About Megan
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Megan Samuels, MSW, LCSW-C, is an eating disorder therapist in Rockville, Maryland, who specializes in working with adolescents and adults with eating disorders including anorexia, bulimia, binge eating disorder, OSFED, ARFID, and compulsive exercise, body image issues, athletes with eating disorders, as well as survivors of trauma. She offers therapy in person in Rockville, Maryland and virtually to individuals in Maryland and Virginia.
Megan previously worked at an outpatient therapy center for multiple years providing therapy to individuals with eating disorders, body image issues, and survivors of trauma. She also ran a dialectical behavioral therapy skills group. She also has completed training in Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT), EMDR therapy, and relational therapy. She is Health at Every Size informed and knowledgeable about intuitive eating. She has received extensive training in treating clients with eating disorders and body image issues. Megan has previously trained under the practice founder, Jennifer Rollin, MSW, LCSW-C, for years. She completed a training program on "Trauma-Informed and Attachment Based Eating Disorder Treatment" through The Embodied Recovery Institute. Megan is skilled in providing EMDR therapy which is a gold standard for the treatment of trauma. She also uses EMDR therapy for body image distress and can incorporate it into her work with clients with eating disorders. She completed EMDR basic training, as well as EMDR advanced trainings. She is also an EMDRIA Certified EMDR therapist. She has been interviewed as an eating disorder and trauma expert in media, including on television on D.C. News Now, Social Work Today Magazine, Resources to Recover, CPTSD Foundation, Rock Recovery, and Canvas Rebel Magazine. She is also sought out as a speaker about eating disorders to local colleges, therapy practices, and organizations. Megan provides clinical trainings for clinicians locally including a training called Eating Disorders 101. |
My Approach as an Eating Disorder Therapist
I tailor my approach for each individual client, however I particularly enjoy using elements of dialectical behavioral therapy (DBT), eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR), ego state interventions, polyvagal theory, and relational therapy. I also use my passion, empathy, and sense of humor to create a safe environment for clients to explore and heal.
I use a Health At Every Size Approach and believe that this is a crucial element to helping people make peace with food and their bodies.
I love working with teens and adults with eating disorders and body image issues, helping them to make peace with food, their bodies-and ultimately themselves. I help clients to uncover the function underneath their eating disorder i.e. coping with anxiety, difficult emotions, trauma, social stressors and find new values aligning ways of coping. In my work with clients with eating disorders I help them with both the struggles around food and body, as well as any underlying issues.
In my work with trauma survivors, I strive to create a warm and nurturing environment for clients to heal and improve their lives following the impact of trauma. I believe in a collaborative approach to care and enjoy working alongside other treatment providers and loved ones.
Being an eating disorder and trauma therapist is my passion. There is nothing better than helping clients transform their lives.
*I am excited to share that I offer some in person sessions in addition to virtual sessions! I am taking on a limited number of new therapy clients. If spots are full, I am happy to refer you to another eating disorder therapist or put you on a wait-list.
I use a Health At Every Size Approach and believe that this is a crucial element to helping people make peace with food and their bodies.
I love working with teens and adults with eating disorders and body image issues, helping them to make peace with food, their bodies-and ultimately themselves. I help clients to uncover the function underneath their eating disorder i.e. coping with anxiety, difficult emotions, trauma, social stressors and find new values aligning ways of coping. In my work with clients with eating disorders I help them with both the struggles around food and body, as well as any underlying issues.
In my work with trauma survivors, I strive to create a warm and nurturing environment for clients to heal and improve their lives following the impact of trauma. I believe in a collaborative approach to care and enjoy working alongside other treatment providers and loved ones.
Being an eating disorder and trauma therapist is my passion. There is nothing better than helping clients transform their lives.
*I am excited to share that I offer some in person sessions in addition to virtual sessions! I am taking on a limited number of new therapy clients. If spots are full, I am happy to refer you to another eating disorder therapist or put you on a wait-list.
“Megan is a genuine and compassionate therapist that is dedicated to helping her clients in their therapeutic journey. Through working alongside Megan, I've witnessed her consistently go the extra mile, whether it's through obtaining further training with treating trauma, follow-up calls to coordinate care with other providers, or providing additional resources. Her commitment to helping individuals overcome eating disorders and trauma is exemplary. Megan's clients not only receive expert therapy but a trusted ally on their journey to recovery."
Lexi Windsor, LCPC, Therapist
"I have been working with Megan Samuels for many years and it is easy to see her dedication to the field and to her clients. Megan is especially skilled at treating clients with eating disorders and trauma. She has outstanding clinical instincts and approaches clients with warmth, gentleness, and compassion. I highly recommend Megan to anyone looking for a therapist."
Kate Dansie, LCSW-C, Therapist
"I have had the pleasure of working alongside Megan and have benefited from her kindness and expertise in the field of mental health care. She has a very comprehensive background as a therapist and is always expanding her learning and experience as a clinician. Her thoughtfulness, warmth, and dedication help her create safe, welcoming, and non-judgmental spaces for all those she works with."
