Interview with San Diego Eating Disorder Therapist Liz Bisarya, LMFT

Hi everyone! My latest interview is with Liz Bisarya, LMFT. I met Liz at a San Diego eating disorder training a few weeks ago, and I was struck with how compassionate she felt toward people in recovery. I could totally relate to that, and so I knew I wanted to get to know her better! Liz has a very diverse work background in multiple levels of care for eating disorders. She really embraces the Health at Every Size (HAES) approach, as well as intuitive eating. Enjoy getting to know her!

Why did you choose to become an eating disorder specialist in San Diego?

I did my graduate training to become a therapist at the University of San Diego, and San Diego is a pretty hard place to leave! I didn’t initially start out my career planning to specialize in eating disorders; however, early on as a therapist, I worked at a local treatment facility specializing in treating women with eating disorders that included multiple levels of care, including IOP/PHP and residential. And I fell in love with the work. What I quickly learned was that after individuals start healing their relationship with food and their bodies, it had a ripple effect on their entire lives: their families, their relationships, their work, their creativity, their passions, etc. Our relationship to food and our bodies are really just an indicator and window into how we are living our whole lives, and thus I find the work to be so deepthful, meaningful, and life changing. -

From there I decided to open up my private practice with a focus on supporting those struggling with disordered eating from a HAES and intuitive eating framework. I am passionate about social justice and dismantling fatphobia. I wanted to specialize in supporting individuals in challenging their internalized fatphobia (which I believe most of us have absorbed from the culture we live in) so that they can live their full, embodied, joyful lives, as well as make positive changes in the world.

What kind of treatment do you provide?

I primarily provide individual and group therapy at my private practice in the UTC area of San Diego.

I work with individuals utilizing evidence-based treatment modalities, primarily acceptance and commitment therapy, dialectical behavior therapy, narrative therapy, mindfulness-based practices, and HAES. In addition, I am trained in EMDR and use this frequently to support individuals in healing trauma.

I also offer a 10-Week Intuitive Eating Support Group a few times per year. The group is designed to support individuals in learning the ten principles of intuitive eating. The group is focused on practical skills so that participants can use and implement the principles in their day to day lives, which allows them to return to a flexible, easy, accepting, nourishing relationship with food and their bodies. Group support is one of my favorite things that I do as so often we feel alone and ashamed about our relationships to food and it is powerful for us to sit with others who share our experiences and are like-minded in seeking a different way of living.

I also work as a coach, providing individual and group services to woman around the world who want to give up dieting and have freedom with food and peace with their bodies. In my coaching practice, I provide a compassionate space to guide individuals in collaboratively problem-solving the barriers to meeting their personal goals. I also provide a variety of resources and tools to practice experientially in session in order for the clients I work with to feel confident to utilize the skills in their lives between coaching meetings. In addition, I also offer a 10-week Intuitive Eating Coaching Group online which is targeted at learning the 10 principles of intuitive eating and offers tangible skills and goal setting to implement the principles outside of group.

Do you work with only eating disorders?

I specialize in working with women with disordered eating; however, I also specialize in treating those suffering from trauma using EMDR. In addition, I do see others in my practice who are seeking support during life transitions such as marriage, a career change, divorce, having children, during times of loss etc. I also frequently work with both individuals and couples who are struggling with relationship difficulties.

How long have you been working with eating disorders overall, and how long have you been in San Diego?

I have been working with eating disorders since 2014, so for about 5 ½ -6 years. I have been in San Diego since 2011 and practicing as a therapist since 2012.

Who are your favorite types of clients to work with?

My personal values of connection, compassion, trust, presence, and joy have led me to dedicate my career to supporting women in living life true to their own unique values. I am passionate about supporting women who are on a journey to true self-compassion and nourishment.

I have a particular passion for treating women who suffer with Binge Eating Disorder and women who have struggled with chronic dieting and body dissatisfaction. I work well with ambitious women trying to do it all: work, family, friendships, caretaking others, and are struggling with burn out, perfectionism and continuously feeling “not enough” no matter what they “accomplish.” I want to support women who are seeking to live more values-based, fulfilling lives, and become free from codependency and unhealthy relationships, which often involves processing and healing trauma. I also enjoy supporting those struggling with relationship difficulties and in transition, such as marriage, divorce, becoming new parents, infertility, and grieving.

What happens during a first appointment with you?

I offer free phone consultations first so that individuals can share with me what they are currently struggling with and the type of support they are looking for so that we can get an initial sense of whether or not I would be a good fit to support them with their goals.

From there, I schedule an initial assessment session during which I encourage my clients to start wherever feels best as opposed to just doing a full history during the first session. I ask individuals to share with me what they most want me to know about them, what symptoms or concerns are bothering them most, as well as their goals and hopes for therapy, and of course ask me any questions they have.

At the end of the session, I typically share my initial ideas about a treatment plan and what I feel may be helpful for them in therapy based on our first meeting. I then invite individuals to share how they felt in the session overall, whether they felt comfortable, and heard, and ask if they believe it is a good therapeutic match. I also ask about their thoughts on the initial treatment plan and if it is in alignment with their sense of what they need and would like to focus on in therapy. I am a very client-centered, collaborative, and direct therapist and often invite clients to give me feedback and be honest and assertive regarding their needs not only in the first session but throughout the course of our work together.

What do you wish people knew about getting treatment for eating disorders?

I wish people knew that recovery is possible and there is so much hope! When people are struggling in their eating disorders, there is so often a sense of hopelessness and helplessness and a fear that recovery is not possible for them. I know full recovery, living a life in alignment with one’s values, and being embodied and free, is possible! I don’t think I would be able to remain working in this field if I didn’t believe that. I am grateful for the work I get to do every day and. the amazing opportunity to witness healing and bravery on a day to day basis. I know how much of one’s life and sense of self this disorder can steal and I know that there is freedom from that prison!

I also wish people knew that finding the right fit provider is imperative to successful treatment and that they can “try” many different providers until they find the “right “person with whom they feel safe, understood, and heard. If people have the means and ability, I encourage them to interview and meet with a few providers until they find this, although I know how much energy, time, and money this costs and thus is not always possible.

In addition, I wish people sought out providers who work from a HAES framework, who can support them in celebrating body diversity and learning to value and trust their body’s wisdom. I believe a HAES modality is necessary for long term recovery and food and body freedom.

How can people learn more and contact you?

The best place to learn about me is by visiting my website.

On the website, you will find both my email address and phone number. I do offer free initial phone consultations and discovery calls, so if you are interested in seeking services but are not sure, please don’t hesitate to give me a call.

Share one fun fact about you that most people don’t know.

I grew up taking dance classes and participating in my high school’s dance team, I also performed in both school and community musical theater from elementary school to college. After I got to grad school, I stopped engaging with my creative, performer side, and in the past year I have begun taking all different types of dance classes again from hip hop to jazz to burlesque. It has brought such fun and joy back into my life as an adult!

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Hey everyone, I really appreciate you reading my blog!  Have a wonderful day. :)  

Marianne 

If you are struggling to find eating disorder treatment in San Diego, schedule a free, 15-minute phone consultation using the online scheduler (just click on the orange button), and I will help you get where you need to be! 

You can find more information about me on Instagram @drmariannemiller or on my Facebook page.