FREE WEBINAR – MONDAY, MARCH 16
Click the link below to watch recording:
https://www.drdorie.com/coronavirus-webinar/

Coronavirus news is pretty much anywhere you look. What about the coronavirus and eating disorders? As COVID-19 spreads across the United States and around the world, how are people with eating disorders being impacted? Are there specific steps that those in recovery from eating disorders can take, not only to reduce the risk of the coronavirus but also to prevent their eating disorders from worsening as a means of coping with anxiety, fear, powerlessness, loneliness, and other intense emotions? Can counselors, psychologists, social workers, dietitians, recovery coaches and other health professionals – as well as friends and family members – offer unique assistance?

Impacts of the Coronavirus on People with Eating Disorders:

As those of us involved in the treatment of eating disorders know, one of the causes of eating disorders is “trying to be in control when things feel out of control.” According to numerous news updates, the spread of COVID-19 is far from “under control.” Here are a few things that I am noticing in my clients, as well as what my supervisees and mentees are reporting in their client populations. It is my hope that this information can give you insights into what interventions can be implemented:

• Anorexia Nervosa and Coronavirus: Extreme anxiety due to disruptions in eating disorder rituals and routines; avoidance of gyms and increased exercise outdoors, even in poor weather; worsening restriction through the justification that grocery shopping in crowds is unsafe; worsening isolation due to fears of coronavirus community spread; worsening of co-morbid issues such as Mood Disorders, Personality Disorders, Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder, Substance Use Disorder; much higher risk of severe symptoms of COVID-19 if the coronavirus is contracted, due to underlying health issues related to Anorexia Nervosa.
• Bulimia Nervosa and Coronavirus: Extreme anxiety due to disruptions in eating disorder rituals and routines; avoidance of gyms and increased exercise outdoors, even in poor weather; worsening restriction through the justification that grocery shopping in crowds is unsafe; hoarding of binge foods which can worsen binge/purge behaviors; worsening isolation due to fears of coronavirus community spread; worsening of co-morbid issues such as Mood Disorders, Personality Disorders, Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder, Substance Use Disorder; higher risk of severe symptoms of COVID-19 if the coronavirus is contracted, due to underlying health issues related to Bulimia Nervosa.
• Binge Eating Disorder and Coronavirus: Extreme anxiety due to disruptions in eating disorder rituals and routines; hoarding of binge foods which can worsen binge/purge behaviors; worsening isolation due to fears of coronavirus community spread; worsening of co-morbid issues such as Mood Disorders, Personality Disorders, Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder, Substance Use Disorder; risk of severe symptoms of COVID-19 if the coronavirus is contracted, due to underlying health issues related to Binge Eating Disorder.

Action Steps that People with Eating Disorders Can Take:

Of course, you’ll want to follow the guidelines to reduce the spread of the coronavirus, as offered by your local and state government, as well as the National Center for Disease Control and International World Health Organization. As a Certified Eating Disorder Specialist with more than 25 years of clinical experience, here are a few strategies that I can suggest for those with eating disorders to reduce the risk of contracting the coronavirus while also practicing Self-Care as an essential aspect of eating disorder recovery:

