Therapy for Bulimia Nervosa
Stop the cycle with a Certified ED Specialist
Looking to find a therapist for bulimia?
Serving clients looking for therapy for eating disorders in Florida, New Jersey, and 40 other states.
You can glow again. Heal from Bulimia today.
I know you.
I know the cycle you’re trapped in. The one you’ve been desperately trying to break.
You get up in the morning and promise yourself, “never again.”
You cut out food groups - restrict throughout the day.
You do keto, or paleo, or intermittent fasting.
You count your steps and workout until you feel like your soul was sucked out of your body.
You’re starving, depleted, like your body just can’t do it anymore
and then you “fail.”
You binge; you purge.
You rip yourself apart.
And it starts all over again.
But you are the furthest thing from weak.
You don’t “lack will power.”
You are in pain.
You are deprived of the nourishment your body needs;
of the endless compassion and understanding that you deserve.
Because I know you.
I know you give so much to others and just can’t seem to pour that back into yourself.
And you are worthy of so much more.
It’s time you get the help that you need.
So call me.
I’m right here.
Signs & Symptoms of Bulimia
Reclaim your body, your voice, and your life with a therapist for bulimia who is grounded in
validation, compassion, authenticity, and lived experience.
What Is Bulimia Nervosa?
Bulimia nervosa is an eating disorder marked by cycles of binge eating followed by compensatory behaviors like purging, over-exercising, fasting, or using laxatives. It often exists in secrecy, fueled by shame and the belief that you “should” have more control. More “willpower.”
But bulimia isn’t a failure of willpower. It’s a coping strategy—one that often emerges in response to emotional overwhelm, trauma, or a deep sense of unworthiness.
You probably appear high-functioning on the outside. You might look like you have it all together, but your inner world is consumed by self-judgment and chaos.
Signs of Bulimia
You may be struggling with bulimia if:
You eat large amounts of food in a short time and feel out of control
You purge through vomiting, laxatives, fasting, or excessive exercise
You feel intense shame or guilt after eating
You follow a cycle of restriction → binge → purge
You constantly think about food, weight, or how to “make up for” eating
You isolate, cancel plans, or avoid eating with others
You feel like your worth is tied to your body or what you eat
Bulimia can be physically dangerous—electrolyte imbalances, GI issues, and cardiac risks are common—but it’s often minimized because the person may not “look sick.”
The Cycle of Bulimia
Bulimia offers temporary relief from unbearable emotions—but that relief is short-lived. What follows is usually a rush of shame, self-hatred, and an urgent promise to "be better tomorrow." This creates a painful loop that’s hard to escape without support.
And because so many people with bulimia are praised for their discipline or outward appearance, the problem can remain hidden for years.
But your pain is real. You don’t have to live in that loop forever.
What Is the Binge-Purge Cycle?
The binge-purge cycle refers to the repetitive pattern of:
Restriction (physically or mentally limiting food)
Bingeing (eating large quantities in a short time, often feeling out of control)
Purging (compensating through vomiting, laxatives, fasting, or over-exercising)
Shame + Re-restriction (feeling disgusted, ashamed, and starting the cycle again)
What Fuels the Cycle?
It's not about greed, weakness, or vanity. The binge-purge cycle is a coping mechanism—usually developed in response to emotional overwhelm, trauma, unmet needs, or perfectionism.
Here’s how each part of the cycle functions:
1. Restriction
Can be physical (not eating enough) or mental (labeling foods “bad,” suppressing hunger)
Driven by the desire for control, worth, discipline, or body image ideals
Often starts the cycle: restriction primes the body and brain for a binge
2. Bingeing
Happens when the body and brain can’t maintain restriction any longer
Often involves eating large amounts of “forbidden” foods quickly, in secrecy
May feel dissociative or trance-like
Leads to guilt, panic, or disgust
3. Purging
A desperate attempt to erase the binge
May be vomiting, laxatives, fasting, or extreme exercise
Offers temporary relief—but reinforces the belief that food must be “undone”
Physically dangerous, emotionally traumatic
4. Shame + Re-restriction
You promise to “be good” tomorrow
Restrict again—starting the loop over
Over time, the cycle becomes entrenched and compulsive, reinforcing self-hatred, hopelessness, and secrecy
Why It’s So Hard to Break
Because each part feeds the next, stopping one piece (like purging) without addressing the others (like restriction or shame) often intensifies the distress.
That’s why bulimia therapy doesn’t just focus on behaviors. It helps uncover:
The purpose each part of the cycle serves
The parts of you that feel safer when you’re controlling or punishing yourself
The emotional needs and unmet longings beneath the surface
Healing begins with one small step of courage. Begin your recovery from bulimia today.
How Bulimia Impacts the Body
Bulimia nervosa can cause serious, sometimes life-threatening medical complications—even if someone appears healthy or is within a “normal” weight range. The repeated binge-purge cycle affects nearly every body system.
Here’s a breakdown by system:
Cardiovascular
Electrolyte imbalances (especially low potassium) → can cause arrhythmias, heart palpitations, and sudden cardiac arrest
Dehydration → leads to low blood pressure, dizziness, and fainting
Weakened heart muscle (cardiomyopathy) in long-term cases
Neurological / Cognitive
Brain fog, poor concentration
Headaches due to dehydration or electrolyte shifts
Seizures (in extreme cases of electrolyte imbalance)
Dental / Oral
Tooth erosion, cavities, and sensitivity due to stomach acid from purging
Swollen cheeks (enlarged parotid glands)
Dry mouth and chronic bad breath
GI (Gastrointestinal)
Esophagitis, tears, or even esophageal rupture (rare but fatal) from vomiting
Stomach pain, bloating, and constipation
Delayed gastric emptying
Laxative dependence → long-term colon damage or bowel dysfunction
Metabolic
Hypokalemia (low potassium), hyponatremia (low sodium), hypochloremia
Acid-base imbalance → alkalosis from vomiting, acidosis from laxative abuse
Menstrual irregularities or amenorrhea
Skeletal
Bone loss (osteopenia or osteoporosis), especially if restriction or amenorrhea is also present
General Physical Effects
Fatigue and muscle weakness
Cold intolerance
Dry skin or hair thinning
Poor wound healing
How Therapy Can Help
Bulimia is not just a food problem. It’s often a survival strategy developed in response to something deeper. Therapy for bulimia helps you explore:
What the binge/purge cycle protects you from emotionally
The parts of you that crave control, punishment, or release
The roots of your shame, perfectionism, and emotional dysregulation
How to create safety in your body without turning to extremes
Reclaiming hunger, pleasure, and satisfaction without fear or guilt
This isn’t about forcing you to stop behaviors before you’re ready. It’s about helping your system feel safe enough to soften its grip.
You Deserve More.
Bulimia thrives in silence and shame. Therapy helps bring those patterns into the light—gently, safely, and with compassion.
Whether you’ve just started to question your relationship with food or you’ve lived in this cycle for years, it’s never too late to reach for something different.
Connect with a therapist who GETS IT.
A Weight-Inclusive, HAES-Aligned Approach
Bloom is firmly rooted in the principles of
Health at Every Size® (HAES).
That means:
We do not use weight as a proxy for health.
We affirm all bodies — all sizes, all shapes, all lived experiences.
We do not push weight loss as a treatment goal.
We challenge the internalized and systemic weight stigma that often fuels eating disorder behaviors.
Our goal is not to “fix” your body — it's to help you heal your relationship with it. We work with clients in thin bodies, fat bodies, disabled bodies, queer bodies, neurodivergent bodies, and bodies that have felt at war with themselves for years.
Eating disorders do not discriminate — and neither do we.