How to Use Psychotherapy to Treat Overeating

Psychotherapy can be an extremely effective way to treat compulsive overeating, since the causes of most eating disorders are emotional or psychological in nature. Talking therapies such as psychotherapy can uncover the beliefs and attitudes that cause eating disorders, and help the patient develop healthy attitudes about food, interpersonal relationships and perceptions about their bodies.

Things You'll Need

• Psychotherapist, preferably a psychiatrist or licensed clinical psychologist

Instructions

1. Find the right mental health professional, such as a psychiatrist or a licensed clinical psychologist, to schedule psychotherapy sessions concerning your compulsive overeating behaviors. Beware of individuals who merely call themselves therapists or psychotherapists, and may not be subject to the licensing and certifications of the state in which you live. Obtain a referral from your family physician so that you can locate the most qualified individual to help you.

2. Interview mental health professionals in the same way you would interview prospective job applicants before you agree to begin psychotherapy sessions. Ask important questions about their education, experience, licensing and whether they specialize in helping individuals with eating disorders. Don't worry about offending them, since they are trained to expect such questions from patients.

3. Use the first few psychotherapy sessions to establish a rapport with your therapist, and to commit to the course of treatment. Usually, the therapist will use the first few meetings to get a general idea about the interpersonal relationships in your life, and how they might affect your behavior. The subsequent treatment will usually be outlined at that time, with clear and agreed-upon goals stated by both you and the therapist.

4. Consider the possibility of using prescription medication, such as appetite suppressants or antidepressants, to complement your psychotherapy. The front-line therapy for eating disorders usually involves psychotherapy or behavioral therapy, coupled with antidepressants to treat the depression that may aggravate the compulsive overeating behaviors.

5. Find a support group for people with eating disorders, specifically compulsive overeaters, and attend regularly. Support groups may be an excellent option for individuals who cannot afford lengthy and potentially expensive psychotherapy sessions.

Tips & Warnings

• It might be helpful to ask for a "trial" psychotherapy session before you agree to see the therapist on a regular basis. That way you can determine whether you feel comfortable with the therapist, and whether her goals are the same as yours in respect to treating your compulsive overeating disorder.

• Some health insurance will pay for a limited number of psychotherapy sessions per calendar year.