Binge Eating Disorder Treatment & Bariatric Therapy in Pasadena, CA

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Binge Eating Disorder Treatment

Bren M. Chasse, LMFT is a Psychotherapist specializing in treating patients with binge eating disorders. Obesity is one of the most highly stigmatized conditions a person can experience in this day and age.  It is one of the few populations where it is still considered socially acceptable to overtly discriminate against. Or even mock those that fall short of the socially prescribed ideal. 

Binge Eating Disorders and Obesity in a Hypercritical World

The world we live in is hypercritical about our bodies. Eating disorder research suggests these messages contribute to the endorsement of a negative belief system that our individual worth is directly determined by the numbers on our scale.  

Every day, we are inundated with messages that suggest that, regardless of our weight, those who resemble anything shy of a stick figure fall grossly short of being “good enough”. And social structures co-sign this belief every single day. Restaurant booths in many restaurants are not adequate for people of size, airplane seats are incredibly small, and people in the general public may point, stare, or make derogatory comments. 

Biases Towards Individuals Struggling with Obesity

Often, well-meaning doctors shame their patients, provide inadequate assessments, and disregard their patient’s medical concerns. Assuming their obesity is the only reasonable explanation for their presenting symptoms. Even our friends and family may contribute to the bias we experience with implicit messages of judgment. For example, “are you sure you really want that?” or, “are you really still hungry enough for seconds.”

Unlike other issues, it seems that all bets are off when it comes to an individual’s food, body, and just how an overweight individual moves through the world. 

Chasse, B.M. (2020, May 19). Body-shaming is NOT a call to action.
https://anchorpsychotherapy.com/body-shaming-is-not-a-call-to-action/

Young woman sits alone struggling with her relationship with food. If you are lost in the world of unrealistic expectations about your relationship with your body, Binge Eating therapy in Los Angeles, CA can help.

 

The Impact of Negative Experiences

Regardless of how comfortable one may be in their body, these experiences impact us deeply—and only serve to further perpetuate the collateral damage resulting from past trauma.  The truth is, some trauma is so severe that we wear our scars on the outside so that others know where we stand and to create a feeling of safety in a world that we haven’t always experienced as safe.  Obesity is one way to create a barrier between the self and a world that feels uncertain, unpredictable, and potentially a threat to our survival.

My Clincial Approach to Binge Eating Disorder Treatment

As a clinician, I’m unique in that I believe obesity, and binge eating in particular, is the symptom of a greater underlying problem. This means that in order to adequately address the problem, it’s important I work closely with my clients to address, not only the overt assaults from the public regarding their weight but also drill down to the deeper work to discover the negative beliefs they hold about themselves. The beliefs they hold that tell the story of their history and their relationship with food.

By healing your relationship with food and your body, the weight will begin to stabilize on its own. In other words, the weight is serving as a protective barrier against a perceived threat and a belief that we are not worthy. So, the work isn’t just in changing the behavior. But it is actually in changing your relationship with yourself. We do this by walking through the pain, reclaiming our voice, and discovering through our growth and healing that we, too, deserve to take up space in this world.

WHY IS THERAPY FOR BINGE EATING IMPORTANT?

Obesity and chronic overeating are symptoms of greater life challenges that are difficult to cope with effectively.  To be successful in your weight loss journey, it’s important to process the cause of your original weight gain.  The idea of facing those challenges head on can feel overwhelming, but with my help and support, you can:

  • Develop new coping skills
  • Process trauma from your past
  • Learn to love yourself and your body
  • Repair your relationship with food
  • Learn effective strategies to cope with depression, anxiety, and triggers for overeating
  • Reduce your shame and negative self-talk
Curvy woman standing with her arms raised above her head in celebration of her successful mental health journey. You relationship with food and your size do not define you as a person. Learn to restore and recover with binge eating treatment in Los Angeles, CA.

