Columbus Park

09/12/2025

When treating ARFID, it’s easy to focus on variety — getting kids to try new foods, textures, and tastes. But research shows the very first priority is weight restoration and nutritional stability. Without enough calories to fuel growth and brain health, therapy just can’t stick.

In our latest blog, we explain why nutrition comes first — and how families can support recovery step by step.

Weight restoration is the first step in ARFID treatment. Learn why nutrition must come before food variety to support recovery, growth, and brain health.

09/10/2025

Cheat days promise freedom, but often backfire. Enjoy this Psychology Today piece written by our Clinical Director, Melissa Gerson, LCSW.

Cheat days promise freedom but fuel guilt, cravings, and cycles of restriction. Learn why this diet trend backfires—and how to build lasting balance with food.

09/09/2025

Intuitive eating sounds simple—listen to your body and eat what feels right—but for those with eating disorders, it often isn’t possible. Restriction, bingeing, and food-related anxiety disrupt hunger and fullness cues, making intuition unreliable. Recovery requires structure and consistency first, so the body can reset and genuine intuitive eating becomes achievable.

Intuitive eating sounds simple—listen to your body and eat what feels right—but for those with eating disorders, it often isn’t possible. Restriction, bingeing, and food-related anxiety disrupt hunger and fullness cues, making intuition unreliable. Recovery requires structure and consistency f...

08/28/2025

LGBTQ+ individuals are at significantly higher risk for eating disorders, yet often face systemic barriers to care. From body image pressures to gender dysphoria, and from social rejection to identity invalidation, these challenges can fuel disordered eating behaviors and delay treatment. Understanding the unique risks faced by le***an, gay, bisexual, transgender, and non-binary individuals is key to delivering competent, compassionate care — and breaking the cycle of shame, silence, and suffering.

LGBTQ+ individuals face elevated rates of eating disorders, driven by unique factors like gender dysphoria, social stigma, and minority stress. Learn why inclusive, affirming treatment is essential — and how care providers can better support this underserved community.

08/05/2025

Ever feel like just losing a few pounds would make everything better? You’re not alone—and there’s another way forward. This post explores how ACT can help shift the focus from control to freedom.

If you've ever felt like losing just a few pounds would fix everything, you're not alone. But there's a better way to engage with those thoughts and move toward real freedom.

08/01/2025

Body checking can feel like a way to manage anxiety about your appearance—but it often backfires. Learn what body checking is, why it happens, and how to break free.

Learn what body checking is, why it’s linked to poor body image and eating disorders, and how to reduce this harmful habit with practical tools and support.

06/19/2025

Trauma and eating disorders often go hand in hand—but they’re not always treated together. In this post, I explore how therapies like EMDR, somatic experiencing, and DBT-PE can help address the roots of both. True recovery goes beyond food—it’s about healing the whole self.

It’s common to think of eating disorders as being solely about food, weight, or body image. But for many people, disordered eating is deeply rooted in trauma—sometimes early, sometimes recent, and often unspoken. Whether it’s childhood neglect, emotional abuse, sexual violence, medical trauma,...

05/05/2025

Restrictive eating and OCD can look strikingly similar—but the reasons behind the behaviors often aren’t. Understanding the difference isn’t just clinical, it’s essential for recovery. This blog breaks it down in a clear, compassionate way.

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04/21/2025

When your body becomes the measure of your worth, every reflection, every photo, every outfit can feel like a test. This new post explores how therapy helps untangle body image from identity—and what healing can look like when we stop letting appearance define us.

Body image concerns often start small—a passing comment, a comparison, a moment of self-consciousness—but over time, they can grow into something that defines how a person sees themselves. What begins as a preoccupation with appearance can quietly evolve into a belief that worthiness is conditio...

04/08/2025

Body dysmorphic disorder (BDD) is often misunderstood as just "bad body image"—but it's much more than that. If you or someone you love feels consumed by appearance-related anxiety, this post can help clarify what BDD really is and how effective treatment can offer relief.

Body dysmorphic disorder is more than low self-esteem or vanity—it’s a serious mental health condition. Explore common symptoms of BDD, what causes it, and the most effective treatment options available today.

03/14/2025

Exercise is usually seen as a positive part of a healthy lifestyle, but for some, it can become a compulsion. 🏋️‍♀️💪 Compulsive exercise, or exercise addiction, can take over, impacting physical and emotional well-being. Understanding the signs of when a healthy habit turns harmful is key. Are you pushing yourself too far? Learn how to spot the signs and when it’s time to reach out for help. 🌱

Exercise is often celebrated as one of the cornerstones of a healthy lifestyle. It boosts our mood, helps manage stress, and keeps our bodies strong. But for some, exercise can shift from a healthy habit to something much more consuming—a compulsion that feels impossible to control. Compulsive exe

03/01/2025

It's time to challenge the myths surrounding eating disorders. From misconceptions about who they affect to how they can be treated, understanding the truth is the first step toward offering better support.

Let's spread awareness and create a more compassionate world for those affected. Read more and learn how we can debunk these harmful myths.