Michelle Gross

Do you feel guilty over what you eat?  Do you compensate by exercise, restriction or purging?  Do you like the person you see in the mirror?  Together we will explore your need to focus on food choices, calories, exercise and weight.  Many things contribute to your emotional struggle that has nothing to do with food or how you look in the mirror.  I will help you to discover the root of your anxiety and pain so that you can learn to love and accept yourself as a worthwhile and perfectly imperfect person.  Eating disorders are life threatening?  One does not have to live with anoreia, bulimia, or binge eating disorder.  

You need tools and, having worked with eating disordered and body dysmorphic individuals for over 25 years, I have dozens of them.  My goal is for you to discover how your preocupation with food and your body is serving as a coping mechanism for other things.  You will discover how your unique personality and genetics have made you vulnerable to suffering with self-image.  You will learn tools to address your struggles directly instead of attempting to control appearances and food.  You will discover situations that trigger restriction, binges, distored self-image and self-hatred. You will learn to view food as fuel and medicine necessary to nourish and heal your body.  You will discover the difference between emotional and physical hunger.  You will learn to honor your body for the amazing things it allows you to do and to experience.  I will empower you to try new behaviors and to challenge unheathy thoughts.  Recovery is possible!  I have watched individuals, just like you, fall in love with thermselves every day!   Together will will learn, cry and laugh.  We might even eat something forbidden or smash your scale!  I will help you find your voice and your passions!

Just a little about my practice:  I received my bachelors degree in Psychology from California State Univiersity Northridge in 1988.  I recieved my Master degree from the California, Family Study Center in 1990 and was licensed in 1993. I have extensive experience working with individuals suffering from anxiety, depression, trauma, relationship concerns and addiction in both my private practice and in residential treatment centers.  I also have expertise in adoption related issues.   I utilize DBT, CBT, tapping, art, videos, workbooks and a number of other tools to assist my clients.  I have provided CEU coursework to train professionals working with eating disorders and have guest spoken throughout my career on eating disorders and adoption.  I am trained and certified in Seeking Safety and utilize these materials with many of my clients.  I am a member of CAMFT and WAAT.

Today is the day to take control of your life!  Please feel free to give me a call at (805) 824-4428.