Kathy Steele, M.A., M.F.T.

Helping individuals gain a greater sense of
control and well being in their lives.

Eating Disorders

If you have an eating disorder, you are not alone. Eating disorders are common. They occur in children, teens, and adults, both males and females. It is important to seek treatment as eating disorders can have serious physical and emotional implications. Successful treatment addresses the physical, emotional, relational, behavioral, and cognitive (thought process) aspects of an eating disorder.

Eating and one’s relationship with food can become disordered for many reasons. Whether one is eating too little or too much, food may become a way of avoiding one’s feelings, problems in relationships, or reflect self-esteem issues. Eating disorders may be accompanied by excessive fear of gaining weight, strict food rules (good / bad foods), weighing oneself frequently, compulsive overeating, or excessive exercising. Therapy is beneficial because it helps an individual to gain insight into what may have caused their eating disorder, as well as creating an opportunity to gain greater selfawareness, healthier coping strategies, assertion skills, healthier body image, and exploring how relationships can be more supportive and rewarding.

Families with children or teenagers with an eating disorder benefit from family therapy which addresses relationship stress within the family. Family sessions encourage all family members to make productive changes in the way they relate so that all members benefit. Sessions focus on increasing communication skills between family members a developing strategies for successful conflict resolution.

Areas of specialization:

  • Anorexia
  • Bulimia
  • Binge Eating

04.02.2007. 15:07

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Kathy Steele,
M.A., M.F.T.

was born and raised in Southern California, earned a Bachelors degree in Psychology from the University of California, a Masters degree in Psychology from Chapman University, and has acquired extensive post-graduate training and experience in the areas of eating disorders, anxiety disorders and gastric bypass surgery counseling.