At Rivia Mind, we pride ourselves on our skilled, experienced, and compassionate mental health professionals across a variety of specialties. Our goal is to provide you with a holistic mental health treatment plan — including possible meds, therapy, medical care, and nutrition help.
Recently, we sat down to talk with one of our clinicians, Rachela Elias, M.D., about her experience in the field of mental health and what brought her to this point in her career. Dr. Elias specializes in treating patients with eating disorders such as anorexia and bulimia.
Meet Dr. Rachela Elias
“I’ve always been really excited about helping people learn to help themselves,” Dr. Elias explained when she discussed how she chose to pursue a career in mental wellness. “So often, we get in our own way, and we often don’t realize we’re doing it. I like to help people recognize when this is happening, and to help them change their behaviors accordingly.”
She studied at Mount Sinai School of Medicine, followed by the Harvard Longwood Psychiatry Residency Program. With extra training in psychodynamic psychotherapy, Dr. Elias has worked in outpatient practices and worked for four years as an inpatient psychiatrist on the Columbia Eating Disorder Research Unit before she joined Rivia Mind.
Specializing In Anorexia and Bulimia
After her residency at the Harvard Longwood Psychiatry Residency Program, Dr. Elias began her outpatient practice, specializing in patients with anorexia and bulimia. Anorexia nervosa is an eating disorder in which the patient restricts their food intake to the point of becoming underweight. Bulimia nervosa is characterized by a cycle of binging food and then purging it to compensate for the binge (via vomiting, laxatives, or over-exercise).
In both instances, patients often have obsessional thinking about food and body image that causes a lot of distress. Dr. Elias provides psychotherapy, with a focus on changing thoughts and behaviors around food and body image, as a main treatment for both. She also refers patients to a nutritionist and dietician for further support. There is medication approved for the treatment of bulimia, as well.
“Patients with anorexia and bulimia tend to be very intelligent and high functioning, which makes it easy to engage with them, and creates a dynamic therapy process,” she said of her specialty. “It’s also a very clear example of people ‘getting in their own way.’”
Dr. Elias incorporates a number of different types of therapy, but she relies most on Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT) and psychodynamic modalities. “I try to help my patients figure out what will help them get from where they are now to where they want to be, and what, internally, is getting in the way of them making those changes.”
Experience With Rivia Mind
After four years of inpatient psychiatry research on the Columbia Eating Disorder Research Unit, Dr. Elias came to join the network at Rivia Mind. Rivia Mind’s holistic approach to mental wellness, as well as our constant striving to do more, appealed to Dr. Elias.
“The best thing about Rivia Mind is the dedication of my fellow clinicians to constantly learning more and honing their skills to become even better mental health providers,” she said of her time working here.
Advice To Those Seeking Mental Health Support
Dr. Elias’s years of working with clients, as well as her extensive research, have armed her with insights and advice for those seeking mental health support. The first thing she recommends to an individual looking for a mental health provider? Have an open mind.
“A provider doesn’t need to have the same background or lived experience in order to understand where you are coming from or your current situation,” Dr. Elias said. “A provider’s style is a much more important element of whether they are going to be a good fit for you.” Rather than focusing on the provider’s lived experiences and background, look for providers who specialize in your lived experience or background, as well as providers who have a style that makes you comfortable working with them.
The decision to seek out therapy is a brave one, and it can be a little intimidating at first. Dr. Elias acknowledged that the process is not easy, and it may feel exhausting at times. At the end of the day, however, it’s worth it.
“Keep in mind that improving yourself is hard work,” she said as advice for someone starting therapy for the first time. “Old habits die hard, and it’s often difficult to take a long look in the mirror and hold yourself accountable. You won’t necessarily feel better after each session, but you will in the long run.”
Need Mental Healthcare? Find a Provider With Rivia Mind
If you’re seeking out mental healthcare, whether for the first time or as the next chapter in your journey, Rivia Mind is here for you. We have a number of providers like Dr. Elias, as well as skilled providers in other specialties or fields of work, who are here to support and guide you towards mental wellness.
Search through our providers to find the right provider for you. Need a consultation or help getting started? Contact Rivia Mind today by calling (212) 203-1773 or toll-free at (844) 369-9678.
