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5,870 people sought eating disorder therapy help in Virginia in the last year

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

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Starting Eating disorder therapy

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 disorder therapy include anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, binge-eating disorder, and avoidant/restrictive food intake disorder (ARFID).

How does eating disorder therapy work?

At Thriveworks, Eating disorder therapy 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 disorder therapy 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?

Lily Collins, Zayn Malik, Demi Lovato, Jane Fonda, Elton John, Kesha, Zoe Kravitz, Shawn Johnson, Hilary Duff, and Russell Brand are only a few celebrities who have spoken publicly about their struggle with anorexia or bulimia. Eating disorders are often associated with Hollywood and celebrity culture, but the reality is that many average people struggle with irregular eating habits and experience deep distress about their weight and/or body shape.

It might be tempting to think of anorexia or bulimia is a phase that people grow out of, but they are actually life-threatening illnesses. When left untreated, eating disorders are associated with severe health problems, and anorexia has the highest death rates of any psychiatric disorder.

Unfortunately, less than 10 percent of people who struggle with anorexia or bulimia find the treatment they deserve. And eating disorders are treatable illnesses. There are many psychological and medical treatment avenues that can be tailored and applied to each individual’s needs and symptoms, but the first step in successful treatment may be asking for help.

Thriveworks Newport News offers therapy for anorexia and bulimia. Our counselors understand the health risks that people face with eating disorders, and they are committed to providing the holistic care that each client needs.

Signs and Symptoms

Bulimia and anorexia are two of the most common types of eating disorders. Any eating disorder is characterized by abnormal eating practices accompanied by severe anxiety about body weight and size. Abnormal eating practices may include too little or too much food intake, and they often come with other psychological challenges such as PTSD, anxiety disorders, or depression. Both men and women suffer from eating disorders, and they typical first surface in a person’s life during adolescence or young adulthood.

Anorexia nervosa is most commonly known simply as anorexia, and it is characterized, according to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-5) by the following characteristics:

  • Intense and illogical fear of weight gain that leads to interference with healthy weight maintenance and gain.
  • Intentionally limiting energy intake that results in a substantially lower body weight in relation to sex, age, developmental trajectory, and physical health.
  • Disdain for one’s body shape or weight; inability to see the low body weight.

Bulimia nervosa is most commonly known simply as bulimia. The DSM-5 characterizes bulimia as:

  • Repeating incidents of binge eating, including,
    • Eating, in a certain period of time, food that is clearly more than most people could eat during the same period of time and with similar circumstances.
    • Loss of control over eating during the episode.
  • Repeated, inappropriate, compensatory behaviors that attempt to prevent weight gain, such as misuse of laxatives, diuretics, or other medications; self-induced vomiting; fasting; or excessive exercise.
  • A self-perception that is consumed by body weight and shape.

Causes of Anorexia and Bulimia

The causes of anorexia and bulimia are varied and personal, but professionals recognize two general categories that contribute to these eating disorders: environmental causes and biological causes.

  1. Environmental causes may include living in a culture obsessed with thinness, body type, and unrealistic ideals of beauty; childhood or family trauma; and peer pressure to look a certain way.
  2. Biological causes may include irregular hormone functions, nutritional deficiencies, and genetics.

Health Effects

People who struggle with anorexia and bulimia may often receive compliments about how pretty or healthy they look, but these compliments can serve a destructive purpose. While intended for good, these compliments encourage a potentially deadly illness. Skinny does not equal healthy, and unfortunately, anorexia and bulimia cause a host of severe health problems.

Anorexia is associated with low heart rate, low blood pressure, abnormal heart beat, risk of heart failure and disease, disruptions in the endocrine system, infertility, disruptions in menstrual cycle, premature osteoporosis, anemia, low white blood cell counts, kidney damage, and ultimately death.

Bulimia is associated with ulcers, tooth decay, gastroesophageal reflux disease, gastric rupture, kidney damage, constipation, electrolyte imbalance, and heart failure.

Treatment for Anorexia and Bulimia

As you read through the symptoms and causes of anorexia and bulimia, were there any that stood out to you? Do you or does someone you love exhibit these behaviors and attitudes? If so, know that there are many treatment plans available to anyone suffering from anorexia or bulimia. Thriveworks Newport News offers counseling for eating disorders, and our therapists form a treatment plan that is tailored to each client’s needs.

We know that reaching out for help takes courage, and we aim to support you from the moment you call our office throughout your treatment. When you call, a scheduling specialist will answer and make your appointment. We offer convenient sessions times—including nights and weekends. We also work with many insurance providers.

Help for bulimia and anorexia is available. You do not have to fight an eating disorder alone. Call Thriveworks Newport News today.

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 Newport News therapists and counselors accept 24 insurance plans

  • Aetna

  • Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield Virginia | BCBS

  • Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield Virginia Medicare Advantage

  • Blue Cross Blue Shield | Anthem (Blue Card)

  • Carelon

  • Cigna | Evernorth

  • Cigna | Evernorth EAP

  • Cigna | Evernorth Medicare Advantage

  • Compsych

  • First Health Network

  • Humana Exchange

  • Humana HMO/POS

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Self-pay costs at Newport News
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

5.0 Learn about verified reviews
★★★★★
Ms. Brenda, is a outstanding MHP, she takes times to listen and gives outstanding advice. She always give suggested reading and the reading has helped tremendously.
Read more Ms. Brenda, is a outstanding MHP, she takes times to listen and gives outstanding advice. She always give suggested reading and the reading has helped tremendously.
ROBERT Feb 2024
Thriveworks.com verified review
★★★★★
Pennie Hurta has been a great therapist for me. I also love that she is always doing continuing education. She is on it! Highly recommended!
Read more Pennie Hurta has been a great therapist for me. I also love that she is always doing continuing education. She is on it! Highly recommended!
Hedi Feb 2024
Thriveworks.com verified review

Where to find us

Getting here

We are located off of Loftis Blvd, directly across the street from the Sentara Medical Campus. Once you reach the parking lot, you'll see our office (with our logo on the door) at the front of the building parallel to Loftis Blvd.

Phone number

(757) 418-8127

Languages spoken by VA providers

  • English
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

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