Libby Nuss, LMSW, Trauma Therapist
Megan Samuels, Eating Disorder Therapist FAQS
1. What kind of experience do you have working with eating disorders and trauma?
I specialize in working with adolescents and adults struggling with eating disorders including anorexia, bulimia, binge eating disorder, ARFID, OSFED, compulsive exercise, and body image concerns. I also have extensive experience supporting survivors of trauma.
Before joining The Eating Disorder Center in Rockville, Maryland, I worked for several years at an outpatient therapy center where I provided therapy for individuals with eating disorders and trauma and led a dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) skills group. I’ve also received advanced training in trauma-informed and attachment-based eating disorder treatment.
Before joining The Eating Disorder Center in Rockville, Maryland, I worked for several years at an outpatient therapy center where I provided therapy for individuals with eating disorders and trauma and led a dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) skills group. I’ve also received advanced training in trauma-informed and attachment-based eating disorder treatment.
2. Do you offer EMDR therapy for trauma or body image?
Yes, I am trained in EMDR therapy, which is considered a gold standard treatment for trauma. I’ve completed both basic and advanced EMDR trainings and am currently pursuing certification.
I often integrate EMDR into my work not only for trauma, but also for body image distress and underlying emotional experiences that may be connected to eating disorder behaviors.
I often integrate EMDR into my work not only for trauma, but also for body image distress and underlying emotional experiences that may be connected to eating disorder behaviors.
3. What is your approach to therapy like?
My approach is warm, collaborative, and tailored to each individual. I draw from modalities such as DBT, EMDR, relational therapy, and parts work.
I focus on helping clients understand the underlying function of their eating disorder, whether that’s coping with anxiety, trauma, or difficult emotions, while also building more effective, values-aligned ways of coping. I bring empathy, authenticity, and even humor into sessions to help create a safe and supportive space.
I focus on helping clients understand the underlying function of their eating disorder, whether that’s coping with anxiety, trauma, or difficult emotions, while also building more effective, values-aligned ways of coping. I bring empathy, authenticity, and even humor into sessions to help create a safe and supportive space.
4. What types of clients do you work best with?
I especially enjoy working with teens and adults who are struggling with eating disorders, body image concerns, and/or trauma. I also have a particular interest in working with athletes and individuals who feel a lot of internal pressure or perfectionism.
Many of my clients are looking not just for symptom relief, but for deeper healing and a more compassionate relationship with themselves.
Many of my clients are looking not just for symptom relief, but for deeper healing and a more compassionate relationship with themselves.
5. Have you been featured in media and do you provide trainings on eating disorders?
Yes, I’ve been interviewed as an eating disorder and trauma expert on outlets including D.C. News Now, Social Work Today Magazine, CPTSD Foundation, and Canvas Rebel.
I also provide trainings for clinicians and organizations, including a training called Eating Disorders 101, and have spoken at local colleges and therapy practices.
I also provide trainings for clinicians and organizations, including a training called Eating Disorders 101, and have spoken at local colleges and therapy practices.
6. Can I work with you if I don’t have a trauma history?
Yes absolutely. I work with many clients who are primarily struggling with eating disorders, body image concerns, or anxiety.
7. What areas do you serve for therapy?
I offer in-person sessions in Rockville, Maryland, and virtual therapy for clients throughout Maryland and Virginia, including Bethesda, Chevy Chase, Potomac, Silver Spring, Arlington, Alexandria and other areas in Virginia.
Virtual therapy allows for flexibility while still providing individualized, high-quality care, which many of my clients find especially helpful with busy schedules.
Virtual therapy allows for flexibility while still providing individualized, high-quality care, which many of my clients find especially helpful with busy schedules.
Eating disorder therapy in Rockville, Maryland, Serving Potomac, Bethesda, Gaithersburg, and Montgomery County. Specializing in the treatment of eating disorders, including anorexia, bulimia, binge eating disorder. Trauma therapy, EMDR therapy in Rockville, Maryland. Specializing in trauma therapy and the treatment of PTSD.
Eating disorder therapy in Arlington, Virginia. Serving McLean, Vienna, Alexandria, Fairfax, Falls Church, Leesburg, Purcellville, and Herndon. Specializing in the treatment of eating disorders, including anorexia, bulimia, binge eating disorder. Trauma therapy, EMDR therapy in Arlington, Virginia. Specializing in trauma therapy and the treatment of PTSD.
Eating disorder therapy in Arlington, Virginia. Serving McLean, Vienna, Alexandria, Fairfax, Falls Church, Leesburg, Purcellville, and Herndon. Specializing in the treatment of eating disorders, including anorexia, bulimia, binge eating disorder. Trauma therapy, EMDR therapy in Arlington, Virginia. Specializing in trauma therapy and the treatment of PTSD.