5 Tips on what TO DO and NOT do in Support of Eating Disorders

Written by Hope Network, LLC intern Kylie MacLeod – edited by Becky Henry As parents, caregivers or friends of someone with an eating disorder, it can be difficult to navigate what is helpful or unhelpful to say.  Many times, when caregivers think they are saying something helpful, sufferers may interpret what is being said in [...]

Co-dependency in Eating Disorders Caregiving

There is often a fine line between being a supportive parent or caregiver of a person with an eating disorder, and experiencing co-dependency in eating disorders caregiving. Melody Beattie’s definitions of co-dependency are by far my favorite.  She has a few versions listed on, Challenges Recovery Communications Network,  that help to clarify what she means [...]

Eating Disorders Relapse Does Not Equal Failure

Professionals tell us, “Relapse is a normal part of recovery, and that it should be expected.”  While this statement may not provide much comfort initially to caregivers and parents, it does depict the reality of an eating disorder and can provide peace when relapse does happen.  Many sufferers feel as though they have failed if [...]

Coping with FEAR

We all have fear, it’s how we as a species has survived this long. Our amygdala or “Reptile Brain” as this is often referred to, keeps us safe with the amazing ‘fight or flight’ response.  It can also keep us STUCK when we react out of fear.  Coping with fear is something all of us [...]

Support to Families Who Have a Loved One With an Eating Disorder

How do we support a child with an eating disorder when we’re frozen with fear? When an eating disorder develops in someone, FEAR becomes a constant companion to many if not most families.  I hear it every  time I coach a parent, they are so afraid their child might die, or never speak to them [...]

Eating Disorders Research

Given that it is national Eating Disorders Awareness Week (EDAW) here in the USA I’m doing my part to raise awareness of so many of the issues. A big one is Eating Disorders Research…or the lack thereof. We have some wonderful people around the world doing some fantastic work in the field and for those [...]

Family Based Therapy (FBT) Summary by Becky Henry 2013

Family Based Therapy (FBT) Summary by Becky Henry 2013 – Thanks to Sharon Heywood at Adios Barbie for asking me to write my interpretations of this treatment model for her blog.  Back in 2002, after two years of trying desperately to get my daughter’s eating disorder diagnosed we finally had the EDNOS diagnosis. I was relieved and thought [...]

Poor Body Image and Eating Disorders

Today we don’t know what “causes” eating disorders, but it is important to note: What we do know is that there are many contributing factors to eating disorders and a typical set of personality traits. Though poor body image doesn’t “cause” eating disorders it is important to address the frequent relationship. For some people, having [...]

How effective is “fat shaming” in gaining health?

While preparing to read this article I took many deep breaths and prepared my research to help promote an honest, respectful, heart centered dialog to get answers to the question; How effective is “fat shaming” in gaining health? Why the deep breaths? Well, I remember when many people felt it was okay to use the [...]

Caregiving Someone With An Eating Disorder?

Or do you know someone who is a caregiving a person with an eating disorder? What do you notice about how challenging this situation is? Are you, the caregiver, getting worn out? As a professional certified coach I realized early on that coaching people in groups in peaceful settings was a really fun and effective [...]

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