Stop Measuring Everything Against Perfect

Perfect—what a seductive word it is. And what a lie it represents. And what pain it causes. I wish I had a dollar for every time a client says, “Well, my eating isn’t perfect, but…” or “It’s not a perfect relationship, but…” Tell me, why must anything be perfect? Why would we expect it to […]

Please Stop Calling It “Comfort” Food

As an eating disorders therapist, I am so done with hearing the term “comfort food.” I’m not only sick and tired of it, but I’m frustrated and angry that we’re still using this misnomer, if there ever was one, and about how it’s affecting our mental and physical health. As a therapist—mostly on the binge […]

Anorexia in Adults: Psychodynamic Therapy Most Successful

Adults suffering from anorexia find recovery through psychodynamic based psychotherapy. What a joy to see this fact coming into scientific and public awareness. pix* Largest therapy trial worldwide: Psychotherapy treats anorexia effectively

Emotional Mastery

We all know of people who pursue mastery in such things as chess, golf, painting, cooking, musicianship, martial arts and more. But something I’ve been thinking about a lot over the past year is emotional mastery. In fact, I’ve come to believe that the importance of mastering our own emotionality cannot be overestimated; it’s actually […]

Befriending Anxiety

It is crucial for psychiatrists and therapists in NYC to educate clients that anxiety is not to be avoided, feared or simply doused with psychiatric medication. In fact, it needs to be pursued, befriended and mastered. different types of anxiety All competent mental health professionals agree that living well requires that we regularly take emotional […]

Therapy vs. Therapeutic (Art)

There is a distinct difference between therapy and therapeutic arts. Art can be healing, art can be cathartic, art can deeply reinvigorate a wounded and traumatized spirit, but art cannot single-handedly eliminate trauma or eradicate its scars. That, is the work of treatment, rehabilitation, and help. Therapy can be an artist’s most sacred tool, most […]

Amazing Book – “goodbye ed, hello me”

I just got done reading a really great book about recovering from an eating disorder and learning to fall back in love with life and yourself. It’s called “goodbye ed, hello me” by Jenni Schaefer, a recovered anorexic and bulimic. (Ed was her way of referring to eating disorder in the third person.) Even if […]