parking is available further down the block in either direction on McPherson.

How do we get started?

Click the button below to schedule a free 15-minute consultation. We’ll discuss any questions you have & see if working together feels like a good fit. I can’t wait to hear from you!