emotional eating treatment
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emotional eating treatment for adults and adolescents
At Galen Hope, we understand that food is often more than just nourishment—it can also be a way of coping with difficult emotions. Emotional eating occurs when individuals use food for comfort, distraction, or stress relief rather than to satisfy physical hunger. For both adolescents and adults, this pattern can feel overwhelming and lead to shame, guilt, or a sense of being out of control. Our team offers compassionate, evidence-based treatment that helps clients break free from this cycle and develop healthier ways to manage emotions.
what is emotional eating?
Emotional eating is when someone turns to food in response to feelings such as stress, sadness, boredom, or even happiness, rather than in response to physical hunger cues. While it’s common for people to occasionally eat for comfort, emotional eating becomes a concern when it turns into a primary coping strategy. Over time, this can contribute to unhealthy relationships with food, weight fluctuations, and distress around eating.
For adolescents, emotional eating may show up as sneaking food, eating in secret, or relying on snacks during times of stress at school or with peers. For adults, it may involve late-night eating, turning to food during work or family stress, or patterns of eating followed by guilt. Recognizing these behaviors is the first step toward healing and building a balanced relationship with food.
our approach to emotional eating treatment
At Galen Hope, we approach emotional eating with curiosity, compassion, and respect—never shame. Treatment begins with understanding the emotions and triggers that drive eating behaviors, whether stress, trauma, loneliness, or other challenges. Our therapists help clients build healthier coping strategies through evidence-based modalities like CBT, DBT, and mindfulness, while our dietitians guide them in reconnecting with hunger and fullness cues.
We also address underlying issues such as anxiety, depression, or trauma that may be fueling emotional eating. For adolescents, family involvement helps create a supportive home environment for lasting change. Ultimately, our goal is to help clients cultivate self-compassion, emotional resilience, and a healthier, more peaceful relationship with food.
what emotional eating treatment might look like at galen hope
1. connect
Connect with us: A compassionate care coordinator will listen and help you take the first step towards healing and moving forward with your life.
2. Collaborate
Collaborate on your treatment plan: Our expert clinical team will design a personalized roadmap based on your goals, needs, and life circumstances.
3. Engage
Engage in our healing community: Participate in a structured, supportive treatment program alongside peers and professionals who understand trauma.
4. Healing
Begin your journey toward lasting healing: As symptoms ease, you will develop skills, insight, and a renewed sense of self to carry with you long after treatment ends.
typical emotional eating clients we work with
Galen Hope serves clients from across the United States and beyond, offering compassionate, expert care to individuals from states like: Florida, New York, Texas, California, Connecticut, Massachusetts, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Georgia, Illinois, Wisconsin, Montana, North Carolina, South Carolina, Arizona, Tennessee, Washington, Maryland, Virginia, and more. Many clients travel nationally and internationally to receive personalized treatment in our welcoming, supportive environment. Our programs are designed to meet the diverse needs of those seeking deeper healing—no matter where they’re coming from.
At Galen Hope, we know emotional eating can affect people from all walks of life. We often work with adolescents, teens, and college students learning to cope with stress, as well as adults and professionals managing the pressures of career and family. Many of our clients come from diverse communities, including LGBTQ+ individuals, Jewish families, BIPOC and Latin/Hispanic communities, and survivors of trauma or grief.
We also support clients who may be neurodivergent, athletes, dancers, and others whose lifestyles or environments can heighten challenges with food and emotions. No matter your background or story, you’ll find compassionate, inclusive care at Galen Hope, where your unique experiences are honored and recovery is always possible.
we invite you here to heal in your own very special way
At Galen Hope, every client is immediately acknowledged as an individual whose story may not be represented by traditional diagnostic criteria. We seek to fully understand their life experience and to provide them with an affirming environment where they feel accepted and supported.
For someone struggling with an eating disorder or mental illness, finding a place in the world, forming connections, developing meaning and purpose in life, and having day-to-day support is vital to better outcomes, long-term health, and well-being. We create a sense of community inside our doors, where we facilitate a commitment to recovery. We find tremendous meaning in bringing someone into our circle and helping them recognize the importance they play in it. It is through these relationships that healing takes place and clients begin to develop the skills to live both independently and in relation to others.
emotional eating faqs
who is at risk for emotional eating?
Emotional eating can affect anyone, but it is more common among people experiencing high levels of stress, anxiety, or depression. Adolescents, college students, and adults under pressure at school, work, or home may be particularly vulnerable. People who lack healthy coping strategies for emotions or who have a history of dieting or body image struggles are also at greater risk.
how to stop emotional eating?
Stopping emotional eating begins with noticing patterns—when, where, and why you’re turning to food. Building healthier coping tools, such as mindfulness, journaling, or stress management strategies, can make a big difference. Professional support from a therapist or dietitian helps uncover underlying causes and guide lasting change.
is emotional eating an eating disorder?
Emotional eating is not a formal eating disorder diagnosis on its own. However, it can be a symptom of or contribute to disordered eating patterns. While many people occasionally eat for comfort, when emotional eating becomes the primary way of coping, professional help may be needed.
can emotional eating turn into an eating disorder?