• Name your emotions while realizing YOU are NOT your emotions: For example, “I feel afraid,” rather than personalizing the emotions, such as, “I AM terrified!” Separate the feeling (fear) from your Self. YOU are not fear, terror, etc. You may FEEL afraid, terrified, etc. – but like waves in the ocean, these feelings can come and go, when you avoid attaching to them and let them go. In addition, you can FEEL more than one emotion at once – try to name some supportive emotions you may also feel, such as, “I feel hopeful, creative, loving.” Acknowledge that some emotions FEEL more comfortable than others. Become aware of emotions which are based on the past or the future, rather than the here-and-now. These are some core practices of mindfulness-based therapies, such as Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT). Realize that YOU are NOT your emotions. As Pema Chödrön is quoted as saying, “You are the sky. Everything else – it’s just the weather.”
• Be aware of attaching “facts” versus “fiction” to your emotions: For example,  “I feel afraid because the coronavirus is killing millions of people (fiction), and eventually we’re all going to get it (fiction), and there is nothing I can do to avoid getting it (fiction), and everybody is going to die (fiction)…oh my gosh, I’m terrified!” You can see how “fiction” can spiral into catastrophic thinking, and extreme emotions. One of the basic principles of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is that events result in thoughts that trigger emotions. If we have “irrational thoughts” about events, this can cause unhelpful and intensely painful emotions. Pausing to notice thoughts, and focusing only on facts (without added fictional stories), is essential. “The coronavirus has killed thousands of people worldwide.” Fact. “I feel worried.” Emotion based on fact. “There are steps I can take to stay safe.” Fact. “I feel relieved.” Emotion based on fact. “My eating disorder won’t make the coronavirus go away.” Fact. “My eating disorder can worsen my risk of getting the coronavirus.” Fact. “I intend to stay focused on recovery and Self-Care.” Fact. “I feel empowered.” Emotion based on fact.
• Stay connected with your eating disorder recovery community: Many support groups are now being offered online, through chat rooms and video conferencing. Check with local and national eating disorder organizations for more information. I offer “virtual therapy sessions” through HIPAA-compliant platforms, so you don’t need to leave your home in order to have a session with me, here in my state of licensure in Colorado. Most therapists, dietitians, and even medical doctors are able to offer tele-health services in your state. Health and Life Coaches have been conducting sessions-by-phone for years, and there are no boundaries created by state lines (coaches can provide services anywhere in the world). Through my business, the EDIT™ Training Institute, people have become certified as Eating Disorder Intuitive Therapy (EDIT)™ – Eating Disorder Treatment Clinicians and Recovery Coaches. Find an EDIT™ Certified Clinician or Coach Here

Action Steps to Help People with Eating Disorders:

Someone you love may be struggling with an eating disorder, and you may be noticing that their behaviors are becoming worse, possibly as a way of coping with the coronavirus outbreak. Or, you may be a mental health clinician or health coach who is aware that underlying health issues (such as eating disorders) can worsen the severity of the coronavirus. Here’s how you can help, even if you don’t have training to provide support, recovery coaching, or therapy to those with eating disorders:

• Friends & Family: Be a role model for someone in recovery. Demonstrate coronavirus precautions such as hand washing, while illustrating how to avoid obsessive/compulsive behaviors. Offer to grocery shop together, while showing how to appropriately use hand sanitizers and exhibit social distancing. In nice weather, go to a park and take a walk together, or practice gentle movement such as yoga, using online instructional sources. Offer to cook meals and eat together. Keep your own thoughts and emotions in check (refer to the points in the section above). Be compassionate if the person you love does use their eating disorder behaviors as a means of coping. As them if there is anything else that you can do to help. Download FREE EDIT™ Resources or become an EDIT™ Certified Peer Support Provider to learn additional skills
• Clinicians & Coaches: People with eating disorders and other mental health issues really need your help right now! Many of you may be working from home for a period of time. You can use HIPAA-compliant audio and video conferencing to have sessions with your clients while they remain in their own homes. Here are a few resources to consider: doxy.me, wecounsel.com, zoom.us. Since coaches are not bound by HIPAA regulations, you can use Skype, FaceTime, or a standard phone call. Be aware that clients with a previous history of eating disorders may have a recurrence as a means of coping. Or, clients with Substance Use Disorders may not be able to obtain alcohol or other drugs, and they can develop eating disorders as a replacement. Are you equipped to diagnose and treat, or coach clients with Anorexia Nervosa, Bulimia Nervosa, and Binge Eating Disorder? The EDIT™ Training Institute offers FREE EDIT™ Resources and ONLINE EDIT™ Certification to become an Eating Disorder Recovery Coach or Treatment Clinician.

If a higher level of care is needed, Eating Disorder Treatment Centers report being equipped for the coronavirus.
We’re all in this together! Let’s be hopeful, inspired and creative. We can make a unique difference for others.

FREE WEBINAR – MONDAY, MARCH 16
Click the link below to watch recording:
https://www.drdorie.com/coronavirus-webinar/

*****

Article may be reprinted with the author bio below.

