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959 people sought eating disorder therapy help at Philadelphia in the last year

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

Meet with a provider as soon as this week

Good news! We have 77 therapists in Pennsylvania available for an online or in-person session.

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?

Many people link Hollywood and eating disorders because more and more celebrities are speaking about their fight with anorexia or bulimia. Just to name a few, Russell Brand, Shawn Johnson, Hilary Duff, Zoe Kravitz, Lily Collins, Kesha, Zayn Malik, Elton John, Demi Lovato, and Jane Fonda have struggled against a warped self-image and compulsive eating habits.

But anorexia and bulimia do not just plague celebrities. About 30 million fight them in America today. These eating disorders occur in men and women. They usually develop during the teen or early adult years, but people of all ages can have bulimia or anorexia.

Eating disorders can be mischaracterized as a picky phase that people grow out of, but this minimizes the seriousness of bulimia and anorexia. It may also bolster a stereotype that prevents people from receiving the treatment they need. The truth is that bulimia and anorexia are psychiatric disorders that can severely harm people’s physical and psychological well-being. It is of the utmost importance that people receive the treatment they need.

Even though effective interventions are available, only about 10 percent of people find the help they need to treat their eating disorder. Nutritional, psychological, and medical treatments can be individualized to meet each client’s symptoms and needs. It takes courage to acknowledge an eating disorder and reach out for help, but if you or a loved one is struggling with body image and disordered eating, you are not alone.

Thriveworks Philadelphia offers counseling for bulimia and anorexia because we want everyone who is suffers with an eating disorder to receive the treatment they need. Our therapists and psychologists understand the medical and psychological risks that people face, and we are committed to offering holistic care.

Anorexia and Bulimia: Associated Health Risks

Friends and family members with good intentions may applaud how someone with anorexia or bulimia appears so thin and healthy. These compliments, however, can unintentionally and unfortunately encourage the disordered eating. Culturally, people often associate thinness and health, but the reality is that they are not the same. A slim body can also be a very unhealthy body. In fact, anorexia and bulimia are associated with increased risk of substantial health challenges.

Many of the health risks associated with bulimia threaten a person’s digestive system. Bulimia may cause ulcers, higher risks of gastric rupture, tooth decay, gastroesophageal reflux disease, kidney disease, electrolyte imbalance, and constipation. Bulimia may also cause heart disease.
Anorexia holds the highest death rate of any psychiatric disorders. It can damage a person’s cardiovascular system, resulting in low blood pressure, low heart rate, and increased risk of an abnormal heartbeat and heart failure. Anorexia can also lead to infertility and a disrupted menstrual cycle. Other health risks associated with it include premature osteoporosis, endocrine disruptions, premature osteoporosis, anemia, kidney damage, and even death.

Classifying Anorexia and Bulimia

The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-5) has classifications for several different types of eating disorders, but bulimia nervosa and anorexia nervosa are likely the most recognizable. While they share many similarities, they are separate diagnoses with their own classifications.

The DSM-5 classifies anorexia nervosa according to the following criteria:

  • Experiencing disdain for one’s body weight and size while being incapable of perceiving one’s low body weight.
  • An acute and illogical fear of gaining weight that leads to intentional efforts that hinder healthy weight gain and/or maintenance.
  • Strictly limiting food intake to achieve a substantially lower body weight in relationship to normal standards that account for a person’s physical health, age, sex, and developmental trajectory.

The DSM-5 classifies bulimia nervosa according to the following criteria:

  • Repeated times of binge eating, including,
    • Eating, in a certain amount of time, food that is clearly more than most people could eat during the same amount of time and under similar circumstances.
    • Uncontrollable food consumption during the binge.
  • Responding to food consumption with repetitive, unhealthy, compensatory actions that attempt to impede weight gain, such as over-using medications like diuretic and laxatives; self-induced vomiting; fasting for too long or too often; or exercising with extreme methods.
  • A self-perception that is consumed with one’s body shape and weight.

Therapists and Psychologists for Bulimia and Anorexia Help

If you recognize any of the behaviors or attitudes from the list of symptoms in your own life, it may be time to reach out for help. At Thriveworks Philadelphia, we know that making the first call takes courage, and we want to support our clients from the moment they decide to pursue treatment.

When you call our office, a person will answer and help schedule an appointment that is convenient for your schedule. We offer evening and weekend sessions, and many of our clients can see their counselor the following day. We also accept many forms of insurance.

Thriveworks Philadelphia has counseling appointments available for bulimia and anorexia. Our goal is to help each client find the medical and psychological care they need. Call today to get started.

