Beyond the Elephant in the Room: A Behavior-First Approach to Eating Disorders with Brian Baumal – Episode 471

Sometimes a binge is a deep emotional cry for help; other times, it's simply a habit cycle hijacked by autopilot. Dismantling the underlying shame starts with knowing the difference. On this episode of Behavioral Health Today, host Sharlee Dixon sits down with Toronto-based Registered Psychotherapist Brian Baumal, founder of Aliva Psychotherapy. Specializing in eating disorders, food addiction, and sustainable weight management, Brian focuses on the psychological drivers of weight struggles, helping clinicians and clients break through the complex shame cycles and relapse patterns that stall recovery. What sets Brian’s practice apart is a profound commitment to lived experience, having personal triumph over exercise bulimia and binge eating disorder while maintaining a permanent 100-pound weight loss. Blending validated CBT and addiction principles with a deeply human, Gestalt-informed approach, Brian shares practical frameworks for targeting root causes and dismantling rigid thinking. Tune in as we explore how clinicians can leverage lived experience and a "behavior-first" clinical framework to address autopilot habits, release perfectionism, and empower clients to drive their own sustainable healing.   For more information about Aliva Psychotherapy and eating disorder treatment, please visit: https://alivapsychotherapy.com For more information about Brian Baumal, please visit: https://alivapsychotherapy.com/our-team/brian-baumal/ Book a free discovery call with Brian: https://bb-therapist.janeapp.com/?_gl=1*ltw25x*_gcl_au*MTQ5NTM4OTIzNy4xNzg5NDg2MzQw*_ga*MTgwOTAzNTcxLjE3ODk0ODYzNDA.*_ga_NDXPL15J07*czE3ODk0ODYzNDAkbzEkZzAkdDE3ODk0ODYzNDAkajYwJGwwJGgw - /staff_member/1/treatment/39