Please note that this is an Archived article and may contain content that is out of date. The use of she/her/hers pronouns in some articles is not intended to be exclusionary. Eating disorders can affect people of all genders, ages, races, religions, ethnicities, sexual orientations, body shapes, and weights.

FIND A REASON, FIND RECOVERY: NURTURE A REASON, LIVE RECOVERY

It’s September again – and happily – again it is Recovery Month. Recovery Month is a proclamation and a reminder of hope. As I ponder “Recovery” I am reminded of our opportunity – even our stewardship – to help our clients, and our loved ones to “find reasons to recover.”

When we bring up the idea of “reasons to do”, we most often also bring up the companion question of “why”. I always get a kick out of three or four year old children. When you ask them to do something, they say “why”. With teenagers, that “why” is often silent, and then acted out in some way. I get an occasional verbal “why” and almost a universal silent “why” from my eating disorder clients when I ask them to “fight for recovery more than you’ve fought for anything in your life”.

For one suffering from an eating disorder, the “why” may represent deeper concerns difficult to express straightforwardly, such as “I’m scared”, or “I don’t believe I am capable of recovery”, or “I’m unworthy of the good life anyway”, or “I don’t dare to hope for – let alone work for something which feels elusive, impossible, or just not in the cards for me”.

So, why should we have “reasons” for recovery?

An important precursor and driver for change, and recovery, are “reasons.” Without reasons to change – change is unlikely. If reasons to change are found, nurtured, refined and embraced – and if, thereby, they become “top of mind” and “close to the heart”, then they can empower positive movement in recovery.

Reasons for recovery are real, enormous, and powerful. They are individual. They are in the eye of the beholder, and in the heart of the pilgrim on recovery’s path. Fear, desperation, guilt, duty, obligation, honor, integrity, passion, desire, hope, love and life. All these and more are among the many motives or reasons for recovery.

As clinicians, family members, and friends – we can help clients find reasons for recovery which are more powerful than reasons to stay sick. We can help them refine, embrace, and add to those reasons. We must help them to often remember those reasons. That we may all engage in this effort is my sincere desire, my request, and my hope. Sincerely, Dr. B

Michael E. Berrett, PhD
Licensed Psychologist
CEO, Executive Director & Co-Founder
Center for Change

 

Center for Change is proud to be a TRICARE provider and we are honored to support our troops and their families. Please call our admissions department today at 888.224.8250 to learn more about how the Center serves TRICARE clients.

 

Upcoming Events

National Conference on Addiction Disorders
September 17th-21st, 2011
Town & Country Hotel San Diego, CA
Look for Cassie Riddle at the Center for Change exhibit booth
Click here for more information

Annual Alaska Women’s Show
September 23rd-25th, 2011
Anchorage, AK
Look for Cassie Riddle at the Center for Change exhibit booth
For more information, click here

BEDA National Weight Stigma Awareness Week
September 26th-30th, 2011
Click here for more information

National Eating Disorder Association (NEDA) 2011 Conference
“Reaching for the Stars”
October 13th-15th, 2011
Renaissance Hollywood Hotel & Spa
Los Angeles, CA
Look for our Admissions Director Pam Kidd at the Center for Change exhibit booth

Hope’s Garden Conference
Plenary and breakout session with Michael E. Berrett, PhD
Keynote presentation by Jenni Schaefer
October 20th, 2011
London, Ontario, Canada
Click here for more information

The Association of Boarding Schools (TABS) Annual Conference
December 1st-3rd, 2011
Boston, MA
Look for our Business Development Director Tamara Noyes at the Center for Change exhibit booth
Click here for more information

Arizona IAEDP Fundraising Event
Center for Change is proud to sponsor Jenni Schaefer
December 3rd, 2011
Wickenburg, AZ
Click here for more information

Save the Date!
Center for Change National Eating Disorders Conference for Professionals
January 27th-28th, 2012
Keynote Presentation by Carolyn Costin, MA, MED, MFT
Center for Change
Orem, UT
A full list of presenters and registration will be available on our website soon!

 

Where’s Jenni

September 23rd-25th, 2011
Anchorage, AK
Annual Alaska Women’s Show

Tuesday, September 27th, 2011
Anchorage, AK
Anchorage Museum Auditorium – 625 C Street
“Jenni Schaefer: From Recovery to Liberation”
Following Jenni’s presentation there will be a book signing. This event sponsored by Center for Change is FREE and open to the general public.

Thursday, October 20th, 2011
London, Ontario, Canada
Hope’s Garden Conference
Keynote presentation by Jenni Schaefer
Plenary and breakout session with Michael E. Berrett, PhD
Click here for more information

November 11-13, 2011
Philadelphia, PA
Philadelphia Airport Marriott
Renfrew’s 21st Annual Conference for Professionals
Mark Warren, M.D. and Jenni Schaefer will present together on Friday, November 11th.