Welcome to Friendly Recovery Center, where we specialize in providing comprehensive support for individuals struggling with binge eating disorder. Located in the supportive environment of Orange County, our center offers evidence-based care and dedicated support for individuals working to break free from the cycle of binge eating, develop a peaceful relationship with food, and address the underlying emotional triggers that drive the disorder. Our eating disorder treatment programs are designed to address the unique challenges of binge eating disorder with compassion and clinical expertise.
Binge eating disorder treatment involves a comprehensive approach aimed at addressing recurrent episodes of consuming large amounts of food, the loss of control that accompanies these episodes, and the emotional distress that follows. Through a combination of therapeutic interventions, nutritional counseling, emotional regulation skills, and behavioral strategies, treatment helps individuals understand their triggers, develop healthier coping mechanisms, normalize eating patterns, and rebuild self-compassion for long-term recovery. According to the National Institute of Mental Health, binge eating disorder is the most common eating disorder in the United States, affecting an estimated 2.8 million Americans, making specialized treatment essential for recovery.
Identifying the symptoms of binge eating disorder early is essential for timely intervention and successful recovery. Here are some common signs that you or someone you know may be experiencing binge eating disorder:
Many individuals with binge eating disorder also experience co-occurring conditions such as depression, anxiety disorders, trauma, or impulse control issues, which must be addressed alongside the eating disorder for effective treatment.
Accurate diagnosis of binge eating disorder requires a comprehensive evaluation by qualified mental health professionals. This assessment typically involves:
Clinical Interview: Thorough exploration of eating behaviors including frequency of binge episodes (at least once weekly for three months), characteristics of binges (rapid eating, loss of control, eating to discomfort), emotional state before, during, and after episodes, and impact on daily functioning and quality of life.
Behavioral Assessment: Documentation of binge patterns, triggers (emotional, situational, interpersonal), environmental factors, and any attempted coping strategies or previous treatment efforts.
Psychological Evaluation: Standardized assessments such as the Binge Eating Scale (BES) or Eating Disorder Examination (EDE) to measure symptom severity, eating disorder psychopathology, and body image concerns.
Emotional and Trauma History: Exploration of the relationship between emotions and eating, identification of underlying trauma or adverse experiences, and assessment of current stressors that may contribute to binge eating behaviors.
Co-occurring Conditions: Screening for depression, anxiety, trauma-related symptoms, impulse control difficulties, or substance use that commonly co-occur with binge eating disorder.
Medical Evaluation: Assessment of any physical health concerns, metabolic functioning, and overall wellness to ensure comprehensive care.
Diagnosis focuses on the pattern of binge eating, the sense of loss of control, and the marked distress following episodes, rather than on body weight. Binge eating disorder occurs across all body sizes and is equally valid and deserving of treatment regardless of weight.
At Friendly Recovery Center, we understand that each individual’s experience with binge eating disorder is unique. Therefore, we tailor our treatment approach to meet each client’s specific needs, recovery goals, and emotional landscape. Here’s how we can assist you:
We utilize proven therapeutic approaches, including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) the gold standard for binge eating disorder treatment, which helps clients identify triggers for binge episodes, challenge thoughts that perpetuate the cycle, develop alternative responses to emotional distress, and establish regular, balanced eating patterns. Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) builds crucial skills in emotional regulation, distress tolerance, and mindfulness to manage urges without acting on them.
Our treatment focuses on identifying emotional, environmental, and physiological triggers, understanding the function binge eating serves, developing a toolkit of alternative coping strategies, and learning to sit with uncomfortable emotions without turning to food. We work compassionately with clients to interrupt automatic patterns and build new, healthier responses.
Since binge eating often serves as a way to cope with difficult emotions, we emphasize building emotional awareness, learning to identify and name feelings, developing distress tolerance skills, and creating a range of healthy coping mechanisms. Our trauma-informed approach recognizes that many individuals use binge eating to manage unresolved trauma or overwhelming emotions.
Our registered dietitians help clients establish regular, structured eating patterns to reduce vulnerability to binges, challenge rigid food rules and restrictive thinking, develop intuitive responses to hunger and fullness, and create a flexible, balanced approach to eating. We address the reality that restriction and dieting often fuel binge eating cycles.
Binge eating disorder is often accompanied by intense shame and self-criticism. Our therapeutic approach emphasizes self-compassion practices, challenging internalized weight stigma, reducing shame through connection and vulnerability, and building self-worth beyond body size or eating behaviors. Group therapy is particularly powerful for reducing isolation and shame.
Many individuals with binge eating disorder have experienced trauma, whether developmental, relational, or acute. Our trauma-informed approach provides safe, compassionate care that addresses underlying wounds, helps clients understand the connection between past experiences and current behaviors, and teaches healthier ways to process and cope with traumatic stress.
Our Partial Hospitalization Program (PHP) provides structured, full-day support for intensive treatment and skill building. Our Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP) offers several hours of therapy multiple days per week while allowing you to maintain work or school commitments. Outpatient services provide ongoing support for relapse prevention and continued recovery.
We address co-occurring mental health conditions such as depression, anxiety, PTSD, substance use, or impulse control issues through our comprehensive dual diagnosis approach, recognizing that these conditions often interact with and maintain eating disorder symptoms.
We incorporate holistic therapeutic approaches including mindfulness practices to increase present-moment awareness, yoga and movement therapy to reconnect with the body, and expressive therapies to process emotions creatively. These approaches complement traditional therapy and help clients develop new ways of relating to themselves and their experiences.
Connecting with others who understand the struggle of binge eating disorder can be transformative. Our process group therapy sessions provide a safe space to share experiences, reduce shame and isolation, learn from peers, practice new skills, and build a recovery community that supports lasting change.
