The Huffington Post published an article recently on men with eating disorders which discusses the need for awareness, research, and treatment options. In the article Stephanie Sarkis, Ph.D interviews Dr. Roberto Olivardio about the common misconceptions regarding males and eating disorders. They discuss the stigma associated with men who have eating disorders, the barriers to treatment, and the necessary components of treatment. Click here to read the full article.
Research and literature regarding the treatment of men is limited and most eating disorder treatment centers still do not treat males. Castlewood is proud to specialize in the treatment of males with eating disorder. The treatment of men with eating disorders involves working through different components and perspectives than the treatment of females. Issues such as gender roles, body image, and self image will be different when explored with a male patient. In the article Dr. Olivardio shares that “Eating disorders are complex and require a comprehensive treatment plan. Ideally, you want to create a treatment team composed of a psychologist, psychiatrist, family/couples therapist, nutritionist, and primary care physician. A combination of cognitive-behavioral and psychodynamic therapies are most effective.”
Castlewood creates an individualized and comprehensive treatment plan for each client that comes through our doors. We address the entire clinical picture with a team of therapists, dietitians, and psychiatrists. Our treatment approach involves cognitive behavioral therapy plus psycho-dynamic and expressive therapy work. Experience has taught us that the full measure of health rests on more than a temporary absence of symptoms. We are entirely focused on ensuring a complete and enduring state of wholeness, following whatever path is most appropriate for the client.
In a recent study completed by Dr. Shannon Snapp from the University of Arizona, researchers found five factors that promote a healthy body image in women. They found that young women with high family support and low levels of perceived socio-cultural pressure from family, friends and the media regarding the importance of achieving a ‘thin and beautiful’ ideal had a more positive body image. These same women also rejected the superwoman ideal, had a positive physical self-concept, and were armed with skills to deal with stress.
Click here to read the full article in Medical News Today.
This research highlights what many of us have known for years, support from family and friends that promote a healthy body image can make all the difference. Imagine if everyone grew up surrounded by women who loved their bodies, rather than nit picking every thing that is “wrong with them.” And if schools, teachers, and other women role models did the same- promoted health, balance, self-care, and were confident in how they appear. This might result in more young women who reject the superwoman ideal, or the thin and beautiful ideal.
At Castlewood, we encourage the women and men who come through our doors to create their own definition of beauty and health. We encourage them to learn about balance and surround themselves with others who practice self-compassion. We encourage you today to start looking at what is beautiful about you, what is great about your life, and surround yourself with healthy people who do the same.
Normal in School is a national non for profit dedicated to educating the public about eating disorders, body image, and self-esteem through arts and mindfulness. Normal in Schools has changed the face of eating disorder awareness campaigns, by including creativity and the arts into its endeavors.
What began as an award-winning Off-Broadway musical (nor.mal), has become a series of programs and educational tools that have inspired youth and their families to seek treatment for eating disorders to break the shame that surrounds mental health issues. Since its inception in 2006, the live version of the Normal in Schools Program has been presented in more than 40 high schools, universities, medical, educational and arts conferences and festivals worldwide and has reached more than 27,000 individuals.
The 75-minute performance is the focus of the NIS program and tells the true story of a family torn apart by an eating disorder through the eyes of the mother. Written by New York Foundation Artists & Art award winner Yvonne Adrian, Broadway veteran actress and writer Cheryl Stern, and Emmy award-winning composer Tom Kochan, nor•mal is a dynamic, fresh, and humorous rock musical characterized by short, episodic scenes, stylization, and deeply resonant and emotional storytelling. nor•mal goes beyond a standard informational presentation – it is a highly artistic theatrical work meant not only to raise awareness of eating disorders and family communication but also to demonstrate the healing power of theatre itself.The mandatory 20-minute talkback immediately follows the live theatrical performance and allows for the audience to have their questions answered by experienced, dedicated listeners.
Normal in Schools also has a fantastic website full of resources, information and tools for families, friends, and anyone wanting information about ED awareness.
Castlewood supports the NIS program and all that they do to bring ED awareness to the community at large.
Last Friday evening May 11, 2012- Castlewood sponsored a free screening of the movie America the Beautiful Part II in Monterey California. About 125 people attended the screening at Monterey Peninsula College which was followed by a panel discussion. Following the screening, Darryl Roberts, writer, producer and director as well as eating disorder experts from Castlewood answered questions and facilitated a discussion about eating disorders, body image, and societies obsession with dieting.
Too see the full story visit the Monterey County Weekly news article.
As Castlewood expands into the Monterey/Pacific Grove area we plan to bring critical resources, education and eating disorder awareness into the community. This movie screening is just one facet of the resources Castlewood plans to bring to the area. Castlewood will also host a conference for professionals in June. For more information on events hosted by Castlewood please visit our upcoming conferences section of our website.