Yes, emotional eating can sometimes develop into a more serious eating disorder if left unaddressed. Over time, it may lead to binge eating disorder, bulimia, or restrictive cycles of dieting and overeating. Early intervention and support can help prevent this progression and restore balance in one’s relationship with food.
how can counseling help you avoid emotional eating during the holidays?
The holidays often bring added stress, family pressures, and abundant food, all of which can trigger emotional eating. Counseling provides tools to manage these stressors, set boundaries, and practice mindful eating. With support, individuals can navigate holiday challenges while maintaining balance and self-compassion.
how do emotions play in to eating food?
Emotions and food are closely connected—many people turn to eating as a way to soothe, distract, or reward themselves. Stress and negative emotions may drive overeating, while positive emotions like celebration can also lead to eating beyond hunger. Recognizing the emotional role food plays is an important step toward healthier patterns.
how to be supportive to someone who is emotionally eating?
Support starts with empathy and understanding, not judgment. Instead of focusing on the food itself, encourage open conversations about feelings and offer companionship during stressful times. Suggest professional help if the pattern is persistent, and reassure your loved one that they are not alone in their struggle.
does galen hope take insurance?
Yes. Galen Hope accepts insurance for mental health and eating disorder treatment. We are in-network with ComPsych, Claritev (formerly called Multiplan), Aetna, and Optum/UnitedHealthcare plans. We also work with many out-of-network insurance providers and offer benefit verification to help you understand your options.
What insurance plans does Galen Hope accept for eating disorder and mental health treatment?
Galen Hope is currently in-network with ComPsych, Multiplan, Aetna, and select Optum/UnitedHealthcare plans. Through our Optum contract, we may also be able to work with commercial plans such as UnitedHealthcare, AvMed, and Oscar. We also support many clients through out-of-network benefits with providers like Blue Cross Blue Shield (BCBS), Cigna, First Health, and others. To determine how your specific plan may apply to treatment, please contact us for a complimentary insurance verification.
Can I use out-of-network insurance to pay for treatment at Galen Hope?
In some instances, we can accept out-of-network (OON) as full payment while in others, we provide a scaled partial payment. This may also be connected with your out or pocket max, as well as co-pays and co-insurance. The degree to which out of network benefits cover the full cost of treatment varies greatly from policy to policy. In some instances it can serve as full payment, while others may cover a portion. In all cases, individuals using out of network benefits will be subject to paying their out-of-network deductible and other fees such as the out of pocket max, co-insurance or co-pays as dictated by your insurance policy.
Does Galen Hope help verify insurance benefits for treatment?
Absolutely. We offer free insurance benefit verification to help you understand what your policy may cover before you begin treatment. We aim to provide full transparency around coverage and any potential out-of-pocket costs.
Can I get a Single Case Agreement (SCA) for treatment at Galen Hope?
When clinically indicated and appropriate, we pursue Single Case Agreements (SCAs) to help families access in-network-level coverage with an out-of-network provider. Our team advocates on your behalf and provides clinical documentation to support the request. We encourage you to call us so that we can determine if a SCA is warranted.
What happens if my insurance stops covering treatment early?
If your insurance coverage ends unexpectedly and we believe the denial of care is not in your best clinical interest, our team will work directly with your insurance carrier to appeal the decision. You will receive timely notification of any changes in authorizations for care in order to explore financial options and clinical recommendations to help minimize any disruption in care.
How can I find out what my insurance covers for eating disorder or mental health treatment?
Our admissions team will assess your insurance policy, the recommended level of care, and your treatment location to give you a clear understanding of what your plan is likely to cover. We’ll guide you every step of the way.
Are insurance benefits different depending on where I live?
Yes. Insurance coverage may vary by state and plan type. We consider your plan’s regional requirements when evaluating your benefits.
Will I know my treatment costs before starting at Galen Hope?
Yes. Before admission, we’ll walk you through all anticipated costs, including what insurance is likely to cover and any out-of-pocket expenses, so there are no surprises.
Can Galen Hope help me understand my insurance coverage?
Yes. Our experienced admissions team will break down your policy, explain your mental health or eating disorder benefits, and help you make the most informed decision possible.
our emotional eating treatment centers in florida
At Galen Hope, we know emotional eating can affect people from all walks of life. We often work with adolescents, teens, and college students learning to cope with stress, as well as adults and professionals managing the pressures of career and family. Many of our clients come from diverse communities, including LGBTQ+ individuals, Jewish families, BIPOC and Latin/Hispanic communities, and survivors of trauma or grief.
We also support clients who may be neurodivergent, athletes, dancers, and others whose lifestyles or environments can heighten challenges with food and emotions. No matter your background or story, you’ll find compassionate, inclusive care at Galen Hope, where your unique experiences are honored and recovery is always possible.
Galen Hope proudly serves clients across South Florida through our two conveniently located treatment centers. Our Coral Gables location, just south of Miami and ~30 miles south of Fort Lauderdale, offers accessible care in a vibrant, culturally rich setting. In Delray Beach—just south of Palm Beach—clients will find a serene and supportive environment ideal for healing and growth. Whether you’re local to Florida or traveling from out of state, our programs offer a safe, welcoming space for true healing and growth.
coral gables
Address: 806 Douglas Road, Suite 625
Coral Gables, FL 33445
delray beach
Address: 4600 Linton Blvd.
Delray Beach, FL 33445