What are the signs of an eating disorder?

Signs of an eating disorder can include preoccupation with food or weight, skipping meals, rigid food rules, distorted body image, and eating in secret. Emotional distress around meals, exercise, or one's reflection is also a common early warning sign worth taking seriously. Early intervention often makes recovery more manageable and improves long-term outcomes.

Are eating disorders only about food?

No, eating disorders are complex mental health conditions often tied to control, anxiety, self-esteem, and coping, not just food itself. Treatment addresses the underlying emotional and psychological factors driving the behaviors, rather than focusing on food alone. Treatment plans are adjusted regularly based on progress, safety, and evolving patient needs.

How does Upper East Side Psychology treat eating disorders?

Our therapists use evidence-based approaches including Enhanced CBT, Maudsley Family-Based Treatment, and Mirror Exposure Therapy, tailoring the treatment plan to each patient's diagnosis, age, and personal recovery goals to support meaningful and lasting change over time. A collaborative, nonjudgmental approach helps patients feel supported throughout recovery.

Can eating disorders be treated without hospitalization?

Many eating disorders can be treated on an outpatient basis, particularly when caught early, though severity determines the appropriate level of care needed. A clinical assessment helps identify the safest and most effective treatment setting for each individual patient. Early intervention often makes recovery more manageable and improves long-term outcomes.

Is recovery from an eating disorder possible?

Yes, full recovery is possible with appropriate treatment, support, and time. Our team at Upper East Side Psychology works closely with each patient and, when appropriate, their family, to support sustainable, long-term recovery built on evidence-based, individualized care. Treatment plans are adjusted regularly based on progress, safety, and evolving patient needs.

What causes disordered eating?

Disordered eating can stem from diet culture, body image concerns, stress, a need for control, or past experiences with food and weight. Contributing factors vary widely between individuals and often overlap with other emotional or relational concerns. Treatment focuses on building a healthier, more sustainable relationship with food and body.

Can disordered eating develop into a full eating disorder?

Yes, disordered eating patterns can progress into a diagnosable eating disorder over time if left unaddressed, which is why early intervention with a specialized therapist is important for preventing escalation and supporting a healthier relationship with food. Support is tailored to the severity and specific nature of each individual's eating patterns.

How is disordered eating treated at Upper East Side Psychology?

We use evidence-based approaches like Enhanced CBT to help patients identify unhelpful thought patterns around food and body image, building healthier, more flexible relationships with eating that support long-term emotional wellbeing and reduced anxiety around meals. Addressing these patterns early can prevent them from becoming more entrenched over time.

Do I need a diagnosis to seek help for disordered eating?

No, you don't need a formal diagnosis to seek support. Our therapists at Upper East Side Psychology work with patients experiencing any level of concern around eating or body image, helping address struggles early before they become more severe or entrenched. Treatment focuses on building a healthier, more sustainable relationship with food and body.

Trauma and PTSD

Therapy for Trauma and PTSD: Find Healing and Resilience with Upper East Side Psychology

Could Trauma or Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) Be Affecting Your Life?

Have you experienced a distressing event that plagues you? Do intrusive thoughts, flashbacks, or nightmares leave you feeling trapped in the past? Perhaps you’ve noticed increased irritability, difficulty concentrating, or a constant state of hyper-vigilance that’s making it hard to be present and feel safe. Trauma can leave a lasting impact on your mental, emotional and physical well-being, but you don’t have to face it alone.

PTSD and other trauma-related conditions affect millions of people each year. Whether your trauma stems from a single event or repeated exposure to distressing experiences, there is hope for recovery. With the right therapeutic support, you can regain a sense of safety, rebuild trust, and live a fulfilling life.

Book a Free 15-Minute Consultation

Go Back

What Is Trauma? Understanding Its Effects

Trauma is the emotional and psychological response to deeply distressing or disturbing experiences. These events can overwhelm your ability to cope, leaving you feeling helpless, fearful, or disconnected. While everyone processes trauma differently, its effects can linger for weeks, months, or even years without proper support.

