Compassionate, specialized care for individuals and families navigating disordered eating.
Eating Disorder Therapy in Central Illinois
Hi, I am Michelle (she/her).
I'm a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor who specializes in the treatment of eating disorders and disordered eating.
My practice focuses on helping individuals and families navigate the complexity of eating disorders with knowledgeable, compassionate care. I work with clients across the full spectrum of severity and collaborate closely with physicians, dietitians, and treatment programs when additional support is needed.
Specialized eating disorder care can be difficult to find in Central Illinois. My goal is to help make that care more accessible for the people and families in this region.
When Food and Body Struggles Take Over…
Eating disorders rarely begin as “just a food issue.”
Often they are connected to deeper emotional experiences — feelings of control, perfectionism, shame, or a sense of disconnection from the body.
You may feel caught in cycles of:
restricting or avoiding food
binge eating or feeling out of control around food
obsessive thoughts about weight or body shape
guilt, shame, or secrecy around eating
constant mental noise about food and the body
For families and loved ones, it can be painful to watch someone struggle and not know how to help.
Recovery is possible, and having the right support can make an enormous difference.
How I support eating disorder recovery
Support for Families & Caregivers
Guidance and psychoeducation to help parents, partners, and loved ones understand eating disorders and learn how to support recovery.
Eating Disorder Therapy
Compassionate outpatient therapy for individuals struggling with anorexia, bulimia, binge eating, orthorexia, and other forms of disordered eating.
Eating Disorder Assessment
Thoughtful clinical assessment to help determine the appropriate level of treatment, including support with referrals and transitions to higher levels of care when needed.
Specialized Eating Disorder Care
Eating disorders can take many forms, and each person’s experience is unique. I provide thoughtful, specialized care for individuals and families in Central Illinois navigating the complexities of disordered eating and recovery.
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Anorexia often involves an intense fear of weight gain, restrictive eating patterns, and a deep sense of pressure to control food or the body. Over time, these patterns can become consuming and isolating.
In therapy, we work gently and collaboratively to understand the deeper emotional and psychological factors that may be driving the disorder. Together we focus on building safety, restoring trust in the body, and developing healthier ways of coping.
Recovery is possible, and change can happen at a pace that feels manageable and supportive.
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Bulimia is often experienced as a painful cycle of binge eating followed by behaviors meant to compensate, such as purging, over-exercise, or strict restriction.
Many people struggling with bulimia carry significant shame and feel trapped in patterns they desperately want to change.
Therapy provides a space to explore these cycles with compassion rather than judgment. Together we work to understand the emotional triggers behind the behaviors, develop healthier coping strategies, and build a more stable relationship with food and the body.
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Binge eating can feel overwhelming and confusing. Many individuals describe feeling out of control around food, followed by guilt, shame, or frustration afterward.
Binge eating disorder is not about a lack of willpower. It is often connected to emotional distress, past experiences, or patterns of restriction and dieting.
In therapy, we explore the underlying factors contributing to these patterns and work toward building a more balanced and compassionate relationship with food.
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Not everyone who struggles with food meets the criteria for a clinical eating disorder. However, many people experience persistent patterns of restrictive dieting, food anxiety, or body dissatisfaction that significantly affect their well-being.
Therapy can help you step out of exhausting cycles of dieting, guilt, and self-criticism. Together we focus on rebuilding trust in your body and developing a healthier, more sustainable relationship with food.
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Watching a loved one struggle with an eating disorder can be incredibly painful and confusing. Many families feel unsure how to help or worry about saying the wrong thing.
I provide guidance and support for parents, partners, and caregivers who want to better understand eating disorders and learn how to support recovery.
Family involvement can be a powerful part of the healing process, and you do not have to navigate this journey alone.
Community Collaboration
Eating disorder recovery often involves a team approach. I collaborate with physicians, dietitians, and treatment programs throughout Central Illinois to help clients access the level of care they need.
Why Michelle Krieger Counseling?
My therapy practice was built around a simple belief:
Healing happens best in spaces that feel safe, thoughtful, and deeply human.
Eating disorders are complex and often rooted in experiences that go far beyond food. Therapy offers a place to slow down, explore what’s underneath the struggle, and begin reconnecting with yourself in a new way.
In this space, therapy is:
compassionate rather than critical
collaborative rather than directive
curious about the deeper meaning behind the struggle
grounded in research while honoring your lived experience
My hope is to offer a place where healing can unfold at a pace that feels supportive and sustainable.
“One life on this earth is all we get, whether it is enough or not enough, and the obvious conclusion would seem to be at the very least we are fools if we do not live it as fully and bravely and beautifully as we can.”
― Frederick Buechner
Ready to take the next step?
If you or someone you love is struggling with an eating disorder, I am here to support you every step of the way. Please reach out today to schedule your intake appointment.