It’s completely normal to want to eat in a way that supports your health. But in today’s digital world, that intention can quickly turn into overwhelm. With constant messages about what you should and shouldn’t be eating, it can become hard to know what to trust or what actually applies to you. For individuals with anxiety or OCD, this environment can intensify the pressure to “get it right.” What starts as a desire to be healthy can quickly shift into overthinking, rigid food rules, and a growing sense of uncertainty around everyday eating decisions. When Nutrition Advice Starts to Work Against You Much of the nutrition content online is designed to capture attention and not support mental health. It often relies on fear, urgency, and black-and-white thinking. For those with OCD or anxiety , this can intensify: Reassurance-seeking (e.g., Googling, label-checking) Obsessive thoughts about food or “clean eating” Avoidance of certain foods Guilt or anxiety after eating Over time, eating becomes less about nourishment and more about managing fear. The Link Between OCD, Anxiety, and Food OCD is driven by a need for certainty and responsibility. Around food, this can sound like: “What if this harms me?” “I need to eat perfectly.” “I should avoid anything ‘bad.’” But nutrition isn’t an area where certainty exists. The more rigid the rules, the stronger anxiety tends to become. Why “Perfect Eating” Isn’t the Goal At Compassionate Healing Institute, we emphasize flexibility over perfection. There is no single “correct” way to eat. Health is built over time—not through one perfect choice. In fact, rigid food rules often lead to: Undernourishment Increased food preoccupation Disconnection from body cues Less trust in your body A More Supportive Approach Healing involves learning to relate to food, and your thoughts about food, differently. Through ERP , nutrition therapy , and compassionate care, we help individuals: Reduce anxiety around eating Interrupt reassurance-seeking Reintroduce avoided foods Reconnect with internal cues Build a more flexible relationship with food This is especially important for those with OCD-related food fears, ARFID, or anxiety-driven restriction. You Don’t Need Certainty to Nourish Yourself Recovery means learning you can care for your body without complete certainty. You are allowed to: Make “good enough” decisions Eat without overanalyzing Tolerate uncertainty Prioritize nourishment over fear The goal isn’t to eliminate anxious thoughts but to stop letting them drive your behavior. Food can become less about control and more about care. Read Our Article for Practical Strategies If this resonates with you, I invite you to explore an in-depth guide I co-authored with Katie Jeffrey, MS, RDN, CSSD, LDN, where we outline five practical, evidence-based strategies  to help you navigate nutrition information without reinforcing anxiety or OCD. Read the full article: How to Navigate Nutrition Information in the Media When You Have Anxiety and OCD In this article, you’ll learn how to: Evaluate nutrition information without getting pulled into fear Recognize language that fuels anxiety and OCD Step out of reassurance-seeking patterns Make more flexible, “good enough” food decisions Begin rebuilding trust with your body

When you hear the phrase intuitive eating, what comes to mind? How does someone actually eat “intuitively”? Let’s start by breaking it down. Intuitive means “based on what one feels to be true, even without conscious reasoning; instinctive.” In other words, it’s something we already know how to do, it’s built in. Eating intuitively simply means listening to your body’s natural cues: hunger, fullness, and even cravings. At one point in your life, you were already a pro at this. Think back to infants and toddlers, they eat when they’re hungry and stop when they’re full. They don’t count calories, track meals, or stress about the “right” foods. They’re the perfect example of intuitive eaters. So what happened? Diet culture. Somewhere along the way, many of us were taught to ignore or override those natural signals. We’ve been told when to eat, what to eat, and how much to eat, often in direct conflict with what our bodies are asking for. Over time, that noise drowns out our instincts, and we start believing that someone else knows our body better than we do. Another common fear is that if we let go of food rules and eat intuitively, we’ll lose “control” and only want so-called “unhealthy” foods. But let’s pause here, why do we trust our bodies to breathe for us, to pump blood, to do thousands of incredible things every single day, yet assume it’s not capable of knowing how to nourish itself? Before dieting existed, intuitive eating was simply how people ate. So how do we relearn it today? The first step is rebuilding trust with your body. If you’ve ignored hunger cues for a long time, they may feel faint or even nonexistent. That’s why having a bit of structure at first can actually help. For example, try eating breakfast within an hour of waking, then aim for a meal or snack every 2.5–3 hours. It might feel awkward at the beginning, but with consistency, your body will start sending clear signals again. It’s also important to know that if you’ve restricted certain foods in the past, it’s normal to feel out of control when you allow them again. Sometimes that looks like overeating or binging. I know that can feel scary, but the key is not to respond with more restriction, that only keeps the cycle going. Instead, just move on to your next meal or snack. Over time, those foods lose their power, and you’ll find balance. Intuitive eating isn’t just about physical health, it’s about mental health and overall quality of life. Food is fuel, yes, but it’s also joy, comfort, culture, and connection. By ditching diet rules and rebuilding trust with your body, you free up energy for the things that truly matter. Your body is smarter than diet culture has led you to believe. If you’re willing to listen, it already knows exactly what you need.