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 Philadelphia therapists and counselors accept 26 insurance plans

  • Aetna

  • Blue Cross Blue Shield | Anthem (Blue Card)

  • Carelon

  • Cigna | Evernorth

  • Cigna | Evernorth EAP

  • Cigna | Evernorth Medicare Advantage

  • Compsych

  • First Health Network

  • Geisinger Health Plan

  • Geisinger Health Plan Medicare Advantage (HMO | PPO)

  • Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield of Pennsylvania | BCBS

  • Humana Exchange

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Self-pay costs at Philadelphia
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
★★★★★
Rob is great! Making progress.
Brian Dec 2023
Thriveworks.com verified review
★★★★★
I had the pleasure of working alongside Marie for years. Her work with her clients is unparalleled. She is clinically exceptional, while somehow maintaining an authenticity that makes working with her in any capacity a wonderfully positive experience. I would recommend Marie to anyone who is serious about helping themselves, and particularly those with a history of trauma.
Read more I had the pleasure of working alongside Marie for years. Her work with her clients is unparalleled. She is clinically exceptional, while somehow maintaining an authenticity that makes working with her in any capacity a wonderfully positive experience. I would recommend Marie to anyone who is serious about helping themselves, and particularly those with a history of trauma.
Philadelphia Aug 2022
Review left on Thriveworks.com
★★★★★
Marie is the best around. So knowledgeable and supportive with her clients. She helped me through many traumatic situations without judgment. If you are looking for an amazing therapist to help you, she is who you need.
Read more Marie is the best around. So knowledgeable and supportive with her clients. She helped me through many traumatic situations without judgment. If you are looking for an amazing therapist to help you, she is who you need.
Philadelphia Aug 2022
Review left on Thriveworks.com
★★★★★
Marie Moriarty Puggi is a fantastic clinician. She’s very person centered and empathetic. She goes above and beyond for her clients and their families. They have shown a great deal of appreciation for the efforts she makes with her clients. They want to talk with her and engage and do the work in order to heal. Highly recommended.
Read more Marie Moriarty Puggi is a fantastic clinician. She’s very person centered and empathetic. She goes above and beyond for her clients and their families. They have shown a great deal of appreciation for the efforts she makes with her clients. They want to talk with her and engage and do the work in order to heal. Highly recommended.
Philadelphia Aug 2022
Review left on Thriveworks.com
★★★★★
Marie is an excellent Therapist. She assisted me with various ways to change my perspective. Marie's assistant me with positive ways to view situations and how to be accountable for my behavior. Marie is very kind and personable. She made me feel important and that I should matter to me first.
Read more Marie is an excellent Therapist. She assisted me with various ways to change my perspective. Marie's assistant me with positive ways to view situations and how to be accountable for my behavior. Marie is very kind and personable. She made me feel important and that I should matter to me first.
Philadelphia Aug 2022
Review left on Thriveworks.com
★★★★★
Marie has an excellent communication skills. She displayed active listening skills when engaging with her clients and coworkers. Marie is dependable, accountable and reliable. Marie is a team player who goes beyond her expectations to meet the need of her consumer. Marie is non judgemental, observant and respectful. Marie is a very patient therapist.
Read more Marie has an excellent communication skills. She displayed active listening skills when engaging with her clients and coworkers. Marie is dependable, accountable and reliable. Marie is a team player who goes beyond her expectations to meet the need of her consumer. Marie is non judgemental, observant and respectful. Marie is a very patient therapist.
Philadelphia Aug 2022
Review left on Thriveworks.com
★★★★★
Marie is a compassionate, hard working, supportive, empathetic therapist that I would recommend to clients. She offers an environment conducive for a therapeutic relationship. She works well individually and is a great team member.
Read more Marie is a compassionate, hard working, supportive, empathetic therapist that I would recommend to clients. She offers an environment conducive for a therapeutic relationship. She works well individually and is a great team member.
Philadelphia Aug 2022
Review left on Thriveworks.com
★★★★★
Marie Moriarty-Puggi a clinician at the Walnut St site in Philadelphia is one of the most caring, dynamic, person centered therapists that I’ve ever had the pleasure of knowing and working with. Marie always goes the extra mile for her clients, going above and beyond to help her clients reach their maximum potential. I would recommend Marie without hesitation.
Read more Marie Moriarty-Puggi a clinician at the Walnut St site in Philadelphia is one of the most caring, dynamic, person centered therapists that I’ve ever had the pleasure of knowing and working with. Marie always goes the extra mile for her clients, going above and beyond to help her clients reach their maximum potential. I would recommend Marie without hesitation.
Philadelphia Aug 2022
Review left on Thriveworks.com

Where to find us

Getting here

Thriveworks Counseling Providence is located at 245 Waterman St Suite 504A, Providence, RI 02906, between Wayland Ave. and Butler Ave.

Phone number

(215) 642-8968

Languages spoken by PA providers

  • English
  • French
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

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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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