Eating Disorder Therapy in Ridgewood, NJ

Compassionate, evidence-based treatment for anorexia, bulimia, binge eating, and emotional eating.

Sketch of woman sitting arms around knees - Eating Disorder Therapy

Find peace with food, body, and self through individualized eating disorder therapy rooted in mindfulness, evidence-based treatment, and compassion.

Balanced Brain and Body is a boutique therapy practice located in Ridgewood, New Jersey, led by Kristen Forman, LCSW, a licensed therapist specializing in eating disorder recovery and emotional disordered eating.

Licensed in NJ, CT, FL, SC • Over 14 years specializing in eating disorders • DBT & CBT-E trained

Founder-Led Care

HAES® Aligned

In-person & virtual

At Balanced Brain and Body in Ridgewood, NJ, eating disorder therapy is personal, evidence-based, and grounded in compassion.
Led by Kristen Forman, LCSW, the practice specializes in helping adolescents and adults heal from eating disorders and disordered eating patterns while building a more peaceful relationship with food and body.

Every client works directly with Kristen — not a rotating team — ensuring continuity, trust, and a deep therapeutic connection.
This boutique model sets Balanced Brain and Body apart from larger group practices in northern New Jersey.

Our Approach to Care:

  • HAES®-Aligned & Weight-Inclusive

    We follow Health at Every Size® principles, rejecting weight-centric approaches that can harm recovery. Your worth is not determined by your weight, and neither is your health.

  • Evidence-Based Modalities

    Our treatment integrates Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), and Mindfulness-Based approaches—proven methods for eating disorder recovery and emotional regulation.

  • Founder-Led Expertise

    Kristen Forman has over 14 years of specialized experience treating eating disorders in both inpatient and outpatient settings. She completed intensive training in DBT and CBT-E (Cognitive Behavioral Therapy-Enhanced for Eating Disorders).

  • Virtual & Accessible

    Whether you're in Ridgewood, Glen Rock, Paramus, or anywhere in New Jersey, you can access expert care from the comfort and privacy of your home through HIPAA-compliant telehealth.Kristen Forman has over 14 years of specialized experience treating eating disorders in both inpatient and outpatient settings. She completed intensive training in DBT and CBT-E (Cognitive Behavioral Therapy-Enhanced for Eating Disorders).

  • Neuro-Affirming & Compassionate

    As a passionate advocate for neurodivergent individuals (shaped by her experience as a parent of a child with Autism Spectrum Disorder), Kristen brings deep empathy and understanding to clients of all neurotypes.

Specialized Eating Disorder Therapy Services
in Bergen County

Expert Treatment for the Full Spectrum of Disordered Eating

Eating disorders affect every aspect of life—physical health, emotional wellbeing, relationships, and self-worth.
At Balanced Brain and Body, we provide specialized, individualized therapy for:

Anorexia Nervosa Therapy

Restore balanced nourishment, rebuild body trust, and find freedom from restrictive eating patterns. Our compassionate approach helps you challenge distorted thoughts about food, weight, and self-worth while developing sustainable recovery skills.
Learn More About Anorexia Therapy →

Break free from the painful binge-purge cycle through structured, supportive therapy. We address the emotional triggers, perfectionism, and shame that fuel bulimia while building healthier coping mechanisms.
Learn More About Bulimia Treatment →

Bulimia Nervosa Recovery

Binge Eating Disorder Therapy

End the guilt-shame-binge cycle and build emotional balance. Through DBT skills and mindfulness practices, you'll learn to understand emotional eating patterns and develop self-compassion rather than self-judgment.
Learn More About Binge Eating Therapy →

Disordered Eating Support

Understand the connection between your emotions and eating behaviors. Learn practical skills to cope with stress, anxiety, sadness, and other difficult feelings without turning to food for comfort.
Explore Disordered Eating Therapy →

Mindful Eating Coaching

Reconnect with your body's natural hunger and fullness cues. Develop confidence in eating without rigid rules or diet culture messaging. Learn to trust your body's wisdom.
Discover Mindful Eating Coaching →

How Eating Disorder Therapy Works
at Balanced Brain and Body

Every client's journey is unique. Our therapeutic process is tailored to your specific needs, goals, and circumstances while grounded in proven treatment methods.

