Anya Josephs, LMSW

Hi! I’m Anya, and I’m a licensed psychotherapist. I have worked with clients across a range of different diagnoses and in many different settings, but I am especially passionate about providing care for those suffering from eating disorders and body image distress.

My approach is based on a blend of research and empathy. I work hard to remain abreast of the latest scholarship in the field to provide care that is based on scientific knowledge. I also believe that clients are the experts in their own life experience, and my work centers the application of evidence-based care to your needs, your goals, and your strengths. Using a person-centered approach, I draw from a variety of modalities to provide trauma-informed care rooted in the principles of cultural humility and social justice.

I have a B.A. from Columbia University and received an M.A. in English from UCLA. After several years working in foster care and education, I turned to clinical mental health work. I studied social work at New York University, where I also conducted the first research study establishing the high prevalence of restrictive eating disorders among higher-weight women.

Outside of my clinical work, I am a dedicated advocate for access to care in the eating disorders field, particularly for the many higher-weight people who have experienced, not just being denied care, but mistreatment and stigma from the medical and mental health systems. In addition to my research and clinical practice, I use the arts to combat stigma and bias through my work in theatre and creative writing.

I am especially interested in supporting patients who live in larger bodies, who are neurodivergent, and who are part of the LGBTQ+ community. I have worked extensively in academia, in theatre, and with creative writers, and at the intersection of these communities and mental health concerns.

I myself am fully recovered from atypical anorexia nervosa. No matter what your body looks like, the symptoms you may experience, or any challenges you are facing, you deserve a future where you have a healthy, nourishing, and loving relationship with yourself and with your body.