Find a Binge Eating Disorder Therapist

How do I know if I have binge eating disorder? 

Many people overeat occasionally—but binge eating disorder (BED) involves more than just eating too much. BED is characterized by repeated episodes of eating large amounts of food—often quickly and to the point of discomfort—followed by feelings of shame, distress, or guilt.

You might have BED if you:

• Feel a loss of control during eating episodes
• Eat when you’re not hungry or continue past fullness
• Eat alone or in secret to avoid judgment
• Feel powerless to stop bingeing, even if you want to
• Experience emotional distress related to your eating behaviors

If these patterns sound familiar, a binge eating therapist can help you explore whether you meet criteria for BED and what steps you can take toward recovery.

Recognizing the symptoms

Binge eating disorder can affect anyone—regardless of gender, age, body size, or background. Many people struggle in silence for years, blaming themselves or feeling too ashamed to seek help.

Common symptoms include:

• Recurrent episodes of eating unusually large amounts of food in a short time
• Eating much faster than normal during these episodes
• Eating until uncomfortably full or even in pain
• Eating alone due to embarrassment
• Feeling disgusted, depressed, or very guilty afterward
• Lack of regular compensatory behaviors (such as vomiting or excessive exercise)

A therapist for binge eating can help you recognize these symptoms as part of a treatable condition—not a personal failing.

What do the diagnostic criteria mean?

According to the DSM-5, binge eating disorder is diagnosed when:

• Binge eating occurs at least once a week for three months
• The person feels a lack of control during these episodes
• The binge episodes are marked by at least three of the following:
• • Eating much more rapidly than normal
  • Eating until feeling uncomfortably full
  • Eating large amounts when not physically hungry
  • Eating alone due to embarrassment
  • Feeling disgusted or ashamed afterward

Unlike bulimia, binge eating disorder does not involve purging or other compensatory behaviors. A licensed binge eating disorder therapist can help assess your symptoms and provide a clear, supportive diagnosis if needed.

Getting diagnosed

Diagnosis typically begins with a comprehensive intake interview with a mental health professional. You may also complete screening tools or questionnaires.

During this process, your provider will explore:

• Your eating patterns and history
• How food and emotions are connected for you
• Physical and psychological consequences of your eating habits
• Co-occurring conditions like anxiety, depression, or trauma

Early diagnosis opens the door to healing. A trained therapist for binge eating disorder will approach this process with compassion and without judgment.

How is it different from just overeating?

Occasional overeating is normal—think holidays, celebrations, or simply overindulging once in a while. Binge eating disorder is different because it involves:

• Frequency: Binges happen regularly and repeatedly.
• Loss of control: You feel unable to stop eating once you’ve started.
• Emotional distress: You experience guilt, shame, or sadness afterward.
• Behavioral impact: Bingeing affects your health, relationships, and self-esteem.

Overeating is a behavior. Binge eating disorder is a mental health condition. A binge eating therapist can help you understand the difference and build sustainable change.

What causes binge eating disorder?

There’s no single cause of BED—it often results from a combination of biological, psychological, and social factors.

Contributing factors may include:

• Dieting or restrictive eating: Repeated dieting can increase cravings and lead to loss of control around food.
• Emotional regulation issues: Bingeing may serve as a way to numb or escape difficult emotions like anger, sadness, or anxiety.
• Trauma or abuse: Many individuals with BED have a history of trauma or neglect.
• Genetics and brain chemistry: Imbalances in dopamine or serotonin may affect appetite and impulse control.
• Body dissatisfaction and stigma: Societal pressure to be thin or negative body image can contribute to disordered eating.

Understanding these root causes is key to healing. A therapist for food addiction or binge eating specialist can help you address both the behaviors and the underlying drivers.

How do I treat binge eating disorder?

Binge eating disorder isn’t about a lack of willpower—it’s about learning better ways to cope with emotions, stress, and habits around food. The good news? It’s very treatable, and you don’t have to go through it alone.

Therapy

Talking with a therapist for binge eating is one of the most effective ways to get better. Therapy can help you:

• Understand what triggers your binges
• Learn how to handle emotions without turning to food
• Build healthier eating habits and routines

Most people find success with approaches like cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) or therapy for emotional eating, which focus on managing thoughts and changing behaviors in simple, practical ways.

Medications

Some people benefit from medication—especially if binge eating is tied to anxiety, depression, or strong urges. A doctor or psychiatrist might recommend options that help reduce cravings or improve mood. Medication is often used along with therapy, not on its own.