Step 1: Comprehensive Assessment & Goal Setting

Your recovery begins with a 75-minute intake session where we'll explore your relationship with food, your history with disordered eating, co-occurring concerns (like anxiety or depression), and your hopes for treatment. This deep understanding allows us to create a personalized treatment plan.

Step 2: Evidence-Based Individual Therapy

45-minute or 60-minute therapy sessions use proven interventions including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), and Mindfulness practices. We'll work collaboratively to understand the thoughts, emotions, and behaviors that influence your eating patterns while developing practical tools for lasting change.

Step 3: Sustained Support & Maintenance

Recovery isn't linear, and ongoing support matters. As you progress, we can explore group therapy options (coming soon) or transition to mindful eating coaching for continued skill-building and accountability.

Mindful Eating Coaching

Ongoing Support Beyond Therapy

Already completed eating disorder therapy or looking for lighter support around emotional or mindful eating? Coaching with Kristen Forman offers skill-building and accountability without the clinical structure of therapy.

Coaching is Ideal for:

  • Post-therapy maintenance and continued growth

  • Mild emotional eating or food-related stress (not clinical eating disorders)

  • Exploring intuitive eating and rejecting diet culture

  • Building mindful eating skills in a supportive, judgment-free space

Available to: Clients outside New Jersey and as step-down support for NJ clients who have completed therapy.

Important: Coaching does not diagnose or treat eating disorders or mental health conditions. If you're struggling with an active eating disorder, clinical therapy is the appropriate level of care.

Kristen Forman, LCSW Founder at Balanced Brain and Body

Meet Kristen Forman, LCSW: Eating Disorder Specialist

Clinical Expertise Meets Human Understanding

Kristen Forman is a licensed clinical social worker specializing in evidence-based treatment for eating disorders and disordered eating. With over 14 years of experience and intensive training in Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy-Enhanced (CBT-E), she brings both deep expertise and genuine compassion to every session.

What sets Kristen apart is her commitment to truly collaborative care. "I believe that my clients are the expert in their own lives," she explains. "My role is to work with them to address the behaviors, emotions, and thoughts that are causing distress, without judgment, without focusing on weight, and always with respect."

Her approach is also shaped by personal experience as a parent advocate for her son, who has both a complex medical history and Autism Spectrum Disorder. This journey deepened her dedication to neuro-affirming, compassionate care that honors each person's unique story.

Licensed in: New Jersey, Connecticut, Florida, and South Carolina.

Meet Kristen Forman, LCSW: Eating Disorder Specialist

Clinical Expertise Meets Human Understanding

Kristen Forman is a licensed clinical social worker specializing in evidence-based treatment for eating disorders and disordered eating. With over 14 years of experience and intensive training in Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy-Enhanced (CBT-E), she brings both deep expertise and genuine compassion to every session.

What sets Kristen apart is her commitment to truly collaborative care. "I believe that my clients are the expert in their own lives," she explains. "My role is to work with them to address the behaviors, emotions, and thoughts that are causing distress, without judgment, without focusing on weight, and always with respect."

Her approach is also shaped by personal experience as a parent advocate for her son, who has both a complex medical history and Autism Spectrum Disorder. This journey deepened her dedication to neuro-affirming, compassionate care that honors each person's unique story.

Licensed in: New Jersey, Connecticut, Florida, and South Carolina.

Kristen Forman, LCSW Founder at Balanced Brain and Body

Frequently Asked Questions About Eating Disorder Therapy

What types of eating disorders do you treat?

