© Erica Faulhaber 2016 – this blog article may be shared in its entirety, including copyright and contact information. Reprint only with permission from the author. Article adapted and reprinted by Positive Pathways, PLLC with permission.

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Want to explore trauma recovery? Contact Erica Faulhaber, MA, LPCC – the author of this blog article. Erica is an EDIT™ Certified III – Eating Disorder Treatment Clinician, and has a specialty in trauma recovery at her office in Lakewood, Colorado. EMAIL ERICA

Interested in a FREE consultation with Dr. Dorie? 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

The post Eating Disorders and Trauma: Journaling for Recovery appeared first on INTUITIVE THERAPY™ | Healthy Weight Loss | Eating Disorder Recovery Coach.

I’d like to introduce you to Rebecca Sculley, who is a Licensed Professional Counselor and an EDIT™ Certified III – Eating Disorder Treatment Clinician. I supervised Rebecca while she was working towards licensure, and co-facilitated some of her first DBT Skills Groups. She is a knowledgeable and compassionate therapist, who is passionate about helping people thrive during life transitions. She wrote this article to inform people about one of her DBT groups, and although that date has passed, please read this article to learn more about how DBT can help you. You can contact Rebecca about the current individual and group sessions she holds (see bottom of article).
– Dr. Dorie

My name is Rebecca Sculley, and one of my primary methods of treatment is Eating Disorder Intuitive Therapy (EDIT)™, and I am an EDIT™ Certified III – Eating Disorder Treatment Clinician.  In addition, I have expertise in Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) and its specific application to eating disorders and other addictions.  Exactly what is DBT, and how can it support you on your journey of recovery from eating disorders?  

DBT for Eating Disorders has many benefits. Many of my clients report symptoms such as “Emotional Eating,” “Compulsive Overeating,” “Uncontrollable Food Cravings,” “Sugar Addiction,” and other behaviors associated with Binge Eating Disorder.  DBT Skills have been shown to be highly effective for the treatment of addictive behaviors, and my clients report great success in reducing their impulse to engage in eating disorder behaviors as a means of coping. 

DBT Skills are also effective to overcome self-harm behaviors and recover from sexual traumas, which can often be the root cause of eating disorders and addictions.  Perhaps you’ve heard about DBT, and you’re looking for a DBT Skills Group or individual sessions to learn DBT Skills.  Or maybe you’re new to DBT, but you’d like to give it a try.  My unique application of DBT to eating disorder recovery might be just what you’ve been looking for!  

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Looking for guidance with DBT SKILLS? Contact Rebecca Sculley, MA, NCC, LPC – the author of this blog article. She is an EDIT™ Certified III – Eating Disorder Treatment Clinician, and has a specialty in DBT Skills. Rebecca has office locations in Boulder and Denver, Colorado. – EMAIL REBECCA 

Interested in a FREE consultation with Dr. Dorie? 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

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

I’d like to introduce you to Erica Faulhaber, who is a Licensed Professional Counselor Candidate and an EDIT™ Certified III – Eating Disorder Treatment Clinician. I supervised Erica while she was working with me at my previous office location in Denver. She is a knowledgeable and compassionate therapist, who specializes in trauma recovery. You can contact Erica with any comments or questions, including how to get started with individual sessions (see bottom of article).
– Dr. Dorie

How do we define trauma? If you look up the word “trauma” various definitions populate. The underlying theme amongst the trauma definitions involves an unpleasant experience that leaves a person with an injury. The injury can be physical, emotional or even mental. So then, how do we define trauma in a counseling setting?

When I first meet with a client we go over quite a few questions to help me better understand their want for professional help. As we get to questions about trauma, some clients initially respond they have not experienced trauma in their lives. As our discussion continues, I help clients identify what mental health providers refer to as BIG T’S (Big Traumas) and little t’s (little traumas). It is estimated that “Approximately one half (50%) of all individuals will be exposed to at least one traumatic event in their lifetime” (American Psychological Association, 2016). While 50% of folks may experience trauma, responses to such trauma differ from person to person. One person may be able to continue through life with little to no help with the trauma while others could have lifelong difficulties.

Big T’s can differ in the level of severity along with the healing time involved in resolving such trauma. There are some cases in which these traumas impact an individual for the duration of their life. Examples can include witnessing a horrific crime, experiencing war, surviving abuse (emotional, physical, sexual) or neglect, exposure to violence and being involved in a car accident. Little t’s can be very impactful and are not necessarily less significant but different in nature from big traumas. Examples can include personal divorce, divorce of parents, death of an important person, loss of a job, increased debt, moving locations frequently and breaking up with a partner. When a person is exposed to indirect or direct traumas repeatedly at a lower level of intensity, the impacts can still be decisive to how a person approaches everyday life.

