The Eating Disorder Therapist

 How can family members, friends and loved ones support someone with an eating disorder? You might feel incredibly anxious, upset, alone, frustrated as a carer. You might not know what to do. You may feel despairing about change. In this episode, I talk about the New Maudsley Animal Model - created by the Maudsley Hospital Eating Disorder Service in London (for adult sufferers rather than children or young teens). This helps explain how communication can be effective and ineffective in supporting someone. I talk through the different animals and the skills ideally needed, when becoming a 'dolphin'. It takes time to learn these skills. If you're a carer, I suggest you seek out a local support group. It's also vital that you self-care and look after yourself. These resources below might also help. The New Maudsley Animal Model http://thenewmaudsleyapproach.co.uk/media/animal_analogies.pdf Book recommendation: - Skills-based Caring for a Loved One with an Eating Disorder: by Janet Treasure, Grainne Smith and Anna Crane

Today, I’m sharing 3 more personal recovery secrets. Your path will be different but I hope this can inspire you and offer hope. Enjoy!

Today, I’m thrilled to have Victoria Stockwell back on the podcast. Victoria is an academic researcher, former pro bikini competitor and podcaster (The Hungry Girl Podcast). Victoria talks today about the changing female body ideal through the ages: how it’s changed; why it’s so influential and the damage it does to self-esteem and mental health. Victoria also shares openly about her own struggles in feeling the pressure to attain the body ideal (particularly in the fitness world) and how she is working to overcome this. Men do get a brief mention too, as the pressure on the male body to conform to an aesthetic is ever increasing. Thank you, Victoria, for another informative episode. I hope you enjoy listening. To find out more about Victoria:- Instagram: @hungrygirlvictoria Podcast: The Hungry Girl Podcast - https://victoriafairclough.podbean.com/

Today, I am talking to Stefanie Bonastia (Binge Eating and Diet Culture Recovery Coach). Stefanie helps women stop the binge/restrict cycle, feel more at home in their bodies and live authentic lives, free from diet culture. Stefanie experienced 20 years of eating disorders, with restriction, binge eating, over-exercise and a deep dive into wellness culture and orthorexia, before she finally found her peace with food and her body. If you are feeling stuck in disordered eating and need some hope and inspiration for change, then this is an episode for you. Hope you enjoy. To find out more about Stefanie: - Website: http://www.iamstefaniemichele.com/ FB & Instagram @iamstefaniemichele

In this episode, I share 5 secrets that were game-changers in my own recovery from an eating disorder. Your’s may well be very different but I hope that this episode offers hope and inspiration.

Today I'm talking to Amy Harman: a licensed marriage and family therapist and Certified Eating Disorders Specialist.  Amy talks about her work in eating disorders involving clients and their families, and shares her passion for helping people create positive body image. Amy shares her wisdom and tips to achieve better body image and introduces her brand, new book, which delivers the strategies to you.  To find out more about Amy: Website: www.reflectwholenesstherapy.com Instagram: @amyharmanlmft  Book: Perfectly Imperfect: Compassionate Strategies to Cultivate a Positive Body Image https://amzn.to/2CSByhz  

Today I’m talking to Maythal Eshaghian, all the way from Los Angeles, California. Maythal is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist and specialises in the treatment of Obsessive Compulsive Disorder and other related anxiety disorders. In this episode, Maythal gives a valuable insight into OCD – causes, treatment and recovery. It’s a fantastic introduction to understanding this area of mental health. I hope you enjoy. To find out more about Maythal: Instagram: @mindful_psyche Website: http://www.cbtherapyla.com/

Today, I’m talking about thoughts. You might assume that your thoughts are facts, as they often do feel true. With 60,000 thoughts per day and many being repetitive, no wonder they hold so much power over us. I’m talking about two unhelpful thought patterns that are very common in disordered eating – ‘all or nothing thinking’ and ‘constant comparisons,’ and how to deal with these in a constructive way that supports recovery. Hope you enjoy.

When a part of you is wanting to recover but another part of you is absolutely terrified. You might find it so hard to envisage a different you – a recovered you – a you that doesn’t ‘do’ eating disorder behaviours or spend hours of the day preoccupied with food and weight. It can be scary, when we think about change. Old insecurities can flood in; confidence can feel shaky and there is a gnawing feeling of anxiety. Staying in the comfort zone can be hugely protective of this, albeit unhelpful long-term. So how to deal with change in recovery? How do set yourself up to win? How do you deal with the underlying and inevitable anxiety? I share my 3 tips. Hope you enjoy.

Eating disorders are coping strategies. In this episode, I talk about the psychology and shine a light on 5 common barriers for change in recovery. Hope you enjoy.