Heather Darby, PsyD

11/24/2025

For someone in eating disorder recovery, Thanksgiving can bring a mix of emotions. On a day where food becomes central, holiday gatherings can feel like an obstacle course of menu-planning, high food visibility, food and body-focused talk, and the loss of a daily routine.

If you have a loved one in recovery this holiday season, here are some ways you may be able to offer support:

✨In Advance:
- Depending on your loved one's comfort with disclosure, brief trusted family members on how to offer support.
- Support them in planning responses for anticipated triggering comments or situations (or people).
- If needed, plan subtle cues that support or a break is needed, and plan for helpful options. Think of specific coping skills that can be encouraged, places in or outside of the home they can go for a break, etc.
- Plan engaging non-food activities to shift the focus towards connection- think games, crafts, and new holiday traditions.

✨During the Meal:
- Ensure your loved one is seated near a support person.
- Offer to keep pace with your loved one during the meal.

✨In Conversation:
- Skip and help navigate conversations away from bodies, diets and portion sizes and towards connection.
- Guide conversations towards shared memories, interests, and future plans.

✨Recognize Signs of Distress:
If you notice a loved one is withdrawing, becoming irritable, or not feeling well around food and meal times, these may be signs of anxiety, guilt and self-judgment. Engaging them in a conversation unrelated to food, initiating a table game, offering to take a break or step away together, or finding a private moment to check in with them later may be helpful. Aim to offer support gently and discretely without calling attention to what you are noticing, especially in front of others or at the table.

✨After the Holiday:
Remember, your loved one’s experience on Thanksgiving may not be without challenges, but it does not define the whole of their recovery. What worked and went well, what didn’t, and what was a challenge all offer valuable insight to further your loved one’s recovery. Have a follow-up discussion, or encourage them to do so with an eating disorder professional.

04/14/2025

Last month I had the pleasure of providing a training on the treatment of eating disorders for psychiatry residents in the Department of Psychiatry at the University of Rochester Medical Center.

Myself and my colleague, Adriana Gulli, covered a wide range of approaches, including CBT-E, Family-Based Therapy, DBT, and other integrative models that support recovery through connection and compassion. We also discussed the variability in eating disorder treatment, and the impact of bias in eating disorder research, assessment, and treatment.

It was truly a privilege to work with such a thoughtful, compassionate group of colleagues and residents to increase education and communication around this critical area of care.

Increasing access to and improving the quality and inclusivity of eating disorder treatment is incredibly meaningful to me. If you or your organization is looking for training or consultation on eating disorder treatment, I’d love to connect.

03/31/2025

01/23/2025

Excited to be adding assessment services back into my current practice!

Psychological assessments aren’t just about the diagnosis (although this can be incredibly valuable, too!)—they’re powerful tools for understanding the whole person. Whether you're feeling stuck in therapy, are struggling at work or in school, or are simply looking for more clarity, these assessments provide deep insight into how you think, feel, and behave.

If you're curious to learn more, or want to schedule an appointment, call (585)-586-1600, or email [email protected]

11/26/2024

Let's work together to create a more balanced, compassionate relationship with food and your body this season - so that you can focus more on what matters to YOU.

Reach out today to schedule a session — or use the resources below to learn more, and access help as you need it:

Schedule an individual session-
📞 (585)-586-1600

Access FREE virtual support groups, with specific groups available for special needs and populations-
💻https://www.eatingrecoverycenter.com/support-groups

Call NAED's free helpline (M-F; 9a-7p EST)
📞 866-662-1235

Text ALLIANCE to 747-747 for free, 24/7 support

If you are in crisis, contact the Su***de and Crisis Lifeline by texting or calling 988.

09/25/2024

Excited to share that I will be accepting clients with Linden Oaks Therapy Offices, beginning this fall!

Looking forward to continuing the work I love, and collaborating with clients as they move towards growth, healing, & values-led living.

Send a message to learn more