Spirituality and Eating Disorders with California Therapist Sarah Brown, LMFT

Hi everyone! I’m happy to introduce California eating disorder therapist Sarah Brown, LMFT. Not only is Sarah very experienced in working with eating disorders and advocates health at every size (HAES), she is able to integrate spirituality into eating disorder treatment. This topic is near and dear to my heart—especial spiritual trauma and how it can affect eating disorder recovery. I’m so thankful that Sarah is doing the work that she does and so excited for you to get to know her!

How did you choose to become a California eating disorder specialist?

My desire to become an eating disorder specialist was born out of personal experience. I know how isolating it can be to be struggling or watching a loved one struggling and others don’t seem to “get it.” I want to create space for people to feel seen and understood, wherever they are in their recovery journey, whatever their body size.

What kind of eating disorder treatment do you provide in California?

I provide individual and family work for those affected by eating disorders. I utilize skills-based approaches to help build a foundation while utilizing trauma-informed modalities to bring forth healing. I’m hoping to offer skills groups soon for those wanting additional support.

Do you work with only eating disorders?

I primarily work with eating disorders, and I also work with clients struggling with depression, anxiety, life transitions, and spiritual issues.

Where are you located? In which states do you practice?

I’m located in Irvine and provide in-person and telehealth services to California residents.

How long have you been working with eating disorders overall in California?

I’ve worked with the eating disorder population for a decade in different levels of care.

What are your favorite types of California eating disorder clients?

I absolutely love working with young adult clients who feel conflicted about recovery. I love exploring what life could look like and helping clients discover their passion and purpose.

What happens during a first appointment with you?

In the first session, we talk about what to expect in therapy, goals they’d like to accomplish, and we start discussing life history. I like to end the session with a brief grounding skill to practice throughout the week, as well.

What is unique about how you treat eating disorders in California, especially binge eating and bulimia?

I try to treat all eating disorder behaviors with curiosity: How have they served us? What are they trying to communicate? Can we get these needs met in different ways that are more in-line with the individual’s values? With binging and purging in particular, we look into what might make someone more vulnerable to engaging in behaviors, such as painful emotions or restrictive behaviors.

I noticed that you have spirituality as part of what you can address in therapy. How can spirituality be a part of eating disorder recovery?

Spirituality can play a major role in eating disorder recovery. For some individuals, eating disorder behaviors have been reinforced by religious or spiritual beliefs, while others have found liberation in the integration of spirituality and recovery. When we consider spiritual integration, we consider connection, values, and meaning, which can put the eating disorder out of a job. For those with a Christian background and wanting Christian faith integration, I am able to support them in that way as well. I particularly enjoy supporting those in the deconstruction process or those who have suffered from religious trauma.

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

Your feelings are valid! Recovery can be really great but it can also be really scary, and you don’t have to white-knuckle the process because you think it needs to look a certain way. Be gentle with yourself.

How can people learn more about and contact you?

You can learn more about my services at sarahbrownlmft.com or on Instagram at @sarahbrown_counseling. I can be reached at hello@sarahbrownlmft.com.

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

I absolutely love going to concert featuring Latin artists and have won tickets on the radio to see artists like Daddy Yankee and Juanes.

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Thanks so much for reading my blog, everyone!

Dr. Marianne :)

Begin Working with A Binge Eating Therapist Through A Live Interactive Workshop, Masterclass for Binge Eating, or Via Online Therapy!

🌾 Sign up for my FREE Masterclass: The Ultimate Training on Breaking the Binge Eating Cycle. It’s a live, virtual, 1-hour seminar on Tuesday, September 13th—and it’ll include a FANTASTIC bonus surprise for people who stay through the end! It’s an interactive workshop for binge eating online, and it will address both binge eating disorder (BED) and bulimia.

🌾 Check out my Fall 2022 Freedom From Binge Eating class*. It is a live, virtual, 4-week class on Tuesday, September 27th, from 12-1p. It’s an interactive workshop on binge eating. There will be many bonuses, including videos from yours truly, journal prompts, worksheets, and notes from each class! Anyone with BED, bulimia, binge eating, or emotional eating will greatly benefit!

🌾 Join my Instagram LIVES on Thursdays from 12-1p. I have conversations with professionals such as eating disorder dietitians and therapists on many topics, such as binge eating, BED, bulimia, body image, etc. Subscribe to my Instagram @drmariannemiller, and you’ll get bulimia and BED info sent to your phone with my reels, posts, etc.

🌾 If you live in California, you can work with me in therapy**!

*Disclaimer: This class is not therapy and should not replace professional eating disorder/binge eating treatment or medical advice. This educational group is for learning, discussion, and encouraging connection.

**My practice is full at the moment, so I encourage you to work with Sarah today!