Eating disorders and substance use disorders often go hand in hand. Learn the shared risk factors, warning signs, and why treating both conditions together is key to long-term recovery and healing.

All-or-nothing thinking — the belief that you’re either doing recovery “perfectly” or completely failing — is one of the most common cognitive patterns we see in eating disorder therapy in NYC. While eating disorders often look behavioral on the surface, they’re reinforced by rigid, black-and-white thought patterns underneath. At LEL Therapy, we help clients gently unpack how this extreme thinking fuels cycles of restriction, bingeing, shame, and perfectionism — and how building cognitive flexibility becomes a cornerstone of sustainable recovery. Healing isn’t about getting it perfect. It’s about learning to live in the gray.

Looking for eating disorder therapy in NYC or New York State? Discover the key qualities that matter most when choosing a trained, ethical eating disorder therapist.

A compassionate guide to navigating food, body image, and family triggers during the holidays, with practical tips to break old patterns and find balance.

In this honest story of eating disorder recovery, I share how leaving New York City and entering treatment helped me rebuild my life and rediscover self-love. What once felt like the end became the beginning of true healing. Inspired by Taylor Swift’s music, I learned that recovery isn’t about perfection—it’s about small, brave steps toward hope and happiness. If you’re struggling, this story is a reminder that healing is possible, and you are never too far gone to start again.

If you think a friend may have an eating disorder, knowing how to talk about it matters. Here’s how to approach the conversation with compassion and care.

At my lowest point, I believed my life was over—but entering eating disorder treatment became the first step toward building a future I couldn’t have imagined. This is my story of recovery, resilience, and finding purpose after years of struggle.

Caroline Kirby, LMFT, eating disorder therapist in NY, interviews dietitian Megan McCann on working with athletes. Dietitians and Therapists on our team at LEL often work closely together to make sure their clients are fueling accordingly to their nutritional needs. With athletes, Megan highlights that they often don’t even realize they could be under fueling and affecting their performance. Read more here!

Lauren Larkin, therapist in NYC, explores and challenges perfectionistic thinking with clients in therapy and encourages clients to "live in the gray." Want to learn how? Read on.

Lauren Larkin LMHC, founder of LEL Therapy, share a recent experience where she reflected on her self compassion practice and how far it has come. Learn about the practical implications of self compassion in this blog.

Sam Mauser LMSW, one of LEL’s Eating Disorder experts, breaks down the link between eating disorders and chronic illness in this guest blog.

Lauren Larkin LMHC, founder and therapist in NYC, shares her reflections and advice from her early 20s. The bottom line: it’s okay to be messy.

Founder and Therapist, Lauren Larkin LMHC shares 4 tips to help a friend who is struggling with an eating disorder.

Caroline Kirby LMFT , one of LEL’s Eating Disorder experts, tackles the 4 biggest Myths about Eating Disorders and gets to the truth about treatment:

Is it difficult for you to go out to dinner at this stage of your eating disorder recovery journey? Lauren Larkin, LMHC, our founder and therapist in New York shares her personal tips for getting over this hurdle.

Looking to Stay in ongoing eating disorder recovery in 2024? Here are 3 tips for increased self-compassion around food & body perfectionism.

If you think you might need support for disordered eating thoughts or behaviors but don’t know if Eating Disorder therapy is right for you… read this guest blog post from Sam Mauser, LMSW, one of our eating disorder experts on the team!

Lauren Larkin, founder and owner of LEL Therapy reflects on the importance of "counting your wins" in eating disorder recovery.

Lauren Larkin, founder, therapist and person in eating disorder recovery shares a bit about her personal story.

It’s vacation time. You’ve been dieting for months, maybe you cut out bread, alcohol, sugar or you’ve been only eating plants. Maybe you haven’t eaten at a restaurant in two months because you needed to have unquestionable control over what went into your body… That used to be me.