We specialize in treating the full spectrum of eating disorders and disordered eating, including:

  • Anorexia Nervosa (AN) – restrictive eating, fear of weight gain, body image distortion
  • Bulimia Nervosa (BN) – binge eating followed by purging behaviors
  • Binge Eating Disorder (BED) – recurrent episodes of eating large amounts with loss of control
  • Emotional Eating – using food to cope with difficult emotions
  • Orthorexia – obsession with "clean" or "healthy" eating
  • Disordered eating patterns that don't meet full diagnostic criteria but still cause distress

We also address co-occurring conditions like anxiety, depression, trauma, PTSD, and perfectionism that often accompany eating disorders.

Do you accept insurance for eating disorder therapy?

Balanced Brain and Body is an out-of-network provider, which means Kristen does not bill insurance directly. However, she can provide a superbill, a detailed receipt that you can submit to your insurance company for potential reimbursement.

Balanced Brain and Body also offers courtesy billing. After receiving payment we submit to insurance company for expedited reimbursement payment.

Many clients find that working with an out-of-network provider offers greater flexibility, privacy, and continuity of care without insurance company restrictions on treatment.

What is the difference between therapy and coaching?

Therapy is a healthcare service provided by a licensed clinician (like an LCSW) to diagnose and treat mental health conditions, including eating disorders. Therapy can address clinical symptoms, trauma, and psychological distress.

Coaching is a supportive, skills-based service focused on specific goals like mindful eating or intuitive eating principles. Coaching is not a substitute for therapy and is best suited for individuals with less severe concerns or those transitioning out of formal therapy.

At Balanced Brain and Body, clinical therapy is our primary service. Coaching is offered as a complementary support option for appropriate clients.

How long does eating disorder therapy take?

Recovery timelines vary significantly based on the severity of the eating disorder, co-occurring conditions, personal history, and individual circumstances. Some clients see meaningful progress in 3-6 months, while others benefit from longer-term support spanning 1-2 years or more.

Eating disorder recovery is not linear—setbacks are normal and part of the process. Our focus is always on sustainable, lasting change rather than quick fixes.

Do you offer virtual therapy sessions?

Yes! We provide HIPAA-compliant telehealth sessions to clients throughout New Jersey, Connecticut, Florida, and South Carolina. Virtual therapy offers convenience, privacy, and accessibility while maintaining the same quality of care as in-person sessions.

Many clients prefer telehealth, especially those balancing work, school, or family responsibilities.

What does HAES®-aligned mean?

Health at Every Size® (HAES®) is a weight-inclusive approach that shifts the focus away from weight loss and BMI as determinants of health. Instead, HAES® emphasizes respect for body diversity, intuitive eating, joyful movement, and compassionate self-care.

A HAES®-aligned therapist does not make weight loss a goal of treatment and does not use scales or weight monitoring as measures of progress. This approach has been shown to reduce eating disorder symptoms, improve body image, and support long-term wellbeing.

Learn more about HAES® from the Association for Size Diversity and Health

 

Can I see a therapist if I'm not sure I have an eating disorder?

Absolutely. You don't need a formal diagnosis to seek support. If you're struggling with:

  • Emotional eating or binge eating
  • Obsessive thoughts about food, weight, or body image
  • Guilt or shame after eating
  • Restrictive eating patterns
  • Difficulty with intuitive or mindful eating

...therapy can help. Many clients come to us uncertain about whether their concerns "count" as an eating disorder. We'll work together to understand your relationship with food and create a plan that fits your needs.

Take the First Step Toward Eating Disorder Recovery

Your Healing Journey Starts with a Conversation

If you're ready to heal your relationship with food, challenge diet culture, and build a life free from the constraints of disordered eating, Balanced Brain and Body is here to support you.

You deserve compassionate, evidence-based care that honors your whole self—not just your weight. You deserve a therapist who sees your strength, respects your autonomy, and walks alongside you every step of the way.

Kristen Forman, LCSW is currently accepting new clients for in-person therapy in Ridgewood, NJ and virtual sessions throughout New Jersey, Connecticut, Florida, and South Carolina.

Ready to Get Started?