--- title: "Overcoming Emotional Eating: How Therapy Can Help" date: 2025-11-12T00:41:38Z modified: 2026-05-16T17:16:07Z permalink: "https://drsarahallen.com/overcoming-emotional-eating-therapy/" type: post status: publish excerpt: "" wpid: 188510 categories: - Anxiety - Depression - Emotional Eating - Parenting - Pregnancy and Postpartum - Uncategorized - "Women's Issues" tags: - anxiety and emotional eating - Chicago emotional eating - Eating Disorders - Emotional Eating - Northbrook emotional eating featured_image: "https://drsarahallen.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/emotional-eating-therapy-text.jpeg" featured_image_alt: Therapy for Emotional Eating author: Dr. Sarah Allen --- ![](https://drsarahallen.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/emotional-eating-therapy-text-1024x536.jpeg) Emotional eating can be a seemingly inescapable cycle that sabotages our health and well-being. It is characterized by consuming food in response to emotions, such as stress, anxiety, sadness, or even boredom, rather than hunger or nutritional needs. We all are emotional eaters sometimes but it becomes a problem when you frequently turn to food for comfort, to fill a void, or to cope with overwhelming emotions. Unfortunately, this coping mechanism does not truly address the root of emotional distress, and it often leaves people even more stressed, guilty, and physically uncomfortable as a result. If you recognize that you are an emotional eater, you may be wondering how to break the cycle. One effective solution is seeking the help of a mental health professional who specializes in emotional eating, like myself, as we can provide guidance and support through therapy. Cognitive-behavioral therapy, in particular, has been recognized as an impactful intervention to help change the thought patterns and behaviors that contribute to emotional eating. This blog post aims to delve into the ins and outs of emotional eating, explore how therapy can help, and share practical tips to begin your journey toward building a healthier relationship with food. Firstly, I will explain what emotional eating is, the factors that contribute to it, and how to identify its signs and triggers. Subsequently I will focus on the various therapeutic approaches that can help in combating emotional eating, such as cognitive-behavioral therapy, mindfulness practices, and self-compassion techniques. ### Key Takeaways - Emotional eating is consuming food in response to emotions rather than hunger, leading to a negative cycle that affects health. - Recognizing emotional eating is the first step; being aware of triggers can help break the cycle of using food for comfort. - Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) can effectively address emotional eating by changing negative thought patterns and encouraging healthier coping mechanisms. - Mindfulness practices foster a healthier relationship with food by increasing awareness of hunger cues and emotional triggers. - Working with a therapist who specializes in emotional eating gives you personalized tools to understand your triggers, shift your relationship with food, and build lasting change. ## What Is Emotional Eating and Why Is It So Hard to Stop? Emotional eating is a complex issue that can be difficult to identify and even more challenging to overcome. At its core, it involves turning to food as a way to manage emotions rather than for nourishment or enjoyment. This often means using food as a source of comfort, distraction, or reward in response to negative emotions such as stress, anxiety, or sadness. Emotional eaters tend to crave high-calorie foods, like sweets or junk food, which provide a temporary “feel-good” sensation, only to be followed by feelings of guilt or regret. To identify emotional eating, it’s essential to observe the situations in which you’re most likely to turn to food for comfort. This can include times when you’re feeling overwhelmed, emotionally drained after a long day, or struggling to process difficult emotions. By becoming aware of these triggers, you can begin to recognize the pattern of emotional eating and take steps to break the cycle. I have two questionnaires that can help you identify whether you are an emotional eater and what type of emotional eater you are in my free booklet [Simple Steps To Overcome Emotional Eating ](https://drsarahallen.com/counseling-services/weight-eating-issues/)which you can sign up for on my [Emotional Eating Treatment](https://drsarahallen.com/counseling-services/weight-eating-issues/) page