Using DBT Therapy for Eating Disorders: Evidence-Based Strategies for Recovery in NYC

Eating disorders, including anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, binge eating disorder, and other disordered eating behaviors, affect millions of adults and adolescents. These conditions can lead to serious physical, emotional, and psychological challenges, including anxiety, depression, and difficulty managing emotions.

At New Horizons Therapy NY, we provide specialized DBT (Dialectical Behavior Therapy) for eating disorders, helping clients develop the mindfulness, emotion regulation, distress tolerance, and interpersonal skills necessary for lasting recovery. Our evidence-based approach is designed to address the emotional and behavioral components of eating disorders in adults and adolescents living in New York City.

What Is DBT Therapy?

Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) is a structured, evidence-based therapy developed by Dr. Marsha Linehan to help individuals manage intense emotions, impulsive behaviors, and interpersonal challenges. DBT combines:

• Mindfulness techniques to stay present and observe thoughts, feelings, and urges without judgment

• Skills training for emotion regulation, distress tolerance, and interpersonal effectiveness

• Cognitive-behavioral strategies to identify and change unhelpful thought patterns

For clients with eating disorders, DBT helps target the emotional dysregulation and impulsive behaviors that often drive disordered eating patterns.

How DBT Supports Recovery from Eating Disorders

1. Mindfulness Skills

Mindfulness, a core component of DBT, teaches clients to observe urges and emotional triggers related to food and body image without acting on them. This helps reduce bingeing, purging, and restrictive behaviors while increasing awareness of hunger, fullness, and emotional states.

2. Distress Tolerance Skills

Eating disorder behaviors often function as coping mechanisms for overwhelming emotions. DBT provides healthy ways to tolerate distress, such as grounding exercises, self-soothing techniques, and crisis management strategies, reducing reliance on harmful behaviors.

3. Emotion Regulation Skills

DBT helps clients identify, label, and manage intense emotions that may trigger disordered eating. Improving emotional regulation allows individuals to respond to stress, anxiety, and sadness without turning to harmful eating behaviors.

4. Interpersonal Effectiveness

Eating disorders can strain relationships with family, friends, and colleagues. DBT teaches skills for assertive communication, boundary-setting, and conflict resolution, supporting healthier social connections and emotional support systems.

Evidence Supporting DBT for Eating Disorders

Clinical research shows that DBT is highly effective for adults with bulimia nervosa and binge eating disorder, reducing episodes of bingeing and purging while improving emotional stability. While DBT is often combined with other therapeutic approaches, its focus on skills-building and mindfulness makes it a cornerstone for comprehensive eating disorder treatment in NYC.

At New Horizons Therapy NY, our therapists customize DBT interventions to each client, integrating mindfulness, skills training, and individual therapy to address both the emotional and behavioral components of eating disorders.

What to Expect in DBT Therapy for Eating Disorders

• Individual DBT Therapy Sessions: Tailored guidance to apply DBT skills to personal challenges

• DBT Skills Training Groups: Structured sessions to learn and practice mindfulness, emotion regulation, distress tolerance, and interpersonal effectiveness

• Mindfulness Practices: Daily strategies to remain present with food, body sensations, and emotions

• Support for Daily Life: Coaching on applying skills during meals, social situations, and stressful events

Take the First Step Toward Recovery

Eating disorders are complex and multifaceted, but DBT therapy offers practical, evidence-based strategies for managing symptoms, regulating emotions, and building a healthier relationship with food and self.

If you or a loved one is struggling with an eating disorder, contact New Horizons Therapy NY to schedule a consultation. Our compassionate therapists provide DBT therapy in NYC to support recovery, resilience, and long-term well-being.