Eating Disorder Therapy for College Students & Young Adult Women

DBT-Informed Support for Disordered Eating, Body Image, Anxiety, and Life Transitions

If you are a college student or young adult woman struggling with your relationship with food, your body, or your emotions, you are not alone—and you do not have to navigate this by yourself. At Gofman Therapy & Consulting, we provide eating disorder therapy and disordered eating treatment for young adults who feel stuck in cycles of restriction, bingeing, overthinking, perfectionism, and emotional overwhelm.

Our therapists use a DBT-informed (Dialectical Behavior Therapy) approach to help you build practical skills for emotion regulation, distress tolerance, and self-compassion—so recovery is not just about changing behaviors, but about creating a more stable, confident, and meaningful life.

We offer eating disorder therapy virtually to clients throughout Fairfield County and across Connecticut and Virginia.

Who We Help

This page is designed for:

• College students and young adult women (typically ages 18–30)

• Individuals struggling with disordered eating, body image concerns, or diagnosed eating disorders

• Clients who feel overwhelmed by anxiety, depression, stress, perfectionism, or major life transitions

• Students navigating college pressure, post-graduation uncertainty, or identity shifts

Many clients come to us saying things like:

• “I think about food and my body all the time.”

• “I feel out of control around eating, then ashamed afterward.”

• “I’m high-achieving, but emotionally exhausted.”

• “I don’t feel ‘sick enough’ to get help—but I’m not okay either.”

If any of this resonates, eating disorder therapy can help you move toward clarity, stability, and a healthier relationship with yourself.

Eating Disorders and Disordered Eating We Treat

We provide therapy for a full range of eating-related concerns, including:

• Anorexia nervosa (restrictive eating, fear of weight gain, rigid food rules)

• Bulimia nervosa (bingeing and purging cycles, compensatory behaviors)

• Binge eating disorder (loss of control around food, emotional eating, shame cycles)

• Orthorexia (obsession with “clean” or “perfect” eating)

• ARFID (Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder)

• Disordered eating and chronic dieting

• Body image distress and appearance-related anxiety

You do not need a formal diagnosis to benefit from therapy. Many clients seek support for food anxiety, comparison, perfectionism, or emotional avoidance through eating behaviors.

Why Eating Disorders Often Show Up in College & Young Adulthood

This stage of life brings unique pressures that can intensify eating and body image struggles, including:

• Academic and performance stress

• Social comparison and social media exposure

• Loss of structure after high school

• Identity development and independence

• Post-graduation career uncertainty

• Relationship changes and transitions

For many young women, disordered eating becomes a way to cope with overwhelm, emotional intensity, or a need for control. Therapy focuses not only on eating behaviors, but also on the emotional systems driving them.

Our DBT-Informed Approach to Eating Disorder Therapy

Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) is a skills-based, evidence-informed approach that is especially effective when eating behaviors are connected to emotional dysregulation, anxiety, or perfectionism.

In therapy, we help clients develop:

Emotion Regulation

Learn how to identify, understand, and manage intense emotions without turning to restriction, bingeing, or self-punishment.

Distress Tolerance

Build tools to get through urges, cravings, and emotional spikes without making things worse.

Mindful Awareness

Develop awareness of thoughts, body sensations, and emotional patterns without judgment or avoidance.

Interpersonal Effectiveness

Strengthen communication and boundaries around food, body image, family expectations, and relationships.

DBT allows therapy to be both compassionate and practical—addressing deep emotional needs while providing real-world strategies you can use in daily life.

What Therapy Looks Like

Our eating disorder therapy process is collaborative, supportive, and individualized. You can expect:

• A thorough intake and goal-setting process

• Exploration of emotional, behavioral, and relational patterns around food and self-image

• Skills-based sessions focused on coping strategies and emotional awareness

• Support with college stress, family dynamics, and life transitions

• Coordination with medical providers or dietitians when appropriate

We move at a pace that feels safe and supportive, helping you create changes that feel steady, meaningful, and lasting.

Who This Is a Good Fit For

This approach may be right for you if you:

• Want practical tools, not just insight

• Feel emotionally overwhelmed or stuck in cycles of self-criticism

• Struggle with perfectionism or control

• Are open to learning skills alongside processing your experiences

We can also help you determine if you need a higher level of care (IOP, PHP, or residential treatment) and support you in finding appropriate resources when needed.

Eating Disorder Therapy in Connecticut & Virginia

We provide:

• Virtual eating disorder therapy across Connecticut and Virginia

Telehealth allows college students and young adults to access consistent care while on campus, at home, or during life transitions.

Take the First Step Toward Support

If you are struggling with eating, body image, or emotional overwhelm, reaching out can feel intimidating—but it can also be the beginning of real change.

We offer a free 15-minute consultation to help you explore whether this approach is the right fit for you.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a diagnosis to start eating disorder therapy?

No. Many clients seek support for disordered eating, food anxiety, or body image struggles without a formal diagnosis.

Is DBT effective for eating disorders?

DBT is widely used to address the emotional and behavioral patterns that maintain eating disorders, particularly when anxiety, perfectionism, or emotional intensity are present.

How long does therapy take?

The length of therapy varies based on individual needs, goals, and level of support required. Some clients work short-term, while others benefit from longer-term care.

Can you work with my doctor or dietitian?

Yes. We often collaborate with medical and nutrition professionals to ensure comprehensive care.

Is virtual therapy effective for eating disorders?

For many clients, telehealth is highly effective and allows for greater consistency, especially for college students or those in transition.

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