Upcoming Training in Internal Family Systems Theory:
Level 1 Training: Begins August 19th
Lead Trainers
Dr. Richard C. Schwartz, IFS Developer
Paul Ginter, EdD
Level 2 Training: Begins June 25th
Lead Trainers
Chris Burris, M.Ed., LPC, LMFT
Barbara Cargill, MA, ADTR
Internal Family Systems
IFS is at the forefront of a movement toward a more collaborative therapeutic approach that relies on clients’ intuitive wisdom. This model offers a non-pathologizing view of our cognitive and emotional life that is effective in bringing about true and lasting healing. Developed by Richard C. Schwartz, PhD, over the last 25 years, IFS is practiced by thousands of licensed therapists and other professionals in the United States and internationally. Mental health care practitioners easily integrate IFS into a wide variety of practices, using its unique methods to create safe environments for their clients to become Self-transforming.
IFS therapy is a simple yet sophisticated integration of psychology, spirituality, and intra-psychic and family systems theory that works well with individuals, couples, children, families and groups, and with some of the most common and intractable issues clients struggle with, such as:
- Depression
- Self-esteem
- Grief and Loss
- Self-criticism
- Anxiety
- Eating Disorders
- Couples and Relationships
- Trauma
IFS demystifies the psychotherapeutic process for both therapist and client by providing a clear path for working with the client’s inner system. This model helps people respectfully attend to the parts of themselves that interfere with their enjoyment of life – parts that are self-critical, workaholic, depressed, anxious or traumatized, for example – the very issues that bring people to therapy. IFS helps people appreciate the suffering of their wounded parts and the good intentions of those that protect. It offers a clear, systematic approach to transforming and healing all parts by reconnecting them to the powerful core Self that exists in each of us.
IFS also takes the work out of therapy for therapists, giving them the tools they need to harness their own Self-energy while working with clients. IFS therapists can find new enjoyment and feel less stress and burnout as they draw on each client’s potential to access his or her own inner world, wisdom, and capacity for Self-love, and help clients to become the driving force in their own healing.
Level 1 Training Program
Retreat-Style: Toronto & St. Louis
“I consider the Level 1 training to have been the finest,
most professional continuing education in my 41-year career.”
~ IFS Graduate
Level 2 Training Program
Retreat-Style: California & Arizona
“I learned more than I can express about myself, the human experience,
healing, and resilience of the soul.”
~ IFS Graduate
We are pleased to announce the opening of our new IOP office and support group center. As of July 2012, The Eating Disorder Center of Missouri will now be located at 1859 Intertech Drive in Fenton, Missouri. This new 6,000 square foot facility will feature four large group meeting rooms, a state-of –the art kitchen and dining room and multiple offices for therapists, dieticians and staff.
The expanding IOP program will include two separate options for clients; one track for Castlewood Treatment Center clients and the other for outpatient clients located in the St. Louis area. The IOP program is also extending its existing services and hours to include Wednesdays from 10am to 2:30pm. In addition to the existing dinner option for clients, a lunch option will be added on Wednesday. A free clinical assessment is available and conducted by a licensed therapist for either outpatient services or for participation in our Intensive Outpatient Program.
The Clinical Co-Directors are Heidi Strickler, PhD, LCSW, CEDS, CART, CTLS and Jennifer Edwards, LPC, R-DMT. The staff includes dietitian, Alyssa Salz, MS, RD, LD and 5 therapists. Optional Psychiatric services will be provided as well. The group topics will include eating disorder behaviors, femininity and healthy sexuality, Dialectical Behavioral Therapy, emotional regulation skills, meditation, journaling, art therapy, meal exposure and response prevention, nutritional education, expressive therapies, relapse prevention, relationship skills, and social anxiety.
The new support group center will offer support groups for those who struggle with any type of eating disorder and a separate support group for those in recovery from an eating disorder. Support groups for family members and friends will be added based upon interest. All support groups are led by a licensed therapist and offered free of charge. Please check out the website www.edcmo.com or call 636-779-1430 for a schedule of days and times.
Erin McGinty, MS, LPC is a Primary Therapist, Program Director, and the Anxiety Services Coordinator for Castlewood Treatment Center. Erin has worked with Castlewood for the last two years and came to Castlewood with a wealth of experience in the treatment of eating and anxiety disorders. Erin says that she came to Castlewood because she was excited about the multi-dimensional approach that Castlewood uses to treat Eating Disorders. “Having come from a CBT only approach previously, I was excited and eager to branch out and find other equally as effective ways of treating Eating Disorder.”
