Why It Is Important to Work with an Eating Disorder Therapist That Gets It
If you don’t know someone that struggles with an eating disorder or you have never struggled yourself, it may be confusing to understand. Eating disorders aren’t often talked about, in fact, there is a stigma with eating disorders that makes it pretty tough for those struggling to openly share. There is often a fear that they will be looked at differently or judged. The thing is, eating disorders are way more common than you may think. My goal is to normalize the conversation around eating disorders so that nobody feels shame in sharing that they are struggling.
Eating disorders show up differently for everyone. However, they also have a lot of similarities. I found through my work that eating disorders can look very similar on the inside, as far as what folks are struggling with. For example, negative body image shows up in all different shapes and sizes, as well as difficulties with exercise, food, and dieting. Relating to someone that has been through something similar, no matter what the symptoms are, can be extremely healing.
As a therapist, I am not here to tell you my exact story or to tell you the details of what I struggled with. However, I do think that it can be extremely helpful to share that I did struggle with an eating disorder and have been recovered for many years. I tell you this because I feel like it can be very healing to be able to know that I can relate and that recovery is possible. I am living proof. Having a therapist that understands what you’ve been through means that when I say, “I get it. This is really tough.” I really mean it. I do get it.
How Eating Disorder Therapy Helps Recovery
This being said, I do not believe you need to have lived experience to be a great eating disorder specialist. Eating disorders are a unique beast. Learning about eating disorders is not something that often happens in school when you are becoming a therapist. Due to it’s unique and complex nature, it takes extra training to become knowledgeable in this area. An eating disorder specialist is someone that has had extensive experience in this field and understands the complex nature of an eating disorder. Having a therapist that has this experience is going to make it easier for them to understand what you are experiencing and normalize your thoughts and emotions. This allows the therapist to create a customized treatment plan for you as an individual with flexibility in addressing both the psychological and physical aspects that come with recovery.
The Language is Important
An eating disorder specialist is someone that knows how to communicate about body image and food in a gentle and non-judgemental way. Having an “all food is good food” mindset is the first place to start. This may look like using neutral language around different types of food, such as avoiding “good” versus “bad” food labels and instead using descriptive words like salty, savory, or sweet. Approaching care from a Health at Every Size (HAES) perspective is another extremely important thing to look out for. This means that they are looking at health from a weight neutral standpoint and not judging someone based on weight or size.
Creating a Safe Place in Therapy
During sessions, my ultimate goal is to help you feel comfortable and safe to be vulnerable and express your struggle. Having a safe place to be vulnerable can be one of the most healing things about therapy in itself. A therapist is not there to tell you what to do or give you advice. Rather to be an empathetic ear to help you through the hard time and see other perspectives throughout the process.
Being Able to Be Your Authentic Self
It can help you feel more comfortable to be vulnerable. That is what an eating disorder therapist is there for. I am not here to be one of those “blank slate” therapists that you know nothing about. You will find in the therapy room that I am real, genuine, and authentic. I want to see your authentic self, as much as I want you to see my authentic self because that is where the magic happens. Being able to be authentic in the therapy room makes you feel safe to express the things you feel shame around and start the healing process.
Understanding That it is Not Just About the Food
Knowledge around the understanding of building a healthy relationship with food and body image is a key part of recovery. A therapist that specializes in eating disorders is going to address things such as the harmful societal beauty standards and weight stigma. They will understand the different triggers that can arise around an eating disorder, and know that recovery is not linear.
Getting Help From an Eating Disorder Specialist
If you feel like this kind of therapist could help you feel more comfortable then please do not hesitate to reach out. I am here to support your recovery the way that I was supported through my own. If you need help finding more resources for an eating disorder specialist, check out our blog post here on how to start recovery.
About the Author
Kate Ringwood is a licensed professional therapist that specializing in eating disorder in athletes. Kate has extensive professional experience, including a bachelor’s degree in nutrition and a master’s degree in mental health counseling. Kate has been working in the field of eating disorders for almost 15 years and went through her own eating disorder recovery.
