Katherine Elder, PhD

Yes. I offer a brief (15–20 minute) video consultation as an opportunity for us to get a sense of whether working together feels like a good fit.

There’s no pressure to move forward—just a chance to ask questions, talk through what you’re looking for, and see if this feels like the right next step.

If it seems that another provider or setting might be a better fit, I’m always happy to help guide you in that direction.

Reaching out can feel like a big step, and this is meant to make that first step a little easier.

The first session is a 90-minute intake evaluation. It's mostly about me getting to know you—your story, what's been going on, and what brought you here. I won’t jump straight into interventions or tell you what to do. I want to understand who you are as a person first because that's the only way any of this work is going to be meaningful. By the end, we'll have a sense of what a path forward might look like.

I work with adults across the full spectrum of eating disorders, including anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, binge eating disorder, Other Specified Feeding or Eating Disorder (OSFED), and eating-related concerns in the context of Type 1 diabetes (sometimes referred to as “diabulimia”). I also support individuals with other weight-related or body image concerns, as well as those who feel worn down by years of dieting and are looking for a more sustainable way to live.

If you're unsure whether what you're experiencing qualifies, reach out anyway—that's a conversation worth having.

Yes. Eating disorders affect people of all genders, and binge eating disorder in particular has nearly equal prevalence among men and women. For men, body dissatisfaction doesn’t always look like wanting to be smaller—it can show up as a focus on muscularity, body composition, or size in ways that aren’t always recognized as an eating disorder. It can also develop in environments where weight, performance, or physical standards are emphasized (e.g., sports, military, first responders).

Many of the men I work with are doing well in many areas of their lives, and it can be especially frustrating when this one area feels hard to get a handle on.

I’ve worked with men across many backgrounds, and men from minority groups are often particularly underrecognized and underdiagnosed. You deserve care that takes your experience seriously and is grounded in real expertise.

If you’ve been hesitant to reach out because this doesn’t feel like something that applies to you—or doesn’t feel like it’s supposed to be “your thing”—you’re not alone, and you’re very welcome here. Nothing you share will surprise me.

Yes. I work with clients across a wide range of gender identities and sexual orientations, and I recognize that eating disorders and body image concerns can show up differently across these experiences. Body dissatisfaction and body dysphoria are distinct, and I approach both with care and respect.

If your needs are more centered on questions related to gender identity, I’m also happy to help connect you with colleagues who specialize in that area or bring lived experience.

I work with adults (18+) across the lifespan. While I don’t provide therapy for children or adolescents, I’m always happy to help connect families with providers who specialize in working with younger individuals and their families.

Yes. I work with adults across the lifespan, including midlife and older adults.

Eating disorders don’t disappear with age—they often shift, deepen, or take on new forms over time. For many people, midlife and later stages of life can be particularly vulnerable phases. Changes in metabolism, the natural aging process, perimenopause and menopause (for women), and other significant life transitions—such as caregiving, loss, or shifts in relationships or career—can intersect with eating disorder symptoms in complex ways.

Many of the adults I work with have been living with some form of disordered eating for years, sometimes decades. Others find that symptoms emerge or intensify later in life, often at a time when they expected to feel more settled.

This work often involves not only addressing eating disorder behaviors, but also making sense of how those patterns developed—and finding a way forward that feels both sustainable and aligned with who you are now.

If you’ve wondered whether it’s “too late” for things to change, it isn’t. You’re not alone in this, and meaningful change is absolutely possible at any stage of life.

Some clients come to me when they’re trying to determine whether outpatient therapy is enough, or when they’re stepping down from a higher level of care. Early in the process, we’ll consider what level of care is most appropriate.

For many clients, this includes working as part of a care team—typically involving myself, an eating disorder–specialized dietitian, and a medical provider who is familiar with eating disorders and can monitor your physical health.

If at any point we determine that a higher level of support would be helpful, I can assist you in identifying appropriate programs and next steps.

It depends on the individual. Some people—particularly those struggling with binge eating without compensatory behaviors—begin to notice meaningful changes relatively quickly, sometimes within a few months. Others benefit from longer-term work, especially when patterns have been present for many years or have become more deeply ingrained in daily life.

