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Treatment Philosophy Most people believe that eating disorders are about food and weight…a desire to become thin. However, eating disorders are serious mental health disorders that can lead to death if not treated. We believe that with proper and adequate treatment, individuals suffering from an eating disorder can fully recover. There are many factors that lead to the development of eating disorders. A person does not choose to have an eating disorder. The disorder develops over time, in part, as a means of coping with life’s stressors, a need to feel in control, and a need to “numb out” unwanted thoughts and feelings. For many people the eating disorder becomes their best friend. At Discovery Paths, we often use the analogy of the eating disorder as an abusive lover. It says to the sufferer, “I am always here for you…I’ll never leave you…I can give you everything you need…I can make you feel special, unique, strong…I am your best friend…No one knows you like I know you…” The eating disorder is seductive and brings the individual to a place that at the very least is not threatening. On the other hand, it isolates and punishes the individual when he/she doesn’t comply with the eating disorders demands. The push and pull of the disorder causes deep conflict within the individual. It’s easier to give in to the eating disorder’s demands that to fight it. That’s why for most individuals recovery is a long process that can take years. Recovery requires the support and direction of professionals. The eating disorder affects the individual’s relationships, causing them to become more dysfunctional. Most people do not know how to deal with a person with an eating disorder. They fear setting the person off and making the situation worse. At Discovery Paths, we encourage family and friends to be involved in treatment and provide a group that is specifically focused on educating and providing support and direction to family and friends. This promotes positive changes within the clients and their relationships At Discovery Paths, we use multiple modalities including cognitive and dialectical behavioral therapy to assist our clients in developing alternative coping skills to manage unhealthy thoughts and behaviors. This includes those that are eating disordered as well as those associated with co-existing disorders such as depression, anxiety, obsessive compulsive and/or substance/alcohol abuse. We work with our clients to develop tools and techniques based on cognitive and dialectical behavioral therapy. These tools and techniques will assist our clients in learning to cope with unwanted thoughts and feelings; manage situations that are stressful and triggering; develop strategies to effectively manage urges and anxious thoughts and feelings; and develop inter- and intrapersonal skills. Clients will also develop Mindfulness skills, as this is an important skill that helps our clients learn to live in the present moment. It is also the basis in helping our clients learn to reconnect with their body’s internal feelings and cues including those cues related to hunger and satiety. Another modality is group psychotherapy to provide the clients a safe place to explore and process underlying issues and concerns that prompt the eating disorder and related dysfunctional behaviors. We believe that knowledge is an important key to recovery; however, it is not enough. We believe that an individual needs to put into practice what they have learned and process this information to continue to take steps forward in their recovery. In other words, they need to practice, process, practice, process, etc… At Discovery Paths, we provide our clients with the opportunity inside and outside of the program to practice and process. Psychotherapy and Experiential groups such as psychodrama, supervised meals, and restaurant outings give our clients the opportunity during the program time to process and practice. Homework assignments and goals setting provide clients with the direction needed to practice outside the program. Feedback given and received by the treatment team and peers provides the clients with greater insight and strategies in integrating the material obtained from the program into their daily lives. Finally, as we are an eating disorder program, we work with our clients to learn and practice healthy eating patterns. Our belief about food is based on the concept that all food can be part of a healthy lifestyle. We do not believe that there are “good foods” and “bad foods.” We believe that it is not so much what you are eating but what is eating you that need to be addressed. Therefore, learning to eat based on fueling your body so that you feel your best, physically, mentally, and emotionally, is the focus of our work with food and your relationship with food. At Discovery Paths, our years of experience have enabled us to develop a supportive, comprehensive treatment program for individuals with an Eating Disorder as well as those individuals who have coexisting concerns such as depression, anxiety and obsessive-compulsive disorders, and/or substance/alcohol abuse. Our staff will work collaboratively with our clients to meet the needs and concerns of each individual. Feel free to contact us so that we can set up an assessment to determine if this program is right for you. Discovery Paths is located in Mission Viejo, California. We are conveniently located off the 5 Freeway and minutes from the Toll Road. To discover your path to recovery, call us at 949.716.4326 or email us at info@discoverypaths.com. |
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