or towards the end of this page. ## How CBT Helps You Overcome Emotional Eating One effective approach to overcoming emotional eating is cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT). CBT is a type of talk therapy that focuses on identifying and modifying unhelpful thinking patterns and behaviors. This can be especially useful in helping you understand the thoughts and beliefs that lead to emotional eating and replacing them with healthier coping mechanisms. In a CBT session, I will work with you to identify the thoughts and emotions that trigger emotional eating, such as negative self-talk or feelings of failure. Together, we’ll explore the reasons behind your emotional attachment to food and develop healthier coping strategies to manage stress and emotions. Common CBT techniques include journaling, challenging negative thoughts, and learning problem-solving skills. Some people love journaling, and others don’t, and we will find the tools that work best for you. For more information about CBT I have written this article [What Is CBT? Understanding Cognitive Behavioral Therapy](https://drsarahallen.com/what-is-cbt/). ## Mindfulness and Emotional Eating: Building a Healthier Relationship with Food Mindfulness, or being present and fully engaged with each moment, is another therapeutic technique that can be transformative in addressing emotional eating. Practicing mindfulness can help you become more aware of your hunger and satiety cues, as well as the emotions that trigger your eating behaviors. To incorporate mindfulness into your eating routine, take time to savor each bite, pay close attention to the flavors and textures, and notice how the food makes you feel. By doing this, you can foster a healthier relationship with food, learning to appreciate and enjoy it for its nourishment and pleasure rather than using it as a coping mechanism. Additionally, consider incorporating meditation or mindfulness exercises into your daily routine to help manage stress and improve your overall emotional well-being. ## Building a Support System and Establishing New Habits It’s crucial to recognize that overcoming emotional eating doesn’t happen overnight, and it’s essential to have an established support system to aid your journey. This can include myself, trusted friends and family, who can offer encouragement and accountability, particularly during times of stress or emotional upheaval. Furthermore, establishing new habits can help replace emotional eating with healthier coping strategies. Consider implementing regular exercise, which can release mood-enhancing endorphins and serve as an effective stress-reducer. Experiment with new hobbies, like painting or gardening, to find activities that provide a sense of satisfaction and enjoyment. And remember to practice self-compassion, acknowledging that emotional eating is a learned behavior that will take time to unlearn. What time of day you tend to emotionally eat is also important as we can find the best ways to help you when you are most likely to be triggered. ## Ready to Stop Emotional Eating? Here’s How to Start Breaking the cycle of emotional eating is a journey that takes time, patience, and persistence. By understanding the factors that contribute to emotional eating, engaging in therapeutic modalities such as cognitive-behavioral therapy and mindfulness, and building a support system to foster new habits, you can regain control of your eating behavior and your emotional well-being. While it may be challenging to confront and address [emotional eating](https://drsarahallen.com/counseling-services/weight-eating-issues/), it’s essential to remember that it’s an opportunity for personal growth. As you learn to manage your emotions in a healthier manner and nurture a more balanced relationship with food, you’ll cultivate resilience, self-awareness, and a renewed sense of well-being that can be very empowering. If you are experiencing an unhealthy relationship with food that gets in the way of you enjoying your life, please remember you are not alone and support is available and will help! You can find a lot more information on my [Emotional Eating & Weight Issues page](https://drsarahallen.com/counseling-services/weight-eating-issues/) and the many related [blog posts](https://drsarahallen.com/category/eating-weight-issues/) I share here. I also have a free booklet, _Simple Steps to Overcome Emotional Eating_, which you can download from my [Emotional Eating page](https://drsarahallen.com/counseling-services/weight-eating-issues/) — just scroll down to find it. I am here to help. If you would like to work with me, I offer counseling in person at my [Northbrook, IL office](https://drsarahallen.com/office-directions-1363-shermer-northbrook/) and [virtually](https://drsarahallen.com/telephone-online-sessions/) throughout Illinois, Florida, and the UK. Please feel free to reach out through my contact page, the form below, or call me at 847 791-7722. ### Frequently Asked Questions About Emotional Eating Therapy **Q: **How do I know if I’m an emotional eater or just someone who enjoys food?