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Discover how starting therapy with a eating disorders can support your own journey toward a happier, more fulfilling life.

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Starting Eating disorders

What is eating disorder therapy?

Eating disorder therapy is a specialized approach aimed at assisting those who are grappling with a range of eating disorders. These disorders are significant mental health conditions characterized by irregular or unhealthy eating patterns and an intense focus on body weight and shape. Common conditions addressed in Eating disorders include anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, binge-eating disorder, and avoidant/restrictive food intake disorder (ARFID).

How does eating disorder therapy work?

At Thriveworks, Eating disorders begins with a thorough assessment and personalized treatment plan. Central to eating disorder therapy is psychotherapy, often employing cognitive behavioral therapy and other specialized techniques to target negative thought patterns.

Signs of an eating disorder

The signs of an eating disorder can include:

  • Drastic weight changes
  • Preoccupation with food and body image
  • Binge eating or extreme dieting
  • Excessive exercise
  • Social withdrawal and secrecy around eating
  • Physical and emotional symptoms like fatigue and anxiety

What is the success rate of CBT for eating disorders?

CBT’s remission rate, according to some research, is generally between 50-30% for those seeking assistance for eating disorder symptoms.

What is the recovery rate for people with eating disorders?

The recovery rate for those seeking assistance with eating disorders depends entirely on the individual’s involvement in sessions, the severity of their symptoms, and their willingness to change their eating habits and relationship with food.

Is eating disorder therapy conducted in person or online?

Eating disorder therapy at Thriveworks is conducted both in person and online by video. We encourage you to choose the option that works best for you.

How long does eating disorder therapy last?

The length of Eating disorders will vary from one person to the next, dependent on their specific needs. Your therapist can help to determine what might be most beneficial for you.

Need more help deciding?

Therapy in Lynchburg, VA—Counseling and Treatment for Bulimia and Anorexia

Some people may think of eating disorders as a finicky or picky phase, but that is a mischaracterization that minimizes these life-threatening disorders.

And yet, effective psychological and medical treatments are available for anorexia and bulimia. Intervention plans can be crafted to meet each individual’s needs and symptoms, but as with many disorders, the first step toward healthy eating habits and self-perceptions is gathering the courage to ask for help.

Thriveworks Lynchburg offers treatment for eating disorders. Our counselors understand the mental and physical health difficulties that an eating disorder can cause, and our goal is to provide each client with holistic care.

Anorexia and Bulimia: Diagnosing and Distinguishing

Anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa may be the most well-known eating disorders, and they are often connected. They both affect men and women, and they may be accompanied by other psychological disorders such as PTSD or depression.

Eating disorders can occur in young children and older adults, but they most often develop during a person’s teen and early adult years. The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-5) distinguishes anorexia with the following diagnostics:

  • Experiencing acute and illogical terror at the thought of gaining weight results in actions that impede healthy weight maintenance and gain.
  • Severely restricting food intake to achieve a significantly lower body weight than normal (in relationship to healthy standards for one’s sex, age, physical health, and developmental trajectory).
  • Feeling disdain for one’s body shape and weight; being unable to see one’s low body weight.

The DSM-5 distinguishes bulimia with the following diagnostics:

  • Trying to hinder weight gain through repetitive and compulsive behaviors such as misusing medications like laxatives and diuretics; fasting frequently and excessively; self-induced vomiting; or exercising obsessively.
  • Repetitive times of binge eating that involve:
    • Lost control of food intake.
    • Consuming more food than most people would consume during a similar period and circumstances.
  • A self-perception that is overshadowed by one’s weight and size.

Foundational Causes

The details of how, when, and why bulimia or anorexia surfaces in an individual are often personal, painful, and intimate. Each diagnosis is, in many ways, unique.

However, mental health professionals also speak about two general categories of causes for bulimia and anorexia that may be helpful to name: biological and environmental.

  1. Genetic predispositions, nutritional deficiencies, and irregular hormone functions are examples of biological causes.
  2. Living in a culture obsessed with body type, unrealistic ideals of beauty, family or childhood trauma, and peer pressure to be thin are examples of environmental causes.

Potential Health Problems

The cultural obsession with skinny body types does not automatically equal a cultural obsession with health. Healthy and skinny are distinct ideas, and at times, they are even at odds as the low body weight that bulimia and anorexia can cause may come with a variety of potential but severe health problems.

