Comments on: Therapists with Eating Disorders

By: Emily

Emily — Sat, 26 May 2012 16:37:01 +0000

I am new to ED treatment, but have experience with other issues like addiction and Gender Identity Disorder. I have always found having a therapist who has overcome their own struggle to be reasuring to me that I to can find my way back to health and balance. I am not saying they are the only source of valid information or support, as it is clear help can come from many people.

Emily

By: ralphlaurenuk

ralphlaurenuk — Sat, 26 Nov 2011 00:43:10 +0000

Great article. I can

By: Rachel

Rachel — Thu, 06 Oct 2011 04:35:18 +0000

I’m fat and I have an eating disorder, not all people with eating disorders are skinny. Why wouldn’t you want a fat therapist, heck I might feel more comfortable about myself if my therapist was bigger then me then I wouldn’t me thinking oh I’m so fat and she thinks I’m huge.

By: Rachel

Rachel — Thu, 06 Oct 2011 04:33:07 +0000

I think someone with an eating disorder would be a good therapist because they have been through it and understand, only someone who’s been through it can truly understand. Though I know I’m biased since I am recovering from an eating disorder and I’m studying soc and psyc and hoping to get my masters in social work. I want to help people. Not sure if it will be specifically eating disorders or something else. Though I think it’s true a lot of people study psyc and nutritian who have eating disorders, but I think a lot of people with mental health issues study psychology. Not all of them will be therapists. Though I really think I would rather know someone understands and has gone through it themselves. If i know someone has recovered from an eating disorder and was able to move on then I know I can to.

By: Leilani

Leilani — Fri, 17 Sep 2010 05:26:28 +0000

i think its a really difficult issue, i don’t have an eating disorder but suffer from PTSD as a result of sexual abuse. My therapist disclosed that she went through a similar journey due to sexual abuse. our work together went really well, but then after i went through a really bad patch (deep depression) she said she couldn’t work with me anymore – i’m left wondering whether our stories were just too similar and she had lost her boundaries. its sad cos i’m left feeling a bit angry and confused about it…..and now i have to try and find a new therapist…

By: 700stories

700stories — Sun, 28 Jun 2009 01:09:20 +0000

Just re-read this. Something I’ve been thinking about and have no idea what the answer is… is it appropriate to ask your therapist questions about themselves? My last (first, and saw her off and on for 5 years) therapist and I crossed so many boundaries… it was pretty ridiculous. So with the one I’ve been seeing when I started I didn’t want to know anything at all whatsoever about her as a real person in the real world. Well of course over time things come out, so I know she’s married and has at least one child… but I am now curious if she relates personally to my two “main topics” (EDs and LGBT) or if she’s just trained/has known people who relate in those areas. I don’t know if it’s appropriate to ask though….

And I always thought I’d want a therapist who had an ED so they would understand. I allowed myself to just assume she did, but honestly I have no idea. Which in hindsight, is interesting I did that.

By: Hungry Girl

Hungry Girl — Thu, 08 Jan 2009 23:34:13 +0000

I n general, I think people with eating disorders spend most of their time preoccupied with themselves, their bodies, their control, their food in-take. I would want a therapist who could help me focus on my problems. I don’t think she could do that if she had an active eating disorder.

On the other hand, I’m not sure how I would feeling seeing a fat therapist either. There would be too much fear that following her advice would lead to acquiring her body type.

By: greythinking

greythinking — Tue, 09 Dec 2008 01:53:15 +0000

Nonny Mouse,

Sorry if I offended with the gender bias. I use female pronouns throughout my posts because it’s too tedious to use he/she and his/her. I realize that eating disorders are something that men struggle with as well. Also, in this case, I’ve never really had a male treatment professional (well, a psychiatrist that I saw a couple of times, but that’s it).

Gender does add an interesting twist to the question, though. While my thoughts on the issue are similar (especially re: objectivity, “addict thinking,” etc.), I think that having a male therapist would probably change the dynamic a little bit. I think that I wouldn’t worry about being competitive or triggered quite so much.

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Tiptoe,

I don’t think I’d be confident trusting anyone (therapist or dietitian) who did not seem solid in his/her recovery. However, I will admit that I’d be curious to see what that meal plan looked like (how healthy would it be?)

By: Tiptoe

Tiptoe — Tue, 09 Dec 2008 00:10:52 +0000

Thinking about this post again, it reminds me of a friend who is a RD and has anorexia (recovery seems to come and go). At one point when I talked to her about my problems with seeing a dietitian, she told me she could just give me a meal plan. I politely said no. There was no comfort in that for me irregardless of how professional or knowledgeable my friend is.

By: A Nonny Mouse

A Nonny Mouse — Mon, 08 Dec 2008 20:20:13 +0000

An interesting and thought provoking post but I couldn’t help noticing the gender bias. The only recovered therapist I know is male.