At Castlewood, Erin co-facilitates eating disorder and community process groups, provides individual therapy to clients, and oversees the delivery of anxiety services. She specializes in the treatment of eating disorders and co-morbid anxiety disorders, and has training in cognitive-behavioral therapy, exposure and response prevention therapy, dialectical behavior therapy, and Internal Family Systems. “Erin is an exceptional therapist talented in her approach to both eating disorders and anxiety disorders. She also adds a strong administrative structure and support to Castlewood, ” says Nancy Albus, Executive Director. Erin shared that she “likes working with clients with eating disorders because it is exciting to watch people re-discover themselves in their recovery process. When someone decides they want to recover it is really gratifying to watch them go from a life of deprivation and un-deservedness to a life that is defined by self worth and self compassion. “
Erin has been at the center of the development of Castlewood’s Anxiety Services Track. She feels it is important to work with a client’s anxiety because most people have had anxiety for as long as they remember and it is manifesting in the food. “Anxiety disorders are a risk factor for eating disorders and can keep someone in their Eating Disorder if not addressed.” Upon admission all clients are assessed for Anxiety Disorders, and if an Anxiety Disorder diagnosis is received they have an anxiety consult and individual anxiety therapy. Erin feels that “given the connection between the Anxiety and Eating Disorder, I don’t see how you could not treat the anxiety when it triggers so much of the Eating Disorder.” Castlewood does just that- we treat the Eating Disorder and Anxiety Disorder simultaneously to help our clients address the full clinical picture and achieve a lasting recovery. “Erin has done an outstanding job helping to develop and oversee the anxiety services at Castlewood,” says Dr. Robert Bond, anxiety specialist at Castlewood.
K, a Castlewood alumnus in treatment two years ago shares her success story.
Recovery is the hardest, but best thing I will ever do. It is going to be part of me the rest of my life. Recovery has brought me more happiness than I ever knew existed. I have formed so many lifelong relationships and have made existing relationships so much better. I have found the love of my life and am getting ready to begin a new chapter in my life with him. I could not be more excited and without recovery this could not have been possible. Recovery is not something I could have done on my own. I have such an amazing support system from my therapist to my family to my friends. I was the one who had to make the change, but without the support of these people it would not have been possible. I am so much stronger than I ever thought I could be. Knowing where I was just four years ago, it amazes me how much my life has changed for the better. I questioned if life was worth living, now I thank God for everyday I have and try to live life to the fullest. Not everyday is easy for me. I still have to fight to be where I am. Knowing all I have now with recovery makes me fight even harder. I never want to go back to where I was. I know it is my choice now to stay in recovery and I will do whatever it takes. Life isn’t always easy, but unfortunately that’s life. You have the good and the bad and the good makes it all worth it. Anything is possible if you put your mind to it. Do whatever it takes to recover. Reach out for support and have hope. Pray to God for guidance. Have compassion for yourself and love yourself. Be strong and courageous. These are things I still practice everyday, but now I know its all possible and love has been the key to my success.
Castlewood Treatment Center hosts Family Week every six weeks for our Residential and PHP clients and their support systems. Family Week is a three day long intensive experience involving group, individual and family therapy. The staff provides psycho-educational groups for families to learn about eating disorders, the process of recovery, and co-morbid disorders such as anxiety & OCD. In addition to didactic and educational sessions, families participate in intensive group therapy sessions which help them to identify and resolve problematic family dynamics. Families also meet with our therapy staff individually and as a family to explore how they can best support their loved one in the recovery process.
Family Week at Castlewood is always a time of intense healing as well as a time to develop a sense of community with other families. During our most recent Family Week, families shared that the openness of the other families facilitated increased insight into the recovery process and allowed them to better understand how to support their loved one. One mother shared “hearing my daughter express how she feels about her body and herself was extremely difficult and emotional for me; but it opened my eyes to what her life has been like.”
Family members often share that during Family Week they are able to identify dynamics that must change in order for the entire family to heal. One father shared that “listening to the experiences of other families and clients has led to a better understanding of the disorder and how it is a family issue.” The combination of group and individual family work facilitates this process of family growth.
Castlewood is proud of our Family Week and the healing that occurs on a regular basis at Castlewood. We feel honored to be a part of this process with the families who come through our doors.
The 2012 Central Region Conference sponsored by the National Association for Drama Therapy is May 18th through the 20th at Castlewood Treatment Center conference center. The conference is titled; Central Stage: Celebrating the Growth, Connection and Development of Central Region Drama Therapists. Castlewood therapist, Laura Wood, MA, LPC, RDT, CCLS is a board member and hosting this event. “Stepping into the role of NADT board member has been a dream of mine for years, “said Laura.
Topics of the conference include drama therapy and the limbic system, drama therapy and grief and loss, playback theater, drama therapy in education, drama therapy and eating disorders and a panel discussion. As the Central Region Representative, Laura will also be speaking at the conference on expressive therapies. “The presentations have been selected and promise to offer an exciting array of learning and experiential sessions, “said Laura
Over thirty people will attend the conference organized by Laura. “One of my goals for this year was to offer an affordable central region conference for drama therapists to gather to celebrate, network and educate, “said Laura. Attendees can also apply for eight CEU’s. For more information contact Laura Wood at 636-386-6611 or go to www.nadt.org
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