When most people think of eating disorders, they think of anorexia or bulimia. While these are serious and life-threatening illnesses, they represent only part of the picture. In fact, Binge Eating Disorder is the most common eating disorder, affecting more people than anorexia and bulimia combined.
Many individuals struggle in silence with episodes of eating that feel completely out of control. They may eat rapidly, in secret, or continue eating well beyond fullness, followed by intense shame, self-criticism, and promises to “do better tomorrow.” Some attempt to compensate by restricting food, fasting, or excessive exercise, only to find themselves trapped in the same cycle again. For many, these behaviors feel very much like an addiction.
Today’s research has transformed our understanding of eating disorders. We now know these are complex neurological, biological, psychological, and behavioral disorders—not simply problems of willpower or self-control. Emerging research also suggests that today’s highly engineered ultra-processed food products can activate the brain’s reward pathways in ways that closely resemble other substance use disorders, helping explain why some people experience overwhelming cravings and repeated loss of control.
Eating disorders extend beyond overeating and dieting. Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder (ARFID) affects individuals whose eating is limited by sensory sensitivities, fear of choking, vomiting, gastrointestinal discomfort, or other feared consequences of eating. Left untreated, ARFID can lead to nutritional deficiencies, medical complications, and significant social impairment.
Conditions such as anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa remain among the most serious mental health disorders, carrying significant medical risks and requiring specialized treatment. Because eating disorders are highly complex, well-intentioned advice from family members—or even healthcare professionals without specialized training—can unintentionally reinforce symptoms or delay recovery.
At Christian Counseling Services, eating disorder services are directed by Dr. Kari Anderson, DBH, LPC, CEDS-C, a Certified Eating Disorders Specialist and Consultant with more than 35 years of experience helping individuals and families find freedom from eating disorders, compulsive eating, food addiction, body image struggles, and related concerns. Every client receives a comprehensive assessment, individualized treatment recommendations, and coordinated care with physicians, dietitians, psychiatrists, and other providers when appropriate. We also recognize that eating disorders often coexist with anxiety, obsessive-compulsive disorder, trauma, depression, ADHD, and metabolic health concerns, and treatment addresses the whole person. We can coordinate your care with other specialists at Christian Counseling Services so that your care is comprehensively Christian.
As a Christian practice, we believe healing involves the integration of mind, body, and spirit. Our approach combines evidence-based treatment with compassion, hope, and biblical values, honoring each person’s God-given worth while supporting lasting recovery.
Dr. Anderson serves clients throughout the greater Phoenix area through multiple office locations as well as secure telehealth appointments. Services include:
One unique aspect of Dr. Anderson’s practice is her commitment to support between sessions. Clients receive access to the Food, Body & Love Membership, an online learning community that provides educational resources, practical recovery tools, live teaching, and opportunities to connect with Dr. Anderson and others pursuing freedom from eating and body image struggles. Recovery is strengthened through consistent support—not just during the therapy hour.
Many people believe their struggles are “normal,” something they simply have to live with. But if food occupies your thoughts, your eating feels out of control, your body has become a source of shame, or fear has begun to dictate your life, you do not have to walk this journey alone.
In today’s food environment, lasting freedom can feel difficult to imagine—but it is possible. We offer a safe place to be heard, understood, and guided toward a healthier relationship with food, your body, and the God who created you. Recovery is about far more than changing eating behaviors. It is about reclaiming peace, restoring hope, and learning to live free from fear, obsession, and the traps that keep so many people stuck.