Dr. Adina McGarr-Knabke/Santa barbara Therapy

I specialize in the treatment of eating disorders (anorexia, bulimia, binge eating), addiction (substance abuse, gambling), and self-injurious behaviors (cutting, burning). The above often reflect an individual’s unconscious attempt at avoiding/distracting themselves from painful and intolerable affect. I believe that as an individual becomes more invested in his/her eating disorder, as a conscious or more often unconscious coping mechanism, the disorder becomes a severe problem in its own right. What was once used to regulate the self, gain a sense of control, and/or improve feelings of self-worth becomes a significant source of distress and actually impairs emotional, psychological, physical, and social functioning.In an effort to better understand how neurophysiology influences mental health, I became trained and certified in the application of the Robertson Brain Chemistry Optimization Program. In brief, this program identifies brain chemical imbalances, which may be contributing to unwanted, negative behaviors and feelings.