5 QUICK FACTS ABOUT FOOD AND OBESITY

  1. Individuals that have experienced trauma often use food as a means of numbing or coping with intolerable feelings or sensations. 
  2. Approximately two-thirds of those with a dysfunctional relationship with food have struggled with food issues for more than half their life.
  3. Sudden weight change leaves an individual little time to adjust to a change in body dimensions, and the attention from others, which may result.
  4. Research suggests a strong relationship between obesity, and depression and anxiety.
  5. Research also suggests a strong correlation between sexual victimization and the development of disordered eating patterns. Sexual victimization can lead to body-image disturbances, confusion about bodily sensations, negative self-esteem, guilt and shame, and difficulties in identifying or knowing one’s feelings.
Curvy woman jumping happily and celebrating herself. Restore your relationship with food with Binge Eating Disorder Treatment in Los Angeles, CA.

Bariatric Patient Therapy in Los Angeles and Pasadena, CA

Bariatric surgery is not only a medical intervention but also constitutes a permanent and life-changing event. Weight loss surgery results in rapid physical changes—and the change in your body can, often, occur faster than your brain can keep up. Additionally, many people experience a sense of grief and face unanticipated challenges due to being forced to find new coping strategies, as they are physiologically no longer able to use food to cope in the way that they may have in the past.

Feeling of Loss Associated with Bariatric Surgery

In the average hour, it takes to perform weight loss surgery, one goes from food being a source of comfort and safety to losing what many may feel has been their “best friend.” This can feel very destabilizing for an individual—abruptly an individual is forced to directly face the parts of themselves that they have often spent years trying to hide from the world. For this reason, it’s really important that clients who have undergone weight loss surgery or are considering doing so, have an adequate support system to buffer against the challenges that may arise, and therapy is one of the ways to put that support in place.

My Approach to Bariatric Patient Therapy

As a leading provider in bariatric patient therapy, my approach is designed to help prepare you for the emotional journey you will undergo before, during, and following surgery. Having undergone the Roux-en-Y gastric bypass procedure myself, I am closely connected to this work. I have a unique understanding of the personal and psychological impact of weight loss surgery on an individual, as well as his or her family. Your surgeon wants to ensure you have the necessary resources and support in place in order to have the best chance for success, and I am prepared to travel along this journey with you.

Begin Binge Eating Disorder Treatment or Bariatric Patient Therapy in Los Angeles, CA

If  you are struggling in your relationship with food, it does not have to control your life. Whether you need binge eating disorder treatment or bariatric patient therapy, Anchor Psychotherapy, Inc is here to walk this journey with you and help you restore a healthy food relationship. Follow the steps below to get started on your journey to healing.

  1. Get to know more about our California therapy practice here.
  2. Fill out our easy and convenient online contact form.
  3. Begin you journey to healing.

Other Mental Health Services Offered at Anchor Psychotherapy in Los Angeles

Aside from binge eating disorder treatment and bariatric patient therapy we offer a wide variety of mental health services. So that we can support you at any stage of your mental health journey. This includes trauma and EMDR, child and family services, LGBTQ+ services, and group therapy.

Chasse, B. M. (2020). The importance of collaborative mental health care in weight loss surgery. GoodTherapy. https://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/the-importance-of-collaborative-mental-health-care-in-weight-loss-surgery-0106204

Available services include:

• Pre-surgical bariatric psychosocial assessment/evaluation

• Pre/post surgical support

• Individual counseling

• Group counseling

• Telehealth (currently available in California only)

IS BARIATRIC SURGERY RIGHT FOR YOU?

Making a decision regarding bariatric surgery may be one of the most difficult decisions you ever make regarding your body and your health. Bariatric surgery is a lifetime commitment and a decision that should not be taken lightly. If you are considering bariatric surgery, it’s important to understand your relationship with your own body, mind, heart and spirit. Together we can explore your relationship with yourself, as well as your relationship with food. Having a concrete understanding of yourself and you personal needs will give you the resources to set achievable goals and proactively pursue the best version of yourself.