Due to the highly complex nature of these illnesses, effective treatment for eating disorders truly require a specialized approach. Eating disorders can run a chronic and debilitating course, causing ongoing psychological and emotional suffering, as well as potentially life-threatening physical consequences. Practice guidelines for the treatment of eating disorders have been established by the American Psychiatric Association (American Psychiatric Association, Practice Guidelines for Eating Disorders, American Journal of Psychiatry, 2010) and emphasize the need for a comprehensive approach, involving psychotherapy with a mental health professional with expertise in treating these illnesses, as well as ongoing consultation with a team of providers, typically including a primary care physician, psychiatrist, and/or dietitian. Evidence-based treatments exist for the full range of eating disorder diagnoses and should always be viewed as the first-line treatment of these illnesses. 

​

Dr. Zafiris has received extensive training in the treatment of eating disorders and specializes in working with clients struggling with anorexia nervosa (AN), bulimia nervosa (BN), binge-eating disorder (BED), and other specified feeding or eating disorders (OSFED). Prior to her transition to working in an outpatient setting, Dr. Zafiris completed her post-doctoral residency at the Center for Eating Disorders at Sheppard Pratt where she provided evidence-based individual, group, and family-based treatments to children, adolescents, and adults across inpatient, partial hospitalization, and intensive outpatient levels of care.  Her clinical approach includes Maudsley family-based therapy (FBT), enhanced cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT-E), interpersonal therapy (IPT), and Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) treatments, as appropriate for each individual client.

 

Dr. Zafiris has also contributed to ongoing clinical research aimed at improving treatment efficacy and improving positive long-term outcomes in adolescents and adults with anorexia nervosa. Further, her research interests have focused on the treatment of anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa in adolescents, including examining the role of emotion regulation, the neurobiology of emotional bonding, and attachment to caregivers in the development, course, and treatment of these illnesses. 

 

Helpful Resources:

​

• National Eating Disorders Association

• Academy for Eating Disorders

• Families Empowered and Supporting Treatment of Eating Disorders (F.E.A.S.T.)