The Center for Eating Disorders treatment philosophy for compulsive overeating.
The Center for Eating Disorders utilizes the “Health at Every Size” treatment approach. It seeks to increase the patient’s self-acceptance and total health. Because it takes into account the patient’s psychological, social and physical characteristics, we refer to it as “holistic.”
Our compulsive overeating treatment program is based on three main assumptions.
First, the program emphasizes the acceptance of the natural diversity of body shapes and sizes, which helps the individual become less critical of his or her own body. Second, we emphasize the ineffectiveness of dieting, which has been shown to have little impact on overall health and weight loss. The third major principle of our overeating treatment program is that social, emotional, spiritual and physical health factors are all equally crucial in achieving overall health and happiness.
Our compulsive overeating treatment program focuses on four main areas.
First, counselors work to help patients to accept themselves more. This requires patients to be comfortable with their own body size and shape, as well as to learn effective ways to take care of themselves. This, in turn, helps them to develop a stronger mind-body connection and better overall health.
Secondly, our compulsive overeating treatment program places emphasis on pleasurable physical activity. While many treatment programs focus on using exercise to burn calories, The Center for Eating Disorders emphasizes fun, social and playful forms of movement, which can be incorporated into everyday activities. The focus is ultimately on health and pleasure as opposed to a goal of weight loss.
Third, dietitians work with our patients to help develop more normal 
eating patterns. They guide patients toward paying more attention to their own hunger cues, and to allow hunger and satiety to guide them in their eating. This results in a greater body awareness, which may help to reduce negative emotions that may keep patients from making good nutritional decisions. Our approach does not focus on counting calories or fat grams, but on using one’s own body cues as the ultimate expert in eating.
Finally, our program emphasizes total health. We focus more on achieving complete physical and mental well-being than on specific weight loss or attaining an ideal weight. Achieving goals in The Center for Eating Disorders compulsive overeating treatment program may or may not be accompanied by weight loss. However, following the program can result in improved overall health.
The Center for Eating Disorders is staffed by psychiatrists, dietitians, psychologists and licensed clinical social workers. Each of our clinicians is licensed or certified in his or her area of expertise. We currently offer medical consultations, nutritional counseling, and individual, group, couples and family treatment.
We strongly believe that by using our team approach, holistic treatment is possible in addressing compulsive overeating.
