eating disorder therapy tampa

Eating Disorders and Body Image Concerns

While many people think eating disorders are only about food or weight, they’re often rooted in anxiety, perfectionism, difficulty managing emotions, or a strong need for control. They can affect kids as young as elementary school through young adults—and often show up differently depending on age and developmental stage.

Therapy for eating Disorders in tampa & virtual

Eating disorders and body image concerns can show up in many different ways—through restrictive eating, emotional eating, sensory sensitivities, body-checking rituals, or distress about appearance. We help families understand what’s driving these behaviors, reduce shame, and build supportive routines grounded in compassion and evidence-based care.

Treatment for Eating Disorders in Tampa

We use evidence-based approaches that are shown to be effective for eating disorders and body image concerns, including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT). Depending on age and symptoms, we also integrate family involvement, emotion regulation skills, and exposure-based strategies to reduce avoidance around food and appearance. Our services include:

  • Comprehensive Evaluation: To clarify symptoms and rule out overlapping conditions

  • Individual Therapy for eating disorders and body image concerns

  • Parent Support and Guidance: We use SPACE treatment for ARFID so parents can respond effectively at home.

  • Psychoeducation and skill-building tailored to your child’s age and stage

We work with children as young as preschool through college-age and young adults, adapting our approach to each person’s needs, strengths, and family context.

What does disordered eating or body image concerns look like?

You might notice:

  • Skipping meals, restricting intake, or eating alone

  • Emotional eating or feeling “out of control” with food

  • Constant comparison or distress around appearance

  • Avoiding photos, social situations, or certain clothing

  • Exercising to “earn” food or avoid guilt

  • Body checking in mirrors or asking for reassurance

  • Fear of weight gain or intense pressure to maintain a certain appearance

  • Rigid food rules or rituals

  • Anxiety or irritability around mealtimes

  • Perfectionism in school, sports, or daily routines, especially linked to body image

  • Shame, secrecy, or withdrawal

Sometimes these concerns are mistaken for moodiness, discipline issues, low appetite, or “just being into fitness.” Our role is to understand what’s beneath the surface and help your child (or young adult) develop confidence and healthier coping strategies. We work with children through young adults and millennials.

What are Eating Disorders and Related Concerns?

What are eating disorders?

We work with a range of concerns, including:

  • Anorexia, bulimia, and binge-eating patterns

  • Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder (ARFID)

  • Body image distress and preoccupation with appearance

  • Compulsive exercise or strict exercise rules

  • Emotion-driven eating or restricting as a coping strategy

  • Body dysmorphia and comparison-based anxiety

  • Shame around food, eating in front of others, or using “rules” to feel in control

  • Perfectionism related to food, nutrition, or appearance

  • Rigid eating routines or fear of gaining weight

  • Concerns influenced by social media, sports, identity development, or cultural pressures

What are the signs of eating disorders?

Kids, teens, and young adults may experience eating disorders very differently from adults. For younger children, it may show up through avoidance, fear, or rigid routines. In adolescence and young adulthood, it often centers around body image distress, comparison, pressure to look a certain way, or using food to cope with stress.

Eating disorders involve persistent patterns that interfere with health, self-esteem, relationships, and everyday functioning. Related concerns may not meet full diagnostic criteria but can still be deeply distressing and affect quality of life.

  • Skipping meals or saying they already ate when they haven’t

  • New food rules or rigid “healthy” habits that feel extreme

  • Excessive exercise or distress when a workout is missed

  • Frequent body checking or asking for appearance reassurance

  • Strong reactions to clothing, photos, or mirrors

  • Eating less around others or wanting to eat privately

  • Heightened guilt after eating or talking about “making up for it”

  • Pulling away from activities they used to enjoy because of appearance worries

  • Negative self-talk about weight or appearance

We help families understand what’s driving these patterns and provide tools that reduce anxiety, create flexibility, and support a healthier relationship with food and their body.

You Don’t Have to Navigate This Alone

Many kids and teens struggling with eating or body image concerns feel overwhelmed, ashamed, or unsure how to talk about what’s going on. Others hide their worries or develop subtle routines that no one notices at first. We meet each client where they are, using a calm, supportive approach that builds trust and creates lasting change.

We work with families across Tampa and throughout Florida via telehealth, as well as 42 other states. Whether you’re just beginning to notice shifts around food or appearance or you’ve been searching for the right support for a while, we’re here to help.

👉 Book a video consultation with one of our providers today.