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Binge Eating Disorder Treatment at The Kahm Center

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Burlington Vermont Binge Eating Disorder Treatment

At The Kahm Center for Eating Disorders in Burlington, Vermont, we understand the complexities of binge eating disorder (BED) and its impact on a person’s emotional, physical, and mental well-being. 

BED is the most common eating disorder in the United States, yet it is often misunderstood and accompanied by significant feelings of shame and isolation. At The Kahm Center, we take an empathetic, non-judgmental approach to treatment, walking alongside our clients as they navigate the complexities of their relationship with food and learn to identify what’s really driving their behaviors.

    Take our Binge Eating Disorder Self-Test

    If you are concerned that you or a loved one could have a binge eating disorder, utilize this test as a valuable resource and guideline to assess whether your symptoms align with those of this eating disorder.

    Binge Eating Disorder Quiz

What is Binge Eating Disorder?

Binge eating disorder is a serious mental health condition characterized by recurrent episodes of consuming large quantities of food, often accompanied by a loss of control during the binge. Unlike overeating, BED involves ongoing emotional distress, including guilt, shame, and self-criticism following the binge. It’s important to understand that you cannot tell if someone has BED based on their body shape or size—BED affects individuals across all body types.

At The Kahm Center, we recognize that weight stigma often exacerbates the challenges faced by those with BED, particularly for individuals in larger bodies. Many clients have spent their lives being told to “eat less,” contributing to a cycle of restriction and bingeing. We are dedicated to helping clients break free from this cycle by providing compassionate care and teaching them to nourish their bodies, rather than depriving them.

The Role of Shame and Weight Stigma in BED

Shame plays a significant role in the development and perpetuation of binge eating disorder. Many individuals feel deep embarrassment about their eating habits, which drives them to hide their behaviors, leading to further isolation.

Weight stigma can further compound these feelings, especially in those who are in larger bodies. Diet culture reinforces harmful messages that perpetuate the belief that thinness equates to health and worthiness, often driving people into cycles of restrictive eating, which can trigger binge episodes.

At The Kahm Center, we take a weight-neutral, health-focused approach to treating binge eating disorder. We help our clients understand that eating enough is a key intervention for BED, even if they’ve been conditioned by society or diet culture to believe otherwise. Our goal is to reduce binge behaviors, improve overall well-being, and increase quality of life—not to encourage weight loss.

Signs and Symptoms of Binge Eating Disorder

While BED is often difficult to recognize due to its hidden nature, some common signs and symptoms include:

  • Eating large amounts of food in a short period, even when not physically hungry
  • Eating until uncomfortably full
  • Feelings of guilt, shame, or disgust after eating
  • Frequently eating alone or in secret
  • Difficulty controlling eating behavior during binges
  • Emotional distress related to food and eating

It’s important to remember that people of any body size can struggle with BED, and the disorder is not always physically visible. If left untreated, BED can lead to significant health issues and further emotional distress. Learn more about the signs and symptoms of BED here.

The Impact of Binge Eating Disorder

Binge eating disorder can have serious physical and emotional health consequences. It’s not just about the episodes of overeating—it’s about the underlying emotional distress that drives these behaviors and the toll it takes on mental health. BED often co-occurs with other mental health conditions like depression, anxiety, and trauma, and the physical risks can include high cholesterol, high blood pressure, heart disease, and gastrointestinal issues.


Binge Eating Disorder Severity

According to the DSM-5 for binge eating disorder, the diagnosis also includes the disorder's severity level. Severity is based on how many episodes of binge eating occur throughout the week.

The severity of binge eating disorder is as follows:
  • Mild: 1-3 binge-eating episodes per week
  • Moderate: 4- binge-eating episodes per week
  • Severe: 8-13 binge-eating episodes per week
  • Extreme: 14 or more binge-eating episodes per week 14 or more binge-eating episodes per week

How We Treat Binge Eating Disorder at The Kahm Center

At The Kahm Center, we provide a thoughtful, evidence-based approach to treating binge eating disorder. Our goal is to help clients reduce binge behaviors, address underlying emotional distress, and improve their quality of life. We use a combination of therapies, including:

• Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) to challenge distorted thoughts about food and body image.

• Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) to build emotional regulation skills and improve coping strategies.

• Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) to help clients accept their emotions and reduce avoidance behaviors.

We understand that binge eating is often driven by a cycle of restriction. Clients may feel out of control around food, particularly certain “forbidden” foods, after periods of strict dieting. One of our key interventions is helping clients develop a healthy relationship with food through nutrition therapy. Our team of registered dietitians works closely with clients to address the cycle of restriction and bingeing, emphasizing that eating enough is essential to breaking this cycle.

At The Kahm Center, we also provide education on how diet culture can fuel harmful behaviors and beliefs around food. By unpacking these beliefs and helping clients create new, healthier ways of interacting with food, we aim to restore balance and reduce shame. 

Empathetic and Individualized Care

We believe in the power of personalized care. That’s why we offer a range of treatment options to meet the needs of each individual. Our programs include:

  • Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP): Held for three hours per day, three days a week, IOP allows clients to receive structured support while maintaining their daily responsibilities, such as work or school. This program provides the flexibility to practice new coping skills in real-life situations with ongoing support from our team.
  • Partial Hospitalization Program (PHP): Our PHP provides six hours of structured treatment per day, five days a week, for those who need more intensive care. This level of support is ideal for individuals who need a higher level of structure and accountability to manage their binge eating behaviors.

Both programs utilize group therapy, meal support, and opportunities to practice recovery skills in real-world settings. We don’t just treat binge eating disorder; we provide clients with the tools they need to heal and thrive.

Outpatient Treatment for Binge Eating Disorder in Vermont

At The Kahm Center, we understand that BED is not just a matter of willpower or control—it’s a complex mental health disorder rooted in emotional distress and often fueled by diet culture. Our compassionate team is here to help individuals unpack their beliefs about food, break the cycle of binging and restriction, and develop a healthier relationship with food and their bodies. We focus on reducing binge behaviors and improving quality of life, rather than weight loss.
If you or a loved one is struggling with binge eating disorder, reach out to The Kahm Center today. Together, we can work to rebuild a healthy relationship with food and support you on the path to recovery.

Clinically Reviewed By

nick kahm reviewer

Nick Kahm, PhD

Co-Founder

Nick Kahm, a former philosophy faculty member at St. Michael's College in Colchester, VT, transitioned from academia to running the Kahm Clinic with his mother. He started the clinic to train dietitians in using Metabolic Testing and Body Composition Analysis for helping people with eating disorders. Now, he is enthusiastic about expanding eating disorder treatment through the Kahm Center for Eating Disorders in Vermont.

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