Therapy For Pregnancy and Postpartum Struggles Around Food and Body Image
Pregnancy and the postpartum period can be both joyful and challenging, especially when it comes to navigating changes in food and body image. At The Eating Disorder Center, we specialize in providing compassionate, evidence-based therapy to support individuals during these transformative life stages. Our team includes therapists who are parents themselves and who understand firsthand the unique challenges that come with the perinatal and postpartum experience.
Understanding Perinatal and Postpartum Struggles with Food and Body Image
The physical and emotional shifts that accompany pregnancy and childbirth can be profound. For many individuals, these changes can intensify pre-existing concerns about body image and eating, or even trigger new struggles.
Societal messages about “bouncing back” after birth often place unrealistic expectations on new parents, increasing pressure and guilt. These messages can fuel negative thought patterns and disordered eating behaviors. Research shows that individuals with a history of eating disorders—such as anorexia, bulimia, or binge eating disorder—are at higher risk of relapse during the postpartum period. Even without a prior history, new parents may experience heightened body dissatisfaction and anxiety around food.
Our Therapeutic Approach
At The Eating Disorder Center, we offer individualized therapy that honors the complexity of the perinatal and postpartum journey. Our approach is rooted in empathy, collaboration, and a deep understanding of the unique challenges faced during this time. We are proud to have therapists on our team who are also mothers, bringing an additional layer of lived experience and compassion to their work.
Our therapeutic services include:
Where We Work
Our commitment to supporting parents through perinatal and postpartum struggles extends across the Mid-Atlantic and beyond. We proudly serve clients in Maryland—including Rockville, Bethesda, Chevy Chase, and surrounding areas—offering convenient access for families in some of the region’s most vibrant and affluent communities.
In addition to our Maryland hub, The Eating Disorder Center also offers therapy services throughout Virginia, Washington, D.C., Florida, Pennsylvania, New York, and California. For those outside these areas—or for clients who prefer flexible support—our recovery coaching services are available worldwide, ensuring that no matter where you are, you can receive the expert help you need.
Whether you’re in Potomac, McLean, Great Falls, or other neighboring communities, The Eating Disorder Center is dedicated to helping you navigate food and body image challenges during pregnancy and postpartum.
Why Choose The Eating Disorder Center?
At The Eating Disorder Center, we understand that therapy during pregnancy and postpartum is not one-size-fits-all. Our therapists are experienced in supporting parents during this important life stage, and our team includes professionals who are parents themselves. We bring both clinical expertise and lived experience to our work, creating a safe and compassionate space for healing.
Our specialized focus on eating disorders and body image concerns during the perinatal and postpartum periods ensures that each client receives personalized care rooted in evidence-based practices. We are passionate about helping parents develop healthier relationships with their bodies, food, and evolving identities.
Taking the First Step
If you are struggling with food or body image during pregnancy or after childbirth, please know that you are not alone. Early support can make a profound difference in your journey toward healing and well-being. At The Eating Disorder Center, we are here to walk alongside you with care and expertise.
To learn more about our services or to schedule an appointment, please visit our website at www.theeatingdisordercenter.com or contact our team directly. We are here to support you every step of the way, helping you navigate this time with compassion, strength, and hope.
Understanding Perinatal and Postpartum Struggles with Food and Body Image
The physical and emotional shifts that accompany pregnancy and childbirth can be profound. For many individuals, these changes can intensify pre-existing concerns about body image and eating, or even trigger new struggles.
Societal messages about “bouncing back” after birth often place unrealistic expectations on new parents, increasing pressure and guilt. These messages can fuel negative thought patterns and disordered eating behaviors. Research shows that individuals with a history of eating disorders—such as anorexia, bulimia, or binge eating disorder—are at higher risk of relapse during the postpartum period. Even without a prior history, new parents may experience heightened body dissatisfaction and anxiety around food.
Our Therapeutic Approach
At The Eating Disorder Center, we offer individualized therapy that honors the complexity of the perinatal and postpartum journey. Our approach is rooted in empathy, collaboration, and a deep understanding of the unique challenges faced during this time. We are proud to have therapists on our team who are also mothers, bringing an additional layer of lived experience and compassion to their work.
Our therapeutic services include:
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT): CBT helps clients identify and challenge unhelpful thought patterns that contribute to negative body image and disordered eating behaviors. It’s particularly effective in addressing the societal pressures around postpartum appearance and “getting your body back.”
- Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT): ACT supports clients in developing a more compassionate relationship with themselves and their bodies by fostering acceptance of difficult emotions, clarifying values, and building psychological flexibility.
- Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT): DBT equips clients with skills to manage overwhelming emotions, tolerate distress, and build healthier coping strategies. This approach is especially helpful during the postpartum period, which can be marked by intense emotional ups and downs.
