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Eating disorder treatment shouldn't be traumatizing

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  • What We Offer
  • FAQ
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  • Lauren Canonico, LCSW
  • Asher M. Seruya, LCSW
  • Sophie Kuhn Bedaña, LMSW
  • Lee Warwick, LMSW
  • Sophie Talmadge Silleck, LMSW
  • Who We Are
  • What We Offer
  • FAQ
  • Blog
  • Media
  • Lauren Canonico, LCSW
  • Asher M. Seruya, LCSW
  • Sophie Kuhn Bedaña, LMSW
  • Lee Warwick, LMSW
  • Sophie Talmadge Silleck, LMSW
Eating Disorders and the Trans Experience

Eating Disorders and the Trans Experience

by Asher Seruya | Jan 21, 2026 | Sophie Kuhn Bedaña, LMSW, Thoughts & News from ATC

Eating disorder treatment needs to change for gender-inclusive care Eating disorders can be difficult for us all, but certain intersecting identities can bring along specific challenges that require specific understanding. One such identity is the trans experience, or...

Recent Posts

  • Eating Disorders and the Trans Experience
  • Dry January: Pros and Cons for the Curious
  • Avoiding Impulsive Shopping this Holiday Season
  • Honoring our Culture in Eating Disorder Recovery
  • The Cultural Legacy of HIV/AIDS

Recent Comments

    Poly Friendly Professionals listing logo image - white text on a dark background with overlapping purple circles on the left side.
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    Affirmative Therapy Collective LCSW LLC

    Body, Sex, Trauma, Neurodivergent, and LGBTQ+ Affirmative Psychotherapy

    Eating disorder and trauma treatment done differently

     

    80 University Pl, Suite 2G, New York, NY 10003

    info@affirmativetherapycollective.com

    (646) 504-1615

    Quick Links

    • Individual Psychotherapy
    • Couples, Relationship, & Family Therapy
    • Group Psychotherapy
    • Supervision & Consultation
    • In-Person Clinicians
    • Therapeutic Approaches

    Connect with us on Instagram

    affirmativetherapycollective

    🌈All of you is welcome here🏳️‍🌈🏳️‍⚧️
    Body, Sex, Trauma, & LGBTQIA+ Affirmative Therapy
    🛋️ NYC
    🖥️ NY, NJ, CO, CT, FL, MI, MN, PA, WI
    New clients ⤵️

    Body Image and the Trans Experience 🏳️‍⚧️ We ofte Body Image and the Trans Experience 🏳️‍⚧️

We often discuss here the role that fapthobia and weight stigma play in eating disorders, body image distress, and chronic dieting. We mention it often because it is almost never absent from these experiences, and it is an aspect that is often not acknowledged by mainstream ED care.

All that being said, fatphobia is not the only reason we develop funky and fucked up relationships with food and our bodies. Sometimes, part of the reason we try to manipulate our bodies (which is almost always an aspect of EDs unless we’re talking about ARFID) is because by doing so, we think and/or feel that we will more closely align with our gender experience and, by extension, feel less distress around our gender presentation and/or less gender dysphoria more broadly.

One example: many folks who are interested in appearing more masculine decide to begin taking testosterone as a form of hormonal therapy. One common side effect of taking testosterone is weight gain, which for folks born with breasts can contribute to a larger breast presentation, which can in turn create gender dysphoria and distress. This can lead to individuals attempting to restrict to reduce the size of their bust in order to feel more in alignment with their gender, AKA engaging in disordered eating patterns.

It is crucial that eating disorder providers working with trans folks consider these intersectional aspects of trans experience to mitigate harm and truly offer gender affirming care that allows for different kinds of body image distress.

Interested in exploring your experience of gender and your relationship with food? Sophie is currently enrolling for a new cohort for her group, Coming Home to You! Head to the 🔗 in our bio or email us at info@affirmativetherapycollective.com 💌 to sign up or ask questions 🫂

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🏷️ #queertherapist #bodyimagehealing #genderexpression #genderaffirmingcare #eatingdisordersupport
    Taking the opportunity to reflect on your relation Taking the opportunity to reflect on your relationship with alcohol in the New Year? You’re not alone! Dry January is a growing trend. But is it right for you? Join Sophie Talmadge Silleck, LMSW in exploring the pros and cons of experimenting with Dry January.

