Eating Disorders

People with eating disorders struggle with an intense preoccupation with food, weight, body, or appearance issues. This struggle is, in fact, the primary symptom of an eating disorder. To the outside observer (even a family member or close friend) it may look as though the person needs to work on changing their relationship to food. On some level this is true, however, changing their relationship to food requires lifting the veil on what this preoccupation is managing, hiding, or defending against - things such as trauma, low self-esteem, family, interpersonal, substance abuse, gender, or identity issues. To ask the sufferer to change their relationship to food is actually asking them to open the door and face very painful, scary, and humiliating issues that require an intense level of vulnerability. When someone has been hurt or harmed in the past or simply never taught or supported in doing this, it can seem impossible. 

I've been treating people struggling with eating disorders since 1999. In 2014, I opened my private practice with a speciality treating eating disorders. I spent the 5 years leading up to opening my private practice (2009 - 2014) working as a primary therapist for the eating disorder population in two hospital-based inpatient and partial hospitalization programs. I gained this experience at the Center for Eating Disorders Care at the University Medical Center of Princeton at Plainsboro (NJ) and at Reflections Eating Disorders Treatment Center in the D.C. metropolitan area. My qualifications allow me to partner with clients of all age groups struggling with eating disorders ranging from children to older adults. I have developed sub-specializations working with co-morbid PTSD/trauma issues, males, members of the LGBTQI community, co-morbid substance abuse disorders, and those with severe and chronic eating disorders. I bring extensive knowledge of the diverse issues underlying the development and maintenance of Anorexia Nervosa, Bulimia Nervosa, and Binge Eating Disorder, and have core competencies in the treatment of these disorders.

I am a person-centered therapist who employs a holistic and integrative approach to treatment. I apply a variety of complementary approaches and techniques informed by cutting-edge research in the fields of somatic, cognitive, and behavioral psychology, neuroscience, attachment theory, and affect regulation. I weave mindfulness principles throughout all of my work.

My experience has taught me that a team approach is often advantageous while working towards recovery. I welcome the opportunity to collaborate with outpatient psychiatrists, dietitians, primary care doctors, family members, friends, and family therapists with the permission of my clients and I can provide referral services to these specialists as necessary. There is no need for you or your loved one to continue to suffer. There are effective treatments available and early intervention has been shown to be crucial in the treatment of eating disorders. To consult or schedule an appointment with me, call (206) 819-8042, email me at: madeleine.bertin14@gmail.com, or click HERE. 

RESOURCES

EATING DISORDER WEBSITES

BOOKS

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