Eating Disorder Specialist
Dr. Kari Anderson is a Doctor of Behavioral Health, Licensed Professional Counselor, and Certified Eating Disorder Specialist and Consultant with over 35 years of experience in the treatment of eating disorders and related behavioral health concerns. She is honored to serve as an eating disorder specialist and resource within the Christian Counseling Services of Arizona referral network, supporting individuals, families, and professionals throughout the greater Phoenix area with this complex specialty.
Kari has worked across levels of care including residential, outpatient, and private practice settings. Her clinical background includes work with Remuda Ranch Programs, where she served as a primary and family therapist supporting individuals and families navigating complex eating disorder recovery.
Her specialty areas include anorexia, bulimia, binge eating disorder, ARFID (including sensory and fear-based restrictive eating), and patterns of loss of control or addictive-like eating. Some eating disorders have anxiety, OCD, ADHD, autism, or trauma-related origins. Kari has expertise in assessment and case conceptualization and will utilize other specialized team members within Christian Counseling Services as needed to create a plan for their full spectrum of special needs. She also works with individuals struggling with obesity-related concerns and those seeking support alongside or apart from GLP-1 medications. Kari has website supported resources and support group coaching for clients between sessions as an added bonus.
In addition to her clinical work, Kari provides consultation and clinical supervision for professionals pursuing the Certified Eating Disorder Specialist (CEDS) credential and is passionate about mentoring clinicians developing competency in this specialized area of care.
Kari’s approach integrates evidence-based therapies with a compassionate, whole-person perspective. She utilizes mindfulness-based cognitive behavioral therapies including Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT). All her care is delivered through a trauma-informed lens and includes Internal Family Systems (IFS)-a validating and non-judgmental approach.
She also incorporates over a decade of advanced study in Polyvagal Theory, understanding that many eating behaviors are connected to the nervous system’s attempt to create safety in response to stress, overwhelm, or internal discomfort. Kari offers additional nervous system regulation support through the Safe and Sound Protocol (SSP) and Rest and Restore Protocol (RRP), which can enhance emotional regulation and readiness for therapeutic work.
I am able to meet with clients either online via telehealth or in person at my office.
