What We Focus On in Eating Disorder Therapy for Children

We treat eating disorders in children through structured, evidence-based therapy that restores eating habits and emotional regulation. We treat anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, binge eating disorder, and other eating disorders in children, including those with restricted eating, binge eating episodes, and purging behaviors.

Your Child’s Emotions and Eating Patterns Are Deeply Linked

We address the obsessive thoughts, intense fear, and negative emotions that often drive disordered eating behaviors. Many children experience low self-esteem, shame, and distorted body image long before weight loss or physical signs appear. We use cognitive behavioral therapy, art therapy, and sand tray therapy to help children process difficult feelings and reduce disordered behaviors. 

Parents Are Valued Partners in the Process

You’re the one who sees the daily changes—what your child eats, avoids, says, or stops saying altogether. That’s why parent involvement matters. We offer optional parent check-ins, collaborative planning, and shared insight when needed. You’ll never be left guessing what’s happening behind closed doors. We help you understand your child’s emotional experience and give guidance when it’s time to support healthy patterns at home.

Care That Grows With Your Child’s Needs

Eating concerns aren’t static—they shift with age, stress, and life transitions. That’s why our therapy is flexible, developmentally appropriate, and built to support long-term emotional health. Whether your child is struggling with body image, restrictive eating, or high anxiety around food, we adjust the approach to meet their current challenges. Sessions are structured, relational, and always grounded in what’s best for your child’s mental health.

Meet Our Eating Disorder Therapy Team

Our licensed therapists support children ages 5 to 12 who are dealing with eating-related challenges, body image concerns, and emotional stress around food. Each session is developmentally appropriate and focused on helping children feel safe, understood, and capable of change. Using age-appropriate techniques, we build emotional insight and coping skills that support healthier eating patterns and daily well-being.

What the Treatment Program Actually Includes

Treatment may include cognitive behavioral therapy, acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT), and structured individual therapy sessions that address the specific eating disorder symptoms your child is experiencing. For children with binge eating disorder, therapy helps identify triggers, reduce binge eating episodes, and manage emotional distress without turning to food. For others, it may focus on eliminating purging behaviors or building tolerance around weight gain.

When necessary, we coordinate with referring physicians or medical specialists for partial hospitalization or medical oversight as part of a comprehensive disorder treatment approach.

What Progress Looks Like Beyond the Scale

Progress includes improved eating patterns, better emotional regulation, and reduced anxiety around food. A child who once avoided meals may begin to eat with the family again. Another may stop hiding or discarding food, show fewer obsessive behaviors, or express less fear of gaining weight. These changes often start small—taking a snack without prompting, staying at the table, or expressing hunger without panic.

Therapists track shifts in behavior, language, and physical health in coordination with the child’s medical team. We monitor for signs like low blood pressure, restricted food intake, and obsessive-compulsive patterns that may signal deeper mental health concerns. While we are not a children’s hospital, our therapy helps prevent the need for inpatient care through early, consistent intervention.