Finding Gratitude In Eating Disorder Recovery

You might imagine that in the midst of the exhausting fight
to beat an eating disorder one doesn’t have a lot to be thankful for. Rather
they are devastated at the circumstances of their disease and the outcome of
their life altogether. A struggle for anyone, eating disorder or not is to have
an “attitude of gratitude” even in life’s most challenging moments.

Having worked at the Victorian – eating disorder treatment
center, I can say it is two things:

1.1.)     A challenging place to work.

2.2.)    A rewarding place to work.

The amount of dedication, intellect and love
that is exuded from the staff at the Victorian is quite extraordinary. This
Thanksgiving I would like to take a moment to thank those inside the Victorian
home for making eating disorder recovery possible in our world.

Clinical Director –
Michelle Smith, LVN

Michelle is one of the best Clinical Director’s the
Victorian has ever seen. She is personable, intelligent, poised and down to
earth. Known to personally pick up clients from the airport and welcome
them  to The Victorian, Michelle goes
above and beyond to make sure that not only the Victorian clients feel valued,
but also that her staff is valued and cared for as well. We are so thankful for
Michelle being the leader of the Victorian. She has taken eating disorder
recovery to a whole new level that is admired in the field.

Program Manager –
Andrea Brokaw

Andrea has brought Neurofeedback into the Victorian this
year. Within the first few days at the Victorian the clients get their
brainwaves scanned for the purpose of participating in Neurofeedback. This
process has made the women better able to understand their emotions and their eating
disorder. Andrea innovative and creative therapy has been a blessing to the
Victorian.

Case Managers – Joi
Prendiville,  Katie Rose Wingert and Susan
Bailey

These women have the privilege of working one-on-one with
the clients to map out their recovery. Helping the women set goals and achieve
them takes tons of mental and physical strength. These women add so much to the
recovery of women by being their confidants, cheerleaders and coaches. The
Victroian simply would be non-existent without these women.

Nurse – Becky Gordon

Many eating disorder clients are in need of meds to assist
them in their recovery. Becky helps the clients find the meds that are
appropriate for them. Her professional demeanor and support make her a stand
out.

Dietician – Dawn Navarez

Dawn helps the clients reach their recovery goals around
food. Dawn is not only the Victorian dietician, but also holds nutrition groups
with the women, educating them on food, vitamins and metabolism. Dawn is known
to not only be a Dietician, but also a trusted confidant.

Art Therapy – Robin
Lamoure, CADAC, MA, ATR

Women with eating disorders are known to sway heavily on the
creative side and Robin takes advantage of that interest by holding amazing Art
Therapy  sessions. Sessions are always
inventive, creative and thought provoking around recovery. Robin creates a
safe, non-intrusive way for women to process their emotions good/bad on an
inventive level.

Intern  – Jennifer DeVore, MFTi

Eventually the baton will be passed to another generation of
healers who passionately care about eating disorder recovery. The Victorian is
so thankful for the interest of so many psychology majors, nursing students and
new dieticians who want to contribute to our field. Their dedicated work with
the Victorian clients will be rewarded in the recovery that happens in the
years to come.

The Victorian Clients

The thing we are daily grateful for is the brave Victorian clients
willing to confront their eating disorder. We are humbled by the strength they
have to go step into the unknown and discover the women they are without their
eating disorder. The willingness of these women constantly amazes us. We are so
honored to work alongside them and are incredibly grateful that we get to
witness their transformations into confident, strong, successful women they are
proud of.

I hope
that if you are struggling with an eating disorder this Thanksgiving you would
find some gratitude in the vast amount of people in the eating disorder
recovery field willing to help you. On behalf of our very thankful Victorian
team, we would like to wish you a very Happy Thanksgiving and a Happy Recovery!

Irvina