Kristen Forman, LCSW: Your Partner in Eating Disorder Recovery
Compassionate, Evidence-Based Care Rooted in Real Understanding
Kristen Forman is a licensed clinical social worker (LCSW) specializing in the treatment of eating disorders, disordered eating, and body image concerns. With over 14 years of dedicated experience in the field, she is the founder of Balanced Brain and Body, a boutique private practice in Ridgewood, New Jersey that offers HAES®-aligned, evidence-based therapy to adolescents and adults.
What sets Kristen apart isn't just her extensive clinical training, it's her deeply personal understanding of what it means to advocate for compassionate, individualized care in a healthcare system that too often focuses on numbers rather than people.
Professional Background & Clinical Expertise
A Foundation Built on Evidence & Specialization
After graduating with a B.S in Psychology from Northeastern University, Kristen Forman's journey into eating disorder treatment began during her master's program at Columbia University. It was here she was assigned to complete her field placement at an eating disorder inpatient unit for a year. While she found many of the practices outdated and overly focused on weight and BMI, she discovered her calling: helping individuals heal their relationship with food and their bodies.
After graduation, Kristen spent 10 years working at a Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT) outpatient center, where she honed her skills in helping clients manage intense emotions, develop distress tolerance, and build lives worth living—skills that are essential in eating disorder recovery.
Specialized Training & Credentials
Intensive Training in DBT
(Dialectical Behavior Therapy)
DBT is an evidence-based treatment that helps
clients develop skills in:
- Emotional regulation
- Distress tolerance
- Mindfulness
- Interpersonal effectiveness
These skills are particularly powerful for individuals struggling with binge eating, bulimia, emotional eating, and the emotional dysregulation that often accompanies eating disorders.
Licensed to practice therapy in: New Jersey, Florida, South Carolina, Connecticut, Massachusetts, and New York
Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW)
Health at Every Size® (HAES®) Provider
Kristen Forman is proud to be listed as a HAES®-aligned provider through the Association for Size Diversity and Health (ASDAH). Her commitment to weight-inclusive care means she rejects weight-centric treatment models and focuses on true health and wellbeing.
Trained in CBT-E
(Cognitive Behavioral Therapy-Enhanced for Eating Disorders)
CBT-E is considered the gold-standard psychological treatment for eating disorders. Kristen is 1 of 50 US based practitioners who have completed this training. Training in this specialized modality equips Kristen to help clients:
- Identify and challenge distorted thoughts about food, weight, and body image
- Change behaviors that maintain the eating disorder
- Build sustainable recovery strategies
Additional Training:
-
Certified Binge Eating and Chronic Dieting Professional
- Mindful Eating through The Center for Mindful Eating – Present-moment awareness, reconnecting with hunger/fullness cues
- Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) – Developing psychological flexibility and self-compassion
- Trauma-informed care
Why Kristen Forman Founded Balanced Brain and Body
A Practice Built on Compassion, Not Compliance
"I struggled working in inpatient programs and outpatient centers where so much of the treatment was focused on weight and BMI," Kristen explains. "It never sat well with me. I wanted the freedom to structure treatment around what actually matters: my clients' emotional wellbeing, their relationship with food, and their ability to live full, meaningful lives."
Balanced Brain and Body was founded on these principles:
Clients are the experts in their own lives.
Therapy is collaborative, not prescriptive. Kristen's role is to help clients understand and address the behaviors, emotions, and thoughts causing distress—without imposing rigid rules or focusing on weight.
Recovery is about more than numbers.
True healing involves building a compassionate relationship with your body, nourishing yourself adequately, and finding peace around food—not chasing arbitrary weight goals.
Evidence-based treatment can be deeply human.
The most effective therapy happens when clients feel safe, understood, and genuinely cared for. Kristen brings warmth and humanity to every session.
Kristen Forman's Personal "Why": Advocacy, Compassion & Understanding
Kristen's approach is profoundly shaped by her experience as a mother and fierce advocate for her three sons, particularly her oldest, who was born with a critical heart defect requiring multiple surgeries and was diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder at age two.
Navigating medical and educational systems on behalf of her son taught Kristen invaluable lessons about neuro-affirming care, the harm of focusing solely on metrics rather than the person, and the power of compassionate advocacy.
"Being a parent advocate has made me a better therapist," Kristen shares. "It's taught me to always ask: What does this person need right now?—not what the protocol says, but what will help this person feel safe, supported, and capable of healing."
This experience deepened her commitment to weight-inclusive care. She's seen firsthand how providers who focus only on numbers can miss the whole person—and she's dedicated to never doing that to her clients.