©2020 by Dr. Dorie McCubbrey. Dr. Dorie is a Certified Eating Disorder Specialist and Licensed Addiction Counselor who is passionate about training professionals to effectively guide clients in recovery from eating disorders. She is the President of the EDIT™ Training Institute LLC, which provides training and certification in her method of Eating Disorder Intuitive Therapy (EDIT)™.  She also provides sessions for clients who struggle with these issues, either in person or by phone. Learn more at: https://www.drdorie.com

*****

Want more that this “taste” of EDIT™? Dr. Dorie is passionate about her method of Eating Disorder Intuitive Therapy (EDIT)™ to help people overcome eating disorders and addictions.  She provides customized programs for people in recovery from eating disorders and who struggle with weight issues, and  EDIT™ eating disorder training and certification for coaches and clinicians worldwide. CALL 303-494-1975 – EMAIL DR. DORIE – GET CERTIFIED

The post Coronavirus and Eating Disorders appeared first on INTUITIVE THERAPY™ | Healthy Weight Loss | Eating Disorder Recovery Coach.

From Halloween to Thanksgiving to Holiday Parties into the New Year – food seems to be everywhere. Here are a few strategies to help your clients (or yourself) to find balance with emotions and eating. This can help overcome the temptation to binge (and then possibly purge), or to engage is restrictive behaviors which result in feelings of deprivation (and then possibly a binge/purge). Try these EDIT™ Skills to break the ED cycle, and enjoy this Holiday Season:

1. Trust Your Intuition with Food Choices – Get in touch with the foods you truly love. I mean, LOVE. Is it really the Halloween on every corner display in the grocery store? Or, Aunt Martha’s fruit cake that you feel obligated to eat to please her? Or, those store-baked cookies someone brought to the Holiday Office Party? Think back to your own pleasant memories of this time of year. Maybe you really LOVE apples dipped in caramel, or the turkey stuffing the your Nana used to make, or your Grandma’s shortbread cookies. Make your own list of “favorite foods,” and see if you can focus on these as your food choices. When you’re shopping specifically for apples and caramel, it’s easy to overlook all the candy. When you’re bringing your Nana’s stuffing to the family gathering, maybe you can say to Aunt Martha as she passes the fruitcake, “No, thanks, I’m stuffed!” (Yes, pun intended). And, at the Holiday Party, people will be asking, “Who baked these cookies? I want the recipe!” I hope this strategy helps you to focus more on enjoying the foods you love, while connecting more with others.
2. Check In with Your Feelings Often – Notice the sensations in your body, as well as your predominant emotions. Be curious about a possible link between your emotions and your body sensations. Rate these sensations on a scale from 1 to 10, and if they seem very intense (a 9 or 10), pause to a coping skill to bring the intensity down to a manageable level (a 4 or 5. Consider using the EDIT™ Worksheet (at end of article) to help you develop ways to meet your specific needs. Take a photo of the completed worksheet, so if you are feeling emotionally vulnerable before a holiday event, you can pull out your phone for a quick reminder about emotional balance. This is an effective way to avoid using ED behaviors to cope.
3. Give the Gift of Self-Care – Yes, to your Self! This is a busy time of year, and much of the focus can be about, “What costume should I make for my daughter? What is the best gift for my boss? What present should I get my nephew, Jimmy?” All of this, on top of the regular responsibilities of everyday life. Be sure to beep recovery as your #1 priority, and reflect about simple Self-Care you can enjoy every day – perhaps a 5-minute morning meditation, pausing for a cup of tea in the afternoon, or buying yourself a gift (and wrapping it)!

*****

Article may be reprinted with the author bio below.

©2019 by Dr. Dorie McCubbrey. Dr. Dorie is a Certified Eating Disorder Specialist and Licensed Addiction Counselor who is passionate about training professionals to effectively guide clients in recovery from eating disorders, through her Eating Disorder Intuitive Therapy (EDIT)™ Certified program. She also provides sessions for clients who struggle with these issues, either in person or by phone. Learn more at: https://www.drdorie.com

*****

Want more that this “taste” of EDIT™? Dr. Dorie is passionate about her method of Eating Disorder Intuitive Therapy (EDIT)™ to help people overcome eating disorders and addictions.  She provides customized programs for people in recovery from eating disorders and who struggle with weight issues, and  EDIT™ eating disorder training and certification for coaches and clinicians worldwide. CALL 303-494-1975 – EMAIL DR. DORIE – GET CERTIFIED 

*****

CLICK IMAGE to VIEW & PRINT WORKSHEET

The post Eating Disorder Recovery Tips for Food Holidays appeared first on INTUITIVE THERAPY™ | Healthy Weight Loss | Eating Disorder Recovery Coach.

