The 12 Step program is modelled on black and white thinking - either you are abstaining, or you are engaging in your addiction. This works for substance abuse, as there is no safe amount of heroin, for example, to consume. But eating disorder recovery is about helping clients “find space in the grey”, and challenging black and white/all or nothing thinking. This rigid idea that promotes perfection is highly problematic psychologically, too. Your relationship with food will be nuanced, and organically changing day to day.
The abstinence model inadvertently promotes the idea that certain foods are the cause of binge eating disorder, or, conversely, if you just find the “perfect” way to eat, you will no longer binge.
Eating disorders often start with subtle changes—small shifts in mood, habits, or eating patterns that can easily blend into the everyday challenges of adolescence. There is also still a lot of stereotyping about eating disorders, and what they “look” like, so if your child doesn’t “look” like they have an eating disorder, it can be even harder to imagine that you might be dealing with ED.
Health at Every Size (HAES) is an approach to health and wellness that promotes acceptance of diverse body sizes and emphasizes adopting healthy habits rather than focusing solely on weight control for health. It challenges the traditional paradigm that equates thinness with health and instead encourages individuals to prioritize behaviors that support overall well-being. Simply controlling weight (keeping it low) does not make a person healthy. In fact, many people will adopt unhealthy or extreme behaviors to maintain a lower weight than their natural SET POINT.
Why do we see a decline in health while people wait to be admitted into care?
Why do symptoms and behaviors ramp up, not down (or at least stay status quo) once there is a light at the end of the tunnel, a promise of treatment?
Imagine a space where every aspect of your meal support is tailored just for you, where your nutritional needs, emotional sensitivities, and personal preferences are understood and respected. This is the heart of one-on-one meal support. It's a dynamic, adaptive approach that evolves with the client, offering nutritional, cognitive and emotional guidance that's as unique as your fingerprint.
The 12 Step program is modelled on black and white thinking - either you are abstaining, or you are engaging in your addiction. This works for substance abuse, as there is no safe amount of heroin, for example, to consume. But eating disorder recovery is about helping clients “find space in the grey”, and challenging black and white/all or nothing thinking. This rigid idea that promotes perfection is highly problematic psychologically, too. Your relationship with food will be nuanced, and organically changing day to day.
The abstinence model inadvertently promotes the idea that certain foods are the cause of binge eating disorder, or, conversely, if you just find the “perfect” way to eat, you will no longer binge.
Eating disorders often start with subtle changes—small shifts in mood, habits, or eating patterns that can easily blend into the everyday challenges of adolescence. There is also still a lot of stereotyping about eating disorders, and what they “look” like, so if your child doesn’t “look” like they have an eating disorder, it can be even harder to imagine that you might be dealing with ED.
Health at Every Size (HAES) is an approach to health and wellness that promotes acceptance of diverse body sizes and emphasizes adopting healthy habits rather than focusing solely on weight control for health. It challenges the traditional paradigm that equates thinness with health and instead encourages individuals to prioritize behaviors that support overall well-being. Simply controlling weight (keeping it low) does not make a person healthy. In fact, many people will adopt unhealthy or extreme behaviors to maintain a lower weight than their natural SET POINT.
Why do we see a decline in health while people wait to be admitted into care?
Why do symptoms and behaviors ramp up, not down (or at least stay status quo) once there is a light at the end of the tunnel, a promise of treatment?
Living with an eating disorder is akin to living in a constant state of trauma and fear. The individual is in perpetual survival mode. Every. Single. Day. When they embark on their recovery journey, especially during the early stages, it can be confusing (for the person as well as their support network) to understand why they may actually appear WORSE (for a period of time), even though they are treating their body better.
Many people who have battled with anorexia, bulimia, binge eating disorder, orthorexia, or any other eating disorder struggle with their body image and the concept of weight gain in recovery. Gradually helping their body heal and move toward their natural set point will be challenging, and, individuals who live in their set point range tend to have better body image in the long run.
Family-Based Treatment (FBT), also known as the Maudsley Approach, is an evidence-based treatment for adolescents with eating disorders, particularly anorexia nervosa. We will support, educate and empower the family to be actively involved in their child's treatment, from weight restoration and symptom interruption through to transitioning back into everyday life and navigating the stressors that arise.