Trauma can result from a wide range of experiences, including:

Abuse
Threats of physical harm
Sexual assault
Accidents or injuries
Natural Disasters
Loss of a loved one
Witnessing violence or disasters

How Trauma and PTSD Can Impact Your Life

For some, the effects of trauma may develop into PTSD, which is a condition that manifests in both psychological and physiological forms. Recognizing the symptoms early can be crucial for seeking help and achieving recovery. Common signs include:

Anxiety
Depression
Flashbacks
Nightmares or night terrors
Emotional numbness
Trouble concentrating
Mood swings
Feeling detached from reality
Recurrent, involuntary, and intrusive distressing memories of the traumatic event(s)
Avoidance of reminders of the traumatic event(s)
Hypervigilance
Persistent, exaggerated negative beliefs about oneself, others, and the world
Persistent negative emotional states such as fear, guilt, horror, anger, and shame
Persistent inability to experience positive emotions, such as happiness

Trauma doesn’t just affect your mind; it can have a profound impact on your body and overall well-being. Without intervention, these symptoms can worsen, leading to isolation, difficulty maintaining relationships, and challenges at work or school. If you are experiencing reactions and symptoms related to a traumatic event that are impacting your life, it is important to seek help.

Are These Symptoms of Trauma or PTSD Familiar to You?

Do you feel stuck in a cycle of reliving a traumatic event through memories or dreams?
Have you started avoiding activities or people you once enjoyed?
Do you feel emotionally numb or disconnected from those around you?
Are you constantly on high alert or easily startled?
Do you experience guilt, shame, or self-blame related to a past event?

If these experiences resonate with you, therapy can help. Traumatic experiences can be inherently frightening, often leaving you feeling isolated and alone. Therapy can help you feel less alone by providing you a space to gain the support and tools you need to break free from your trauma and work toward healing.

If these symptoms feel familiar, help is available—and healing is possible.

Book a Free 15-Minute Consultation

Contact Us

Limited Openings - Book Today
Book a Free, 15-Minute Consultation Call

FAQs

If thoughts about food, weight, or body image are causing stress, guilt, anxiety, or interfering with your daily life, it may be time to seek support. Even without a diagnosed eating disorder, persistent dieting, food restriction, emotional eating, or obsessive food rules can affect your wellbeing. Upper East Side Psychology provides compassionate, evidence-based care to help you develop a healthier relationship with food and yourself.

FAQs

What is the difference between trauma and PTSD?

Trauma refers to a distressing or overwhelming experience, while PTSD is a diagnosable condition that can develop when trauma symptoms like flashbacks, avoidance, and hyperarousal persist and significantly interfere with daily functioning over an extended period of time. Treatment is always paced according to what feels safe and manageable for the patient.

What therapy is most effective for trauma and PTSD?

Trauma-Focused CBT and EMDR are among the most effective, evidence-based treatments for trauma and PTSD. Upper East Side Psychology's therapists select the approach best suited to your specific history, symptoms, and personal comfort level during treatment. A trauma-informed approach prioritizes safety, trust, and the patient's sense of control.

Can trauma therapy help even years after the event occurred?

Yes, trauma therapy can be effective regardless of how much time has passed since the event. Many patients seek treatment years later, once symptoms begin interfering more noticeably with daily life, relationships, or overall emotional wellbeing. Healing looks different for everyone, and treatment adapts to each person's specific needs.

Is trauma therapy only for people who experienced a single major event?

No, trauma therapy also helps with ongoing or repeated stressful experiences, sometimes called complex trauma, not only single, isolated incidents. Our therapists at Upper East Side Psychology tailor treatment to your specific history, symptoms, and personal needs. Treatment is always paced according to what feels safe and manageable for the patient.