It’s a few days before Memorial Day Weekend, and “Swimsuit Season” is about to begin. Will you venture out to the beach in a bikini, will you be seen in a swimsuit at the pool? Or, will this be yet another summer that you “hide” underneath long-sleeved t-shirts and ankle-length crop-pants, hoping that no one will look at your body, which you deem “disgusting”?

As an eating disorder clinician, it breaks my heart when I hear my clients criticize their bodies in ways that they never would say to another person – not even their worst enemy. Sadly, some of my clients were told by their parents, siblings, or so-called friends that they were “chubby,” that they “needed to get the fat off,” or that they were “such a stick” and needed to put on some weight. If it’s not people my clients know, it’s the “comparing game” played with models, celebrities, and other “ideal” images portrayed in the media.

As someone who has struggled with body image issues, which only fueled the fires of my eating disorders, I am so grateful to be free of the extremely detrimental effects of body shaming. I’d like to share a few things that helped me to improve my body image, so that I could feel comfortable and confident in a swimsuit. Guess what – it had nothing to do with changing my weight, or anything else about my body. It had everything to do with changing my MIND.

Having a positive body image has nothing to do with how you look and what you weigh.  It has everything to do with what you THINK about how you look and what you weigh.  How else can you explain a situation where you “felt fine” and then suddenly “felt fat”?  Did you instantly gain 50 pounds?  No!  But you may think you have. Or, that you have 50+ pounds that you think you “should” lose. Perhaps you think you’re “too skinny and scrawny.” The key is to imagine feeling good in your body.  Size has nothing to do with this.

As previously mentioned, it’s a few days before Memorial Day. I invite you to CHALLENGE the body myths that you have. Gently notice where these judgments came from? Are they helping you to live the life that you truly desire? Who set the “rule” that you have to look a certain way in order to wear a swimsuit – isn’t that why there are so many sizes and styles? Who determined the “weight criteria” to lay in the sun or swim in the ocean – will there be a scale at the beachfront?

BODY IMAGE TIP: TRY THIS VISUALIZATION:  Read through it first, and then guide yourself through it.  Close your eyes and just breathe, relaxing into the moment.  Imagine the last glimpse you had of yourself in the mirror.  Now, get a deeper sense of your body, beyond the image in the mirror.  What physical sensations are you aware of in your body?  Notice the beating of your heart, the movement of your breath, and any other sensations amidst your body’s seeming stillness.  What are the various things that you can do with your body? Imagine all of the different ways your body can move – walking, bending, stretching, running, lifting, climbing, and so much more. How does your body serve you and others? Get a sense of what your body allows you to do and be, and you interact with people throughout a typical day. What is the purpose of your body, at its current size?  Move beyond any judgments about your body’s size, and notice the advantages of being exactly the size you are right now. How can you be your best Self, in your current body? Pause now, and reflect about what it means to be in your body, in this moment. As you imagine wearing a swimsuit, notice the immediate thoughts that come up. Just notice them, without attaching to them. Reflect about where you learned these thoughts. Imagine what it would be like to be free of these thoughts. After all, these are not really YOUR thoughts. And, if you are going to claim a thought which is not your own, how about this one: “YOU HAVE EVERY RIGHT TO WEAR A SWIMSUIT YOU LOVE, AND GO TO YOUR FAVORITE OCEAN (lake, river, pool, backyard sprinkler), AND LOVE YOUR EXPERIENCE!” Why “weight”…

*****

Article may be reprinted with the author bio below.