We’ll pay attention to what’s unfolding in your process and adjust as we go—moving at a pace that feels steady, supportive, and sustainable.

Individual sessions (50 min): $225
Initial intake evaluation (90 min): $350

I do not accept insurance directly and am considered an out-of-network (OON) provider. That said, many insurance plans do cover out-of-network psychotherapy. You can find out whether your plan includes this coverage by contacting your insurance provider. If your plan includes OON coverage, I'll provide you with a "superbill," which is the paperwork you need to seek reimbursement from your insurer.

I accept credit card, debit card, HSA and FSA.

I reserve a limited number of sliding scale openings through the Open Path Psychotherapy Collective. Availability may vary, and you can learn more and check current openings here.

All sessions are conducted virtually via secure (i.e., HIPAA compliant) video. I'm licensed in both Oregon and Washington.

Sí. Aunque mi idioma principal es el inglés, soy bilingüe y bicultural y puedo trabajar con clientes en español.

I’m a second-generation Peruvian American, and my own experience as a bicultural person informs how I understand the role culture can play in our relationship with food, eating, and the body.

Cultural values, family dynamics, and broader social messages can shape how eating disorders develop—and also how recovery unfolds. For some, these factors can increase vulnerability; for others, they can be important sources of strength and resilience. Often, it’s a complex mix of both.

For individuals who are bicultural or multicultural, there can be an added layer of navigating different (and sometimes conflicting) messages about food, body, and identity. This is something I approach with care, curiosity, and respect.

You don’t need to explain or translate your cultural experience here—it’s something we can understand and explore together.

There are several excellent, well-established organizations that can help you learn more about eating disorders and connect with appropriate care. Below are a few:

Columbia River Eating Disorder Network (CREDN): A local Oregon/SW Washington network with a provider directory to help you find therapists, dietitians, and medical providers by specialty, insurance, and more. https://credn.org/
National Alliance for Eating Disorders: Offers a therapist-staffed helpline, a national provider search tool (FindEDHelp.com), and free virtual support groups for individuals and families. https://www.allianceforeatingdisorders.com/
National Eating Disorders Association (NEDA): Provides comprehensive, evidence-based information, helplines, support groups, and practical toolkits for individuals, families, and professionals. https://www.nationaleatingdisorders.org/
National Association of Anorexia Nervosa and Associated Disorders (ANAD): Free peer support, including support groups, mentoring, and a helpline. https://anad.org/
Project HEAL: Helps individuals and families navigate financial and insurance barriers to treatment, including case management, cash assistance, free meal support and BIPOC community care groups. https://www.theprojectheal.org/
F.E.A.S.T.: Support, education, and community for parents and caregivers of individuals with eating disorders. https://www.feast-ed.org/

Finding the right support can make a meaningful difference, and you don’t have to navigate that process alone.

Treatment of Eating Disorders: What Works and Why
CBT-E in Practice: A Transdiagnostic Approach to Treating Eating Disorders
Appetite Awareness Training (AAT): Relearning Hunger, Fullness, and Trust in Eating Disorder Recovery
Sustaining Ourselves in the Work: Preventing Burnout in Eating Disorder Care
Building Effective Outpatient Teams for Eating Disorder Treatment

How Diet Culture Shapes Our Relationship with Food and Body
Creating a Culture That Supports Health, Not Harm

Eating Disorders in Men: Recognition, Barriers, and Effective Treatment

How to Help Children and Teens Develop a Healthy Relationship with Food and Body

Weight Stigma and Health: Shifting the Focus to What Actually Matters

Understanding Eating Disorders: Recognizing Signs, Symptoms, and What Sets Different Eating Disorders Apart

Reconnecting with the Body: Integrating Science, Experience, and Inner Awareness in Eating Disorder Recovery
Staying the Course: The Long Work of Treating Severe and Enduring Eating Disorders–Presence, persistence, and the balance of compassion and clarity in life-threatening illness
Comprehensive Assessment of Eating Disorders: Using the Eating Disorder Examination and Other Validated Measures