Jo Anna Sena

I believe that our natural state of being is one of wholeness and balance. My work focuses on how we experience the often painful disruption from that state of wellness with issues like anxiety, conflict, disconnection, and/or trauma. Perhaps this describes where you are or have been recently, feeling confusing and uncomfortable emotions like intense fear, anger, or even numbness. Maybe you alternate between feeling the ridged anxiety of holding it all together and discouragement, loss, and despair.

The good news is that this state of being does not have to be permanent. When you come to my space, you’re going to be able to relax. When we meet, we’re going to slow down to listen and heal. I’ll help you find clarity and peace. I’ll help you learn how to trust yourself and feel good about who you are.

My current work as a therapist is an evolution of personal and professional curiosity. My passion is helping people manage their anxiety, fears, and frustrations; discover and unlock their own reserves of resilience and persevere through—and even flourish—in the face of life’s inevitable adversities.

I welcome you into an environment that is safe and encouraging to help you explore who you are and your unique circumstances. I am here to listen and provide support.

Jo Anna Sena

Eating Disorders - It's Not About the Food

By Kelly Lopez

If it’s not about the food, what is it really about?

The eating disorder serves a function, it does a job. Despite the problems an eating disorder creates, it is an effort to cope, shield against, communicate, and solve problems. Behaviors may be a way to establish a sense of power or control, self-worth, strength, and containment. Bringing may be used to numb pain. Purging may be a way to release emotions. When one cannot cope in healthy ways, adaptive functions (behaviors) are created to ensure a sense of safety, security, and control.
According to Carolyn Costin*, some of the “adaptive functions that eating disorder behaviors commonly serve are”:
It’s not about the food, it’s a way of coping with low self-esteem, negative emotions, physical, emotional, and sexual abuse, unstable home, difficulty resolving conflict and much more.
*Costin, Carolyn. The Eating Disorder Sourcebook: A Comprehensive Guide to the Causes, Treatments and Prevention of Eating Disorders. 3rd. edition, McGraw Hill, 2007.
Fuller, Kristen. “Eating Disorders: It’s Not All about Food.” Psychology Today, Sussex Publishers, 22 Mar. 2017