©2019 by Dr. Dorie McCubbrey. Dr. Dorie is a Certified Eating Disorder Specialist and Licensed Addiction Counselor who is passionate about training professionals to effectively guide clients in recovery from eating disorders, through her Eating Disorder Intuitive Therapy (EDIT)™ Certified program. She also provides sessions for clients who struggle with these issues, either in person or by phone. Learn more at: https://www.drdorie.com

*****

Dr. Dorie’s UnDiet™ can help undo the damage that diets can do – including negative body image.
LEARN MORE

Want more that this “taste” of EDIT™? Dr. Dorie is passionate about her method of Eating Disorder Intuitive Therapy (EDIT)™ to help people overcome eating disorders and addictions.  She provides customized programs for people in recovery from eating disorders and who struggle with weight issues, and  EDIT™ eating disorder training and certification for coaches and clinicians worldwide. CALL 303-494-1975 – EMAIL DR. DORIE – GET CERTIFIED

The post Improve Body Image in a Swimsuit appeared first on INTUITIVE THERAPY™ | Healthy Weight Loss | Eating Disorder Recovery Coach.

‘Tis the season – for family gatherings, Holiday parties… and lots of food. It can be enough of a challenge to stay on course with your eating disorder recovery in your day-to-day life. It’s even more challenging when you’re triggered by your Aunt Mary’s comments about your weight, or your Grandmother’s pumpkin pie. Here are a few strategies for eating disorders help for the holidays:

1. Know Your Triggers – Identify the people, places and events that are the most challenging for you to deal with. By acknowledging that your Aunt Mary always makes a comment about your weight, you can actually be less triggered when she makes a comment this year. She might say, “You look so good – how much weight have you lost?” Or, “What happened – you gained so much weight since the last time I saw you!” Knowing that she will make some kind of comment, you can be prepared and therefore less triggered. Similarly, knowing that you are going to a family function where you will encounter foods which can trigger your eating disorder behaviors, you can diffuse the power of the trigger simply by being aware of it. You know that your Grandmother will bring pumpkin pie – and you also know that she will push you to have a piece. You also know that she’ll give you a “sad look” if you decline to have a piece, and she’ll push you to have seconds if you agree to have one.
2. Have a Plan to Deal with Your Triggers – After you have identified some of the main triggers you might encounter, come up with specific action steps for each. When your Aunt Mary makes a comment about your weight, you might plan to say, “Let’s not focus on my weight. Let’s talk about the art class I am taking!” You can shift the conversation onto a topic that you enjoy talking about. As for the pumpkin pie, you might say ,”Grandma, you know that I love your pie! But this year, I’d only like one very small piece, and that’s it!” You can choose the boundary that feels right to you.
3. Follow-Up with Self-Care – After encountering people, places or events that were triggering, it’s a good idea to enjoy some extra Self-Care! Make a list of Self-Care ideas, and after your family event or party, scan your list and choose something that will help you feel “nourished from within.”  For example, your list might include: Call my friend Suzy, take a walk with my dog, get a massage, go see a movie, write in my journal, listen to my favorite music, read my gratitude list, go to a support group.

With these strategies for eating disorders help for the holidays, you can stay on your path of recovery!

*****

Article may be reprinted with the author bio below.

©2018 by Dr. Dorie McCubbrey. Dr. Dorie is a Certified Eating Disorder Specialist and Licensed Addiction Counselor who is passionate about training professionals to effectively guide clients in recovery from eating disorders, through her Eating Disorder Intuitive Therapy (EDIT)™ Certified program. She also meets with clients at her treatment center, Positive Pathways PLLC, located in Evergreen Colorado. Learn more at: https://www.drdorie.com

*****

Want more that this “taste” of EDIT™? Dr. Dorie is passionate about her method of Eating Disorder Intuitive Therapy (EDIT)™ to help people overcome eating disorders and addictions.  She provides customized counseling for eating disorders and alcohol / drug addiction at her Positive Pathways treatment center in Evergreen, Colorado – and EDIT™ eating disorder training and certification for coaches and clinicians worldwide. CALL 303-494-1975 – EMAIL DR. DORIE – GET CERTIFIED

The post Eating Disorders Holiday Help appeared first on INTUITIVE THERAPY™ | Healthy Weight Loss | Eating Disorder Recovery Coach.