******A:** The key difference is whether you’re eating in response to hunger or in response to emotion. Physical hunger builds gradually, whereas emotional hunger tends to come on suddenly and often craves specific comfort foods. If you frequently eat when you’re stressed, bored, or overwhelmed, and feel guilty afterward, that’s a pattern worth exploring. I have two questionnaires in my free booklet that can help you identify whether emotional eating is affecting you. **Q: Can therapy really help with emotional eating, or do I need a dietitian?****A:** Therapy and dietitian support address different pieces of the puzzle. A dietitian focuses on what and when you eat; therapy focuses on why. Because emotional eating is driven by feelings, thought patterns, and habits rather than nutrition knowledge, working with a therapist is often the most effective starting point. Many of my clients find that once they understand and address the emotional side, their relationship with food shifts naturally. **Q: How long does it take to see results from therapy for emotional eating?****A:** This varies from person to person, but many clients begin to notice a shift in their awareness within the first few sessions, simply by identifying their triggers. Lasting change typically takes longer, as we work through the underlying emotions and build new coping strategies. There’s no set timeline, and we’ll always move at a pace that feels right for you and my goal is always for you to have the tools to be able to do this by yourself. **Q: What should I expect in a therapy session focused on emotional eating?****A:** We’ll start by exploring your history with food, your emotional triggers, and the patterns you’ve noticed. From there, we’ll use CBT techniques to examine the thoughts and beliefs connected to your eating and develop practical strategies that fit your life. Sessions are collaborative and non-judgmental; there’s no food diary (unless you want to keep one) and no weigh-ins. The goal is understanding, not restriction. **Q: Is emotional eating the same as binge eating disorder?****A:** No, though they can overlap. Emotional eating is a behavior pattern where food is used to cope with feelings. Binge eating disorder is a clinical diagnosis that involves recurrent episodes of eating large amounts of food in a short time, often with a loss of control and significant distress. Emotional eating can occur without meeting the criteria for an eating disorder. Either way, both are treatable, and therapy can help with both. ![Dr. Sarah Allen](https://drsarahallen.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Asset-1@2x-809x1024.jpg) ### I specialize in empowering you to have the relationship with food that you want, rather than weight and food issues controlling you. If you have any questions, or would like to set up an appointment to work with me, please contact me at [847 791-7722]() or on the form below. ___If you would like to read more about me and my areas of specialty, please visit [Dr. Sarah Allen Bio](https://drsarahallen.com/about-dr-sarah/). Dr. Allen’s professional license only allow her to work with clients who live in IL, FL & the UK and unfortunately does not allow her to give personalized advice via email to people who are not her clients.___ Dr. Allen sees clients in person in her [Northbrook, IL office](https://drsarahallen.com/office-directions-1363-shermer-northbrook/) or [remotely via video or phone. ](https://drsarahallen.com/telephone-online-sessions/) [Remote Counseling](https://drsarahallen.com/telephone-online-sessions/) [In Person Appointments In Northbrook, IL](https://drsarahallen.com/contact/) Δ document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); ![](/wp-content/themes/utopian/assets/images/wall.png) ## What Can I Read That Helps Me While I Am Waiting For My First Appointment With Sarah? Sign up for the Emotional Eating booklet. Download this free booklet to gain valuable insights and learn practical strategies for managing your relationship with food. ![](https://drsarahallen.