Philosophy
At Seeds of Hope we believe in instilling hope that a person can become fully recovered from an eating disorder and be free from eating disorder thoughts and symptoms. We teach that eating disorders develop as a coping mechanism and a way to navigate life, and through this understanding we aim to teach our clients that they can heal their relationship with food, their bodies, and themselves. We believe in providing individualized care for each one of our clients, as the recovery process looks different for everyone. Clients are met where they are in this process and are provided with tools and an understanding of themselves to help choose a life free from disordered eating. Also, we understand how eating disorders come in various forms and believe that all those who deal with these symptoms are deserving of treatment.
While in treatment, clients are encouraged to develop their own sense of selves as a way to lessen the hold of their eating disorder and provide a feeling of autonomy in recovery. Staff help guide the client in identifying underlying causes of the eating disorder while also actively engaging in experiential and behavioral interventions to reduce anxiety around food. We help our clients find a more holistic definition of what “healthy” means to them and teach that there are no “good” or “bad” foods as a way to reduce shame that fuels eating disorder behaviors.
Our Treatment
We use an eclectic variety of therapeutic interventions, such as CBT, DBT, ACT, Narrative Therapy, and Motivational Interviewing. We purposely keep our group sizes small to allow clients to feel heard and get the support they need. We include holistic practices in treatment, as we believe that a healthy connection between mind, body, and spirit is integral in the recovery process. Clients are encouraged to take an active role in their recovery and are supported by staff throughout this process. We serve people of all genders and aim to create a safe and welcoming space for all.
Clients are supported through the experiential practice of having at least one meal each treatment day as a way to reduce anxiety through exposure. These meals are a place to practice real life situations, such as going to the grocery store, recipe preparation, going out to eat, and having flexibility around food. These experiences can then be transferred to the client’s life outside of treatment and serve as an important bridge between treatment and the recovery process. Clients are provided with consistent support throughout these experiences from clinical staff and are encouraged to verbalize their needs while challenging eating disorder thoughts.