Eating Disorder Therapy for Children and Teens in Boca, Raton Florida

By: Olivia Kline, EDC Administrative Assistant ​

Finding eating disorder treatment for your child or teen in Boca Raton, Florida can be stressful. It can be confusing and overwhelming as you want to get help for your child but are unsure where to start or what the next best step should be. It is difficult enough to care for and watch your child struggle with their mental health issue, and naturally you just want what is best for them.

While finding mental health care in general can be strenuous, finding specialized care, such as treatment for eating disorders, can be even trickier. Here at The Eating Disorder Center, we provide virtual therapy serving Boca, Raton, Florida and virtually throughout Florida for children and teens struggling with eating disorder symptoms. Lauren Levine, MSW, LCSW-C is our child and teen specialist on the team and has lots of experience working with kiddos. Lauren is truly passionate about her work and can see children as young as 7 years old. 

Below we’ve briefly described eating disorders and related issues we work with, however, this is not limited to this list. There is no qualifying criteria to receive help. Our clinicians also have subspecialties in depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, OCD, and more, so even if eating and food related issues are not the center of your reasons for seeking therapy, we are still here to help! 


What Kinds of Eating Disorders Do We Treat Serving Boca Raton, Florida

Here at The Eating Disorder Center, we treat individuals struggling with binge eating disorder, anorexia, bulimia, orthorexia, avoidant and restrictive feeding intake disorder (ARFID), other specified feeding and eating disorders (OSFED), body image issues, compulsive exercise, and disordered eating. Eating disorders don’t discriminate, it is possible your child or teen may be struggling with these disorders or symptoms. See below for more information about each of these disorders. 


Binge Eating Disorder

Binge eating disorder involves repeated episodes of consuming unusually large amounts of food, typically at least once per week over a span of three months. These episodes usually occur within a specific period of time and involve eating far more than what most people would in a similar situation.

People struggling with binge eating disorder often experience intense feelings of guilt, shame, or a loss of control around food. Unfortunately, this condition is frequently misunderstood, and individuals may face judgment from family, friends, or even medical professionals for eating "too much." These negative experiences can make it hard to seek support or open up about what they’re going through. We recognize how challenging this can be and are passionate about guiding people through recovery with compassion and understanding.


Anorexia

Anorexia nervosa is a mental health condition where individuals often become preoccupied with thoughts about food, eating, and body weight. A deep fear of gaining weight and a distorted body image can significantly affect their self-esteem. People with anorexia typically consume far less food and energy than their body requires, which can lead to severe physical health issues and, if untreated, may become life-threatening. Whether you're experiencing this yourself or concerned about someone close to you, coping with anorexia can feel mentally and physically draining.


Bulimia 

Bulimia is an eating disorder marked by repeated episodes of binge eating, where a person consumes a large amount of food in a short period, often eating faster than usual and feeling a loss of control while doing so. These binge episodes are typically followed by attempts to avoid weight gain through purging or other compensatory actions. Purging can take several forms, including self-induced vomiting, overuse of laxatives, extreme exercise, or periods of restrictive eating.


Orthorexia

Orthorexia is an eating disorder centered around an extreme focus on eating only foods perceived as “clean” or “healthy.” While it shares similarities with other eating disorders, orthorexia is not officially recognized in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-5). Despite this, it has become increasingly common in recent decades, especially as diet trends and the pressure to eat “pure” or “healthy” have gained popularity.

The lack of formal diagnostic criteria can make it challenging for individuals struggling with orthorexia to receive a proper diagnosis and appropriate support. Much like anorexia nervosa, orthorexia may involve strict rules about food, avoidance of entire food groups, potential nutritional deficiencies or health issues, and preoccupations with body image and control.


ARFID

ARFID, or Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder, is a lesser-known eating disorder that is frequently overlooked or misidentified as simply “picky eating.”

What makes ARFID unique compared to other eating disorders is that the avoidance or restriction of food isn’t always driven by body image concerns. The food restriction often stems from sensory sensitivities, fear of negative experiences like choking or vomiting, or a general disinterest in eating.


OSFED

OSFED, which stands for Other Specified Feeding or Eating Disorder, describes individuals who show serious symptoms of an eating disorder but don’t meet the exact criteria for diagnoses like anorexia, bulimia, or binge eating disorder. Even without fitting into a specific category, people with OSFED often deal with disordered eating patterns and body image concerns that can significantly affect their health, routines, and emotional well-being.

It’s common for those with OSFED to wonder, “Am I really sick enough to need help?” The answer is always yes—if you’re struggling with food, eating, or body image, your experience is valid, and you deserve support. OSFED is just as real and serious as any other eating disorder, and recovery is absolutely possible.


Body Image Issues

Body image distress often shows up as dissatisfaction with how one looks or persistent negative thoughts and emotions about their body. These feelings are frequently reinforced by cultural and media messages that glorify thinness and promote unrealistic beauty standards.

Dealing with a negative body image can be emotionally draining. You might avoid mirrors or photos, feel overwhelmed when choosing what to wear, or find yourself constantly fixated on your weight or appearance. It can take up so much mental space, leaving you feeling frustrated, defeated, or stuck.


Compulsive Exercise

In today’s fitness-obsessed culture, our connection to movement can become complex and even unhealthy. For some, compulsive exercise may be tied to deeper struggles such as disordered eating, an eating disorder, or obsessive-compulsive tendencies.

Breaking free from compulsive workout patterns can be incredibly challenging, especially when exercise has served as a coping mechanism—whether it’s to manage feelings of anxiety, loneliness, or a need for control. What starts as a seemingly healthy habit can turn into something emotionally and physically draining.


Disordered Eating

Disordered eating includes a wide range of irregular eating habits that don’t always meet the full criteria for a diagnosed eating disorder—but that doesn’t make them any less serious. These patterns can be emotionally draining, and anyone experiencing them is absolutely worthy of support and care.

Many people dealing with disordered eating question whether their struggles are "serious enough" to seek help. The truth is, if your relationship with food and your body feels overwhelming or painful, you are more than deserving of treatment and healing.

Navigating life with disordered eating can feel mentally exhausting. Over time, rigid food rules and constant body thoughts can steal joy from everyday experiences.


Interested in eating disorder therapy serving Boca Raton, Florida and virtually throughout Florida at The Eating Disorder Center?

Here at The Eating Disorder Center in Boca Raton, Florida, our clinicians, Jennifer Rollin, MSW, LCSW-C, Lauren Levine, MSW, LCSW-C, and Rachel Steinhardt, LMHC provide virtual therapy throughout the state of Florida. Reach out to us via our contact form or call us at 301-246-6856 to get started with a free 15-minute consultation with an eating disorder specialist. We are happy to answer any questions you have and provide more information about our center or clinicians on the team! ​

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Eating Disorder Therapy Boca Raton  is a premier outpatient eating disorder therapy center founded by Jennifer Rollin. We specialize in helping teens and adults struggling with anorexia, binge eating disorder, bulimia, OSFED, and body image issues. We provide virtual eating disorder therapy in Boca Raton, Ft. Lauderdale, Palm Beach, Pinecrest, Parkland, Naples, Miami Shores, Palmetto Bay. Virtual eating disorder therapy throughout Florida. ​