How an ED and Body Image Course Can Support Your Recovery!
As a therapist and coach, I am a lover of learning. After all, when you get into a health profession, you are constantly learning and staying up to date with information. This is best practice and means you don’t have to do the heavy lifting to understand what you are dealing with ( although it’s important for you to understand what you are dealing with).
I learn new things every day about body image and disordered eating. One thing I recently learned and feel validating is that the DSM-TR added night eating syndrome into their DSM diagnosis. I always thought I just had poor control and I was weird as a kid. Another fact I learned is how intertwined ADHD and binge eating are. I will write a blog about both of these concepts but, I just never knew what I was dealing with was so common.
What is the importance of education and skills in ED and body image recovery?
When you are in recovery and trying to get to that point, sometimes you feel in the dark about what you are dealing with because no one has helped us truly understand the development of ED and body image. Instead, we know general truths or partially understand them. Much of what I know people have been taught is a bandaid to what is concerning them rather than getting to the deeper truths. I really love and support the use of therapy and coaching together.
Benefits of a Psychoeducation Course
You may or may not know that I am launching my course “Love your Bod-Ease”. I understand that sometimes people don’t know what they need and don’t necessarily have the time for really in-depth deep dives. Part of my mission is to provide psychoeducational information to people so they have an understanding of what is going on beneath the surface and how their environment impacts them. So what can you gain from a psychoeducational course for body image and disordered eating? Here are some of the benefits:
It provides an understanding of the nature of eating disorders and body image issues
Helps you in identifying YOUR triggers and coping strategies
Offers tools for setting and achieving personal goals
Encourages accountability and responsibility
Offers support in understanding your emotions
Benefits of a Skills-Based Course
Another part of this course is the skills-based aspect. You can understand all you want, but what is the next step, the plan, and the skills to cope, manage, and put into action your continued recovery, growth, and understanding? This course can benefit you by:
Teaches practical skills for challenging distorted thoughts and beliefs
Focuses on developing healthy coping mechanisms
Offers opportunities for practicing assertiveness and communication skills
Supports emotional regulation and mindfulness
How Combining Psychoeducation and Skills-Based Course Can Support Recovery
What does research state about combining psychoeducation and skills in disordered eating recovery? In one study, the following was stated “Our study clearly indicates that according to the patients' experiences, a psychoeducative program may facilitate healing processes. The study also supports a possible indirect impact on healing processes in terms of more readiness to seek treatment”. So while there is more information needed, I see psychoeduaction the same as I see mindfulness-based stress reduction. The more aware we are of what’s going on within and externally, the better we are able to respond and enact skills.
In another study focused on adolescent recovery, it was indicated that mindfulness skills were useful in supporting recovery.
In a final study, it is stated that “ Four trials have evaluated DBT skills training interventions for individuals with eating disorders, including binge eating disorder, chronic binging and purging, and subthreshold bulimia nervosa. 8-11 Participants who received DBT skills training had greater reductions in binge eating or binge/purge behaviors than waitlist controls and those in an active therapy group”.
So as you can see the benefits of this are numerous. I have a strong basis in evidence-based practice and while I do not adhere to a one size fits all approach to my coaching, I do believe in some models that can help. Additional benefits include:
Provides a comprehensive understanding of the issues and skills needed for recovery
Offers a supportive and safe space for learning and practicing new skills
Helps in building connections with others who understand and share similar experiences
Enables one to work collaboratively with professionals and supporters for better outcomes
Why chose a coaching program or a course for your recovery?
In a study that assessed a peer mentor program for eating disorders, it was shown that it was incredibly beneficial to participants, that mentors shared similar life experiences, and were able to empathize and reframe a client’s worldview. Additionally factors“ including hope, reconnection with others, and re-engaging with the world”, were helpful parts of the program. As a person in recovery, I understand the struggles you are going through and I understand it from being neurodivergent and being in brown skin. I understand the intersectional impacts that we face and I am here to support you along the way. Whether that is with coaching or if you try this program and you have questions.
Choose the Love Your Bod-Ease As a Part of Your Healing Journey!
What I hope you have gained from this is the importance of educating ourselves with research-based and empathy lead research. It also matters that you’re building skills and seeing what is and is not working for you. I hope you are feeling encouraged and know that if you are someone who is looking for a next step, to seek support through a psychoeducation and skills-based program for your healing journey. Reach out to a therapist, a dietician, a coach, or all three. You are not alone and there are many avenues to your recovery. Learn more about me and contact me for a free 30-minute discovery call.
