8 Topics to Discuss in Therapy to Strengthen Your Eating Disorder Recovery
Written by Emily Costa
Eating disorders, while tough to conquer, can be treated successfully with a combination of professional therapy and self-care. Therapy serves as a critical cornerstone for recovery, providing a safe space to navigate through the complexities of the disorder and develop necessary coping strategies.
In this blog, we will delve into 8 beneficial topics to discuss in therapy sessions to strengthen your journey to recovery. These discussions will cover a wide range of aspects, from confronting triggers to fostering self-compassion, ultimately aimed at empowering you to continue choosing recovery.
Whether you are at the beginning of your recovery journey or well into it, these topics will provide invaluable insight and guidance.
Therapy: A Vital Tool in Eating Disorder Treatment
If you have ever found yourself wondering "why is therapy so important?" - you are not alone.
For some, this question may arise from a place of denial and fear, worrying about what it will be like to let go of your eating disorder. For others, it may be a general curiosity about why therapy seems to be the go-to treatment for disordered eating behaviors.
Therapy is a linchpin in the journey of recovery from eating disorders owing to its holistic approach towards addressing the root causes and impacts of the condition. Eating disorders often stem from and are perpetuated by underlying psychological issues such as stress, trauma, or low self-esteem.
Therapy enables individuals to comprehend and challenge these detrimental thought patterns, replacing them with healthier perspectives towards food and body image. Additionally, therapy equips individuals with practical strategies to manage triggers and prevent relapses, thus significantly reducing the risk of ongoing or future struggles.
Through therapy, individuals learn to identify their triggers, develop coping mechanisms, and build a healthier relationship with food, empowering them to regain control of their life.
Related: Starting Therapy for an Eating Disorder
What if I Have Nothing to Talk About in Therapy?
If you have ever showed up to your appointment and found yourself in the waiting room or about to log onto Zoom for your virtual appointment and think, 'I have nothing to talk about today!' - you are in the majority of therapy-goers. Suddenly you find everything you wanted to chat about disappears from your mind and you find yourself unsure of why you even showed up. It's important to remember this feeling may arise as a way to avoid talking about important things going on or a subconscious way to tell yourself everything is fine.
While embarking on the therapeutic journey, it is not uncommon to experience moments of apprehension or uncertainty. This feeling typically stems from a few common factors. Firstly, societal conditioning often encourages suppression of emotions or problems, prompting individuals to believe that their struggles are insignificant or unworthy of discussion. Secondly, the fear of judgment or vulnerability can also inhibit open communication, despite the confidential and accepting nature of the therapeutic alliance. Lastly, individuals may struggle to articulate their feelings due to the overwhelming nature of their experiences or an inability to identify or understand their emotions.
Remember, it's perfectly normal to experience these moments of silence, and a skilled therapist can guide you through these challenges, helping you to unearth your inner thoughts and feelings.
The Importance of Trust in the Therapeutic Process
Before we delve into some suggestions on topics to bring to your next therapy session, let's address an important topic: feeling comfortable in therapy. While therapy may bring up uncomfortable conversations and emotions, you should always feel comfortable with your therapist.
Trust forms the cornerstone of the therapeutic process, making it crucial to establish an open relationship with your therapist. Building a rapport with your therapist, where you feel validated and accepted, can significantly impact the effectiveness of therapy.
Having trust in your therapist enables you to share freely, going beyond surface-level issues to address the deep-rooted triggers of your eating disorder. This open dialogue allows your therapist to develop a comprehensive understanding of your experiences and challenges, which is instrumental in devising an effective, personalized treatment plan.
Conversely, a lack of trust can create a barrier in the therapeutic process. If you're continually holding back or censoring your thoughts due to fear of judgment or lack of comfort, it inhibits your therapist's ability to fully understand your situation and provide appropriate guidance. This blockage can slow down your recovery process and prevent you from making the most out of your therapy sessions.
Therefore, building trust with your therapist should be a primary focus, and it's important to remember that it's okay to take time to develop this relationship. Express any concerns or discomforts you might have with your therapist - this in itself can be a significant step in your recovery journey. With trust and transparency in your therapy sessions, you'll be better equipped to navigate your path to recovery from an eating disorder.
8 Topics to Explore in Therapy
In the following section, we will be exploring 8 topics to discuss during therapy if you feel uncertain what to bring to session. Each topic is designed to stir deeper reflections, aiding you in confronting and overcoming the complexities of eating disorders.
1. Reflection on Initial Motivation and Progress
One insightful topic to discuss with your therapist is the initial motivation that led you to seek help. Revisiting the reasons why you decided to embark on this recovery journey can serve as a powerful reminder of your ultimate goal. It's also beneficial to assess your progress, highlighting both the achievements and the areas that need further work. This conversation can provide a comprehensive view of your journey, acknowledging the strides made while pinpointing the aspects that require continued effort. This exploration can reinforce your commitment to recovery, instilling a sense of purpose and determination.