Trauma can manifest into various areas of life if not acknowledged and addressed. Survivors of trauma may experience physical, emotional and mental symptoms. Along with such symptoms, it is not uncommon to have addictions or other struggles surface with unresolved trauma. A person could be pulled to unhealthy relationships with people, alcohol, drugs, sex and yes-even FOOD. Struggles with food can fall on a continuum by restricting, bingeing and anything in between. Destructive patterns and behaviors of eating disorders or disordered eating start to become second nature. While you cannot go back in time to take away such events, you can move forward with healing them. Grab ahold of the lifesaver and start to release the BIG and/or little traumas that have been weighing you down!

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Want to explore trauma recovery? Contact Erica Faulhaber, MA, LPCC – the author of this blog article. Erica is an EDIT™ Certified III – Eating Disorder Treatment Clinician, and has a specialty in trauma recovery at her office in Lakewood, Colorado. EMAIL ERICA

Interested in a FREE consultation with Dr. Dorie? 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

The post Eating Disorders and Trauma: What Is Trauma? appeared first on INTUITIVE THERAPY™ | Healthy Weight Loss | Eating Disorder Recovery Coach.

I’d like to introduce you to Erica Faulhaber, who is a Licensed Professional Counselor Candidate and an EDIT™ Certified III – Eating Disorder Treatment Clinician. I supervised Erica while she was working with me at my previous office location in Denver. She is a knowledgeable and compassionate therapist, who specializes in trauma recovery. You can contact Erica with any comments or questions, including how to get started with individual sessions (see bottom of article).
– Dr. Dorie

The holiday season can flare up remembrance of past trauma. Perhaps it is reminders of loved ones who have created the trauma, being around non-supportive folks or maybe even how traumatic experiences occurred right around the holidays. So how then, can we wrap up trauma with a pretty little bow?

Being able to wrap up or contain our trauma from affecting our daily lives is a difficult task. Here are a few ideas for how to start the process:

1. Grounding
2. Coping Toolbox
3. Self-Care

Grounding is a way to put you back in the present moment. This tool is helpful when experiencing flashbacks, if you start to drift off or disassociate, and to serve as a reminder that you are safe in this exact moment. To “ground” yourself, you can begin by using your five senses (i.e. sight, touch, smell, taste, hear). Using these senses, you are not only able to slow down your racing thoughts but also become reconnected with your body. When you are not grounded, the traumatic event(s) can hijack your thoughts, emotions and body. You are taken right back to that moment in time where you felt scared, powerless or stuck. Another method to grounding can be as simple as tapping your fingers on your knees or shoulders and saying “In this moment, I am safe.”

A coping toolbox can also be extremely helpful to ground you and to create calm in a time of distress. Your tools can help with breathing, the release of the physiological parts of trauma and help you outside of traditional therapy sessions.

• Bubbles: Target and the dollar store have small containers that are inconspicuous with the ability to fit into a backpack or purse. Bubbles force us to slow down our breathing in order to create a bubble. You can take them into the restroom at a relative’s house or even into a restaurant restroom stall. Nobody will ever know you are having difficulty in that moment.
• Play dough or silly putty: Both help engage you in a tactile experience that produces sensations bringing you into the present moment.
• A box of mints or tic-tacs: These can help engage all five senses. Taking the time to explore the sight, smell, taste, touch and even sound (whether in their box or in your mouth as you crunch your last bite).

Your tools can be multipurpose as they serve to provide self-soothing, distraction or perhaps company while you overcome powerful emotions. These tools should be easily accessible and things that you feel comfortable with turning to for some relief.

Self-care in the context of this post is to suggest offering yourself compassion or grace with the process of healing from trauma. The road toward healing can be arduous, but you are a resilient human being who has survived trauma. Having this trauma can be a gift that comes with a pretty bow on top if you are willing to explore it, accept it (different from approving of it) and work through it. You are in control of your trauma now.

*Disclaimer: These tools are not a substitute to traditional therapy but rather as adjunct options.

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Want to explore trauma recovery? Contact Erica Faulhaber, MA, LPCC – the author of this blog article. Erica is an EDIT™ Certified III – Eating Disorder Treatment Clinician, and has a specialty in trauma recovery at her office in Lakewood, Colorado. EMAIL ERICA

Interested in a FREE consultation with Dr. Dorie? 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 and Trauma: Holiday Coping Skills appeared first on INTUITIVE THERAPY™ | Healthy Weight Loss | Eating Disorder Recovery Coach.