Learning to Thrive after an Eating Disorder
Dr. Giulia Suro is an accomplished psychologist, author and prominent researcher based in Washington, D.C., with a specialization in the study and treatment of eating disorders. Holding degrees from University of Southern California, Columbia University and University of Miami, she has earned recognition for her expertise in severe mental illness. In 2017, Dr. Suro was awarded the prestigious designation of Certified Eating Disorder Specialist by the International Association of Eating Disorder Professionals. Her extensive experience spans various clinical settings, from residential to outpatient care, and includes her role as the former clinical director of Miami’s largest eating disorder day treatment program.
In 2019, she made her mark as an author with the publication of Learning to Thrive, an acclaimed Acceptance and Commitment Therapy workbook for lay people, published by Simon & Schuster. This workbook has garnered high praise for its ability to translate intricate cognitive principles into accessible exercises and prompts. Currently, serving as the Director of Research and Clinical Outcomes for Monte Nido & Affiliates, a distinguished eating disorder treatment program operating over 75 sites nationwide, Dr. Suro spearheads an extensive study on eating disorders and collaborates with esteemed researchers to advance the understanding and treatment of these complex illnesses. Her contributions to the field include co-authoring articles in reputable peer-reviewed journals, reflecting her dedication to furthering scholarly discourse and knowledge.
Dr. Suro’s commitment to education and advocacy is evident through her frequent engagements with schools, parent groups and medical practices, where she shares her expertise on the intersection of eating disorders and trauma. In her private practice, she continues to provide compassionate care to women with eating disorders in the D.C. area.
"The best way out is always through" Robert Frost
I specialize in an Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), a fresh, evidence-based approach to relating to our thoughts and feelings in a more mindful way. What does this mean? Unlike some therapeutic orientations, I don’t like to focus on what you think is wrong with you.
Instead, I use therapy to look at the ways that you may have become stuck. I believe humans are incredibly resilient, and we figure out ways to get through the most painful experiences of life. Sometimes though, these coping strategies end up becoming unhelpful over time. For some this may using substances in an unhealthy way or engaging in disordered eating. For others this may be challenges in asserting your needs or struggling to be vulnerable with others. We will figure out what’s been getting in the way of you getting where you want to go, and then use your unique strengths and values to get you there.
With acceptance and self-compassion, I will help you find relief from anxiety, renewed self-confidence, and deeper connections with others.
Meet Giulia Suro, Ph.D., CEDS
Dr. Suro is a licensed psychologist with a Doctorate in Clinical Psychology living and working in Washington, DC. She received her education from Columbia University as well as University of Miami.
During graduate school, she learned about a new therapeutic technique called Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, or, ACT (pronounced as the word “act”). The more she learned, the more she found a home in this approach to managing the highs and lows of life. Since then, she has consistently pursued subsequent education, specialized supervision as well as advanced trainings and multi-day workshops in this therapeutic approach. She has applied ACT protocols in inpatient, residential and outpatient settings and across a variety of diagnoses including PTSD, eating disorders, psychosis, anxiety and depression. One of her greatest joys is sharing ACT with others so she created ACT Miami to spread the word to providers and clients alike.
