Eating Disorder Therapist in Maryland
Danielle Swimm
, Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor
Owner and Founder of Collide Behavioral Health, LLC
Have you been struggling with body image, anxiety and have been silently battling a tumultuous relationship with food
I can help.
I help people feel normal around food again and find relief from anxiety.
I’m an eating disorder therapist, Health at Every Size (HAES) clinical provider who has a passion for helping others stop the binge cycle, improve body image and work through anxiety.
I don’t tiptoe around the work that needs to be done in recovery, and do best working with clients who feel ready for the challenges recovery can bring. I’m supportive, honest and compassionate about the struggles an eating disorder can bring to the individuals and their families.
Healing your relationship with food and recovering from an eating disorder changes a person’s entire world.
You can feel relaxed when eating out.
You don’t have to keep suffering silently.
Food and body image can become less important in your life, leaving room for you to focus on the things that matter to you most.
I’ve helped many people find joy and freedom in their recovery, and I believe there is hope for you too.
Credentials & Approach to Therapy
- Masters of Arts (MA) in Counseling Psychology
- Certificate in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT-E) for Eating Disorder Treatment
- Completed all of IADEP’s Certified Eating Disorder Courses and Supervision
- Certificate in Nutritional Psychology
- Certificate in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Insomnia (CBTi)
- Given talks and presentation throughout the Annapolis around eating disorder education
You can expect an active therapy session, where you are continually learning and working on treatment goals at home. My holistic treatment approach integrates techniques from Acceptance Commitment Therapy, Dialectal Behavioral Therapy and Integrative Family Systems. I incorporate Intuitive Eating principals throughout my sessions and uses a treatment team approach, working with dietitians and medical professionals to provide high quality, holistic treatment.
During your first few sessions you come up with a plan on what recovery will look, what to expect in treatment and understanding the symptoms you have been experiencing.
Understanding what has been happening is the first step to feeling empowered to overcome it. Making that first phone call can be hard, I’m here to guide you. Contact me today to start your new chapter.
Help for Eating Disorders
Eating disorders are undiagnosed, missed and misunderstood by most healthcare professionals. Because there is a lot of misinformation around what an eating disorder looks like, and how to treat it- it can leave parents and individuals struggling and feeling helpless. Understanding the types of eating disorders and how they are treated is the first step to getting help. The good news is that eating disorders are treatable, and recovery is possible. Depending on the severity of the eating disorder it can be a long road to recovery, and it’s important not to wait until you feel “sick enough” to get help.
Help for Anorexia and Orthorexia
Did you know that Anorexia most of the time does not look the way it’s portrayed in movies? Most of the clients I’ve treated for anorexia fall under the DSM-5 category of “A Typical Anorexia”, meaning their BMI is not considered to be underweight but they are not eating enough to provide their body enough nutrients and calories. Anorexic behaviors can often be applauded by society at first, seen as eating healthy, working out frequently, and weight loss. The diet culture mentality that we live in helps fuels the eating disorder and make it hard to catch until a person has struggled for a long time before reaching out for help.
Orthorexia is an unhealthy obsession with ‘eating healthy, pure, clean foods’ and can often lead to anorexia as the person’s definition of healthy and clean foods become smaller and smaller, leading to restriction. Orthorexia can also lead to binge eating, which is why it’s important to address at the first sign of it developing.
Help for Binge Eating
Binge eating is often the most misunderstood eating disorder and it’s the newest eating disorder on the block. It entered the DSM-5 in 2013 and therefore, just recently started being recognized by health professionals as it’s own disorder. Because it’s so misunderstood people often look for help for binge eating and find it in the wrong places. Binge eating is often advertised along with weight loss strategies, when this is extremely harmful to any eating disorder recovery. At Collide we approach treatment through a Health At Every Size lens, focusing on their relationship with food, underlying anxiety and trauma and how the individual can lead a more fulfilling life through body neutrality. Often anorexia or orthorexic behaviors can lead to a binge, so starting treatment focused on the restricting is key.
Outside of individual therapy we also offer a virtual eating disorder support group for anorexia, bulimia, binge eating, and general disordered eating.
Binge Eating Treatment Information
Want to learn more about binge eating?
Testimonials
“Danielle Swimm is a highly passionate clinician who has excellent knowledge and expertise when it comes to helping people to recover from eating disorders. If you are looking for a compassionate therapist who can help you to break free from an unhealthy relationship to food and your body-I would highly recommend that you reach out to her!”
– Jennifer Rollin, LCSW, Founder of The Eating Disorder Center,
“I’ve worked in collaboration with Danielle on a number of cases and I so feel confident in referring to her. Her compassion, vast knowledge of eating disorder treatment, and dedication to client care is so evident. Anyone looking for an amazing eating disorder therapist, for themselves of a loved one, would be in amazing hands working with Danielle!”
-Alex Raymond, RDN, Courage to Nourish
“As a professional colleague, I have had first hand experience with Danielle’s passion and commitment to providing excellent care to those suffering with eating disorders and chronic health issues. Danielle is knowledgeable about Health at Every Size and Intuitive Eating, both of which create the foundations of life-long recovery and movement toward holistic wellness.”
-Jennifer DiGennaro, LLPC, Certified Intuitive Eating Counselor, Founder of Nourished Energy