Healthy Habits & Daily Tools

You can also make small changes that support recovery:

• Eat regular meals to avoid extreme hunger
• Find new ways to deal with stress (like going for a walk, calling a friend, or journaling)
• Track patterns to learn what leads to a binge
• Keep foods around that help you feel good—not restricted

Supportive Environment

A calm, supportive environment makes a big difference. That might mean:

• Limiting access to binge triggers at home
• Setting boundaries with toxic diet advice
• Surrounding yourself with people who support your healing

Learn About It

Understanding binge eating helps take away the shame. Your therapist can teach you why bingeing happens, how your brain and body are affected, and what recovery really looks like. The more you know, the more empowered you’ll feel.

Who can treat binge eating disorder?

Effective treatment often involves a multidisciplinary team, including:

• Binge eating therapists: Licensed counselors, psychologists, or clinical social workers with experience in eating disorders
• Food addiction therapists: Specialists who understand the emotional and behavioral components of compulsive eating
• Dietitians: Particularly those trained in intuitive eating or Health at Every Size (HAES) approaches
• Medical doctors: To monitor physical health and potential complications
• Psychiatrists: For diagnosis and medication management if needed

Look for a provider with training in disordered eating—not just general therapy. The best therapist for binge eating will create a safe, nonjudgmental environment where you can truly heal.

Why should I treat binge eating disorder?

BED can have significant long-term effects on your emotional and physical health. Treating it early can reduce complications and greatly improve your quality of life.

Physical health risks include:

• Type 2 diabetes
• Heart disease
• High blood pressure or cholesterol
• Sleep apnea
• Gastrointestinal problems
• Joint or mobility issues

Emotional consequences:

• Shame, guilt, and low self-esteem
• Social withdrawal or isolation
• Co-occurring anxiety or depression

But the good news is—treatment works. You can learn to eat with intention instead of impulse, to feel satisfaction instead of guilt, and to reconnect with your body in a way that feels kind and empowering.

A therapist for binge eating disorder can help you make these changes in a sustainable, supportive way.

What is the difference between binge eating disorder and emotional eating?

While they often overlap, there are key distinctions.

Emotional Eating:

• Typically involves eating in response to feelings like boredom, stress, or sadness
• May be occasional or situational
• Doesn’t usually involve a loss of control or large quantities of food

Binge Eating Disorder:

• Involves frequent episodes of eating large amounts of food in a short time
• Characterized by a sense of being unable to stop
• Accompanied by distress, shame, and often secrecy

If you’re unsure where you fall, a therapy for emotional eating provider can help differentiate the behaviors and guide appropriate treatment.

What is the difference between binge eating disorder and food addiction?

BED and food addiction share features, but they’re not the same.

BED:

• A mental health diagnosis with specific criteria
• Involves episodes of bingeing without compensatory behaviors
• Rooted in emotional regulation, trauma, and cognitive patterns

Food Addiction:

• A controversial term not formally recognized in the DSM
• Suggests a compulsive need for highly palatable foods (especially those high in sugar, fat, or salt)
• Focuses on the reward and dopamine cycle in the brain

Both conditions may benefit from support from a therapist for food addiction or binge eating therapist who understands the complexity of compulsive eating behaviors.

What is the difference between binge eating disorder and bulimia nervosa?

Both disorders involve binge eating, but bulimia nervosa includes compensatory behaviors such as:

• Purging (vomiting or laxative use)
• Excessive exercise
• Fasting or severe restriction after binge episodes

People with BED do not regularly engage in these behaviors, which is a key distinction in diagnosis. A binge eating disorder therapist can clarify where your symptoms fit and recommend the right course of action.

Can people with binge eating disorder be a “normal” weight?

Yes. Binge eating disorder can affect people in all body sizes—including those with average or “normal” weight. Body size alone is not an indicator of health or the presence of an eating disorder.

In fact, many people with BED delay getting help because they don’t “look sick enough.” But eating disorders are about behavior and mental health, not appearance.

You deserve support regardless of your size. A binge eating therapist will focus on your health, your emotions, and your goals—not the number on the scale.

If you're struggling with cycles of overeating, guilt, and shame, help is available. Whether you’re looking for a binge eating disorder therapist, seeking therapy for emotional eating, or need a therapist for food addiction, there is a path forward—and it starts with compassionate, personalized care.