You're tired of fighting with food and your body.

Maybe it’s the constant noise in your head—thinking about what you ate, what you’re going to eat, or whether you should be eating at all. Maybe you’re checking your body throughout the day, avoiding certain clothes, or feeling guilty after eating.

You’ve probably tried to change these patterns. To have more discipline, be “better,” or just stop thinking about it so much. But somehow, you keep ending up back in the same exhausting cycle.

Healing doesn’t come from trying harder.

Our relationship with food and our bodies is complicated. The patterns we develop are often connected to how we’ve learned to cope, what we’ve been through, and the messages we’ve picked up about our bodies and ourselves along the way.

Let’s get to the heart of what’s going on. Together, we’ll make sense of why these patterns are here, what they may be doing for you, and find a way forward that doesn’t leave you fighting with yourself.

Imagine having more mental space for the parts of life that matter to you.

Imagine sitting down to a meal and actually being able to enjoy the conversation instead of getting stuck in your head. Wearing the clothes you want without spending the day thinking about how your body looks. Being able to make plans without food or your body having to be part of every decision.

Imagine having more energy for your relationships, your work, your creativity, and the experiences that make your life feel like your own.

Sara Burchfiel, Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, Eating Disorder Specialist, Newport Beach,

Hi, I'm Sara.

I’m a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) and Eating Disorder Specialist with over 15 years of experience. My approach is relational, trauma-informed, and depth-oriented, grounded in compassion and curiosity.

I know how layered life can be. There are seasons of loss and seasons of joy, times when we feel grounded and connected, and others when we’re overwhelmed, stuck, or simply trying to get through the day. Sometimes we find ourselves acting in ways that aren’t aligned with our values or coping in ways that no longer fit the life we want to be living.

I think of therapy as a place to make room for the complexity of being human. We don’t have to rush past what hurts, and we don’t have to lose sight of what might be possible. And in that space, healing can happen, making room for more of who you are—and who you are becoming—to emerge.

More About Me

You don’t have to keep doing this alone.

Reach Out

Send a message to schedule a free 20-minute phone consultation. We can talk a little about what’s bringing you in, answer any questions you have, and see if working together feels like a good fit.

Come As You Are

You don’t need to know exactly what to say or where to start. Your first session is simply a chance for us to begin talking about what’s been going on and what you’d like help with.

We’ll Figure It Out Together

We’ll work through what’s been difficult at a pace that works for you, focusing on what you need and what you hope to change..

Common Questions

How do I know if working together would be a good fit?

I invite you to reach out for a brief consultation call where you can share a little about what’s bringing you in, ask questions, and get a sense of me and how I work.

As we talk, I encourage you to pay attention to your own experience. Do you get the sense that I’m someone you could open up with? Do you feel heard and genuinely understood? Starting therapy can feel like a big step, and the relationship you have with your therapist matters.

We can also talk about what has and hasn’t felt helpful in past therapy, what you’re hoping for now, and anything that feels important for me to know.

If I have the sense that you might be better supported by a different therapist or approach, I’ll be open about that. I’m always happy to offer referrals or help point you toward someone who may be a better fit.

Most of all, I hope you feel that there is room for the whole of who you are and the experiences that have shaped you. There’s no pressure to make a decision on the spot. The consultation is simply a chance for us to talk and see how it feels to be in conversation together.

Do you only work with people with eating disorders?

No. While eating disorders and body image are a central focus of my practice, I also work with anxiety, depression, trauma, relationship struggles, life transitions, and times when you may feel stuck or unsure of what needs to change.

Sometimes what brings us to therapy is clear, and other times it’s harder to put into words. You may notice patterns that keep repeating, feel like you understand something intellectually but still can’t seem to change it, or simply know that something isn’t working the way you want it to.

In our work together, we’ll look at what you’re experiencing in the context of your life—your history, relationships, ways of coping, and the experiences that have shaped you. Rather than focusing only on labels or symptoms, we’ll work toward a deeper understanding of what’s going on and what might help things begin to shift.

If you’re wondering whether what you’re going through is something I work with, you’re always welcome to reach out or visit the Services page to learn more.

What can I expect in the first therapy session?

Your first session is a chance for us to get to know one another and begin understanding what you’d like help with. I’ll invite you to share what’s been going on, what led you to reach out now, and what you’re hoping might feel different. We’ll approach it as an open conversation, with some gentle structure when helpful, and find a rhythm that feels comfortable for you.

You’re encouraged to speak as openly as you can, but there’s no pressure to get everything “right” or tell me your whole story in one session. It’s completely okay if things feel unclear, you don’t know where to start, or some experiences are difficult to put into words. We can take our time.

My goal is to begin getting to know you as a person—not just a list of symptoms or concerns—and give you a chance to get a feel for me and what it’s like to talk together. This is just the beginning; we’ll have plenty of time to understand your experiences more fully as we go.

Before we meet, you’ll complete intake paperwork through a secure online portal so we can spend more of our time focused on what matters most to you.

What if I’ve tried therapy before and still feel stuck?

That’s more common than you might think. Many people come to therapy with a lot of insight—you may already understand your patterns, know where some of them come from, and genuinely want something different, yet still find yourself falling into the same familiar loops.

Sometimes understanding something intellectually isn’t enough to change it. There may be deeper emotional, relational, or body-based experiences that haven’t had the chance to be fully understood or worked through.

Rather than pushing harder or assuming you just need to try something different, we can get curious about what keeps pulling you back into familiar patterns and what those patterns have come to mean or do for you.

The goal isn’t simply more insight. It’s to help what you understand begin to feel different too—so that change can become possible in ways that feel more lasting and less like something you have to force.

What is your fee and do you take insurance?

My fee is $215 per session. Sessions are 45 minutes in length. I reserve a limited number of slots at a reduced fee - please inquire if finances are a concern for you.

I’m out of network with all insurance companies.

Many of my clients use PPO plans with out-of-network benefits, and I provide a monthly superbill for possible reimbursement. A superbill is documentation similar to a receipt that also includes medical codes your insurance carrier will need to process the claim. Please speak with your carrier to learn what mental health benefits they offer and what your deductible will be.

Sara Burchfiel, LMFT

Depth Therapy for Eating Disorders in Newport Beach, CA

In-person therapy in Newport Beach | Telehealth throughout California & Texas

You're tired of fighting with food and your body.

Hi, I'm Sara.

Areas I commonly support:

You don’t have to keep doing this alone.

Reach Out

Come As You Are

We’ll Figure It Out Together

Common Questions

Blog

Reach Out

I'd Love To Hear From You!

Sara Burchfiel, LMFT

Sara Burchfiel, LMFT

Depth Therapy for Eating Disorders in Newport Beach, CA

In-person therapy in Newport Beach | Telehealth throughout California & Texas

You're tired of fighting with food and your body.

Hi, I'm Sara.

Areas I commonly support:

You don’t have to keep doing this alone.

Reach Out

Come As You Are

We’ll Figure It Out Together

Common Questions

Blog

Reach Out

I'd Love To Hear From You!

Sara Burchfiel, LMFT

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