If you’re wondering what it would be like not to drink, give it a try and see what it’s like. Maybe it’s not a new you, just a new experience!

Here’s to a year of honoring yourself, listening to your body, and feeling confident in your choices.

Happy New Year!

Interested in exploring your relationship with alcohol, January or not? Sophie is taking new clients! Find out more about how to work with her at the 🔗 in our bio 💌
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🏷️ #dryjanuary #sobercuriousmovement #substanceusedisorder #sobercommunity #therapyforall
    There was a stretch in 2021 where it felt like I ( There was a stretch in 2021 where it felt like I (Lauren) read this excerpt from Anaïs Nin’s “Journal of a Wife” from 1924 to patients on a near weekly basis. 

It is truly ever green, and a good reminder for NYE as we revisit our goals and intentions from the year, and the year to come. New Year’s Eve can really push so many of our buttons around how we measure up. To ourselves. To where we thought we’d be. To others and the lives we imagine they have from afar. 

Tonight, and this week as folks inevitably share their highlight reels, remember that growth doesn’t happen on a timeline. And certainly not in some perfect, linear, march forward. In one experience we CAN indeed gain leaps and bounds after a long time of protected stillness, as Anaïs wrote. Stillness can even be the goal, particularly in recovery from burnout, trauma, or disordered eating. 

It is okay to be wherever you are at this 2026 turning. 

And if in your reflections on the year reveal that you need help locating stillness or getting back at it, we’re here to help. 

Wishing all a happy and gentle 2026 from all of us at ATC.

*
*
*
*
*
#progress #traumarecovery #newyearsresolution #newyearseve #disorderedeatingrecovery
    Navigating shopping during the holiday season whil Navigating shopping during the holiday season while struggling with impulse control can be a special challenge. Sophie Talmadge Silleck, LMSW offers her tips for avoiding impulsive shopping decisions, including avoiding all-or-nothing thinking, leaning into mindfulness, and focusing on the loved ones around you instead of the gift-giving portion of the season.

Remember, though the holiday season may be one ruled by materialism, the real gift is the time we spend with people we love. At the end of the day, gifts are truly the least important part of the holiday season. Be with your people 🫂

Looking for therapeutic support around impulsivity, shopping or otherwise? Sophie has openings! Find out more about how to work with her at the 🔗 in our bio 💌
.
.
.
🏷️ #adhdproblems #adhdprobs #shoppingaddiction #impulsivity #impulsiveshopping
    Follow on Instagram

    Health At Every Size® and HAES® are registered trademarks of the Association for Size Diversity and Health and used with permission

    • Follow
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    Manhattan Alternative logo
    Poly Friendly Professionals listing logo image - white text on a dark background with overlapping purple circles on the left side.
    Covid Conscious Therapist Directory link
    Poly Friendly Professionals listing logo image - white text on a dark background with overlapping purple circles on the left side.

    Ready to start the process of matching you with one of our therapists?

    Fill out the screening

    For all other inquiries, please use the contact form below

    9 + 9 =

    Affirmative Therapy Collective LCSW LLC

    Body, Sex, Trauma, Neurodivergent, and LGBTQ+ Affirmative Psychotherapy

    Eating disorder and trauma treatment done differently

     

    80 University Pl, Suite 2G, New York, NY 10003

    info@affirmativetherapycollective.com

    (646) 504-1615

    Quick Links

    • Individual Psychotherapy
    • Couples, Relationship, & Family Therapy
    • Group Psychotherapy
    • Supervision & Consultation
    • In-Person Clinicians
    • Therapeutic Approaches

    Connect with us on Instagram

    affirmativetherapycollective

    🌈All of you is welcome here🏳️‍🌈🏳️‍⚧️
    Body, Sex, Trauma, & LGBTQIA+ Affirmative Therapy
    🛋️ NYC
    🖥️ NY, NJ, CO, CT, FL, MI, MN, PA, WI
    New clients ⤵️

    Body Image and the Trans Experience 🏳️‍⚧️ We ofte Body Image and the Trans Experience 🏳️‍⚧️

We often discuss here the role that fapthobia and weight stigma play in eating disorders, body image distress, and chronic dieting. We mention it often because it is almost never absent from these experiences, and it is an aspect that is often not acknowledged by mainstream ED care.