A handful of the health problems anorexia may induce include risk of heart failure and disease, low heart rate, abnormal heartbeat, low blood pressure, disruptions in the menstrual cycle, infertility, disruptions in the endocrine system, low white blood cell counts, anemia, premature osteoporosis, kidney damage, and premature death.

A handful of the health problems bulimia may induce include electrolyte imbalance, ulcers, kidney damage, gastroesophageal reflux disease, constipation, tooth decay, gastric rupture, and heart failure.

Counseling for Anorexia or Bulimia

Did you recognize any of the foundational causes of bulimia in your life? Do you struggle with the behaviors or self-images that characterize anorexia? You are not alone. Thriveworks Lynchburg has tailored many holistic counseling plans that have helped our clients overcome bulimia or anorexia.

Most first-time clients see their counselor within a week of their first call. We offer evening and weekend appointments, and we work with most insurance providers.

Thriveworks Lynchburg may have the support you need to overcome bulimia and anorexia. Call or book online to schedule your time with our skilled and caring counselors.

Pricing & insurance

Our therapists accept most major insurances. We accept 585+ insurance plans, and offer self-pay options, too.
Learn more about pricing for therapy and counseling services at Thriveworks.

Our Lynchburg therapists and counselors accept 29 insurance plans

  • Aetna

  • AmeriHealth Administrators

  • Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield Virginia Medicare Advantage

  • Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield Virginia | BCBS HMO

  • Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield Virginia | BCBS PPO

  • Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield Virginia | Exchange

  • Blue Cross Blue Shield | Anthem (Blue Card)

  • Carelon

  • Cigna | Evernorth

  • Cigna | Evernorth EAP

  • Cigna | Evernorth Medicare Advantage

  • Compsych

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Self-pay costs at Lynchburg
Talk therapy

