Bri Byrne, LMFT, is an Evolve therapist who specializes in helping clients heal from eating disorders. People with bulimia, anorexia, or binge eating disorder can experience intense feelings of isolation and shame. Disordered eating behaviors can provide a temporary—albeit destructive—sense of relief. “An eating disorder can feel like a self-contained, private little shortcut to self-regulation,” explains Bri.

So her work involves bringing a client out of isolation and into connection with others. Building resilience in the therapist–client relationship helps them learn to trust themselves and other people in their lives, rather than seeking comfort in the eating disorder.

Bri’s approach

Her approach is informed by psychodynamic theory. She starts her work with a new client exploring what psychological defenses and coping mechanisms the client may have unconsciously put in place during formative childhood experiences. These can affect how they experience—or don’t experience—certain emotions. It might sound intellectual, but the atmosphere of her sessions is usually casual, with a bit of humor in the mix.

Bri believes that exploring and learning things about yourself is one of the greatest journeys in life, and it builds on itself. Mental health takes work and maintenance. This philosophy doesn’t always “play nicely” with insurance coverage, which often treats mental health as an afterthought. Because insurance companies reimburse at such a low, unlivable rate, therapists sometimes feel it’s necessary to move to private pay and cater to the affluent in order to make a living. This is a hard balance to find, and it’s the aspect of the job that Bri struggles with the most.

Her favorite part of the job? “Witnessing people start to trust others and themselves, rather than continue to be dependent on a self-destructive, ritualistic set of behaviors.” She had one client who was frequently devastated by interactions with friends and family. They came to realize that she was unconsciously mapping events happening now onto familiar scripts of loneliness and rejection from her childhood. She was essentially reliving these deeply painful memories in the present day, and binging was her way of numbing that pain.

Through their work together, the client is now able to reflexively identify when the stories from the past are taking over, and she adjusts accordingly. And, almost like a coincidence, the binging got better.

Ask for help

Healing from an eating disorder is absolutely possible. Therapy is a beautiful opportunity to unravel your unique story of this physical and emotional connection.

If you’re ready to take the next step on your path to recovery and resilience, get in touch today for a complimentary consultation call.