LGBTQ Group Begins Next Week!

A new cycle of the 10-week Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, & Queer (LGBTQ) Group begins next week. This thoughtful and supportive group is designed for clients who consider themselves gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, and queer as well as for clients who are questioning or exploring their sexual orientation and/or gender identity.

As a part of LGBTQ Group, Emily Program staff provides a safe space to discuss sexual orientation and identity and how it relates to the recovery process. Group leaders offer specific support for issues around coming out and dealing with family members and others who may not offer support to clients.

Clients who participate in LGBTQ find validation in being a part of a sexual/gender minority that also struggle with eating disorders and find support from group members and facilitators to assist them on their path toward recovery.

LGBTQ Group
Begins: February 15, 2012
Meets: Wednesdays from 4:30-6:00 PM
Where: St. Paul location (2265 Como Ave)
Lead by: Ryan Dean, PhD, LP and Ryan Sorenson, PsyD, Post-Doc

Have questions or interested in joining this group?
LGBTQ still has openings for the upcoming 10-week* cycle. To get started or learn more, speak with your individual therapist.

*Due to the structure and nature of this group, clients must commit to the full 10-weeks of weekly group meetings.

Pre/Post Gastric Bypass Group

Considering whether or not to have a gastric bypass procedure can be a difficult decision to make. Many factors of one’s life are affected by bariatric surgeries and The Emily Program offers support for individuals that have had bariatric surgery and are looking for support in their new lifestyle, as well as support for those who are considering surgery.

A new Pre/Post Gastric Bypass group is scheduled to begin in our new St. Louis Park location on February 15, 2012. This ongoing support and process group provides connections with other people that are planning to have, or have had bariatric surgery, and focuses on the unique needs of clients who are continuing to work toward recovery from their eat disorder.

As a part of the group, Emily Program staff provide a safe forum to ask questions and receive feedback about what can be expected before and after surgery. Groups address the emotional needs of everyday life pre and post surgery and practice skills such as conflict resolution, distress tolerance, assertiveness, and self-awareness.

St Louis Park – Pre/Post Gastric Bypass
Immediate Openings
When: Wednesdays, 4:30-6:00pm
Begins: February 15, 2012
Questions? Contact our front desk at (651) 645-5323
Led By: Louise Page, MA, LPCC and Anna Fox, PsyD, LP

A Pre/Post Gastric Bypass group is offered at our St. Paul location as well.

St Paul – Pre/Post Gastric Bypass
When: Tuesdays, 10:00-11:30am
Questions? Contact our front desk at (651) 645-5323
Led By: Kate Jalma, PhD, LP and Ryan Sorenson, PsyD, Post-Doc

For more information about other groups offered to Emily Program clients, download the latest Group Catalog for the location nearest to you.
Catalogs are available on our website at www.emilyprogram.com.

New Season of “All Things COE”

As a part of The Emily Program’s commitment to offering individualized support and treatment of eating disorders, we are constantly working to improve and expand upon the diverse resources and group therapy opportunities we offer to clients. With the coming of the new year, many of these groups are beginning new cycles of speakers, group activities, and information sessions.

All Things COE is a group therapy option for clients with Compulsive Overeating (COE) and Bing-Eating Disorder (BED) diagnoses. As an ongoing group, All Things COE has entered in to 2012 with a number of exciting new speakers on schedule.

Topics for Spring 2012

February 11 - Hoarding & Other Compulsive Behavior

March 10 - Family Support for COE/BED

April 14 - Diabetes Management

May 12 - Intimacy

June 9 - Body Image

All Things COE is designed to connect COE/BED clients with others at The Emily Program to provide additional support and education around issues that affect those with COE/BED and their loved ones. Emily Program clients who are a currently involved in treatment for COE and BED are invited to participate and join in these discussions!

All Things COE meets the second Saturday of each month, from 10:30am-12:00pm at the 2265 Como Avenue, Saint Paul location. For more information about All Things COE, or if you are interested in attending this thoughtful and informative group, contact your individual therapist.

Interesting in learning more about other outpatient groups offered at The Emily Program?
Check out our group catalog online, or give us a call at 651-645-5323

LiLu Interiors Wins Top Honor for Emily Program Design

LiLu Interiors won the American Society of Interior Designers - Minnesota’s top honor for their design of The Emily Program’s new Adolescent & Family Services building.

LiLu Interiors' Lisa Peck, ASID, LuAnne Silvia, ASID and Christina Winter, Allied Member ASID were publically praised at the American Society of Interior Designers – Minnesota (ASID MN) Awards Gala this fall for successfully transforming the Children’s Home Society and Family Services building into the newest location of The Emily Program’s outpatient Adolescent and Family Services, and residential Anna Westin House-Adolescent residential program.

When The Emily Program acquired the existing, institutional St. Paul building, it presented a designer’s challenge with its brick walls and sharp angles. Working on a tight budget required the design team to use basic materials and furnishings creatively to form a nurturing, supportive environment for Emily Program clients, residents, and staff. LiLu Interior’s design allows the building to support the diverse daily activities of The Emily Program - everything from sleeping and studying, to participating in therapy sessions and preparing food. Designers employed a colorful concept that used bright, bold color blocks and large scale patterns to warm and coordinate the more institutional elements of the existing structure.

The Emily Program’s Adolescent and Family Services facility is truly a gem and helps bring families together throughout their eating disorder treatment and recovery.

Congratulations and thank you to LiLu Interiors!

Click here for more about the ASID MN Awards and to view the press release.

