BLOG by dr. heather leahy hecht

Thanksgiving is difficult for families with a loved one in eating disorder recovery. Oftentimes, the messages of recovery are counter to the messages of our society about food and health. We live in a weight-loss obsessed culture and sadly, this is often the reason the eating disorder developed in the first place for your person in recovery (PIR).

A PIR often treasures returning home for Thanksgiving, because they get to see you, their loving family member, and simultaneously dreads it because the Thanksgiving holiday is centered on food and feasting. Because you are one of the most important people in your PIR's life, your words and actions have immense power to aggravate the eating disorder (ED) voice and ca...

My favorite topic in psychology right now is the idea of vulnerability. Most of us are allergic to vulnerability, but it is the active ingredient in deep human connection and sustained emotional intimacy. I love the theory that vulnerability is the necessary ingredient to falling in love and staying in love. In the article, 36 Questions to Lead To Love, authors suggest that conversations that promote vulnerability, promote love.

Brene Brown, a researcher on shame and vulnerability, suggests that to live whole-heartedly, we need to be vulnerable with a select set of safe others. In therapy, we practice being vulnerable so that we can later do this in our personal lives in order to develop satisfying personal relationships....

The thought of starting couples counseling can be scary. Click here to learn more about what to expect couples therapy, to ease your nerves. When I work with couples, I make sure each of you is heard and respected, but also, comfortable. We can laugh in couples counseling, believe it or not, and sometimes, that's the best medicine. I am a Certified Gottman couples therapist, and treating couples is one of my passions. I have helped couples overcome infidelity, sex addiction, emotional abuse, and pervasive resentment. It brings me joy to see couples reconnect and rebuild intimacy. 

Contact me today to see if I am the right couples clinician for you.

It can be horribly painful to struggle with binge and compulsive overeating. I take a holistic approach when treating eating issues, because I believe that eating behavior is connected to your emotional life. I create an environment free of judgment to delve into the reasons behind unwanted eating patterns and to work to reduce binges. Click here to learn more about Monarch Wellness and the treatment we offer for eating disorders of all kinds. 

I also love this book for overcoming disordered eating patterns. In my approach to treatment, we use tools like these as aids to therapy, to get the best outcome possible. 

Contact me today to learn more about beginning care. 

Believe it or not, knowing your partner's Myers-Briggs can be extremely beneficial in romantic and family relationships. My job as your couples clinician is to help you and your parter to truly understand each other, and to respect and love one another for both the good and "bad" aspects of your personalities. I use Myers-Briggs in couples therapy as a tool to help get us there. To learn more, check out this DC Inno article where I was interviewed by Sophie Pyle on using clues from Myers-Briggs to keep you and your significant other happy. And while you're at it, take a free Myers-Briggs test, and see for yourself. 

And, as always, contact me today if you are interested in learning more about therapy with me. 

The decision to come to therapy can be difficult, especially if it's your first time considering care. Many people think that starting therapy means that you are "crazy" or that it is something to be ashamed of. I believe that every person has periods in their life wherein therapy is needed and is beneficial, regardless of whether they actually get the help they need. Therapy is truly designed to alleviate emotional pain, and although it may be possible to recover alone, you are likely to suffer longer. I am committed to bringing you back to your natural state of wellness, as fast as possible, and to giving you tools to sustain your recovery long-term. 

To learn more about whether therapy may be right for you, click here.

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