Eating Disorder Therapy in Chicago & Northbrook IL

Eating disorders are among the most serious and least understood mental health conditions. They are not about vanity or food. They are about pain, control, self-worth, and an attempt to manage an internal world that feels overwhelming in a body that may feel like the only thing within reach to control.

If you are struggling with your relationship to food or your body, you are not alone and you are not beyond help. Whatever form it takes, eating disorder recovery is possible, and you deserve care that treats you as a whole person, not just a set of behaviors.

Eating disorders are serious mental health conditions characterized by persistent disturbances in eating behavior and severe distress about body weight, shape, or food. They carry significant medical and psychological risk and require specialized, compassionate care. They exist on a spectrum and do not always look the way they are depicted in media. People of all body sizes, genders, ages, and backgrounds experience them.

Our approach is weight-inclusive and non-diet. We work from the understanding that sustainable recovery involves building a relationship with food and your body rooted in attunement rather than rules. Our clinicians draw from DBT, CBT-E, RO-DBT for anorexia and overcontrolled presentations, ACT, and trauma-informed approaches. We collaborate with dietitians, physicians, and psychiatrists as part of a care team when appropriate.

Our eating disorder specialists serve adults and adolescents in Chicago and Northbrook, and via telehealth across Illinois and many other states. Call (312) 291-9570 or book a consultation online.

What is the most effective treatment for eating disorders?
Evidence-based treatments vary by presentation. For anorexia, RO-DBT and CBT-E have strong support. For bulimia, CBT-E has the most robust evidence base. For binge eating disorder, CBT, DBT, and interpersonal therapy are well-supported. Treatment often involves a multidisciplinary team.

Do I have to be underweight to have an eating disorder?
No. Eating disorders occur across all body sizes. The idea that they only affect visibly underweight people is a harmful misconception that prevents many people from receiving care. Binge eating disorder, bulimia, and OSFED can occur in bodies of any size.

Can therapy treat an eating disorder without a dietitian?
Therapy alone can be helpful, particularly for milder presentations. For more severe eating disorders, a multidisciplinary team including a dietitian and potentially medical monitoring is generally recommended.

What is weight-inclusive care?
Weight-inclusive care focuses on supporting health and wellbeing across all body sizes without making weight loss the goal of treatment. It promotes body acceptance, intuitive eating, and sustainable self-care behaviors rather than weight-focused approaches.

Is eating disorder therapy available via telehealth?
Yes. Telehealth therapy for eating disorders has growing evidence support. Midwest Counseling offers eating disorder therapy via telehealth across Illinois and many other states.