A Journey Through Eating Disorders Support & Recovery

Balancing eating disorder recovery during the back-to-school season is possible and can be managed effectively with the right resources and strategies. Many students are gearing up to head back to school or have already made it through their first day. For those struggling with an eating disorder, this season can bring a slew of excitement along with inevitable stressors. Here…

CBT, CBT-E, DBT… Have you ever wondered what all those letters stand for and why they are so often talked about at The Emily Program and by other eating disorder professionals? If so, this is the post for you. Let’s dissect these terms, help you understand them, and explain why they are important to the work clients and clinicians do…

Everyone’s path to recovery is unique and involves managing the ups and downs that come with it. Building a supportive network, practicing self-care, setting boundaries, and using coping skills like mindfulness are just a few of the many tools that can help along the way. Remember, recovery isn’t linear -- but with persistence and support, you can find healing. Excerpt…

Dr. Mike Swinyard was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes nearly 50 years ago. He was told that after 10 to 15 years of living with the chronic illness, he’d start to see medical complications. He says, “It doesn’t help anyone to inject fear to motivate someone, to remind them if they don’t do XYZ, these will get XYZ complications. We…

Summer can be a busy time for many people. Social events, family gatherings, evenings with friends, and company outings all dominate the calendar during these seemingly fun and carefree months. However, for those struggling with eating disorders, navigating these social events can be particularly challenging. Getting out of your routine and exposing yourself to potential triggers can make it difficult…

You don’t know what to do. You’ve never had to worry about your twelve-year-old son before. His school report cards consistently reflect his conscientiousness, situating him comfortably at the top of his classes. He demonstrates the same drive outside the classroom, where he’s established himself as a dependable scorer for the school’s soccer team. But something’s been off lately, giving…

How we talk about food and bodies with our children can have a significant impact on their self-perception and relationship with eating. Through these conversations, we can help support children in having a balanced relationship with food and their bodies. Eating disorders are complex mental illnesses that affect one’s eating behaviors, and they can affect people of all ages. Some…

Eating disorders can affect anyone. In fact, nine percent of Americans will experience an eating disorder in their lifetime. Recovery from an eating disorder can be challenging, but with access to care and support, recovery is possible. One helpful tool for eating disorder recovery can be  support groups. This article will share with you what a support group may look…

Kelsey Gilchriest, a peer mentor at the virtual eating disorder treatment provider Equip, began having issues with food at an early age. But at the time—and even to this day—many of the people in her life downplayed the severity of her problems. “What I often experience is people believing I'm ‘just a picky eater,’” she says. “My father was also…

Gastroparesis is a stomach condition that is highly prevalent within the eating disorder community. The term “gastroparesis” directly translates to “stomach paralysis.” This condition acutely affects the normal movement of the stomach muscles. Perhaps you or a loved one suffers from gastroparesis, or maybe this is your first introduction to the condition. Regardless of your baseline understanding, this comprehensive overview…