Eating Disorder Treatment in Port Hadlock & Port Angeles, WA in Port Hadlock & Port Angeles

Eating Disorders We Treat

Our clinicians are experienced in recognizing and treating the full spectrum of eating disorders, including:

• Anorexia Nervosa: Restriction of food intake, intense fear of weight gain, and distorted body image — with restrictive or binge-purge subtypes
• Bulimia Nervosa: Cycles of binge eating followed by compensatory behaviors such as self-induced vomiting, laxative use, or excessive exercise
• Binge Eating Disorder (BED): Recurrent episodes of eating large amounts of food rapidly and feeling a loss of control, without purging
• Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder (ARFID): Highly selective eating or restriction not driven by body image concerns — often involving sensory sensitivities, fear of choking, or low interest in food
• Other Specified Feeding and Eating Disorders (OSFED): Clinically significant eating disorder presentations that do not meet full criteria for the above diagnoses
• Orthorexia: Obsessive focus on "healthy" or "clean" eating that becomes consuming and harmful

Our Eating Disorder Treatment Approach

Comprehensive Psychiatric and Medical Assessment: Eating disorders have serious medical consequences including malnutrition, electrolyte imbalances, cardiovascular complications, and bone density loss. Our evaluations include a thorough psychiatric assessment and coordination with medical providers to ensure physical health is monitored alongside mental health care.

Medication Management: While no medication is a standalone treatment for eating disorders, certain medications can be effective adjuncts — particularly for managing co-occurring depression, anxiety, and OCD, and for reducing binge-purge behaviors in bulimia nervosa. We carefully evaluate medication options with each patient.

Multidisciplinary Care Coordination: Eating disorder treatment is most effective when it involves a team. We actively coordinate with therapists specializing in eating disorders, registered dietitians, and primary care and medical providers to ensure patients receive comprehensive, integrated care.

Level of Care Assessment: We help patients and families understand whether outpatient care, intensive outpatient programming (IOP), partial hospitalization (PHP), or residential treatment is most appropriate given the severity of the condition. We can facilitate referrals to higher levels of care when needed.

Weight-Inclusive, Recovery-Focused Care: Our approach is grounded in respect for all body sizes and a recovery-focused framework. We do not use weight as the sole measure of progress, and we prioritize each patient’s physical safety, psychological well-being, and relationship with food and their body.

Support for Families

Eating disorders affect the whole family. Parents and loved ones often feel frightened, helpless, and uncertain about how to help. We provide education and guidance for family members on how to support recovery, including communication strategies that support rather than inadvertently reinforce the eating disorder. For younger patients, family-based therapy involvement may be recommended.