When struggling with OCD or an eating disorder, it’s easy to become trapped in cycles of self-criticism, shame, and guilt. These mental health conditions often come with intrusive thoughts, compulsions, or disordered behaviors that feel deeply distressing—and in response, many people harshly judge themselves. This is where self-compassion becomes a powerful, healing force.   Self-compassion isn’t about ignoring problems or excusing harmful behavior. Instead, it’s about treating yourself with the same kindness, understanding, and patience you’d offer a loved one. Research has shown that cultivating self-compassion can reduce anxiety, support emotional regulation, and improve treatment outcomes for both OCD and eating disorders.   Why Self-Compassion Helps Interrupts the shame spiral: Shame often fuels both OCD and eating disorders. Self-compassion breaks the cycle by replacing harsh judgment with understanding. Reduces avoidance: When we’re kinder to ourselves, we’re more likely to face fears or triggers head-on—essential in exposure-based therapies. Builds resilience: Compassion fosters a sense of worth that isn’t defined by thoughts, symptoms, or appearance.   Tips for Cultivating Self-Compassion Practice mindful awareness: Notice your thoughts without judgment. Label them—“That’s an intrusive thought” or “That’s my inner critic”—and gently redirect your focus. Write a compassionate letter to yourself: Speak to yourself the way you would to a struggling friend. Use supportive statements: “I’m doing the best I can” or “It’s okay to feel this way”   Healing is rarely linear, and it’s never perfect. But when you respond to setbacks with compassion instead of criticism, you create space for growth, understanding, and lasting change.

Dr. Michael Sheffield is a licensed psychologist in New York specilizing in OCD, anxiety and eating disorders. He provides services to adolesents and adults through telehealth. Michael Sheffield Psy.D. Dr. Sheffield is a Florida and New York licensed psychologist and PsyPact® provider treating adolescents, teens, and adults in all participating PSYPACT® states . He specializes in OCD, eating disorders, and anxiety disorders and co-occurring diagnoses including autism, mood disorders, and personality disorders. He is also a CBIT trained provider and treats patients with tics/Tourette’s and BFRBs. He is also trained in SPACE for parenting interventions. Dr. Sheffield works from a CBT perspective and incorporates ERP, ACT, and DBT into his treatment. Professional Member of the IOCDF PsyPact Provider About Dr. Sheffield I am a Florida and New York licensed psychologist and work from a CBT (Cognitive Behavioral Therapy) framework and incorporate exposure and response prevention (ERP), acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT), and dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) interventions. I provide individual therapy, group therapy, and parent training. My specialties include obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), anxiety disorders, eating disorders, and extensive comorbidities including mood disorders, autism spectrum disorder (ASD), attention deficit-hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), and personality disorders. My approach to treatment is collaborative with an emphasis on forming a strong therapeutic alliance with my patients. I aim to help them foster a deeper understanding into what factors are maintaining and reinforcing the behaviors they would like to change and to identify and implement behaviors that are more in line with living a life dictated by their values rather than fear. An overarching goal of treatment is to help my patients identify the thoughts and feelings that are driving maladaptive behaviors and to work together to build new behavioral patterns that can result in increased well-being and life satisfaction. I have received extensive training in the treatment of OCD, anxiety, and eating disorders and have worked with individuals at every level of care from outpatient treatment to residential treatment. I have completed advanced training in the treatment of body-focused repetitive behaviors (e.g., skin picking, hair pulling) via the TLC Foundation and am a graduate of their Virtual Professional Training Institute (VPTI). I have also completed advanced training in dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) via Behavioral Tech. As someone with lived experience, helping individuals overcome a life ruled by OCD and anxiety is extremely personal to me. I am also extremely passionate about working with individuals suffering from co-occurring OCD and eating disorders and am on the leadership board of the OCD and Eating Disorders Special Interest Group through IOCDF. I look forward to embarking on this journey with you! Contact Contact us today for a FREE 15 minute phone consultation, or to learn more! (561) 679 - 1139 Click here to schedule a call