- Relapse Prevention Planning: For those with a history of eating disorders, we work collaboratively to develop personalized plans to manage triggers and maintain recovery during the postpartum period.
Where We Work
Our commitment to supporting parents through perinatal and postpartum struggles extends across the Mid-Atlantic and beyond. We proudly serve clients in Maryland—including Rockville, Bethesda, Chevy Chase, and surrounding areas—offering convenient access for families in some of the region’s most vibrant and affluent communities.
In addition to our Maryland hub, The Eating Disorder Center also offers therapy services throughout Virginia, Washington, D.C., Florida, Pennsylvania, New York, and California. For those outside these areas—or for clients who prefer flexible support—our recovery coaching services are available worldwide, ensuring that no matter where you are, you can receive the expert help you need.
Whether you’re in Potomac, McLean, Great Falls, or other neighboring communities, The Eating Disorder Center is dedicated to helping you navigate food and body image challenges during pregnancy and postpartum.
Why Choose The Eating Disorder Center?
At The Eating Disorder Center, we understand that therapy during pregnancy and postpartum is not one-size-fits-all. Our therapists are experienced in supporting parents during this important life stage, and our team includes professionals who are parents themselves. We bring both clinical expertise and lived experience to our work, creating a safe and compassionate space for healing.
Our specialized focus on eating disorders and body image concerns during the perinatal and postpartum periods ensures that each client receives personalized care rooted in evidence-based practices. We are passionate about helping parents develop healthier relationships with their bodies, food, and evolving identities.
Taking the First Step
If you are struggling with food or body image during pregnancy or after childbirth, please know that you are not alone. Early support can make a profound difference in your journey toward healing and well-being. At The Eating Disorder Center, we are here to walk alongside you with care and expertise.
To learn more about our services or to schedule an appointment, please visit our website at www.theeatingdisordercenter.com or contact our team directly. We are here to support you every step of the way, helping you navigate this time with compassion, strength, and hope.
"Jennifer and her team are nothing short of excellent and are highly skilled therapists and coaches that lead with the utmost compassion and professionalism. As a professional counselor for over 12 years, I have become very discerning whom I refer clients to for mental health care. The Eating Disorder Center continues to be up to date on the best methods and treatment of eating disorders and co-occurring issues and is a leader in the eating disorder recovery world. I trust anyone on this team to help in the best way possible."
-Erica Wilcox, LPC, Therapist & Founder of Wilcox Wellness
"The Eating Disorder Center is the top in our nation. The clinicians there are true experts in treating eating disorders. They are kind compassionate and knowledgeable! I highly highly recommend."
-Gabrielle Morreale, MA, LPC, Founder of Recovered and Restored Eating Disorder Therapy Center
"The Eating Disorder Center provides some of the highest quality care in our region. My colleagues and I regularly refer to the clinicians here for eating disorders!"
-Tana Clarke, PhD, Psychologist, Founder of Waypoint Wellness
"Jennifer and her team are top-notch. They are skilled in the treatment of eating disorders, body image concerns, anxiety, and more. As a therapist myself, I would trust a family member with this team. 10/10 recommend!"
-Laura Deneen, LPC, Therapist and Founder of Anchored Counseling Company
-Erica Wilcox, LPC, Therapist & Founder of Wilcox Wellness
"The Eating Disorder Center is the top in our nation. The clinicians there are true experts in treating eating disorders. They are kind compassionate and knowledgeable! I highly highly recommend."
-Gabrielle Morreale, MA, LPC, Founder of Recovered and Restored Eating Disorder Therapy Center
"The Eating Disorder Center provides some of the highest quality care in our region. My colleagues and I regularly refer to the clinicians here for eating disorders!"
-Tana Clarke, PhD, Psychologist, Founder of Waypoint Wellness
"Jennifer and her team are top-notch. They are skilled in the treatment of eating disorders, body image concerns, anxiety, and more. As a therapist myself, I would trust a family member with this team. 10/10 recommend!"
-Laura Deneen, LPC, Therapist and Founder of Anchored Counseling Company
Therapy for eating disorders in Rockville, Maryland. Serving Potomac, Bethesda, Gaithersburg, and Montgomery County. Specializing in the treatment of eating disorders in Annapolis, Chevy Chase, Germantown, and Olney.
Therapy for eating disorders in Arlington, Virginia. Serving McLean, Vienna, Alexandria, Fairfax, Falls Church, Leesburg, Purcellville, and Herndon. Specializing in the treatment of eating disorders.
Therapy for eating disorders in Arlington, Virginia. Serving McLean, Vienna, Alexandria, Fairfax, Falls Church, Leesburg, Purcellville, and Herndon. Specializing in the treatment of eating disorders.