COUNSELLING & TREATMENT HELP FAQ's
for Eating Disorders ... Bulimia, Anorexia, Binge/Compulsive Eating, Orthorexia
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Do I have to continue seeing someone if I book an assessment?
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How much is ongoing therapy going to cost me?
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What does eating disorder therapy involve?
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How can telephone counselling work for me?
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How long does treatment for an eating disorder take?
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Will you write to my GP or inform anyone that I am having therapy with you?
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What are the qualifications of your counsellors?
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Can someone really recover from an eating disorder?
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What do you mean by 'recovery'? (NOTE: we would like your input here, see the answer below)
1. Do I have to continue seeing someone if I book an assessment?
You can stop with just the assessment if you want. This is entirely up to you.
2. How much is ongoing therapy going to cost me?
Counsellor fees vary and are shown in the counsellor directory. Some therapists offer reduced prices for students and the unemployed. You can discuss any of these special concessions with your counsellor.
3. What does eating disorder counselling involve?
Compulsive eating and bulimia respond well to a form of therapy called CBT adapted for eating disorders. NCFED therapists are trained in this therapy and they also have many more skills to work holistically with you as a whole person. In this way we can deal with the surface behaviour, and the emotions, self worth, body image problems, nutritional issues and food addictions which get in the way of a comfortable relationship with food.
The success of counselling for anorexia is based on building a sound relationship with a therapist, who fully understands the condition; can both respect and challenge the mindset of the illness; with the skills to help you to stay safe, build your emotional potential, and reclaim a sense of control with life and other people.
4. How can telephone counselling work for me?
Telephone counselling has been found to be really effective, and especially useful for those who find it hard to see a counsellor in person. You will phone the therapist at an appointed time each week. You would probably send or email a Food-feelings Diary to your therapist before each session. Eating disorder therapy is based on a combination of guidance and (enjoyable) assignments so that you will not just "talk out your problems"; you will also do some helpful personal growth work in between your sessions.
5. How long does treatment for an eating disorder take?
Some people get better in as little as 6 weeks, but usually we advise a 12 week course of sessions for compulsive eating, 20 weeks for uncomplicated bulimia and longer for anorexia. We recommend that you stay in therapy for as long as it takes to ensure that your recovery is sound to get the help you need and so that you can manage the challenges of life without turning to food, or starving.
6. Will you write to my GP or inform anyone that I am having therapy with you?
We respect the confidentiality of all our clients. We will not contact anyone unless we have your permission or you are in serious medical danger.
7. What are the qualifications of your counsellors?
Counsellor qualifications are published on the list you get when you book a Counsellor. All NCFED therapists are qualified health professionals who follow the Code of Ethics of their professional organisation. They have also completed our Practitioner Skills Training In Eating Disorders and have been awarded our Eating Disorder Diploma.
8. Can someone really recover from an eating disorder?
Absolutely YES! With the right kind of help for your eating disorder you can learn to eat normally, feel in control of food and be free of obsessions and worries about food and weight. Recovery from an eating disorder is not just about food. Recovery is about personal strengthening; finding a meaning and purpose in life and in your relationships with other people.
9. What do you mean by "Recovery?"
In brief, recovery is helping to restore a relaxed relationship with food. Some or all of the following will be true for you.
- I feel in control of my eating
- I can eat when I am hungry and stop when I’ve had enough
- I can eat regularly; and without putting on weight
- I am not purging or needing to starve
- I am not worrying or obsessing about food all the time
- I feel better about my body
- I feel physically well and emotionally OK
- My moods are stable
- I can handle problems without turning to food
- I can handle chocolate - who would have believed it!
- I have stopped being a "people pleaser"
- I have learned how to take care of myself with food
- I can leave food on my plate (did someone give me a brain transplant!)
- I have stopped dieting all the time, I eat really well, and I am slowly losing weight
- I can eat forbidden food without going off the rails
- I sleep well now
- I’m OK - I don’t have to be perfect any more
- I feel much more confident in myself, and I know how to stand up for myself with other people
- I don’t need to eat in secret now
NCFED therapy is also about the healing process. While recovery means freedom from symptoms, healing is about reversing the damage which the eating disorder has done in your life. We can help you to be forgiving about the time you have lost, to repair relationships, restore your health, foster your happiness and help you to find a new meaning and purpose in life.
Have you recovered from an eating disorder? If so we would like to hear what recovery means to you and we will add your story to our website. Contact us now.
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