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Finding Treatment

One of the most important steps in overcoming any type of disordered eating or weight obsession is to find someone to talk to who can provide objective advice and help you in your journey toward freedom. Finding the right person can be difficult - here are some thoughts to help you in the process.

Seek Balanced Treatment

We often get asked "What should I look for in finding someone to talk to?" and we definitely have thoughts on that subject. When seeking a therapist or counselor, we believe that it's important to determine whether their approach is balanced to address all aspects of who you are - intellectual, emotional, relational, physical and spiritual. For example, disordered eating can have some significant effects upon your physical body. If you are talking with someone who only focuses on the spiritual side of your problem (i.e. "Let's pray about this and it will go away"), those physical issues are likely to flare back up and trigger you back into disordered eating patterns. By the same token, if you are talking with someone who only focuses on the physical (i.e. "What are you eating?" or "How much do you weigh?"), the emotional, intellectual and spiritual issues contributing to your disordered behavior will be left unresolved. In order for true recovery to be made, all five of these areas must be addressed.

What If I Can't Afford It?

Unfortunately, many of us cannot afford the high cost of weekly therapist sessions and/or in-patient facilities. While there are certainly times when financial sacrifices should be made in the interest of health and well-being, sometimes it's simply not possible to afford the care that you need. In times like these, try faith. The reality is, there is a God who created you and who knows exactly what you need. If you ask Him, He is more than able to get you to the right person. It sounds simplistic, we know, but we've found it to be true. We've seen people and churches 'sponsor' those in need. We've heard stories of funds and/or insurance coverage being miraculously provided. In Constance's own recovery journey, God provided someone who didn't even charge her for their sessions, though she certainly could have. So if you find yourself ready to talk, but unsure how to afford it, ask God to give you wisdom for your next step. And then look for His provision.

'Helper' Criteria

Whether you choose to talk with a therapist, counselor, or close friend about your struggles, here are some criteria to help make sure you're talking to the right person.

They must realize it's not their 'job' to fix you.
They should operate from a position of acceptance, not condemnation or judgment.
If not already familiar, they should try to read up on the subject of eating disorders, especially the particular type you are dealing with.
They should not try to minimize your pain.
They should be willing to just listen and provide comfort instead of thinking they must always have the answer.
They should try to accept your version of past events, even if they remember them differently. They should also give you time and permission to be angry.
They should not try to be your 'warden', policing your actions or making demands.
They should be willing to honestly share their opinions but allow room for you to have a differing view.
They must understand that you need time to work through this properly.

Source: Hope, Help and Healing for Eating Disorders, Dr. Gregg Jantz, as featured in Life Inside the Thin Cage: A Personal Look into the Hidden World of the Chronic Dieter, by Constance Rhodes. Page 218.

Treatment Listings

While we do not have an official "treatment finder" capability on our site, there are many resources for finding the names of qualified professionals in your area who specialize in disordered eating and nutrition counseling. Here are a few of our favorite resources (check out our 'links' page for further details):