Who Kristen Forman Works With
Adolescents & Adults Seeking Freedom from Disordered Eating
Kristen specializes in working with adolescents (age 11+) and adults who are struggling with:
-
Eating Disorders:
-
Disordered Eating & Food Struggles:
- Emotional eating
- Chronic dieting and diet culture recovery
- Body image distress
- Food obsession and preoccupation
- Fear of certain foods or food groups
- Difficulty with mindful eating
-
Co-Occurring Conditions:
- Anxiety and depression
- Perfectionism
- Trauma
- Emotional dysregulation
- Low self-esteem
- Self-harm, Suicidal ideation
A Welcoming Space for All
Kristen is passionate about creating an affirming, inclusive therapeutic space for:
- Neurodivergent individuals (ADHD, Autism, etc.)
- LGBTQ+ clients
- People in larger bodies who have experienced weight stigma and discrimination
- Anyone who has been harmed by diet culture or weight-centric healthcare
Frequently Asked Questions About Working with Kristen
Kristen is a licensed clinical social worker (LCSW) and can provide therapy to clients in:
- New Jersey
- Connecticut
- Florida
- South Carolina
She also offers coaching services (non-clinical support) to clients in other states.
Balanced Brain and Body is an out-of-network provider, which means Kristen does not bill insurance directly. However, she can provide a superbill, a detailed receipt that you can submit to your insurance company for potential reimbursement.
Balanced Brain and Body also offers courtesy billing. After receiving payment we submit to insurance company for expedited reimbursement payment.
Many clients find that working with an out-of-network provider offers greater flexibility, privacy, and continuity of care without insurance company restrictions on treatment.
Kristen specializes in working with adolescents (ages 11+) and adults. She does not currently provide therapy for younger children, but she's happy to provide referrals to qualified child therapists if needed.
Kristen is a HAES®-aligned, weight-inclusive therapist, which means:
- Weight loss is never a goal of treatment
- She does not use scales or monitor weight as a measure of progress
- All bodies are treated with respect and dignity
- The focus is on health behaviors, emotional wellbeing, and quality of life—not weight
If you've been harmed by weight-centric healthcare in the past, you'll find a different, more compassionate approach here.
Recovery timelines vary greatly depending on:
- The severity and duration of the eating disorder
- Co-occurring mental health conditions
- Level of support in your life
- Your personal goals and circumstances
Some clients see meaningful progress in 3-6 months, while others benefit from longer-term therapy lasting 1-2 years or more. Kristen will work collaboratively with you to assess progress and adjust the treatment plan as needed.
Yes! Kristen offers secure, HIPAA-compliant telehealth sessions to clients throughout New Jersey and in the other states where she's licensed (CT, FL, SC).
Virtual therapy offers convenience, privacy, and accessibility while maintaining the same quality of care as in-person sessions.
You don't need a formal diagnosis to seek help. Many clients come to therapy uncertain about whether their struggles "count" as an eating disorder. Kristen will conduct a thorough assessment during your intake session and help you understand your symptoms and the best path forward.
Whether you have a diagnosable eating disorder or are struggling with disordered eating patterns that cause distress, therapy can help.
At Balanced Brain and Body, you'll work directly with Kristen from your first call through your final session. There's no rotating team of therapists, no inconsistency in care, and no risk of being transferred to someone new mid-treatment.
This boutique, founder-led model ensures:
- Deep continuity and trust in the therapeutic relationship
- Personalized treatment that evolves with you
- Direct access to a highly specialized expert in eating disorders
The best way to find out is to schedule a consultation. During this initial conversation, you can ask questions, share what you're struggling with, and get a sense of whether Kristen's approach feels like a good fit.
Finding the right therapist is one of the most important factors in successful treatment, and Kristen is happy to help you make an informed decision—even if that means referring you to someone else who might be a better match.
Yes, Kristen does leave some appointments slots open for individuals who may not have an eating disorder but do wish to work with her therapeutically. In addition, Kristen works with individuals who may have had an eating disorder diagnosis in the past but currently want to focus on other life issues and struggles.
Ready to Begin Your Healing Journey?
Let's Talk About How Therapy or Coaching Can Help
If you're struggling with an eating disorder, disordered eating, or a painful relationship with food and your body, you don't have to face it alone. Kristen Forman offers compassionate, evidence-based therapy that honors your whole self—not just your symptoms.
Whether you're in Ridgewood, Bergen County, or anywhere in New Jersey, Connecticut, Florida, or South Carolina you can access expert care through in-person or virtual sessions.
Kristen is currently accepting new clients for:
- Individual eating disorder therapy (adolescents & adults)
- Mindful eating coaching (for appropriate clients)