Elizabeth Esalen

Psy.D.

CREDENTIALS/DISCIPLINE: I am a California Licensed Psychologist (PSY24204) and Eating Disorder Treatment Specialist.

BOARD CERTIFIED: No

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE:
Number of years treating patients with eating disorders: 8-10 years

Number of patients with eating disorders I treat annually: 15+

EDUCATION, TRAINING, and EXPERTISE: I have a Master and Doctorate Degree in Clinical Psychology and am a CA Licensed Psychologist. I’ve treated clients struggling with eating disorders for the past decade and have personally recovered from an eating disorder myself. Professionally, I’ve provided individual, group, and family eating disorder therapy at every level of care including inpatient, partial hospitalization, day treatment, intensive outpatient, and individual therapy. I’ve worked under Carolyn Costin and served as her Clinical Director at the Eating Disorder Center of California and am currently the Clinical Director of La Ventanta Eating Disorder Treatment Program in San Jose, CA.

TREATMENT PHILOSOPHY: Therapy is a powerful way to experience yourself, your life, and the world from the outside-in. As a therapist, my goal is not to change you but to enhance and strengthen the person you already are. The type of therapy I offer is truly tailored to who you are and what you need. In providing eating disorder treatment, there are few essential beliefs I have: 1) You don’t have to want to recover in order to get help or seek treatment. Definitions of what “recovery” looks like vary from person to person. 2) If someone wants to fully recover from an eating disorder, I believe it’s possible. I believe that people struggling with eating disorders can fully recover by breaking the addictive cycle, learning healthier coping skills, and not only move on, but thrive! 3) And finally, recovery is worth it! Having a good match is crucial in therapy, there has to be that common ground and “click” between a client and their therapist. I invite you to contact me or check out my website to see if the type of treatment I provide is a good fit for you.

I think it is possible to recover from an eating disorder. Recovery is freedom: free to be you, feel what you say, say what you think, ask for what you need, be fully present in the moment and engaged in your life. Recovery is the freedom to choose and not be governed by rigid rules or chaos. Recovery is finally liking yourself and being able to be the person you always wished you could be.

FEES: Cash, Personal Checks, Sliding Scales.

LANGUAGES:

  • English

POPULATION SERVED:

  • Adolescents
  • Adults
  • Couples
  • Ethnic Minorities
  • Families
  • Females
  • LGBT
  • Males
  • Seniors

CONDITIONS TREATED:

  • Abuse
  • Addictions
  • Affective Disorders
  • Anorexia Nervosa
  • Binge Eating
  • Body Dysmorphic Disorder
  • Bulimia Nervosa
  • Co-Morbidity
  • Compulsive Exercise
  • Night Eating Syndrome
  • NOS (Eating Disorders Not Otherwise Specified)
  • Obsessive Compulsive Disorder
  • Overeater
  • Overweight

TREATMENT APPROACHES:

  • Cognitive Behavioral
  • Couples Therapy
  • Family Therapy
  • Group Therapy
  • Individual Therapy
  • Support Groups

TREATMENT SETTINGS:

  • Outpatient
  • Intensive Outpatient
  • Day Treatment
  • Phone Counseling