New Recovery App Released for iPhone and Android

Jenna Tregarthen is an Australian that is just like one of millions worldwide that has a loved one struggling with an eating disorder. So, as a part of her PhD research, Jenna developed an app that helps individuals in both eating disorder treatment and recovery track their progress on their smart phones.

Recovery Record was released in partnership with Stanford University's Eating Disorder Clinic and allows users to log-in  24-hours a day, "check-in,” and keep a "mood, food, and thought" diary on their personal phones. By checking-in users answer questions about their general mood, the prevalence of urges, and their progress on meal plans. The app also allows users to set goals and work toward them via their daily log. By doing so, users can earn rewards – some of which come from Recovery Records donor partners like iTunes, who offers a free song download as a part of the reward program.

To broaden the support network available to Recovery Record users, the app is linked to an online forum that allows users to anonymously interface with one another and encourage each other's progress. To maintain privacy, each user is given a pseudonym that changes every few days and provides users with a safe space for support and recovery.

Providers can be a part of the Recovery Record community too. By electing to link-in with their clients, clinicians can help track trends and potential triggers in order to help clients succeed with their meal plans and find strength in recovery. Linking with individuals’ providers as a part of the Recovery Record forum is entirely optional, but offers another avenue of support for clients and their team.

Recovery Record is free and is now available for both Android and iPhone users.

To read the Australian  news article that informed this post, click here.
To download the app, or for video demos and more information, visit Recovery Record's website at recoveryrecord.com

A Letter to Santa

From Gürze Books, December 2011 e-Newsletter

Dear Santa,

I can't help noticing that you're one of the few larger people who doesn't let your weight get in the way. You seem to have a very positive attitude and you're always in a jolly mood. Just the sight of you makes people happy.

You toil all year at a job you love. You didn't say: "After I lose 50 pounds, I'll become Santa Claus and set up a toy shop!" You certainly haven't let your size stop you from hitching up that sleigh each year and traveling around the world!

You and your voluptuous Mrs. Claus have one of the better marriages going. You work as a team and appreciate one another for the qualities that contribute to an enduring marriage—trust, mutual respect, admiration, and sensuality. I hear that Mrs. Claus has a new lacy red teddy she plans to wear for you on Christmas night.

You are a wise and tolerant person. When you noticed that the other reindeer were making fun of Rudolph, you showed them all that what appeared to be a negative quality—a big, red nose—could be turned into something positive. People always focus on the negative aspects of being big. We never think there might be advantages. Sometimes it just depends on your perspective.

Mrs. Claus told me she has started cooking healthier meals, although she wouldn't think of asking you to give up your Christmas Eve cookies and milk. She also said she'd like both of you to get a little more exercise. She's having the elves make each of you a pair of walking shoes so you can take after-dinner walks around the North Pole.

You seem to have accepted yourself just as you are. Santa, I think we could all take a lesson from you.

P.S. Please don't forget my diamond earrings.

Gürze Books is a publishing company specializing in resources for eating disorder treatment, hope, and recovery since 1980.
http://www.bulimia.com/

Tips for the Holidays

The holidays often involve family rituals and traditions where food has a central role, and can be a difficult time of year for those who struggle with their relationship to food and their bodies. The holidays also may be one of the few times that a family comes together each year, and planning ahead can help people with eating disorders and their loved ones manage these challenges and enjoy conversation and good times with friends and family during holiday celebrations.

Here are a few steps to help you prepare. Ask family and friends to help plan for “scenarios” in conversations and with meal planning. Consider how, when, and where meals and snacks will be served and what you need to do to follow your meal plan for the day. 

1. It's okay to ask for something you need. Talk ahead of time to family and friends about what is helpful and what isn't before, during, and after eating.
2. Develop have a plan for support after the gathering. Know where your support people are, and how you'll know when it's time to connect with them.

At a party or gathering 

• Try to sit or stand near supportive people.
• Try to eat mindfully and savor these tasty holiday foods!
• Continue to follow your meal plan for the entire day.
• Eat at an appropriate pace.
• Consider keeping a comfort item such as an affirmation card, a picture, or a journal with you throughout the day.
• Talk with loved ones about things unrelated to food and body concerns.
• Enjoy your relationships with families and friends and feel gratitude for blessings received.

Social Support at Meals

• Talk to family and friends about what is helpful and what isn't.
• Choose someone to call if you are struggling with eating disorder behaviors, negative thoughts, or difficult emotions. Call them ahead of time and let them know of your concerns, needs, and that you may call them during the day.
• Consider asking a loved one to be your "reality check" with food, reminding you of portions, pacing, or your meal plan.
• Stay active with your therapy appointments or groups.
• Discuss your anticipations of the holidays with your treatment team and/or supportive loved ones so that they can help you predict, prepare for, and get through any uncomfortable family interactions.
• Talk with loved ones about important issues: decisions, victories, challenges, fears, concerns, dreams, special moments, spirituality, relationships, and your feelings about them.
• Allow yourself to have fun rather than rigidly focusing on food or body thoughts.

General Tips

• Challenge yourself to find activities that don't focus on food (craft fairs, holiday light displays, concerts, charity events, ice skating, snowball fights, making a snow sculpture, etc.)
• Get enough sleep and rest.
• Don't forget about other ways of coping like yoga, deep breathing, relaxation imagery, journaling etc.
• Choose to move in mindful and moderate ways. Take a peaceful leisure walk under the stars with a loved one.
• Relax and enjoy down time.
• Spend time with people who love and care about you.