How a Trauma-Informed Virtual Eating Disorder Therapist Approaches Recovery Differently
- kenzie61
- Jul 28
- 6 min read
If you asked 10 people what their eating disorder looks like and why it started, every person’s answer would likely be different. The bottom line is that eating disorders are very individualized, and the recovery process should be too.
I worked in eating disorder treatment for almost a decade. Way too many times, I saw people struggling with complex trauma who were getting missed. Recovering from an eating disorder with a history of complex trauma presents a unique set of challenges, and it is important to work with a therapist who understands both. Working with a trauma-informed virtual eating disorder therapist can offer a more compassionate path to recovery that focuses on treating the root causes, not just the behaviors. In this post, I’ll explain why I take this approach with my clients and how it helps them to heal.
What Is Trauma-Informed Care?
A trauma-informed approach to therapy acknowledges the potential impact that trauma can have on a person and responds to each individual client’s needs. The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) defines trauma-informed care using 6 key principles that help to shape the therapeutic relationship.
Safety. It’s important to establish a therapeutic environment that is physically and emotionally safe for both the client and the therapist.
Trustworthiness. Essentially, trauma-informed care requires a no BS therapy approach. It’s important that therapists are honest with their clients and vice versa. Healing happens in an environment where transparency is present and trust is established.
Peer Support. Seeking support from others who are struggling with similar issues can reduce feelings of shame, create opportunities for you to practice skills outside of the 1:1 therapy environment, and help you build a supportive community. While this can be tricky in outpatient therapy, I make sure that my clients have referrals to support groups if they are having trouble with a support system.
Collaboration. Modern therapy is moving towards client-centered approaches. This is because the psychology field is starting to realize that even though the therapist has the clinical training, the client is the expert on their own life. This is why collaboration is key in a supportive, trauma-informed approach.
Empowerment. Have you ever heard the quote “Give a man a fish, and you feed him for a day. Teach a man to fish, and you feed him for a lifetime.”? The same dynamic applies to trauma-informed care. It is important for therapists to empower their clients to heal and grow, not control the process or do it for them. We are going for long-term, sustainable change!
Sociocultural Issues. Trauma-informed care recognizes the potential impact of things like current and historical racial trauma, gender bias, and economic status. In our world, there are some very messed up systems that feed into trauma dynamics. It is our job as therapists to help you hold, explore, and work through all of it.
The Link Between Trauma and Eating Disorders
In the 10 years that I have worked with those struggling with eating disorders, I have had the pleasure of supporting many clients. The majority of those clients have had some type of trauma background. And, it unfortunately makes sense. Trauma impacts our brain, nervous system, the way we experience emotions, and how we relate to our bodies. NEDA notes that “researchers have also proposed that trauma may cause or exacerbate symptoms of low self-esteem, self-criticism, perfectionism, impulsiveness, compulsiveness, dissociation, and poor body image”. As a result, it is not uncommon for those with a trauma history (particularly childhood trauma) to turn to eating disorder behaviors such as restriction, binging, or purging in order to cope.
How I Work Differently As a Trauma-Informed Virtual Eating Disorder Therapist
Safety Comes First – Even Virtually
When a therapist is working with a client who has been impacted by trauma, creating a sense of safety in the therapy room is a vital first step to treatment. Even though it might look a little different, this step doesn’t become any less important when the “therapy room” is virtual. As a trauma-informed eating disorder therapist who works virtually, I help my clients create safety through the screen by modeling appropriate boundaries, regulating the pace of treatment, making sure you build a solid foundation of coping skills, using compassion and empathy, remaining consistent, and showing my own human-ness.
Treating the Root
I sometimes tell my clients that even though eating disorders seem like they are all about food and body image, they aren’t really about food and body image. If all of your food issues and body image concerns magically disappeared overnight, you would likely still be struggling. This is because eating disorders are a coping mechanism for something deeper. As a trauma-informed therapist, I help my clients look beyond food behaviors and get to the root of the problem. I don’t just want things to look better from a behavioral standpoint – I want to help my clients genuinely and deeply heal. To get there, we can work things like nervous system regulation skills, building emotional literacy, and somatic tracking.
Trauma Informed Modalities
There are a variety of different trauma-informed approaches available for therapists to seek additional training in. (I cover some of them in my blog post “How Does Childhood Trauma Affect Your Adulthood?” if you wanna check it out!) I am trained in a therapeutic modality called Somatic Experiencing. I frequently use it when treating clients who have been impacted by trauma, and it can be fabulous for body image work too! Due to the vulnerable nature of somatic sessions along with the focus on the physical body, I frequently get asked if Somatic Experiencing therapy can be as effective when done online. The good news is that it absolutely can! With minor modifications and considerations, online Somatic Experiencing therapy can help you to heal your nervous system and re-establish safety within your body.
Client Empowerment & Collaboration
Historically, therapy has been approached as an expert-driven process. It’s true that I have gone to school, done the trainings, hold a license, and exercise my clinical skills on the daily. But, you are still the expert on your own life. There is no amount of schooling or training that can tell me what it’s like to be in your body or what it feels like to have your life experiences. This is why I take a client-centered approach to therapy. I’ll bring the clinical training, you bring the life experience, and we will work as a team to help you find the healing that you deserve.
Benefits of Virtual Trauma-Informed Therapy
Working with a virtual trauma-informed eating disorder therapist can be beneficial for a lot of people. Since the pandemic in 2020, virtual care has really skyrocketed. This is amazing in terms of accessibility because it extends care to clients who live in areas with limited in-person options. It also lets people be a little more picky about choosing a therapist because you have more options to find clinicians who are specialized in the particular issues you want to work on (like me with eating disorder treatment and somatic therapy!).
Virtual therapy also offers more flexibility if you are busy with school, work, or whatever other reason you might have a tight schedule. You don’t have to worry about factoring in drive time or a potential traffic jam on your way to your therapist’s office because your therapist comes to you, in the comfort of your own home.
I have heard people express concerns about the personalization and effectiveness of virtual therapy. However, many people are surprised to find it still deeply relational and incredibly effective, especially when you find a therapist who is the right fit. For example, I am a virtual therapist who specializes in eating disorders and trauma-informed therapy. My clients probably wouldn’t benefit as much from seeing a therapist who typically works with other issues, whether they are virtual or not.
Is My Approach Right for You?
Wondering if my approach is the right one for you? You and I could be the right therapeutic fit if you are:
Struggling with the impact of childhood trauma
Feeling stuck in traditional eating disorder treatment
Not making progress in talk therapy
Feeling at war with your body
Looking to find healing and establish safety within yourself
At the end of the day, only you are the one who can decide if a virtual trauma-informed eating disorder therapist is right for you. If you aren’t sure what the right choice is, I would encourage you to reflect on your goals for therapy. What are you wanting to get out of it? In the meantime, I am happy to answer any questions you have if you would like to reach out.
Final Thoughts
If you are struggling with both an eating disorder and trauma symptoms, in-person or virtual care from a trauma-informed eating disorder therapist can lead to deeper, more sustainable recovery. Healing is possible, especially when the eating disorder and trauma are both acknowledged and treated with care.
If you are interested in working with a trauma-informed virtual eating disorder therapist, feel free to reach out. You can schedule your free consultation using the button below.
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