Those of us who treat eating disorders, disordered eating, or just women in America would like see our clients have more positive self-talk, especially around body image. Unfortunately, body positivity may be a little ambitious…for all of us, not just our clients. Let’s face it. Our bodies do no always do what we want them to do. Sometimes, we …
Holiday reflections and gifts of recovery
Today is the day after Christmas and this one was particularly special. I gave birth to my second son 17 days ago. My dad and stepmom traveled all the way from Pensacola to be here. And we my parents, my new family, and my husband’s family all spent the day together. It really was a gift. When I was a …
Who am I without my eating disorder?- a Recovery activity
In recovery from an eating disorder, we often find that we have lost ourselves to the ED. We don’t know what we are good at. We haven’t been allowed to be good at anything. We do not know what we like. Liking things was an indulgence that was for weaker individuals. We become the eating disorder. It dictates how we …
What is self-talk?: The Reflection Exercise
**I got this exercise from the folks at Green Mountain at Fox Run. I’ve changed it a little bit but the core ideas remain. Thus, they should get the credit!! Self talk is a difficult thing to understand mostly because it tends to happen below the level of conscious awareness. I’d like to present an exercise that, in theory, …
Attitude of Gratititude
The phrase “Attitude of Gratitude” is one you hear used in the rooms of AA and other 12 step programs. Obviously, it refers to giving yourself an attitude adjustment when you get angry or resentful and remember all the good things you have in your life. Gratitude is also what the holidays are supposed to be all about! It seemed like …
The eating disorder voice explained…sort of
Over and over again, people with eating disorders and the clinicians who treat them refer to “the eating disorder voice.” You won’t find it described in the DSM or really anywhere but it is very real piece of the ED picture. There are two different ways that “the voice” clinically manifests. The first is simply in beliefs and the second …
The Myth of Accountability
Accountability, in the general sense, means to be held responsible for your actions. It typically means that if you do not live up to goals, promises, or expectations there will be some sort of punishment. Doesn’t sound very therapeutic, does it? I frequently have discussion, both personally and professionally, about accountability. Clients find that following a meal plan or not …
“Mommyrexia” and the value of motherhood
I am nearing the end of my second pregnancy and the nerves are starting to set in about the strangest things. Of course, I’m nervous about having a second child. Having one already shook my life up quite a bit. What will two do? I’m nervous about lack of sleep again and being good enough and all of those other …