Elizabeth Bergman, MA, ED.M

Between stimulus and response there is a space. In that space is our power to choose our response. In our response lies our growth and our freedom - Viktor Frankl

Elizabeth Bergman, MA, ED.M's style

Why Elizabeth Bergman, MA, ED.M chose to be in the helping profession

I know it can sound a bit cliché, but I went into psychology because I genuinely wanted to help people. I also felt that certain life experiences gave me a deeper understanding of people and naturally drew me toward this kind of work. Over time, I became particularly interested in eating disorders, which I see as a very niche area that requires a specific kind of understanding. It became an area where I felt I could bring both my professional training and my own perspective to the work.

I also saw a real need within the Jewish community. It can be very difficult to find someone who understands eating disorders professionally while also having an inside understanding of the Jewish community and the issues that can come up within it. I think this is especially important when working with Jewish women, particularly Orthodox women, because having a strong understanding of both sides can make a meaningful difference. Being able to bring those two areas of understanding together is a big part of what drew me to this work and continues to shape the kind of clients I work with.

Elizabeth Bergman, MA, ED.M's approach

I would describe my approach as holistic. Eating disorders are psychological, but they can also have a significant medical component, so I often encourage clients to work with a dietitian, doctor, or both when necessary. I think it is important to look at the whole picture rather than focusing on just one piece of what someone is experiencing. That is particularly important in eating disorder treatment, where emotional and physical health can be closely connected.

In terms of therapy itself, my approach depends a lot on the person, how they are presenting, and what they are hoping to get out of therapy. I do a lot of CBT and also pull from ACT and some DBT, depending on what the person is dealing with. I also incorporate approaches such as intuitive eating and positive psychology when they are appropriate. I do not think there is one approach that works for everyone, so I try to understand the individual in front of me and use the tools that make the most sense for what they need.

What you can expect from sessions with Elizabeth Bergman, MA, ED.M

I try to create a supportive, nonjudgmental environment where clients can feel comfortable talking openly about what they are dealing with. Usually, the first one or two sessions are really about getting to know you, understanding what is bringing you to therapy, and figuring out what you would like to get out of our work together. From there, we can create goals and come up with a plan together. I would say my style is quite collaborative, and I want you to be part of deciding what we are working toward.

As we continue, sessions will depend on what you are dealing with and what feels most helpful to you. Sometimes that may mean talking through something together, and other times I may offer more hands-on strategies or exercises. I do sometimes give assignments or practical things to work on between sessions when I think they could be useful. Throughout the process, my goal is to work alongside you in a way that feels supportive while also giving our sessions enough direction to help you move toward the goals we have created together.

Elizabeth Bergman, MA, ED.M's experience working with the Jewish community

I was raised in the Jewish community and am still very much a part of it today. I am Orthodox myself, so I have a good understanding of many of the nuances of the community and simply how things work from the inside. Although much of my work over the last few years has not specifically been within the Jewish community, I have recently started working more within it again. I currently see both Jewish and non-Jewish clients.

That background is especially relevant to my work with eating disorders. I think it can be difficult to find someone who has a strong professional understanding of eating disorders while also understanding the particular issues that may come up for Jewish women, especially Orthodox women. Having familiarity with the community means there are certain nuances and experiences that I already understand rather than encountering them completely from the outside. For clients who value that understanding, I can bring both my clinical experience with eating disorders and my personal familiarity with the Jewish community into the therapy room.

Elizabeth Bergman, MA, ED.M's Book Recommendation Zone

• Being Happy: You Don't Have to Be Perfect to Lead a Richer, Happier Life by Tal Ben-Shahar
  By using the science of positive psychology along with acceptance, Ben-Shahar shows you how to escape the rat race and begin living a life of serenity, happiness, and fulfillment.
• Intuitive Eating for Every Day: 365 Daily Practices & Inspirations to Rediscover the Pleasures of Eating by Evelyn Tribole
  Cultivate a healthy relationship with food and rediscover the pleasures of eating with this inviting and practical guide by award-winning dietitian, and co-founder of the intuitive eating movement, Evelyn Tribole.
• The Gifts of Imperfection by Brené Brown
  This book is an invitation to join a wholehearted revolution. A small, quiet, grassroots movement that starts with each of us saying, ‘My story matters because I matter.

Approaches

• Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)
• Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
• Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT)
• Intuitive Eating
• Positive Psychology
• Premarital Counseling

Concerns

• Anxiety
• Body image
• Dating
• Depression
• Eating disorders & disordered eating
• Relationships

12 years in practice

Degrees

• Psychology by Touro College 2012
• MA Counseling Psychology by Columbia University 2014

Average costs per session

£120 - £200

Payment Methods

• Insurance
• Sliding Scale
• Cash

Insurances

• Allianz
• Aviva
• AXA PPP
• Bupa and Bupa Global
• Cigna UK and Cigna Global
• GeoBlue
• Vitality