In-Person therapy for Anorexia Nervosa in New City, NY 

Christine Knorr Psychotherapy Associates provides specialized therapy for Anorexia for children, teens, and adults at our office in New City, NY. Our office is accessible to all of Rockland County, Bergen County, Northern NJ, Westchester and Orange County, NY. 

 

Virtual therapy for Anorexia Nervosa in New York

Virtual therapy is available to all of New York State. 

 

What Is Anorexia Nervosa? 

 

Anorexia Nervosa, sometimes referred to as Anorexia, is a serious and life-threatening eating disorder.

 

People who have Anorexia often place a lot of importance on their weight, shape, or size. They may feel a lot of anxiety about the way their body looks, and may put a lot of effort into losing weight or staying a certain size. Some people with Anorexia do not eat enough food to meet their body’s nutritional needs. Some people with Anorexia may binge eat, and sometimes they may engage in behaviors that they think will interfere with digestion or prevent weight gain. 

 

What health problems can happen to someone with Anorexia? 

 

It is important to know that the behaviors associated with Anorexia are very dangerous and can cause serious health problems and even death. According to The Mayo Clinic, people with Anorexia are at risk for cardiac problems (including cardiac arrest), dehydration, fainting, hair loss, growth of fine hair on the face and body, osteoporosis, fertility problems, and increased depression and anxiety. If you or your child is experiencing any health problems, it is important to seek medical help. 

 

Your safety always comes first. With your written permission, we collaborate with everyone on your treatment team to make sure your health remains stable and that you are getting the best care. 

I’m not having any health issues. How “bad” does my eating disorder have to get before I should get help? 

 

If the way you think or feel about food or your body is getting in the way of you living your life, it is already “bad” enough. Do not wait until your health is affected. Participating in therapy with a qualified and experienced eating disorder therapist can prevent things from getting worse and can prevent the need for a more intensive residential or hospital program.  Eating disorders do not get better on their own. This is not something that someone “grows out of.” The longer someone goes without treatment, the longer they continue to suffer. The sooner you start therapy, the sooner you can start to feel better and get back to living your life the way you want to. 

 

Many people who have Anoxexia have difficulty seeing it as a problem. They may say that they feel fine and that they don’t know what everyone is so worried about. They may not think it is serious enough to get help. This is a brain-based impairment called anosognosia. It is common in people with eating disorders; Anorexia in particular. It is one of the heartbreaks of having an eating disorder that many people do not understand.  It is not something a person does consciously and is not the same as being in denial. It is an impairment caused by weight loss and starvation. Fortunately, anosognosia usually improves as the person progresses in therapy.  

 

For Parents 

 

If you’re like most parents, your teen’s eating disorder probably took you by surprise. Maybe the pediatrician mentioned concerns about your teen’s weight, maybe you’ve noticed some changes in his or her behavior, or maybe your teen has mentioned wanting help. Maybe you’re not sure she really has an eating disorder, but you know you feel concerned and that you don’t want things to get worse. 

 

No matter how connected you feel to your teen, nothing prepared you for this. You’re not sure what to say or how to respond. You’ve tried running from store to store in search of something she “will” eat.  You’ve tried reassuring her that she’s beautiful the way she is, and you’ve tried lecturing her about her health. Still, she seems less and less like her old self with each passing day. She’s irritable, anxious and sad. You need to get help for your teen, but you don’t want to waste your time with someone she won’t talk to. You need support for yourself to understand how to help and what to say, and you need to get your spouse on the same page, too. 

 

Don’t wait for your teen to want to change or admit she has a problem. These things won’t happen, and they don’t have to. We understand that the inability to see the eating disorder as a problem is actually a complication of the eating disorder itself, and we know what to do about it.  

 

We know that research overwhelmingly indicates that the sooner a person gets the RIGHT help, the better their prognosis. We know not to waste precious time in the beginning stages of therapy working on self esteem or searching for the root of the problem while the disordered behaviors continue to run amok. We understand the importance of getting your teen back on the right track quickly so that she has the best possible chance at making a full recovery. 

 

We can help you to help your child recover at home, in her own environment with the people who love her most. You don’t have to continue feeling helpless; we know you already have what it takes to fight the eating disorder and restore your child to wellness. We are on your team and we have your back. 

 

Family Based Treatment is one approach we often use to help children and teens with Anorexia and other eating disorders.  Family Based Treatment (FBT) is considered the gold standard for the treatment of Anorexia Nervosa and other eating disorders in children, adolescents, and young adults. It is well-researched, evidence based, and clinically sound. It gives parents who don’t want to send their child or teen away to a facility an option that keeps them home and in school.

​

Although Family Based Treatment is extremely effective, it is not appropriate for everyone. If you’re wondering whether your child or teen qualifies, please give us a call. We can talk it over with you and set up an appointment for an assessment to get a full picture of your teen, your family, and the problem itself. From there, we will talk together about the various treatment options and formulate a treatment plan that will meet your specific needs. 

 

 

 

 

Is It Possible To Overcome Anorexia?

​

Yes, people with Anorexia can recover and go on to live a healthy life. We work with a lot of people at Christine Knorr Psychotherapy Associates who had Anorexia and are now doing much better. They have gotten back to living their lives and have improved their relationship with food, their bodies, and themselves. Eating Disorders like Anorexia Nervosa require help from a trained and experienced professional. Reaching out for help can be difficult, but it is an important first step. 

 

How does Christine Knorr Psychotherapy Associates help people with Anorexia Nervosa? 

 

We carefully consider your individual needs and create a treatment plan that is exactly right for you. 

Our approach may include: 

​

• Cognitive Behavioral Therapy 

• Dialectical Behavior Therapy skills such as emotion regulation and distress tolerance skills

• Intuitive Eating 

• Family Based Treatment for children and adolescents

• Trauma-focused therapy

• Collaboration with your physician and nutritionist (with your written permission)

• Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP) and other behavioral interventions

• Psychodynamic psychotherapy to help you gain insight into how your experiences shaped your relationship with food, your body, and yourself. 

​

We are here to help. If you have questions or want to schedule your first session, please reach out.