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Simple-Steps-To-Overcome-Emotional-Eating-Updated-2024-_Page_01-scaled.jpg) - [ ![CBT for Anxiety](https://drsarahallen.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/CBT-Anxiety-1024x536.jpeg) ](https://drsarahallen.com/cbt-for-anxiety-what-it-is-and-how-it-works/) ### [ CBT for Anxiety: What It Is and How It Works ](https://drsarahallen.com/cbt-for-anxiety-what-it-is-and-how-it-works/) [VIEW MORE](https://drsarahallen.com/cbt-for-anxiety-what-it-is-and-how-it-works/) By Dr. Sarah Allen - [ ![](https://drsarahallen.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/youtube-emotional-eating-vid-1024x585.png) ](https://drsarahallen.com/emotional-eating-video/) ### [ What Is Emotional Eating and How To Overcome It – YouTube Video ](https://drsarahallen.com/emotional-eating-video/) [VIEW MORE](https://drsarahallen.com/emotional-eating-video/) By Dr. Sarah Allen - [ ![](https://drsarahallen.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/3-Questions.jpg) ](https://drsarahallen.com/stop-emotional-eating/) ### [ 3 Questions That Help You To Stop Emotional Eating ](https://drsarahallen.com/stop-emotional-eating/) [VIEW MORE](https://drsarahallen.com/stop-emotional-eating/) By Dr. Sarah Allen - [ ![Woman eating ice cream and comfort foods in bed, illustrating how anxiety affects emotional eating and stress snacking](https://drsarahallen.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/anxiety-appetite-binge-1024x536.jpeg) ](https://drsarahallen.com/treatment-for-emotional-eating-and-anxiety/) ### [ How Anxiety Affects Your Appetite: Emotional Eating, Binge Eating, and Stress Snacking Explained ](https://drsarahallen.com/treatment-for-emotional-eating-and-anxiety/) [VIEW MORE](https://drsarahallen.com/treatment-for-emotional-eating-and-anxiety/) By Dr. Sarah Allen - [ ![Breaking the Cycle of Emotional Eating](https://drsarahallen.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/breaking-cycle-of-ee-1024x536.jpeg) ](https://drsarahallen.com/breaking-the-cycle-of-emotional-eating/) ### [ Breaking the Cycle of Emotional Eating ](https://drsarahallen.com/breaking-the-cycle-of-emotional-eating/) [VIEW MORE](https://drsarahallen.com/breaking-the-cycle-of-emotional-eating/) By Dr. Sarah Allen - [ ![](https://drsarahallen.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/what-is-cbt-fb-size-1-1024x536.jpeg) ](https://drsarahallen.com/what-is-cbt/) ### [ What Is CBT? A Simple Guide to Understanding Cognitive Behavioral Therapy ](https://drsarahallen.com/what-is-cbt/) [VIEW MORE](https://drsarahallen.com/what-is-cbt/) By Dr. Sarah Allen - [ ![](https://drsarahallen.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/what-is-emotional-eating-with-text-2400-1-1024x536.jpeg) ](https://drsarahallen.com/what-is-emotional-eating/) ### [ What Is Emotional Eating? Is It An Eating Disorder? ](https://drsarahallen.com/what-is-emotional-eating/) [VIEW MORE](https://drsarahallen.com/what-is-emotional-eating/) By Dr. Sarah Allen - [ ![Understanding and overcoming night eating syndrome](https://drsarahallen.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/night-eating--1024x536.jpeg) ](https://drsarahallen.com/understanding-overcoming-night-eating-syndrome/) ### [ Understanding and Overcoming Night Eating Syndrome ](https://drsarahallen.com/understanding-overcoming-night-eating-syndrome/) [VIEW MORE](https://drsarahallen.com/understanding-overcoming-night-eating-syndrome/) By Dr. Sarah Allen - [ ![](https://drsarahallen.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Are-You-Eating-Your-Emotions-1024x683.jpg) ](https://drsarahallen.com/emotional-eating/) ### [ 3 Ways To Curb Emotional Eating ](https://drsarahallen.com/emotional-eating/) [VIEW MORE](https://drsarahallen.com/emotional-eating/) By Dr. Sarah Allen - [ ![](https://drsarahallen.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/5-Ways-fbTo-Soothe-Frayed-Emotions-Without-Chocolate-1024x566.jpg) ](https://drsarahallen.com/how-to-soothe-frayed-emotions-without-food/) ### [ Five Ways To Soothe Frayed Emotions Without Food ](https://drsarahallen.com/how-to-soothe-frayed-emotions-without-food/) [VIEW MORE](https://drsarahallen.com/how-to-soothe-frayed-emotions-without-food/) By Dr. Sarah Allen - [ ![Treating Body Dysmorphic Disorder with CBT](https://drsarahallen.