What can I expect during trauma-focused therapy sessions?

Sessions typically involve psychoeducation, coping skills training, and gradual, structured processing of the traumatic experience, all at a pace that feels safe and manageable for you throughout each stage of treatment and recovery. A trauma-informed approach prioritizes safety, trust, and the patient's sense of control.

Take the first step toward meaningful change!

Reach out today to connect with one of our compassionate and experienced clinicians. Whether you're seeking support for yourself, your family, or your child, Upper East Side Psychology is committed to providing personalized, evidence-based care tailored to your unique needs.

Please complete the form below:

How Therapy Can Help You Heal from Trauma and PTSD

At Upper East Side Psychology, we provide compassionate, evidence-based therapy to help individuals process and heal from trauma. Our approach is tailored to your unique needs and may include modalities such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Trauma Focused CBT (TF-CBT) and mindfulness techniques.

Here’s how therapy can help:

Process Traumatic Memories: Safely explore and make sense of past events.
Reduce Intrusive Symptoms: Learn tools to manage flashbacks, nightmares, and anxiety.
Regain Emotional Balance: Reconnect with your feelings and rebuild trust in yourself and others.
Develop Healthy Coping Skills: Build resilience and strategies to handle stress more effectively.
Restore a Sense of Safety: Cultivate a feeling of security and confidence in your ability to navigate the world.

Our therapists provide a safe, nonjudgmental environment where you can take the steps needed to reclaim your life from trauma’s grip.

Common Concerns About Trauma Therapy

We understand that seeking help for trauma can feel overwhelming. Here are answers to some common concerns:

Will Therapy Make Me Relive My Trauma? No, therapy is done at your pace. While e processing trauma may involve discussing difficult memories, our therapists will provide you with tools and skills throughout this process to help ensure each aspect of treatment feels safe and manageable.
Can Therapy Really Help Me? Research shows that trauma-focused therapies are highly effective in reducing PTSD symptoms and improving overall well-being (National Center for PTSD, 2023).
What If I Feel Too Vulnerable? Opening up about trauma can feel intimidating, but our therapists create a compassionate, judgment-free space where trust builds over time.

Why Choose Upper East Side Psychology for Trauma Therapy?

At Upper East Side Psychology, we are committed to helping you navigate the complexities of trauma with care and expertise. Here’s what sets us apart:

Specialized Care: Our therapists have extensive experience in trauma-focused therapies.
Tailored Treatment Plans: We customize therapy to address your specific symptoms, goals, and experiences.
Evidence-Based Approaches: Our methods are grounded in the latest research on trauma recovery.
Flexible Scheduling: Choose from in-person or virtual sessions to fit your lifestyle and comfort level.
A Safe, Supportive Environment: We provide a space where you feel understood and empowered to heal.

Your Journey Toward Healing Starts Here

Therapy is a partnership, and we’re here to support you every step of the way. Here’s what you can expect:

Free Consultation: Begin with a no-pressure conversation to discuss your concerns and explore how we can help.
Customized Treatment Plan: Together, we’ll design a therapy plan tailored to your needs and goals.
Skill Building and Support: Each session equips you with tools to manage symptoms and build resilience.
Check-In Availability: We’ll track your growth and adjust strategies as needed to maximize your success.

Take the First Step Toward Recovery

You don’t have to face trauma or PTSD alone. Therapy offers a path to understanding, healing, and rediscovering your inner strength. At Upper East Side Psychology, we’re here to guide you with compassion and expertise.

Please call us at (917) 773-8674 or schedule your free consultation today and the first step toward reclaiming your peace of mind and sense of self. Healing is possible, and we’re here to help you achieve it.

References

National Center for PTSD (2023). Understanding PTSD and Trauma. Retrieved from www.ptsd.va.gov
American Psychological Association (2023). Trauma and PTSD. Retrieved from www.apa.org

Book a Free 15-Minute Consultation