Katherine Elder, PhD, LLC - Psychologist

Welcome! I am happy that you are taking these first challenging but critical steps in making changes that are important to you. If anorexia, bulimia, binge eating or worrying about food, eating, weight and shape feel like they have taken over your life, I can help you regain a sense of balance, control and peace around these issues. There are so many negative and unhelpful messages that surround us regarding health, how our bodies "should" look or be, and what we "should" or "shouldn't" be eating. It's not surprising that many of us struggle, at times, to navigate the process of eating--a process that, at its root, is simply and beautifully designed by nature to keep us alive. It's my mission to help guide clients back to that inner wisdom of the body, so that eating begins to feel more like a balanced, nourishing, and even joyful experience. I have over 25 years of experience in the treatment of eating disorders and related problems. I use evidence-based treatments that have been shown to help clients obtain lasting change. Ultimately, my goal is to help you become free from the rules, stress, anxiety and negativity that limit life when someone is suffering from an eating disorder. And with that new freedom, you'll be able to turn more of your time and attention to the things that truly bring you joy and matter most to you. Depression, Anxiety, Stress and Other Concerns: If you need help with depression, anxiety, managing stress or navigating challenging life events or transitions, I would be happy to work with you. These types of issues can often occur along with eating disorders, or can occur on their own. As I do with eating disorders, I use evidenced-based and client-centered approaches to help you find solutions that will work for you and provide you relief and a greater sense of internal happiness, meaning, and peace in your daily life. *********************************************************** BACKGROUND, CREDENTIALS, AND PREVIOUS WORK EXPERIENCE: •Licensed Psychologist in Oregon (#1778) & Washington (PY 61617438) •PhD in Clinical Psychology, University of Colorado-Boulder, 2003 •Postdoctoral Associate, Yale University School of Medicine, Eating Disorders & Weight Research Program, 2003-2005 •Director, Behavioral Health Service, Department of Surgery, Oregon Health & Science University, 2006-2010 •Professor of Psychology, Pacific University, 2010-2021 *********************************************************** WHAT TO EXPECT IN THERAPY: I offer free, 15-minute initial consultations to get a basic understanding of your concerns and assess whether the treatments I provide are in line with what you are seeking. If the type of work I do is a good match for you, we can set up a teletherapy intake evaluation session (75-90 minutes) that will give me the opportunity to learn more details about you, your history and your concerns. The evaluation will also allow me to make diagnostic decisions and create an individually-tailored treatment plan to address the problems you want to address in therapy. Subsequent sessions are 50 minutes, and are typically weekly or bi-weekly, depending on your specific needs. The duration of therapy varies from person to person based on the nature and severity of the problem. Some individuals find that their issues resolve within a few sessions, whereas others may wish to continue therapy for a longer time. For payment, I take Out of Pocket (e.g., credit card, debit card, HSA card, or FSA card). I do not take insurance and am considered an Out of Network (OON) provider. Many insurance plans cover OON psychotherapy providers. You can find out whether yours does by calling the number on the back of your insurance card. If your plan includes OON coverage, I can provide the paperwork you would need to get reimbursement. Please see below for information about my rates. To schedule an initial consultation, click on the "Request Appointment" link, then select "Initial Consultation," and then "Video Office." If there are no times available, or if none of the times available work for you, please reach out to me via email by clicking on the "Contact" link at the top or bottom of this page, or you can email me at: katherineelderphd@gmail.com. I wish you the very best, and if I am the right match for your needs, I look forward to working with you on your journey and helping you make the most of your life!