Hi Fredericton, I can help you with your eating disorder
Hello to my beautiful community in Fredericton and whoever else may be reading this. Today I was officially listed on the National Eating Disorder Information Centre's (NEDIC) website as a healthcare provider for eating disorder recovery support.
What is NEDIC might you ask?
"NEDIC provides information, resources, referrals and support to Canadians affected by eating disorders through our toll-free helpline and instant chat.
Outreach and education programming focuses on the awareness and prevention of eating disorders, and is available online across Canada and in-person in the Greater Toronto Area."
As an eating disorder survivor myself, someone who has geared much of her undergraduate and graduate work toward understanding eating disorders, and a past volunteer with Eating Disorders Nova Scotia, I've always valued NEDIC as a resource. To be listed on their site is an honour to me.
I could list off the DSM-5 criteria for every eating disorder out there, but instead I will direct you to the NEDIC page on that here
SO what is my message to my community about eating disorders?
Eating disorders are complex.
Eating disorders affect people of all ages, genders, cultures, ethnicities, socioeconomic status, (dis)ability status, and background.
Physical size and weight are not automatic indicators of an eating disorder.
You don't have to be "sick enough" to get help.
Disordered eating exists on a spectrum from unhealthy preoccupation with food and weight, to extreme clinical eating disorders.
An eating disorder is nothing to be ashamed of. There are biological, psychological, and sociological contributors to the development of one. In therapy we can address all of these things and try to make sense of it together.
Your eating disorder is not your best friend, even if sometimes it feels like it.
The worst day of recovery is worth it compared to the bet day of disordered eating.
You CAN recover.
You CAN take back your life.
And what makes my approach to treating eating disorders unique?
I take time to know the person behind the disorder. To figure out what purpose the disorder is serving, and what it is harming, in a compassionate way.
I do my best to educate my clients on the biological, psychological, and sociological impacts to and of eating disorders so that they are empowered with knowledge and can begin regaining control over their recovery.
I treat disordered eating from a mind-body approach. This means that yes, we are going to do thought work... but we are also going to talk about regulating your nervous system, and getting back in touch with your body (at your pace).
I treat disordered eating from a trauma-informed approach. A disproportionate amount of eating disorder sufferers have endured some kind of trauma in their life time. Sometimes in order to heal from disordered eating, to reconnect with our bodies, we need to address the trauma that is contributing, and find ways to move forward with healthier coping mechanisms.
If you'd like a free 15 minute consultation, or to book an appointment with me, I can be contacted at:
(506) 230-4105
saramackiecounsellingservices@gmail.com