All that being said, fatphobia is not the only reason we develop funky and fucked up relationships with food and our bodies. Sometimes, part of the reason we try to manipulate our bodies (which is almost always an aspect of EDs unless we’re talking about ARFID) is because by doing so, we think and/or feel that we will more closely align with our gender experience and, by extension, feel less distress around our gender presentation and/or less gender dysphoria more broadly.

One example: many folks who are interested in appearing more masculine decide to begin taking testosterone as a form of hormonal therapy. One common side effect of taking testosterone is weight gain, which for folks born with breasts can contribute to a larger breast presentation, which can in turn create gender dysphoria and distress. This can lead to individuals attempting to restrict to reduce the size of their bust in order to feel more in alignment with their gender, AKA engaging in disordered eating patterns.

It is crucial that eating disorder providers working with trans folks consider these intersectional aspects of trans experience to mitigate harm and truly offer gender affirming care that allows for different kinds of body image distress.

Interested in exploring your experience of gender and your relationship with food? Sophie is currently enrolling for a new cohort for her group, Coming Home to You! Head to the 🔗 in our bio or email us at info@affirmativetherapycollective.com 💌 to sign up or ask questions 🫂

.
.
.
🏷️ #queertherapist #bodyimagehealing #genderexpression #genderaffirmingcare #eatingdisordersupport
    Taking the opportunity to reflect on your relation Taking the opportunity to reflect on your relationship with alcohol in the New Year? You’re not alone! Dry January is a growing trend. But is it right for you? Join Sophie Talmadge Silleck, LMSW in exploring the pros and cons of experimenting with Dry January.

If you’re wondering what it would be like not to drink, give it a try and see what it’s like. Maybe it’s not a new you, just a new experience!

Here’s to a year of honoring yourself, listening to your body, and feeling confident in your choices.

Happy New Year!

Interested in exploring your relationship with alcohol, January or not? Sophie is taking new clients! Find out more about how to work with her at the 🔗 in our bio 💌
.
.
.
🏷️ #dryjanuary #sobercuriousmovement #substanceusedisorder #sobercommunity #therapyforall
    There was a stretch in 2021 where it felt like I ( There was a stretch in 2021 where it felt like I (Lauren) read this excerpt from Anaïs Nin’s “Journal of a Wife” from 1924 to patients on a near weekly basis. 

It is truly ever green, and a good reminder for NYE as we revisit our goals and intentions from the year, and the year to come. New Year’s Eve can really push so many of our buttons around how we measure up. To ourselves. To where we thought we’d be. To others and the lives we imagine they have from afar. 

Tonight, and this week as folks inevitably share their highlight reels, remember that growth doesn’t happen on a timeline. And certainly not in some perfect, linear, march forward. In one experience we CAN indeed gain leaps and bounds after a long time of protected stillness, as Anaïs wrote. Stillness can even be the goal, particularly in recovery from burnout, trauma, or disordered eating. 

It is okay to be wherever you are at this 2026 turning. 

And if in your reflections on the year reveal that you need help locating stillness or getting back at it, we’re here to help. 

Wishing all a happy and gentle 2026 from all of us at ATC.

*
*
*
*
*
#progress #traumarecovery #newyearsresolution #newyearseve #disorderedeatingrecovery
    Navigating shopping during the holiday season whil Navigating shopping during the holiday season while struggling with impulse control can be a special challenge. Sophie Talmadge Silleck, LMSW offers her tips for avoiding impulsive shopping decisions, including avoiding all-or-nothing thinking, leaning into mindfulness, and focusing on the loved ones around you instead of the gift-giving portion of the season.

Remember, though the holiday season may be one ruled by materialism, the real gift is the time we spend with people we love. At the end of the day, gifts are truly the least important part of the holiday season. Be with your people 🫂

Looking for therapeutic support around impulsivity, shopping or otherwise? Sophie has openings! Find out more about how to work with her at the 🔗 in our bio 💌
.
.
.
🏷️ #adhdproblems #adhdprobs #shoppingaddiction #impulsivity #impulsiveshopping
    Follow on Instagram

    Health At Every Size® and HAES® are registered trademarks of the Association for Size Diversity and Health and used with permission

    • Follow
    • Follow
    • Follow