Eating Recovery Center

We're thrilled to share two exciting updates from our At Home program — expanding access to virtual care for adults across Arkansas and Pennsylvania. ➡️ Arkansas We've officially launched virtual intensive outpatient (VIOP) for adults struggling with eating disorders. This new offering will help ensure more adults across the state can receive specialized, compassionate eating disorder support, right from home. 🗓️ Program schedule: Monday, Wednesday, Thursday from 5 – 8 PM ➡️ Pennsylvania We’re also expanding our virtual care footprint with the launch of virtual intensive outpatient (VIOP) for adults struggling with binge eating disorders. This new program joins our existing VIOP for eating disorders (adults, children and adolescents) and mood & anxiety programs, creating a comprehensive network of support. 🗓️ Program schedule: Monday, Wednesday, Thursday from 5–8 PM These launches represent our ongoing commitment to improving access to high-quality, evidence-based virtual treatment — helping more individuals get the care they need, wherever they are.

Our recent event "Clinical Voices, Human Stories: Foundations in Data Informed Care" was a huge success. 👏 This event (happening in various cities across the country, throughout the year!) brings together nationally recognized mental health clinicians and leaders who share their expertise through engaging presentations, while offering attendees valuable opportunities for continuing education, connection, and professional growth. Keep an eye out for future announcements for these events!

Every person deserves to feel seen, respected, and safe — at school, at home, and in their community. In honor of Trans Awareness Week, we're coming together with GLSEN to advocate for affirming care and representation that supports the mental health and well-being of trans youth everywhere. 💙 To browse the support resources listed on the last slide, visit glsen.org For free virtual support groups, visit eatingrecoverycenter.com and pathlightbh.com

If you missed our annual conference, you can still access every session on demand through 12/31 (and earn up to 30 CE/CME/CNE hours at your own pace). Session topics include: ➡️ Implementing FBT in High-Level Care Settings for ARFID ➡️ Identifying and Treating Eating Disorders in Medical Weight Loss Populations ➡️ The Impact of AI in Mental Health Treatment ➡️ Childhood Trauma and Pediatric Mental Health ➡️ Patient Autonomy at Eating Disorder Higher Levels of Care Learn more here: https://bit.ly/45geF2q

The holidays can be a time of connection and joy — but for many people in recovery from an eating disorder, they can also bring unique (and sometimes overwhelming) challenges. As providers and caregivers, our support during this time can make all the difference. Here are a few ways to help people navigate the season: ➡️ Set realistic expectations. Remind them that it's okay if the holidays don't look perfect, and it's okay if they're feeling particularly nervous or anxious about holiday gatherings. ➡️ Encourage open communication. Create space for them to share their worries about meals, social gatherings, or family interactions. ➡️ Collaborate on a plan. Work together to identify potential triggers, coping strategies, and support people ahead of time. ➡️ Model flexibility and compassion. Remind them (and yourself) that recovery doesn't take a holiday — progress may look different this time of year, and that's okay. If they're looking for resources to share with their support people, this post we shared on Instagram is a good place to start: https://bit.ly/47vos5t

Eating disorder relapse can happen during stressful times or life transitions. 😮💨 "To reduce the risk of relapse, I encourage my patients to create a relapse prevention plan that includes proactive steps, recovery self-talk strategies, and ways that loved ones can help. Recovery is within reach — even when relapse feels overwhelming." — Stephanie Setliff, MD, CEDS Here are her relapse prevention planning tips: 1️⃣ Reach out for help if you need it. Your treatment team and/or support system are going to be some of the biggest helpers to you during this time. 2️⃣ Reflect on what's been going on. If you're struggling with eating disorder thoughts and behaviors, take some time to explore your internal state. 3️⃣ Write up your plan. This plan can include: a list of warning signs that indicate a higher risk of relapse for you, steps you can take to reduce this risk, steps others can take to reduce this risk. 4️⃣ Share your plan with your support system (friends, family, treatment team). This provides you both the support you need right now and accountability for the future. For more tips from Dr. Setliff, find the full blog link in the comments.

Social media isn't just shaping culture — it's shaping our mental health. 😮💨 In the latest episode of Mental Note Podcast, host Eleanor Pike and psychiatrist Alyssa Lucker D.O. unpack what we do and do not know about how social media impacts our brains. Throughout this conversation, they explore: ✨ What’s happening in the adolescent brain when it meets an endless stream of likes and notifications ✨ The real benefits (connection, confidence, creativity) that come from being online ✨ How parents can approach social media with curiosity, openness, and digital literacy ✨ Why asking “What is this doing for me?” might matter more than “How much time am I spending?” Tune in to learn how families can build healthier relationships with social media: https://bit.ly/4hyb1VM

In our upcoming continuing education event, we're exploring the complex intersection of mast cell activation syndrome (MCAS) and eating disorders, particularly restrictive types such as avoidant restrictive food intake disorder (ARFID) and anorexia nervosa. Here are the educational objectives for the event: - Define validated MCAS diagnostic criteria and distinguish them from non-consensus frameworks. - Identify overlapping gastrointestinal and anxiety symptoms during eating disorder refeeding that can mimic MCAS. - Apply evidence-based nutritional and pharmacologic management for patients labeled with MCAS during ED treatment. Register here: https://bit.ly/3JoRqKZ

This week marks our 17th anniversary! And we're filled with so much gratitude for this community. 💙 To our partners: thank you for your trust in us. Caring for your patients is a responsibility we hold with *deep* respect. Our collaboration and shared commitment to recovery have made it possible for tens of thousands of individuals to take a meaningful step towards healing. To our teammates: your expertise, compassion, and dedication are the heart of the care we provide and it's a privilege to do this meaningful work together. To our patients: your courage inspires us and reminds us why this work matters. Thank you for allowing us to be part of your recovery journey. Here’s to 17 years of partnership — and to all the lives we’ll continue to impact together.

A round up of book recommendations from some of our teammates for #NationalBookMonth! 📚 Tap through the photos for their recommendations, and read below for their thoughts on the books. 🤗 James: "The Endurance was a ship that sank in the Antarctic ocean during a science expedition in 1915. The team (23 sailors) took over 100 days to hike over 800 miles back to civilization and every member of the crew survived. It is an amazing story of humans coming together and overcoming the odds to reach safety. It is a reminder to me that no matter how bad things may look at any given second; there is always hope and a path forward." Tobi: "The inner work is for those who have already started their journeys to understanding themselves. This book pulls from many cultures, religions, philosophy and psychology offering a humble invitation to those who yearn for a deeper understanding of lasting happiness." Rachel: "The book Group by Christie Tate is a captivating true story about a woman from Chicago participating in group therapy and changing her entire life for the better. She is brutally honest throughout the entirety of the book, exposing the most vulnerable parts of herself to prove to herself and others that real change is possible and tolerating uncomfortability and distress can be worth it. I highly recommend to anyone struggling with feeling hopeless, especially regarding their mental health, grief, stress, life changes, and anything else life has decided to throw at you. Enjoy!" Christine (Slide 1!): "Penguin Problems by Jory John is the story of an unhappy penguin who learns about acceptance of the present moment and perspective shifting to view his world differently." Christine (Slide 2!): "Grover Goes to School by Dan Elliott tackles very adult issues such as codependent behaviors of giving beyond one's capacity and minimizing needs as seen through the child's eyes of the Sesame Street character Grover. He wants all his new class mates to like him so he trades his favorite crayons and snack items, comes to understand the benefits of setting boundaries and advocating for himself, and learns that he can still make friends even when he sets boundaries."