For added flexibility and accessibility, we offer telehealth mental health treatment options, allowing you to receive care from the comfort of your home while maintaining the same quality of therapeutic support.
We offer specialized support through our Women's Mental Health Treatment programs, recognizing that binge eating disorder affects people of all genders and that gender-specific treatment can address unique challenges and experiences.
Living with binge eating disorder presents significant challenges, yet with appropriate treatment and support, full recovery is possible. Research shows that evidence-based treatment, particularly CBT-E and comprehensive programs addressing both the behavioral and emotional aspects of binge eating, leads to significant improvement and lasting recovery.
At Friendly Recovery Center, we are committed to providing compassionate, evidence-based care that addresses the complex emotional, psychological, and behavioral aspects of binge eating disorder. Our experienced team understands the shame, secrecy, and pain that often accompany this disorder and will support you with dignity, respect, and genuine compassion every step of the way toward lasting recovery.
If you or a loved one is struggling with binge eating disorder, you don’t have to continue suffering in silence. The cycle of binge eating can be broken, and you deserve support that treats you with respect regardless of your body size. Contact Friendly Recovery Center today to learn more about our comprehensive binge eating disorder treatment programs in Orange County, explore your options, and take the first step toward freedom from the eating disorder, healing your relationship with food, and rediscovering emotional balance.
Shahana Ham, LCSW, is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with a Master’s in Social Work from the University of Southern California. She specializes in client-centered care for individuals facing mental health and substance use challenges, fostering a supportive environment for healing and growth.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy-Enhanced (CBT-E) is the gold standard treatment for binge eating disorder, with research showing significant reduction in binge frequency and improvement in emotional regulation. Our CBT approach combined with DBT skills, trauma processing, and nutritional counseling provides comprehensive care. We also address co-occurring conditions like depression and trauma that maintain the disorder. Success rates are highest with integrated treatment addressing symptoms and underlying causes.
No. Weight loss is not a goal or requirement of binge eating disorder treatment. Our focus is on normalizing eating patterns, developing emotional regulation skills, and healing your relationship with food—not manipulating your weight. Research shows that weight-focused approaches often worsen binge eating. Some people's weight stabilizes or changes naturally as binge eating resolves, but this isn't the measure of recovery. Recovery means freedom from binge eating and improved quality of life at whatever weight is natural for your body.
Treatment length varies based on symptom severity, disorder duration, and co-occurring conditions. Many clients experience significant reduction in binge frequency within 3-6 months of intensive treatment in our IOP or PHP programs. However, complete recovery—including addressing underlying emotional issues and building lasting coping skills—typically requires 12-18 months or longer of continued outpatient support. Research shows longer engagement leads to better outcomes and lower relapse rates.
Yes. While binge eating disorder doesn't typically involve the acute medical emergencies of anorexia or bulimia, it causes significant psychological distress, impairs quality of life, and increases risk for physical health complications. It's the most common eating disorder in the United States and has high rates of co-occurring depression, anxiety, and other mental health conditions. All eating disorders are serious mental health conditions deserving of professional treatment
Absolutely. The duration of binge eating disorder doesn't determine your capacity for recovery. Many people who have struggled for years or even decades achieve significant improvement with proper treatment. Our evidence-based approach helps you understand the underlying triggers, develop new coping skills, and break patterns regardless of how long they've been present. While longer duration may mean a longer treatment process, recovery is possible at any point. Starting now is what matters.
Yes. Most major insurance plans cover eating disorder treatment at the same level as other mental health conditions due to the Mental Health Parity Act. Coverage typically includes PHP, IOP, and outpatient services. We work with Aetna, Cigna, Health Net, and many other providers. Verify your benefits to understand your specific coverage.
Yes. Our dual diagnosis treatment addresses co-occurring conditions alongside binge eating disorder. Since depression, anxiety, and trauma often trigger or maintain binge eating episodes, treating these conditions together is essential. Our psychiatric providers can prescribe and manage medications when appropriate, integrated with therapy. Many clients find that as binge eating decreases and coping skills improve, depression and anxiety symptoms also improve significantly.
Yes. Our IOP program is specifically designed for people maintaining work, school, or family responsibilities, with sessions scheduled around your commitments—often evenings or specific weekdays. PHP requires full days but allows you to return home nightly. We also offer telehealth options for maximum flexibility. Many clients successfully balance treatment with responsibilities, and investing in treatment now prevents greater disruption later.
Binge eating disorder involves recurrent episodes (at least weekly for three months) with loss of control, eating much more rapidly than normal, eating to uncomfortable fullness, and significant emotional distress afterward. It's a pattern, not occasional overeating. The key difference is the loss of control—feeling unable to stop even when you want to—and the marked distress that follows. If you're questioning whether your eating patterns are problematic, seeking an evaluation can provide clarity and help you get support if needed.
Yes. Full recovery—meaning abstinence from binge eating, normalized eating patterns, improved emotional regulation, and freedom from food-related distress—is absolutely achievable. Research shows that with evidence-based treatment like CBT and DBT, many people achieve complete remission. Early intervention, addressing co-occurring conditions, and sustained engagement in treatment improve outcomes. Many people go on to develop peaceful, flexible relationships with food and effective ways to cope with emotions. Recovery is a journey, and with the right support, lasting freedom from binge eating disorder is possible.
Ready to start your journey towards recovery and stability? Contact Friendly Recovery Center today and let us help you improve your mental health and wellness.
Our experienced team provides expert IOP, PHP, and outpatient care for individuals in Orange County. We deliver personalized counseling, group therapy, and holistic treatments in a supportive environment designed to improve your life.
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