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/BBD-cbt-1024x536.jpeg) ](https://drsarahallen.com/body-dysmorphic-disorder-bbd-causes-and-cbt/) ### [ Body Dysmorphic Disorder: Causes and Treating with CBT ](https://drsarahallen.com/body-dysmorphic-disorder-bbd-causes-and-cbt/) [VIEW MORE](https://drsarahallen.com/body-dysmorphic-disorder-bbd-causes-and-cbt/) By Dr. Sarah Allen - [ ![How To Create Realistic New Year Goals To Curb Emotional Eating](https://drsarahallen.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/goals-emotional-eating-1024x536.jpeg) ](https://drsarahallen.com/emotional-eating-realistic-goals/) ### [ How To Create Realistic New Year Goals To Curb Emotional Eating ](https://drsarahallen.com/emotional-eating-realistic-goals/) [VIEW MORE](https://drsarahallen.com/emotional-eating-realistic-goals/) By Dr. Sarah Allen ## As featured in [ ![Dr. Sarah Allen featured in Oprah Magazine](https://drsarahallen.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/O_The_Oprah_Magazine.svg) ](https://drsarahallen.com/media) ![Dr. Sarah Allen featured in CNN](https://drsarahallen.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/CNN_Logo.png) [ ![Dr. Sarah Allen featured on the BBC](https://drsarahallen.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/bbc-logo-red-e1711144655268.jpg) ](https://drsarahallen.com/media) [ ![Dr. Sarah Allen featured in Glamour Magazine](https://drsarahallen.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Glamour-Logo.svg.png) ](https://drsarahallen.com/media) [ ![Dr. Sarah Allen featured in Huff Post](https://drsarahallen.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/layer1@2x.png) ](https://drsarahallen.com/media) [ ![Dr. Sarah Allen featured in Reader's Digest](https://drsarahallen.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Readers-Digest-Logo.svg) ](https://drsarahallen.com/media) [ ![Dr. Sarah Allen featured in Redbook](https://drsarahallen.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/redbook-logo.png) ](https://drsarahallen.com/media) [ ![Dr. Sarah Allen featured in the British Psychological Society (BPS) Magazine The Psychologist](https://drsarahallen.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/psychologist-brand-title.svg) ](https://drsarahallen.com/the-psychologist/) [ ![Dr. Sarah Allen featured in Woman's World](https://drsarahallen.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Womans-world-logo_29.webp) ](https://drsarahallen.com/media) ![Dr. Sarah Allen featured in APA Monitor on Psychology](https://drsarahallen.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/apa-monitot.png) ### Excellent Therapist! Dr. Allen is a colleague of mine and she is an excellent therapist. She is warm, caring, and exceptional at her work. I refer clients to Dr. Allen and I highly recommend her if you are looking for a top notch therapist. #### Jodi Petchenik, LCSW ### I Learned To Cope Beyond the Scale When I first came to see Dr. Allen, I was sick of struggling with my weight. With her help, I realized that a lot of my eating habits were a way of dealing with the bad relationship I was in. With her support, I made some big changes in my life, increased my self-confidence and found better ways to deal with my stressful job. Now I don’t need to eat my way to feeling better, I have much better ways to cope with life’s difficulties. #### Ann C. ### Overcoming Emotional Eating I have always been on a diet and my mood went up and down as my weight did. My internist thought I might be depressed and referred me to Sarah. I was willing to give anything a try but really thought I just needed more self discipline to stick to my diet. By talking things through with her I quickly realized that not being able to stick to a diet wasn’t really about food, although I certainly craved sweets. I learned to notice how different emotions and situations triggered my overeating and Sarah showed me other ways that don’t involve food to deal with how I felt. I have a much better relationship with food now and don’t view it as the enemy. Sarah showed genuine concern and was very encouraging. I would recommend her services to anyone struggling with eating issues. #### Anonymous ### Dr. Allen Helped Me to Feel More Empowered Dr. Allen has really helped me find my own voice. When I began therapy I would swing between being passive and doing whatever other people wanted me to do to being angry and frustrated. I have been on antidepressants for quite a few years but it wasn’t really working. Through therapy I have learned to listen to my own needs and to speak up. I used to worry that people wouldn’t like me if