Adult Eating Disorder Therapy in Chevy Chase, MD
Specialized Eating Disorder Treatment for Adults in the DC Metro Area
Eating disorders don’t just affect teenagers. Many adults silently struggle with disordered eating, body image concerns, and food-related anxiety throughout their lives—often undiagnosed or minimized by others.
At The Smith Counseling Group, we specialize in adult eating disorder therapy that treats the whole person—not just the symptoms.
We provide compassionate, expert care to adults in Chevy Chase, Bethesda, and the greater Washington, DC area who are navigating eating disorders, poor body image, and the complex emotional and psychological challenges that come with them.
Whether you're facing the symptoms of anorexia, bulimia, binge eating disorder, or an unhealthy preoccupation with health and diet,
you deserve compassionate, expert care that sees you as a whole person—not just a diagnosis.
Maybe you were diagnosed with an eating disorder earlier in life but never fully recovered.
Perhaps disordered eating emerged later, triggered by childbirth, stress, loss, menopause or a medical diagnosis.
Or maybe you’ve been privately managing binge eating, purging, or restrictive eating patterns, unsure if they’re “serious enough” to need help.
Eating Disorders in Adulthood: More Common Than You Think
Contrary to stereotypes, eating disorders in adults are not rare. Many people live for years—even decades—battling food, weight, and self-worth in isolation.
It’s important that you take these signs and symptoms seriously. The distress and misery individuals experience due to poor body image and body loathing cannot be underestimated.
What We Treat
We offer therapy for a range of eating disorders in adults, including:Add your pricing strategy. Be sure to include important details like value, length of service, and why it’s unique.
Anorexia Nervosa
Bulimia Nervosa
Binge Eating Disorder (BED)
Orthorexia
OSFED (Other Specified Feeding or Eating Disorders)
Chronic dieting and body image distress
We also support individuals with less visible—but equally distressing—behaviors, such as:
Obsessive calorie counting or food tracking
Compulsive or excessive exercise
Yo-yo dieting and weight cycling
Avoidance of mirrors or intense body shame
“Clean eating” that becomes rigid or restrictive
Our Approach to Adult Eating Disorder Therapy
Adults with eating disorders require a different treatment model than adolescents and children. At The Smith Counseling Group, we collaborate with you to create a treatment plan that integrates our evidence-based care with your unique needs and challenges.
Evidence-Based, Trauma-Informed Eating Disorder Treatment
We utilize and integrate proven therapeutic models, including:
Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)
Evidence based treatment that provides necessary tools to stop binge-purge cycles, increase emotional stability, and reduce impulsivity.
Mindfulness and Intuitive Eating
Eating disorders numb physical sensations and connection to the body. We will work to reconnect you with your body’s natural signals of hunger, fullness, and satisfaction.
Psychoeducation
Our job is to help you better understand the biological, emotional, and cultural influences that sustain disordered eating and poor body image.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
Evidence-based treatment that challenges negative thoughts around food, weight, and self-worth.
Trauma-Informed Therapy
Eating disorders are often at the root, based in trauma. We are trained in evidence-based therapies that help individuals identify and process painful memories and experiences.
Our Philosophy: Healing Beyond the Scale
Eating disorders are complicated problems that are often coping strategies for more deeply rooted pain. We believe in a model that moves beyond weight, appearance and body to focusing on overall wellness and life satisfaction. Some of the facets of this philosophy include:
Holistic Wellness: Addressing mental, emotional, and relational well-being alongside physical health
Body Neutrality: Developing a more neutral and compassionate stance toward one’s body, by de-emphasizing worth only being defined by one’s appearance
Collaborative Therapy: We see you as the ultimate expert of your experience—we bring clinical knowledge; you bring insight
Our ultimate goal? Helping you create a life where food and body image no longer dictate your joy, confidence, or sense of self. You are able to be healthy and content in mind, body and spirit and that satisfaction is reflected in your lifestyle.
Who We Help
Our adult eating disorder counseling services are open to people of all genders, ages 18+, and diverse backgrounds. You may benefit from working with us if you:
Have lived with an eating disorder for years without formal treatment
Are in midlife and experiencing a resurgence of symptoms
Started dieting or pursuing “health goals” that became obsessive
Feel trapped in cycles of bingeing, purging, emotional eating, or restriction
Are dealing with co-occurring issues like anxiety, depression, symptoms of trauma, or perfectionism
Whether you’re new to therapy or returning after prior attempts, we’ll meet you with empathy, not assumptions.
What to Expect from Therapy
Our adult eating disorder treatment in Chevy Chase includes:
Comprehensive Evaluation: Exploring your physical, emotional, and behavioral history
Customized Treatment Plan: May include weekly therapy, nutritional support, and collaboration with your primary care or psychiatric provider
Practical Skill Building: Tools for managing triggers, regulating emotions, and developing sustainable habits
Continued Guidance: Ongoing check-ins and adaptations to meet your evolving recovery needs
We create a non-judgmental, compassionate space where every part of your story is welcome.
You Deserve More Than Survival
Many adults with eating disorders hesitate to seek help, believing their symptoms aren’t “bad enough” or that they should “have it under control by now.” A startling number of adults are suffering with eating disorders that have never been addressed—and healing is possible at any age.
You deserve to thrive, not just cope. You deserve to experience meals without dread, movement without punishment, and a body you can inhabit with peace, rather than self-loathing.
Begin Eating Disorder Therapy in Chevy Chase Today
If you're ready to explore a new relationship with food, your body, and yourself, we're here to help.