Dr. Michael Sheffield is a licensed psychologist in Florida, NY and PsyPact specilizing in OCD, anxiety and eating disorders, autism, tics and Tourette's. He provides services to adolesents and adults. Michael Sheffield Psy.D. Dr. Sheffield is a Florida and New York licensed psychologist and PsyPact® provider treating adolescents, teens, and adults in all participating PSYPACT® states . He specializes in OCD, eating disorders, and anxiety disorders and co-occurring diagnoses including autism, mood disorders, and personality disorders. He is also a CBIT trained provider and treats patients with tics/Tourette’s and BFRBs. He is also trained in SPACE for parenting interventions. Dr. Sheffield works from a CBT perspective and incorporates ERP, ACT, and DBT into his treatment. Professional Member of the IOCDF PsyPact Provider About Dr. Sheffield I am a Florida and New York licensed psychologist and work from a CBT (Cognitive Behavioral Therapy) framework and incorporate exposure and response prevention (ERP), acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT), and dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) interventions. I provide individual therapy, group therapy, and parent training. My specialties include obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), anxiety disorders, eating disorders, and extensive comorbidities including mood disorders, autism spectrum disorder (ASD), attention deficit-hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), and personality disorders. My approach to treatment is collaborative with an emphasis on forming a strong therapeutic alliance with my patients. I aim to help them foster a deeper understanding into what factors are maintaining and reinforcing the behaviors they would like to change and to identify and implement behaviors that are more in line with living a life dictated by their values rather than fear. An overarching goal of treatment is to help my patients identify the thoughts and feelings that are driving maladaptive behaviors and to work together to build new behavioral patterns that can result in increased well-being and life satisfaction. I have received extensive training in the treatment of OCD, anxiety, and eating disorders and have worked with individuals at every level of care from outpatient treatment to residential treatment. I have completed advanced training in the treatment of body-focused repetitive behaviors (e.g., skin picking, hair pulling) via the TLC Foundation and am a graduate of their Virtual Professional Training Institute (VPTI). I have also completed advanced training in dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) via Behavioral Tech. As someone with lived experience, helping individuals overcome a life ruled by OCD and anxiety is extremely personal to me. I am also extremely passionate about working with individuals suffering from co-occurring OCD and eating disorders and am on the leadership board of the OCD and Eating Disorders Special Interest Group through IOCDF. I look forward to embarking on this journey with you! Contact Contact us today for a FREE 15 minute phone consultation, or to learn more! (561) 679 - 1139 Click here to schedule a call

Dr. Cortes is a licensed psychologist in FL, PsyPact provider and certified eating disorders specialist. She provides evidenced based treatment for OCD, eating disorders, ARFID, tic and Tourette's. Lissette Cortes Psy.D. CEDS Dr. Cortes is a licensed psychologist, Certified Eating Disorders Specialist and PsyPact® provider able to treat individuals in all PSYPACT® states. She treats adolescents and adults. She specializes in the treatment of co-morbid OCD and Eating Disorders. She also treats anxiety disorders, BDD, BFRBs and tics and Tourette‘s. Dr. Cortes is trained in CBIT for the treatment for Tourette's and in SPACE for parenting interventions. She practices from a CBT approach using ERP and implementing ACT principles. Certified Eating Disorders Specialist PsyPact Provider Professional Member of the IOCDF Palm Region Chair Lissette Cortes PsyD CEDS Co-Author: The OCD workbook for Food and Eating Fears NOW AVAILABLE FOR PURCHASE Amazon New Harbinger Press Good Reads Barnes and Nobles and wherever books are sold! About Dr. Cortes I am a Licensed Psychologist in the state of Florida, Certified Eating Disorders Specialist and my pronouns are she/her.I am a Cognitive-Behavioral therapist and specialize in Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP). I provide individual therapy, group therapy and parenting training. My main treatment focus is on eating disorders and Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, as well as BDD, Trichotillomania, phobias, panic disorder, anxiety disorders and depression. I am a Health At Every Size (HAES) aligned clinician and practice from a size-inclusive and diet-rejecting perspective incorporating Intuitive Eating principles. In my treatment approach I focus on creating an environment that supports a collaborative relationship in which goals are set in unison with my clients. I help my clients become more familiar with their own unhelpful thinking patterns, while developing more adaptive ways to cope with distress and to ultimately make supportive life changes. I support my clients in making changes to improve the quality of their lives by approaching otherwise avoided situations and obtaining self-confidence. I also facilitate improvements in family relationships by providing an environment where family members can feel comfortable in expressing their emotions, being heard and effectively communicating with one another. During my training at Nova Southeastern University and throughout my clinical practice while living in South Florida, I have served multicultural populations. I was born in Bogota, Colombia and Spanish is my first language, which has given me the opportunity to provide services in both English and Spanish languages. My client focus is inclusive of the LGBT population, and of folks of all genders, diverse religious backgrounds, ethnicities and nationalities as well as affirming of neurodivergence. I am very passionate about community involvement, advocating for mental health treatment, education and outreach. Since 2011 I have been a group facilitator for The National Alliance for Eating Disorder. I also hold leadership positions for the board of Florida Psychological Association Palm Beach Chapter and for the board of iaedp (International Association for Eating Disorder Professionals) South Florida Chapter. Together with my colleagues, we founded the OCD and Eating Disorders Special Interest Group through IOCDF. Contact Contact us today for a FREE 15 minute phone consultation, or to learn more! (561) 679 - 1139 Click here to schedule a call