Find An Eating Disorder Therapist in Mangonia Park, FL.

Do you spend your days thinking about when and what you are going to eat or not eat? Do you fantasize about how much better life would be if you were a different size or weight? Do you have persistent feelings of emptiness that you try to fill with food? Do you feel guilty after overeating or eating the “wrong” foods? Do you turn to food when you are not hungry but instead, sad, lonely, or upset? In therapy we will look at the thoughts you have that are not helpful to you and trigger feelings of distress and of things being out of your control. We will then develop your own personal toolkit of coping strategies and rid you of guilt and shame. I am here to support you; please reach out.

While I don’t specialize in eating disorders, I understand the ways that past trauma, perfectionism, control, and issues around worth and identity can impact our behaviors. Eating disorders, substance use, pornography addiction... the list could go on. We all go through pain, and we gravitate towards behaviors that promise control and relief from that pain. But, deep down, you probably know that long-term this story doesn’t end well. You probably need not only deep healing, but new strategies for coping with your present and building a hopeful future. At Lion Counseling, our mission is to help you escape the cages that hold you back and become the lion God created you to be.

Very often, eating disorders result from a person's dissatisfaction with the appearance of his or her body. Based on my experience and on overwhelming research results, this dissatisfaction comes from society's messages, which we get from ads and celebrities, that certain body types (usually very thin) are beautiful and sexy. Unfortunately, most of us don't even realize that our perceptions have been so effectively manipulated in these ways. The idea that extremely thin bodies are desirable is handed down to us whether we want it or not. I have learned that people make much more sensible choices once they learn how they are being manipulated, and once they can make their own choices freely.

The use of Cognitive Behavior Therapy is used to help clients recognize the cycle in how their thinking feeling, and behavior are connected to the outcome/results. I use a technique from 7 Habits of Highly Effective People called the Circle of Concern and Circle of Influence to help them visualize and understand things that are outside of their control. Clients are actively involved in processing what they can or can’t do about the things in their Circle of Concern, which adds to their stress and trigger for their eating disorder.

Disordered eating is rooted in perfectionism and shame. Shame is a powerful, painful emotion and it makes sense why we try our best to avoid it, even if the measures we take to avoid it are at times destructive. However, you can learn healthy ways to deal with these feelings and problems that lead to more enjoyment out of life and a healthy mind and body. Healing starts with self-compassion, understanding your disorder, and taking steps to overcome the disorder and change your behavior. We'll focus on the underlying issues AND take actionable steps to change your behavior.

While most eating disorder issues are treated by cognitive behavioral methodologies or specialized outpatient/inpatient programs, Grey Matters International and the work of Kevin J. Fleming, PhD provide relief first and foremost for the brain of one suffering from an eating disorder----without giving them medication. We believe that the neural circuitries responsible for the compulsive behaviors with eating are not necessarily only a neurotransmitter issue but of overused neural networks that affect the harmonization, balance, and decisions of the whole brain. Contact kevin@kevinfleminphd.com or 877-606-6161 to learn more about this safe and effective alternative.