2. The Role of Diet Culture
A crucial aspect to discuss in therapy is the influence of diet culture in the development of your eating disorder and its ongoing impact. Recognize how societal preoccupations with the 'thin ideal' might still infiltrate your daily life, and acknowledge your resilience in continually resisting these pressures. It's beneficial to examine any instances where diet culture makes sticking to recovery challenging and brainstorm effective coping strategies for these moments. It's also important to vent any anger or frustration you feel towards society's obsession with thinness - this is an entirely valid and normal response and your feelings are welcome in session. Furthermore, exploring how diet culture manifested in your home environment growing up can provide valuable insights into the origins of your disordered eating patterns.
3. Last Disordered Behavior and What You Learned
Reflecting on the last time you engaged in disordered eating behaviors can be a critical topic to discuss. Delve into the circumstances surrounding the event, your thoughts, emotions, and any triggering factors. Understanding these facets can help pinpoint patterns and expose potential barriers to recovery. Additionally, discussing what you've learned from that slip can be quite enlightening. This self-awareness is instrumental in the healing process, as it helps in developing healthier coping mechanisms and preventing future occurrences. Remember, this conversation is not about guilt or criticism, but about growth and understanding.
4. Exploring Your Relationship with Movement and Exercise
Analyzing your association with physical activity can bring to light crucial insights. In the depths of your eating disorder, you might have viewed exercise as a rigid obligation or punishment. Messaging around movement, particularly from diet culture's perspective glorifying 'excessive exercise for weight loss', could have tainted this relationship further. However, envision a healthier relationship with movement - one where it is a source of joy, stress relief, and a celebration of what your body can do, rather than a toll for consumed calories. Discussing these perspectives with your therapist can reveal potential strategies to transition from a harmful to a balanced and positive relationship with exercise.
5. Understanding Your Relationship with Family and Support System
A pivotal topic to delve into with your therapist is your relationship with your family and other support systems. This includes investigating any sources of tension, understanding roles and dynamics, and identifying areas that could be improved. It's essential to consider how communication within these relationships can be enhanced to foster a more supportive environment for your recovery. Moreover, you should examine whether certain actions or inactions from your loved ones contribute to your recovery progress or potential slips. The insights from this discussion can guide strategies to build more effective support networks.
6. Connecting With Your Values
Aligning with your core values is fundamental to the recovery journey. Understanding what truly matters to you can be an instrumental factor in overcoming the throes of an eating disorder. By identifying and connecting with your values, you can find the motivation and direction needed to make significant changes in your life. Therapy homework might include crafting a 'values list' that resonates with you, journaling how your actions align or diverge from these values, and exploring how your eating disorder may have been leading you away from your true self. Spending time discussing this in therapy can help you align with your true self.
7. Discussing Factors that Contributed to the Development of the Eating Disorder
An essential topic to explore in therapy is the underlying factors that contributed to the development of your eating disorder. This includes the life events, circumstances, or experiences that coincided with its onset. Discussing this topic might involve recalling painful memories or addressing suppressed emotions, which can be challenging but therapeutic.This conversation can help in acknowledging and processing these past experiences, thereby facilitating a deeper understanding of your disorder and promoting healing.
8. The Importance of Self-Love and Acceptance in Recovery
A cornerstone of recovery is cultivating self-love and acceptance, which can be a transformative force in overcoming an eating disorder. It's crucial to explore in therapy how negative self-perceptions may fuel the disorder, and work on strategies for fostering self-compassion. This might include cognitive reframing exercises, where harmful self-beliefs are challenged and replaced with affirming messages. The practice of self-acceptance, acknowledging your worth beyond physical appearance or societal standards, can also be encouraged through mindfulness and self-care acts. Reinforcing these positive perceptions can help you rebuild a healthier relationship with yourself, acting as a foundation for sustainable recovery.
In conclusion, therapy serves as a safe haven, a place where you can voice your fears, face discomfort, and seek guidance. The journey to recovery from an eating disorder is not one you need to go at alone. Embrace therapy as a tool to help you navigate through the complex intricacies of your journey.
Remember, it's okay to ask for help, to express when you're feeling uncomfortable, and to seek advice from your therapist. The therapy room is a space for your growth, healing, and understanding - there is no need to shy away from your needs or mask your discomfort. As you continue to tread bravely on your path to recovery, may every conversation, question, and introspection within your therapy sessions empower you towards a healthier, happier self.
At Central Coast Treatment Center, we specialize in the treatment of eating disorders through individualized services including therapy, nutrition, and group education and process classes.
If you or your loved one are ready to learn more about treatment options, reach out to us today.
Emily Costa
Having struggled with an eating disorder herself, Emily is passionate about spreading awareness, education and the possibility of recovery with others. Emily previously volunteered as a Crisis Text Line counselor and with the eating disorder non-profit Project HEAL where she served as their blog manager, their NYC Chapter Leader & a recovery mentor in their Communities of HEALing pilot program completing training by the Carolyn Costin Institute. Emily now enjoys working with various treatment centers, clinicians and non-profits in the eating disorder community providing marketing and design services. In her free time she enjoys spending time with friends, hanging with her dogs, and reading a book at the beach.