Working Towards Eating Disorder Recovery
Eating disorders are serious illnesses with debilitating psychological and physical consequences. A disordered relationship with food presents a suffocating force to the mind and body that may lead to intense preoccupation, social isolation, depression and anxiety.
A complex interplay of psychological, biological and social factors contributes to the development and maintenance of anorexia, bulimia and binge eating disorder; effective treatment must address all of these factors. The multidisciplinary team at CPC implements current, empirically supported treatment methods to address the full scope of the eating disorder. The therapeutic process involves nutritional and physical restoration along with work toward behavior modification, emotional insight and healing.
How We Treat Eating Disorders
Nutritional inadequacy from food restriction, chaotic eating, self-induced vomiting and/or laxative or diuretic abuse, profoundly and negatively affects brain chemistry and must be reversed for the therapeutic process to be effective.
The CPC eating disorder treatment services encourage restoration of nutritional status within a safe, guided structure and environment.
As the body recovers, our patients are able to address the emotional and behavioral triggers to their disordered behaviors such as restricting, bingeing, and/or purging. The CPC team understands that this process is challenging, since eating disorder behaviors often serve multiple functions including quelling emotions, engendering calm and control and/or communicating needs. Patients realize through treatment, however, that these behaviors are self-defeating and become unnecessary once alternatives are available to replace them. As our patients work to disengage the eating disorder, they:
- Uncover the function of eating disorder behaviors
- Develop alternative coping methods that promote health
- Learn and incorporate new skills that interrupt self-defeating behaviors
- Recognize daily triggers for destructive eating and/or exercise episodes
- Identify, experience and tolerate feelings
- Challenge negative thoughts and beliefs that drive disordered behaviors
- Work to express feelings and needs most effectively
At CPC, patients work not only to reduce and ultimately extinguish symptoms, but to uncover and heal the emotional and interpersonal issues driving the disorder. In an accepting community, patients share thoughts and feelings and gain critical insight into themselves. As patients engage in a powerful interpersonal treatment experience they create a foundation for deeply connected relationships outside of the program. Movement away from preoccupation with food and body creates an opportunity to develop and nurture aspects of oneself that may have been overshadowed by the eating disorder.
Mind/Body Approach to Wellness and Eating Disorder Recovery
Mindfulness is non-judgmental, present-moment awareness of thoughts, emotions and physical sensations within the body. In recent years, mindfulness practice has been incorporated into a number of well-researched therapeutic interventions within the mental health and medical communities and is particularly beneficial for the treatment of Anorexia, Bulimia and Binge Eating Disorder.
Eating disorders constrict life experiences by cluttering the mind with relentless self-scrutiny, criticism, and conflict around food. Mindfulness allows for compassionate acceptance in place of harsh judgment and calm instead of urgency. In lieu of emotional and behavioral reactivity, a conscious, mindful state cultivates thoughtful response and eases the transition from disordered thought and action to skillful, balanced being. Mindfulness practice is an core element of CPC’s treatment philosophy and is integrated into the program through dedicated workshops, yoga and fitness, supported meals and group therapy.
A Healthful, Balanced Nutrition Program
The CPC nutrition program practices a balanced, healthful approach to nourishment that restores the body’s physical cues of hunger and fullness, robbed by disordered behaviors such as restricting, bingeing and/or purging. Responding to physical needs for nourishment begins a process of trust in the body and initiates a pathway toward mindful, intuitive eating. Mindful eating rewards our patients with a non-judgmental experience of food that assures a responsible intake consistent with the body’s needs and therefore, contributes to the maintenance of a stable body weight.
Mealtime is a supported experience during which patients fuel their bodies responsibly and respectfully in a relaxed, social setting. Every meal concludes with the processing of feelings that emerge throughout the nourishment process.
The structured yet flexible approach of our nutrition program empowers each patient to choose to honor and care for her body with every adequate meal she eats. The patient’s decision to fuel herself consistently and appropriately builds a foundation for her to sustain for a strong, healthy body and mind.
Please contact us with questions or to discuss eating disorder treatment options.