Find An Eating Disorder Therapist in Valrico, FL.

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 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.

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.

As is the case with any disorder, it is important to ask the right screening questions. For example, what is your ideal body weight? Do you feel big /small in your body? Do you have forbidden foods? Next we may progress to use of the SCOFF questionnaire which will provide supporting information to determine the prevalence of eating and substance use disorders. Given the fact that high levels of co-morbidity exists among patients with eating disorders, the risk factors that contribute to co-morbidity will be carefully examined such as genetics, stress, trauma, neglect, early drug exposure and even media impact. Sequential, simultaneous or integrated treatment outcomes will then be initiated