Ep. 247: Understanding Hidden Layers of Bulimia and Binge Eating with ED Psychologist Dr. Anita Johnston

If you want to stop binge eating or recover from bulimia, then we must address the deeper emotional roots of disordered eating. Mary sits down for a Part 2 with eating disorder psychologist, Dr. Anita Johnston, author of Eating in the Light of the Moon. In Part 1, we talked about the spiritual side of eating disorder recovery. Now in part 2, we zoom into the emotional layer beneath bulimia and binge eating. 

Dr. Johnston sheds light on the deeper emotional roots of disordered eating, especially the often-overlooked role of repressed anger and how learning to process it can be the key to lasting recovery. 

You will learn about... 
- common personality traits of those who struggle with disordered eating 
- the role of ANGER in eating disorder recovery 
- the ONE skill you need to effectively process anger 
- how storytelling and metaphors can help us heal from an eating disorder 
- how to address emotional patterns that lie beneath bulimia and binge eating

Dr. Johnston also shares how her very first psychology professor—THE Viktor Frankl, the author of Man’s Search for Meaning—inspired her approach to eating disorder recovery. 

Remember: Eating disorders are not about food. So to recover, we must explore the deeper layers of our struggle. 

Get Dr. Anita’s free Food Metaphor Guide here. 

Anita Johnston, Ph.D., is a Depth Psychologist, Certified Eating Disorder Specialist, and author of Eating in the Light of the Moon: How Women Can Transform Their Relationships with Food Through Myth, Metaphor, and Storytelling, which has been published in seven languages. A pioneer in the field, Dr. Johnston has been treating eating difficulties and body image distress for over 35 years. She has developed eating disorder programs nationally and internationally and currently serves as Founder & Executive Director of ‘Ai Pono Hawaii Eating Disorders Programs which has a Residential Program in Maui. She is the co-creator of the Light of the Moon Café, an online resource with interactive and self- study courses for women around the world. 

As a recognized international workshop presenter, Dr. Johnston lectures globally to professional organizations, conferences, universities, medical institutions, and the community at large and provides virtual consultations. She is best known for integrating metaphor and storytelling into her training as a clinical psychologist to explain the complex issues that underlie disordered eating behavior and other struggles with eating and body image. You can find Dr. Anita at https://dranitajohnston.com/ and follow Dr. Anita on Instagram: @dranitajohnston