What are some core issues in eating disorders? Are there themes that almost always show up in eating disorder recovery? Why is art therapy so effective to explore these core issues in eating disorders?
My name is Abby Hansen and I am an EDIT™ Counselor Intern at Positive Pathways. I am currently finishing up my Masters Degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling with a concentration in Transpersonal Art Therapy from Naropa University in Boulder, CO.
I have been working with folks struggling with eating disorders at various levels of care for the past six years. Over time I have picked up on a few themes or core issues in eating disorders treatment that almost always show up. I’d like to share why I believe art therapy can be such a beautiful part of eating disorder recovery, where healing of these core issues in eating disorders can unfold.
1. Identity – “I am sick, and if I am not sick, who am I?”
The eating disorder often began as a very useful coping mechanism utilized to help during a difficult situation in life. Over time, the eating disorder becomes less effective as a way to cope, and winds up holding one back from who they really are. Art is innately unconscious – every mark we make on a page is the visual language of our soul. When we take the time to slow down and pay attention to our imagery we realize we have never left ourselves. I believe the more time we spend with our artwork the more time we spend with ourselves.
2. Perfectionism – “If I can’t do this perfectly, I am a failure.”
This sounds familiar, right? All-or-nothing thinking is such a common way of maneuvering in this world, in many ways it can keep us motivated in life but in other ways it can set us up to feel like we can’t do anything right. This is especially true for someone struggling with an eating disorder. Art can help with this, too! Clients can challenge their perfectionism using art materials. Maybe you gravitate toward colored pencils or markers because they are not messy, easy to control, and predictable in terms of mark-making. Practicing with less controllable materials such as water colors, clay or paint is a great way to challenge the eating disorder thoughts around being perfect. Give yourself permission to mess up, or get your hands dirty. It is a simple way to practice incorporating flexibility in your life.
3. Secrets – “I can hardly trust myself, how can I be expected to trust others?”
The eating disorder behaviors usually live in a very private world – therapists are sensitive to this, and know that developing trust in relationships is not the easiest thing for someone who is struggling. And yet, the client is almost always craving connection and companionship. Any relationship needs vulnerability to work. Art can be that middle ground or that safe place between the therapist and client. When sharing verbally feels too hard, art can provide that container for expression. The secrets can live in the art instead of the body and the client can communicate how they feel using metaphor. This can feel like a less risky way of being vulnerable.
These are just a few core issues in eating disorders recovery, and certainly there are more. Art therapy allows for a lot of flexibility with treatment planning to explore these and other core issues – plus, it can be fun! I want to emphasize that there is no need to “be an artist,” or even to have any experience using art materials in order to do art therapy. Just bring your “beginners mind,” and we’ll explore art therapy together!
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Abby Hansen, BA is in the midst of her internship at Positive Pathways, as a part of her MA in Clinical Mental Health Counseling – Art Therapy Concentration (degree expected in May, 2017). Abby incorporates the use of art materials into the therapeutic process – and also conducts traditional “talk therapy” sessions.
Interested to schedule an ART THERAPY SESSION? All session scheduling is done through Dr. Dorie McCubbrey (see below), but you can learn more about Abby here: http://positivepathways.com/edit-counselor-interns
Interested in a FREE CONSULTATION? Dr. Dorie would like to get to know you and give you feedback about Eating Disorder Intuitive Therapy (EDIT)™ and other treatment options at Positive Pathways. Call 720-606-3242 or learn more: http://positivepathways.com/free-consultation/
Get to know Abby at one of our FALL GROUPS! Abby co-facilitates our weekly Intuitive Eating Support Group, and will also be assisting with the Eating Disorder – Substance Use Disorder Group, and the Learning To Love Our Bodies Group. Learn more: http://positivepathways.com/workshops-and-groups
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