Orthorexia nervosa is otherwise known as an unhealthy preoccupation with “clean, pure or righteous” eating and exercise. It is not yet a recognized eating disorder in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (5th Edition), but clinicians are becoming more and more aware of its devastating effects. Orthorexia usually begins with a positive desire
Is Feeling Bad About Your Body Getting in the Way of Your Recovery?
FREE this week – a life changing texting program to help you feel better about your body and support your recovery. Did you know that 80% of women say that the images of women on television and in movies, fashion magazines and advertising makes them feel insecure? Or that the average American woman is 5’4”
Substance Abuse & Eating Disorder in Teens
It’s a parent’s worst nightmare – finding out their child or teen is illegally drinking and/or using drugs. The statistics are alarming. The National Institute on Drug Abuse reports a recent rise in marijuana use despite a preceding 10-year period of decline. In 2010, 1.2 percent of 8th-graders, 3.3 percent of 10th-graders, and 6.1 percent
The Importance of Family Programming
In the past 10 or so years, I’ve noticed a slew of ancillary services to residential substance abuse and mental health treatment, from equine therapy, yoga, meditation to dolphin-assisted therapy. While all these therapies have added value to the identified client, not much has changed for the families. It seems we still look at the
Boundaries in Relationships: They’re a Two-Way Street
They’re a Two-Way Street You teach people how to treat you by what you allow, what you stop, and what you reinforce. —Tony Gaskins Has a loved one ever asked you for a significant favor or commitment, something you absolutely dreaded, but you agreed to do it to avoid hurting their feelings? Or, maybe you
Empowering Women to Recover
When clinicians are trying to help women to change, grow, and heal from addictions, it is critical that they place women in environments in which they can experience mutual, empathetic, healthy relationships with their counselors and with one another. Quote: Stephanie Covington Barriers To Treatment For Women Many treatment centers claim to provide gender-specific treatment.
Why You Want a Coach – 5-Year Continuum of Care for Alcoholism and Drug Addiction
Alcoholism and drug addiction are chronic and fatal diseases that require a continuum of care to help the client fully recover physically, mentally and emotionally, behaviorally and spiritually. It is a common myth that detox alone, or, detox and a 30-day inpatient treatment stay sufficiently rehabilitates the client to never drink or use again. In
Why Self Care is a Necessity for Human Functioning
“Self-care is not about self-indulgence, it’s about self-preservation.” – Audrey Lorde As a woman, mother, and psychotherapist- I tend to run on the care-taking side. I grew up in an alcoholic household as the oldest of five desperately wanting to make sure everyone else was taken care of. For a long time, I ignored that I
Spirituality is Different from Religion
“Spirituality is recognizing and celebrating that we are all inextricably connected to one another by a power greater than all of us, and that our connection to that powered to one another is grounded in love and belonging. Practicing spirituality brings a sense of perspective, meaning, and purpose to our lives.”~Brene Brown, Rising Strong I
Live and Learn: Top 10 Ways to Stay a Lifelong Learner
As the 2016–17 school year opens, parents and kids are preparing for major changes in routine. You may be thinking about going back to school yourself, especially if a bout with chemical dependence interrupted your education. But even if you have all the degrees you want, learning shouldn’t be shelved with “that’s that” relief once