I have been a psychotherapist in private practice in Los Angeles, CA, since 1980. Many of my patients have struggled with overeating. Some are brave adults on a particularly challenging healing path as they explore not only their own inner world but also how they contributed to the creation of eating disorders in their children.
Guided imagery was my first specialty. This study still teaches me about symbols and how we can use a disguised language to work through problems we will not let ourselves know concretely. Dream analysis became part of this study.
This led me to 12-step programs and psychoanalysis simultaneously as I studied the grip of addiction and the power of memory, distorted memory, and lack of memory. I also saw how a cognitive behavioral approach could be integrated into unconscious work and make the therapeutic experience more effective.
Gradually, I began to appreciate more fully the joy and useful personal development opportunities the creative arts and various body awareness practices contribute to emotional healing.
I began a serious and ongoing study of eating disorders, compulsive overeating and bulimia in 1983.
Next: Reality check. Why diets don't work
Joanna Poppink, MFT. Joanna is a psychotherapist in private practice specializing in eating disorder recovery, stress, PTSD, and adult development.
She is licensed in CA, AZ, OR and FL. Author of the Book: Healing Your Hungry Heart: Recovering from Your Eating Disorder
Appointments are virtual.
For a free telephone consultation, e-mail her at
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