I didn’t agree with them but when Dr. Allen gave me the support I needed I challenged my fears. I spend a lot less time feeling angry and depressed now and I have really widened my social network. This is how I have always wanted to be but didn’t know how to get there. Dr. Allen has a very reassuring manner and makes you challenge yourself but by using small steps so you feel ready to do it. I have really come out of my shell and would recommend anyone who is feeling depressed to come and talk with her. #### Rebecca F. ### Trusted & Knowledgeable Therapist. When I need to refer any of my patients for talk therapy I immediately think of Dr. Allen as she is wonderful at helping people with severe and complex issues really get to the root of their problems. She is very caring and knowledgeable and I have found her extensive experience really helps people to change their lives for the better. #### Dr. Teresa Poprawski ### I become empowered and a happier person. I began seeing Dr. Allen when my first child was around a year old. I had experienced a very traumatic birth, after a difficult pregnancy where I was on bed rest for a good portion of the time. The first year of my son’s life was spent worrying constantly. I also experienced flashbacks to the birth, which was an emergency C-section under general anesthesia. My son was in the NICU for several days following his birth, and I was not given very much information as to why. I remember thinking that he would die, or that something awful was going to happen. I experienced a great deal of anxiety that first year, and I thought that it was due to being a new mom. I wasn’t sleeping, I wasn’t eating as normal, and I remember being worried about leaving the house or taking my baby with me anywhere. I worried constantly about illness, germs, etc. The first day that I saw Dr. Allen, she gave me some questionnaires to fill out before we started talking. Then we sat down and talked about my experiences with my son’s birth and the early days of his life, and the year or so since then. I remember to this day the relief that I felt when she looked at me and said that I had PPD and PTSD, which was a result of the trauma I experienced during and immediately after the birth of my son. She explained how my brain had reacted to the stress of these events, and related it to why I was feeling the way that I felt. It made so much sense. Then, she described ways that I could get over the trauma, work through the feelings, and recover from PTSD and PPD. I felt so empowered, and so happy that the way I felt had a name, and that it was treatable. It also made me feel so validated in the ways that I had felt and reacted following my son’s birth. I wasn’t going crazy. My reaction was normal and natural. And with the help of Dr. Allen, and the type of therapy that she uses, I knew I could recover. It is over five years since that first visit with Dr. Allen, and I still use the tools that she taught me today to deal with stress. I credit her with helping me to become a more empowered, happier person. #### Elizabeth ## Topics **Categories:** [Anxiety](https://drsarahallen.com/wp-content/uploads/wp-mfa-exports/taxonomy/category/anxiety.md), [Depression](https://drsarahallen.com/wp-content/uploads/wp-mfa-exports/taxonomy/category/depression.md), [Emotional Eating](https://drsarahallen.com/wp-content/uploads/wp-mfa-exports/taxonomy/category/emotional-eating.md), [Parenting](https://drsarahallen.com/wp-content/uploads/wp-mfa-exports/taxonomy/category/parenting.md), [Pregnancy and Postpartum](https://drsarahallen.com/wp-content/uploads/wp-mfa-exports/taxonomy/category/pregnancy-and-postpartum.md), [Uncategorized](https://drsarahallen.com/wp-content/uploads/wp-mfa-exports/taxonomy/category/uncategorized.md), [Women's Issues](https://drsarahallen.com/wp-content/uploads/wp-mfa-exports/taxonomy/category/womens-issues.md) **Tags:** [anxiety and emotional eating](https://drsarahallen.com/wp-content/uploads/wp-mfa-exports/taxonomy/post_tag/anxiety-and-emotional-eating.md), [Chicago emotional eating](https://drsarahallen.com/wp-content/uploads/wp-mfa-exports/taxonomy/post_tag/chicago-emotional-eating.md), [Eating Disorders](https://drsarahallen.com/wp-content/uploads/wp-mfa-exports/taxonomy/post_tag/eating-disorders.md), [Emotional Eating](https://drsarahallen.com/wp-content/uploads/wp-mfa-exports/taxonomy/post_tag/emotional-eating.md), [Northbrook emotional eating](https://drsarahallen.com/wp-content/uploads/wp-mfa-exports/taxonomy/post_tag/northbrook-emotional-eating.md)