The pieces shared here are written by members of our clinical team. These posts draw from professional training, clinical experience, and evidence-based practices to offer education, perspective, and practical support.
Our providers approach this work through weight-inclusive, trauma-informed, and affirming lenses. The goal is not to offer one “right” way to heal, but to share thoughtful insights that can increase understanding, reduce self-blame, and help readers feel more equipped as they navigate their own mental health, relationships, body image, or recovery.
We believe information is most powerful when it is compassionate, nuanced, and grounded in respect for each person’s lived experience.
- Perfectionism and Control: Why Trying to Control Everything Actually Makes Anxiety Worse
In a previous blog, I discussed how perfectionism and constant comparison to others can negatively impact mental health. When we measure ourselves against other people’s achievements, appearances, or perceived success, it often leads to feelings of inadequacy, self-doubt, and the belief that we are somehow falling behind. Over time, this comparison cycle can strengthen perfectionisticContinue reading “Perfectionism and Control: Why Trying to Control Everything Actually Makes Anxiety Worse” - What to Expect from Eating Disorder Treatment at Coastal Collaborative Care
Before we get started, you may notice that some of the information in this post overlaps with topics discussed in other blogs on our website. We’ve previously written about areas such as what therapy can look like, the importance of working with qualified providers, and why an interdisciplinary team is essential in eating disorder treatment.Continue reading “What to Expect from Eating Disorder Treatment at Coastal Collaborative Care” - Big Feelings in Little Bodies: How to Help Kids Manage Overwhelm and Build Emotional Regulation
When Big Feelings Take Over Every parent or caregiver has seen it: the tears, the shouting, the “meltdown” that seems to come out of nowhere. In those moments, it’s easy to feel frustrated or helpless, wondering why your child can’t just calm down or “use their words.” But here’s the truth: when kids are overwhelmed,Continue reading “Big Feelings in Little Bodies: How to Help Kids Manage Overwhelm and Build Emotional Regulation” - Why Hobbies Matter: Reclaiming Your Time Supports Your Mental Health and Reduces Screen Time
If you’ve been feeling overwhelmed, burnt out, or disconnected from your own life, consider this your invitation to start small, try something new, and give your mind the nourishment it deserves. - Forget ‘Anti-Aging’: Rewriting the Rules of Aging
Most of the time when I write, I talk about body image as it relates to size — learning to appreciate our bodies as they are, in a culture that tells us they constantly need to shrink. But lately, I’ve been thinking about another way our bodies are often judged, hidden, or “fixed” – the way they change as we age. - PART 1: It Takes A Village: Choosing the Right Eating Disorder Treatment Providers in Virginia
Need eating disorder treatment in Virginia? Learn how to choose collaborative & HAES®-aligned therapists & dietitians specialized in eating disorder recovery. - It’s Too Hot for That: Summer in Alexandria Isn’t Just for “Summer Bodies”
Summer in Alexandria brings sunshine, waterfront walks, and boat rides—but for many, it also brings a wave of anxiety about body image. - Feeling Not Good Enough? How Perfectionism and Comparison Affect Mental Health
Two silent forces often show up behind these struggles: perfectionism and comparison. They may seem like separate issues, but they often work in tandem to chip away at our self-worth. Building awareness of when and why these two parts show up is the first step to learning how to navigate and challenge them. - PART 2: It Takes a Village: The Role of Family, Partners, and Loved Ones in Eating Disorder Treatment
Eating disorders often create a deep sense of isolation—not only for the individual struggling but also for the people who care about them. That’s why we approach adolescent eating disorder recovery as a shared process. Family involvement isn’t just encouraged—it’s integral. - More Than Credentials: Why Working in Eating Disorder Treatment Centers Matters
When it comes to eating disorder treatment, experience isn’t just helpful—it’s essential. At the core of our practice is a unique and defining quality: every member of our team has worked in higher-level-of-care eating disorder treatment centers. - Pregnancy and Weight Bias: Advocating for Yourself When Medical Professionals Won’t Listen
Pregnancy is a time of immense physical, emotional, and psychological change. During this period, many women place their trust in their healthcare providers to guide them through the journey with care and expertise. Unfortunately, not all experiences with medical professionals are positive. For some, the process is marred by discrimination, especially weight bias. - Exercise as Empowerment: Celebrating Movement Beyond Appearance
Exercise. Movement. Physical activity. These terms are often tossed around in the context of weight loss, appearance, or even punishment for food intake. For many people, the relationship with exercise can be heavily influenced by diet culture, which equates body size with worth, and physical activity with compensation for eating. - Navigating Fashion When Your Body Doesn’t “Fit”: 5 Ways to Navigate Shopping with Confidence
Shopping should be an enjoyable experience, but for many, especially those who live in larger bodies, or bodies that don’t meet the conventional beauty standards, it can quickly turn into a stressful, frustrating ordeal. - Reclaiming Your Healthcare: How to Navigate Doctor’s Appointments as a Person in a Larger Body
Wondering what an out-of-network therapist is? Learn why Coastal Collaborative Care offers personalized, flexible therapy outside of insurance networks. - Using Metaphors in Eating Disorder Treatment: The Eating Disorder is Voldemort
When some patients start treatment for an eating disorder it can be emotionally and physically uncomfortable. In my work as a therapist I try to educate my patients as to why this feeling is normal. - How is Your Mental Health? 5 Questions to Reflect on After the Holidays
Wondering what an out-of-network therapist is? Learn why Coastal Collaborative Care offers personalized, flexible therapy outside of insurance networks. - Looking for a Therapist? Understanding Out-of-Network Therapy and How to Pay for It
Wondering what an out-of-network therapist is? Learn why Coastal Collaborative Care offers personalized, flexible therapy outside of insurance networks. - What Your Therapy Session Might Look Like
Curious about what happens in a therapy session? Learn from a therapist what you can expect—from emotional support to trauma work and practical problem-solving. - When Therapy Feels Hard (and That’s Okay)
Struggling with therapy? You’re not alone. Learn why sometimes therapy feels hard, how to cope with emotional discomfort & why it’s often a sign of real growth. - Facing Fears: Tailoring Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP) for Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder vs. Eating Disorders
Explore ERP for OCD and learn how Exposure and Response Prevention is used to treat OCD vs. eating disorders. Explore structure and clinical approach. - How to Recognize Eating Disorders in Everyday Life
The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5-TR) is the standard tool for diagnosing mental health conditions, including eating disorders. While it’s a valuable resource, this blog aims to explain what eating disorder signs might look like in real life, using everyday language. Put simply, if you’re worried you or someone in your lifeContinue reading “How to Recognize Eating Disorders in Everyday Life” - The Anxiety Trick: Why Avoiding Makes It Worse
Avoiding your fears may feel safe, but it makes anxiety worse. Learn how exposure therapy from Coastal Collaborative Care can help with anxiety avoidance.