Talk therapy

Includes individual, couples, child/ teen, & family therapy

First session

$1

Ongoing sessions

$1

Talk therapy

Psychiatry

Includes reducing symptoms with medication & management

First session

$1

Ongoing sessions

$1

Hear from our clients

4.8 Learn about verified reviews
★★★★★
My therapist has helped me a lot and I'm going to continue with my session to approve myself even more
Read more My therapist has helped me a lot and I'm going to continue with my session to approve myself even more
Natasha Feb 2024
Thriveworks.com verified review
★★★★★
It was so difficult to find a therapist my daughter liked. So glad I made the initial call to Thriveworks. She was matched to a therapist that she finally talks to! She liked her so much that now my oldest daughter and I use her therapist as well. We love Lora!
Read more It was so difficult to find a therapist my daughter liked. So glad I made the initial call to Thriveworks. She was matched to a therapist that she finally talks to! She liked her so much that now my oldest daughter and I use her therapist as well. We love Lora!
Shannon Feb 2024
Thriveworks.com verified review
★★★★★
It been comforting talking to someone who understands what you are going through.
Holly Jan 2024
Thriveworks.com verified review
★★★★★
Lynn Lemmon is a wonderful therapist! I feel so comfortable with her!
Amy Dec 2023
Thriveworks.com verified review
★★★★★
Kim is the absolute best counselor! She is very kind and caring and adapts to whatever works best for you personally. She does not use the typical counselor answers or “by the book” responses. She talks to you like you are a real person. She always make me feel like the things that I am going through are important and the feelings are valid. She provides a completely judgement free zone to talk about anything that is needed. She understands that things take time and she does not force you to talk about anything. She allows you to process in your own time. She has a way of working with me that allows me to fully trust her. Kim has a heart of Gold! You can tell throughout your sessions with her that this is more than just a job for her. You feel legitimately cared for by her. You can tell that she genuinely wants to help you to move through the things that are holding you back in life. She’s very encouraging and reassuring. Her genuine compassion and encouragement helps me feel like I am actually important and deserving of growth. I would highly recommend Kim as your counselor if you are looking for someone who will make you feel valued and heard and not like you are just another name on their client list! She has definitely made a huge impact on my life!
Read more Kim is the absolute best counselor! She is very kind and caring and adapts to whatever works best for you personally. She does not use the typical counselor answers or “by the book” responses. She talks to you like you are a real person. She always make me feel like the things that I am going through are important and the feelings are valid. She provides a completely judgement free zone to talk about anything that is needed. She understands that things take time and she does not force you to talk about anything. She allows you to process in your own time. She has a way of working with me that allows me to fully trust her. Kim has a heart of Gold! You can tell throughout your sessions with her that this is more than just a job for her. You feel legitimately cared for by her. You can tell that she genuinely wants to help you to move through the things that are holding you back in life. She’s very encouraging and reassuring. Her genuine compassion and encouragement helps me feel like I am actually important and deserving of growth. I would highly recommend Kim as your counselor if you are looking for someone who will make you feel valued and heard and not like you are just another name on their client list! She has definitely made a huge impact on my life!
Lynchburg Jul 2022
Review left on Thriveworks.com
★★★★★
Working with Dr. Tiffany Stephens has been so helpful! She is very approachable, easy to talk to, and genuinely cares about concerns and circumstances. She can help think through problems and works toward a better outlook and teaching real skills that help toward calmness and strength in the midst of complicated issues. She helps teach courage to be vulnerable in the moment, so I can learn patterns and work at replacing them with more healthy ones— her style of preparing clients to approach things differently makes all the difference when difficulty arises. I feel safe and confident (but not tight and overly-clinical) when talking with her. I absolutely recommend working with her if you are working toward a better you!
Read more Working with Dr. Tiffany Stephens has been so helpful! She is very approachable, easy to talk to, and genuinely cares about concerns and circumstances. She can help think through problems and works toward a better outlook and teaching real skills that help toward calmness and strength in the midst of complicated issues. She helps teach courage to be vulnerable in the moment, so I can learn patterns and work at replacing them with more healthy ones— her style of preparing clients to approach things differently makes all the difference when difficulty arises. I feel safe and confident (but not tight and overly-clinical) when talking with her. I absolutely recommend working with her if you are working toward a better you!
Lynchburg Dec 2021
Review left on Thriveworks.com
★★★★★
Dr. Tiffany Stephens is an amazing therapist. She is engaging as well as empathetic. I highly recommend Tiffany for anyone looking for a highly skilled and compassionate therapist.
Read more Dr. Tiffany Stephens is an amazing therapist. She is engaging as well as empathetic. I highly recommend Tiffany for anyone looking for a highly skilled and compassionate therapist.
Lynchburg Sep 2021
Review left on Thriveworks.com
★★★★★
Bryan Hunsley has been a great help in providing counseling to myself and my husband! He begins our ZOOM sessions on time. Bryan is great at his job in that he is easy to talk to and nonjudgmental. His feedback is even tempered (appropriate, positive and welcoming), plus clear and easy to understand. My husband and I feel that Bryan provides sensitive care and treats us both with ultimate respect! He is flexible in that he can easily switch gears according to the urgency of our needs for any particular session and is quick to offer any needed support between sessions. He provides a professional high quality of care that is also relaxing and informative. I am more than satisfied with his services being provided and find myself looking forward to the next session! Bryan has and continues to strengthen our marital wellness with his superb counseling expertise!
Read more Bryan Hunsley has been a great help in providing counseling to myself and my husband! He begins our ZOOM sessions on time. Bryan is great at his job in that he is easy to talk to and nonjudgmental. His feedback is even tempered (appropriate, positive and welcoming), plus clear and easy to understand. My husband and I feel that Bryan provides sensitive care and treats us both with ultimate respect! He is flexible in that he can easily switch gears according to the urgency of our needs for any particular session and is quick to offer any needed support between sessions. He provides a professional high quality of care that is also relaxing and informative. I am more than satisfied with his services being provided and find myself looking forward to the next session! Bryan has and continues to strengthen our marital wellness with his superb counseling expertise!
Lynchburg Sep 2021
Review left on Thriveworks.com

Where to find us

Getting here

Thriveworks Counseling & Child Therapy Lynchburg is located on Jefferson St. in the heart of the downtown area. The James River runs directly behind our building, which we share with Zola’s Beauty Studio and Stimulus Adverstising and Web Design.

Phone number

(434) 771-0495

Languages spoken by VA providers

  • English
  • Spanish
Tuesday 8:00am - 9:00pm
Wednesday 8:00am - 9:00pm
Thursday 8:00am - 9:00pm
Friday 8:00am - 9:00pm
Saturday 8:00am - 9:00pm
Sunday 8:00am - 9:00pm
Monday 8:00am - 9:00pm

Shown in ET

Tuesday 7:00am - 9:30pm
Wednesday 7:00am - 9:30pm
Thursday 7:00am - 9:30pm
Friday 7:00am - 9:30pm
Saturday 7:00am - 6:00pm
Sunday 8:00am - 5:00pm
Monday 7:00am - 9:30pm

Shown in ET

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