WE’RE HIRING!
Come join our team of 2000+ clinicians
FEATURED ARTICLE
A comprehensive guide to starting therapy
Book my first session
96% of clients feel supported and understood by their therapist
Get expert medication support, tailored to you
Check my copay estimate
Sessions cost $24 on average with insurance
Discover how starting eating disorders therapy can support your own journey toward a happier, more fulfilling life.
2 therapists available in Columbia
I understand what it means to face grief, loss, trauma, and uncertainty, and I’m here to walk with you as you rediscover yourself,...
About
I understand what it means to face grief, loss, trauma, and uncertainty, and I’m here to walk with you as you rediscover yourself, build resilience, and move toward healing.
I am a licensed certified social worker-clinical (LCSW-C) with 12 years of experience supporting clients across the lifespan. I specialize in helping adults manage anxiety, depression, grief, emotional imbalance, trauma, relationship concerns, life transitions, and stress. I also work with individuals navigating communication challenges, family dynamics, attention-related issues, intimacy concerns, and job-related stressors.
I earned my master’s degree in social work from Morgan State University and use a solution-focused, direct, and compassionate approach. I incorporate motivational interviewing, cognitive behavioral therapy, dialectical behavior therapy, existential therapy, and faith-based interventions, along with skills such as communication and decision-making support.
My goal is to provide a grounded, nonjudgmental space where you feel heard, understood, and supported. You do not have to navigate life’s challenges alone. Together, we will identify what you need to heal, grow, and move forward with greater confidence and clarity.
Education and training
View more therapists in Columbia
My goal is to help you achieve a mentally, physically, and socially healthy life using the client-centered approaches that help yo...
My goal is to help you achieve a mentally, physically, and socially healthy life using the client-centered approaches that help you to succeed and reach your counseling goals.
Dr. Judy Ann Upshaw is a Licensed Clinical Alcohol and Drug Counselor (LCADC) with more than 43 years of clinical experience. While she is experienced in general mental health treatment, her specialty is substance use treatment. Dr. Judy has worked in inpatient as well as outpatient treatment as well as individual, group, couples and family counseling. She enjoys assisting people in finding their true selves and achieve their highest goals. Dr. Judy has developed programs and supervised other therapist. She is also an adjunct college professor.
Dr. Judy completed her Bachelor's degree in Behavior Sciences at Andrews University in Berrien Springs, MI. She then received a Master's degree in Psychology from Temple University-Philadelphia, and a Doctorate in Counseling Psychology from Argosy University-Arlington. She utilizes many treatment modality such as music and art therapy, cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), and much more.
Life is full of challenges, especially in this post-pandemic era. Now more than ever, Dr. Judy sees our societies the need for counseling. She would like to have the opportunity to support you in your life's journey and is confident in her ability to help you reach your goals. Schedule your first session with her today.
You deserve dedicated time with a mental health professional — it can be life-changing.
Not ready to book? Contact me
Look for a confirmation email in your inbox shortly. We'll help find you a provider and guide you through everything you should know about starting care at Thriveworks.
No membership fees or subscriptions
Evening and weekend sessions
Award-winning therapy & psychiatry
What support are you seeking?
You acknowledge that by submitting this form, you are providing what may be considered “sensitive data” and consent to Thriveworks Privacy Policy & Terms. By submitting this information, you consent to receive communication from Thriveworks about our services via automatic calls, artificial or pre-recorded messages, or texts at the phone number provided, or by email at the address provided. You have the option to opt out of communications.
We will contact you with availability updates based on the preferences you provided for up to six months.
Eating disorder therapy is a specialized approach aimed at assisting those who are grappling with a range of eating disorders. These disorders are significant mental health conditions characterized by irregular or unhealthy eating patterns and an intense focus on body weight and shape. Common conditions addressed in Eating disorders include anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, binge-eating disorder, and avoidant/restrictive food intake disorder (ARFID).
At Thriveworks, Eating disorders begins with a thorough assessment and personalized treatment plan. Central to eating disorder therapy is psychotherapy, often employing cognitive behavioral therapy and other specialized techniques to target negative thought patterns.
The signs of an eating disorder can include:
CBT’s remission rate, according to some research, is generally between 50-30% for those seeking assistance for eating disorder symptoms.
The recovery rate for those seeking assistance with eating disorders depends entirely on the individual’s involvement in sessions, the severity of their symptoms, and their willingness to change their eating habits and relationship with food.
Eating disorder therapy at Thriveworks is conducted both in person and online by video. We encourage you to choose the option that works best for you.
The length of Eating disorders will vary from one person to the next, dependent on their specific needs. Your therapist can help to determine what might be most beneficial for you.
Eating disorders may seem harmless on the surface—probably a case of someone who wants to achieve a model-like figure, or a person who wants to trim down her waistline. However, anorexia and bulimia expose people to serious health threats that everyone should be aware of.
While cases are curable, there is still 10% of the affected population that is not getting treatment, according to the National Association of Anorexia Nervosa and Associated Disorders. At Thriveworks Columbia, MD we have therapists and coaches who want to help those affected by these disorders.
People who are suffering from eating disorders can be easily judged by the people around them—it can be because of low self-confidence or obsession over a certain body image, but there are other factors that can cause eating disorders:
Anorexia and bulimia both put the person in danger for serious health risks. Once the body lacks the nutrients that it needs, it will deteriorate and will suffer from life-threatening ailments. This can cause stroke or hypertension and both of these cases need urgent medical attention.
The health threats people face while suffering from an eating disorder can snowball and one after another continuously lead to huge overall health issues. Help is needed for someone suffering from an eating disorder, and therapy or coaching at Thriveworks Columbia could be exactly what they need.
If you know someone who is suffering from these disorders, it is best to start his/her treatment urgently with Thriveworks Columbia counseling for anorexia and bulimia. We have therapists equipped with all of the tools needed to help people suffering with eating disorders. At Thriveworks Columbia we strive to create a personalized treatment plan for every patient. In this manner we try to ensure that our clients’ individual needs are met in the best way possible. At Thriveworks we accept many different insurance plans as well as offering flexible hours with weekend and evening availability. Thriveworks has a “no waiting list” policy. We want our clients to get the help they need as soon as possible, and new clients can often have their first appointment the same week as scheduling.
One of our therapists or coaches would be happy to further discuss the effects eating disorders have on those suffering. Call our office today to schedule an appointment at (410) 910-2708.
Includes individual, couples, child/ teen, & family therapy
Includes reducing symptoms with medication & management
Thriveworks Counseling & Psychiatry Columbia is located in the Shoppes at Wilde Lake and near the intersection of Lynx Lane and Twin Rivers Road, off Governor Warfield Parkway. It is right by Wilde Lake and just off the campus of Howard Community College and Johns Hopkins Howard County Medical Center. The office is in a multi-story brick and glass shopping complex with attached grocery store. Enter through the small lobby on the left side of the building to access Suite 285 on the second floor.
Shown in ET
26 photos
Call to book
We'll help you find the right provider and get you scheduled.
Book online
Find the right provider for you and book your first session in minutes.