Eating Disorders Support Group

Eating disorders are marked by an obsessive need to control the intake and/or purging of food. This community is dedicated to those struggling on the road to recovery. Join to discuss your experience with others and find support. Get advice, ask questions, and meet others who are going through similar struggles.

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Mental Health
/ Eating Disorders Support Group

Therapy- more harm than good?

mybeach
mybeach
I am stuck and I don't know if it's me or therapy. I live in a crapy small town that has no providers that treat eating disorders. There is a ED center in a nearby city that I went to for Intensive outpatient servcies for 7 months but after the program they refused to see me anymore as they stated I needed inpatient and if I wouldn't go, then they could not ethically treat me anymore. Needless to say, i had to find a new therapist. I finally found one about a year ago. I like him, he is very nice and supportive but I don't think he knows squat. We rarely discuss ED and I feel like I go in and talk about issues and he basically has me waiting for an "epiphany" and I leave feeling that I have vented, but nothing else. I have not made any progress. I just now know some of my issues a little more and why I am so screwed up. But I don't seem to get any tools to fix it. Are there tools? Or are my expectations for therapy too high? I feel like quitting but I know there is literally no one else to go to. I can afford him because he seriously undercharges me. Sometimes I wonder if he does so becasue he knows I am a hopeless cause...

Any suggestions? Thanks!
deleted_user
deleted_user
I totally get where you're coming from on this one. I experienced the same thing with the therapist I saw years ago. I missed the tools. For me the combination of a therapist and nutritionist works better than "just" therapy. I like that nutritionists are all about tools and plans and practical things.

One thing though, why do you not want inpatient treatment? It sounds like you need it. Of course I know why you don't 'want' to, but maybe you do need it.

Hugs!
gizzy2010
gizzy2010
I am sorry that you feel bad, honey. I am new at ED recovery:) Still go to OA.meetings. ..They have tools of recovery. ..And I agree, what did help me two years ago, --thanks for bringing up Nutritionist-- That help me sooo much , along the side seeing your therapist. because I think even counselors// therapists are somewhat educated on ED , some.

The Nutritionist really helped me, in normal, ,ways to understand-- she made me write out a FOOD PLAN. and it works good. I am not feeling like doing it------) cause it works!! . And inpatient sounds like a good idea for you. Its too bad they won't treat you. Good Luck.
mybeach
mybeach
thanks for the replies.. I know inpatient would probably be beneficial as I would be forced to stop and deal with everything and not allow myself to be distracted by work, life... but as a single mom, working full time, I just don't see how I could make it work, not to mention the expense. I just need to buckle down and start facing ED.

Therapist: done with... he called to try to move our session and I couldn't due to work. I told him what was going on and he knew that it was a difficult situation that I was goign through.. But I offered to cancel the session to reduce his conflict and he eagerly accepted. He offered to meet again the following week... I told him I'd just call and reschedule later and that was it. I am probably expecting too much but some inquiry as to wheter or not I was doing ok witht the situation at work would have made me feel at least a little better, oh well.