Lauren Muhlheim, Psy.D., FAED, CEDS-S (PSY15045), is a clinical psychologist who specializes in providing evidence-based cognitive behavioral psychotherapy for a variety of problems experienced by adults and adolescents, including depression, anxiety, stress, and eating disorders. She has a B.A. from Princeton University and a doctoral degree in Clinical Psychology from the Graduate School of Applied and Professional Psychology at Rutgers University. She has been providing psychological counseling since 1991.
Eating Disorders
Dr. Muhlheim is a Fellow of the Academy for Eating Disorders. During graduate school, she trained in the Rutgers Eating Disorder Research Clinic under the mentorship of internationally renowned eating disorders expert, G. Terence Wilson, Ph.D. There she was trained in cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) for bulimia; eating disorders have been a primary focus and interest of study for her ever since. More recently, Dr. Muhlheim obtained training in Maudsley Family-based treatment (FBT) for adolescent eating disorders and was certified in FBT by the Training Institute for Child and Adolescent Eating Disorders.
Dr. Muhlheim is certified as an eating disorder specialist (CEDS) through the International Association of Eating Disorders Professionals (IAEDP), and is also an IAEDP Approved Supervisor (-S). The Supervisor qualification allows her to provide consultation and supervision for therapists and other mental health professionals who are pursuing their own certification as eating disorder specialists. Dr. Muhlheim has recently co-authored a peer-reviewed paper on “Eating Disorders and Scope of Competence for Outpatient Psychotherapists.” She is the author of the book When Your Teen Has an Eating Disorder: Practical Strategies to Help Your Teen Recover from Anorexia, Bulimia, and Binge Eating (New Harbinger, Sept, 2018)
Work Experience
Dr. Muhlheim has worked in a variety of settings – including inpatient hospitals, outpatient clinics, group homes, and private practice – with clients having many different issues. For nearly ten years she was a staff psychologist at Los Angeles County Jail, where she gained expertise in diagnostic assessment and crisis intervention. She spent 3 years in Shanghai, China working as a clinical psychologist treating expatriate foreigners in two different settings, including a primary care clinic at Parkway Health, the largest international healthcare provider in Asia. Dr. Muhlheim has experience supervising and training psychology interns and other mental health professionals.
Diversity
Dr. Muhlheim has a special interest in and appreciation for cultural, ethnic, and religious diversity. In her work in both Shanghai and Los Angeles, she gained experience working with clients of many different nationalities as well as varied cultural, religious and ethnic backgrounds. Dr. Muhlheim works with clients of all sexual orientations and gender identities.
Professional Organizations
Dr. Muhlheim spearheaded the establishment of the Shanghai International Mental Health Association (SIMHA) and served as its first president. Dr. Muhlheim is active in the Academy for Eating Disorders (AED) and previously served on the Academy’s Board of Directors as Director for Outreach. Currently she serves on the Research-Practice Committee and the SIG Oversight Committee. Previous AED positions include co-chair of the Membership Recruitment and Retention Committee, co-chair of the Social Media Committee, and founding co-chair of the Family-Based Treatment Special Interest Group.
She is currently on the Board of Directors of the Los Angeles County Psychological Association (LACPA) where she directs the Special Interest Groups. She is also chair of LACPA’s Eating Disorder Special Interest Group, a member of LACPA’s Ethics Committee, and a Co-editor of LACPA’s The Los Angeles Psychologist.
Dr. Muhlheim is the Eating Disorders Expert for Verywell, formerly About.com, and is Clinical Director of the Eating Disorder Information website, Mirror-Mirror Eating Disorders. She is a professional advisor to Families Empowered and Supporting Treatment of Eating Disorders (F.E.A.S.T.). She was previously a member of the IAEDP Advisory Committee for Certification Core Course Revisions.
Dr. Muhlheim presents to other professionals and professionals in training at the local level as well as nationally. Dr. Muhlheim is active professionally on social media. In her previous role as a co-chair of the Social Media Committee for the Academy for Eating Disorders she helped to manage the AED’s Facebook, LinkedIn, and Twitter pages, and helped educate professional AED members about social media. She provides training about ethical and safe use of social media and evidence-based treatment to clinicians and graduate students.
Dr. Muhlheim is frequently interviewed as a subject matter expert on eating disorders. View her press page.
Dr. Muhlheim regularly volunteers her time for several organizations including the Academy for Eating Disorders, the Los Angeles County Psychological Association, and Best Friends LA.