26 Sober Activities to Celebrate Autumn!
Ah, Michigan autumn is upon us with all its splendor. When a dappled sun shines through a tunnel of yellow oaks, it is hard to feel blue. And looking at beautiful things can reduce cortisol levels (the primary indicator of stress). We have all experienced heightened levels of anxiety during the post-pandemic years, but a […]
What is Outpatient Eating Disorder Treatment?
Sanford Behavioral Health offers comprehensive outpatient eating disorder treatment in Greater Grand Rapids, Michigan. Our telehealth programs, which encompass treatment, family, and alumni support, serve all of Michigan and beyond. Our team of highly trained professionals is dedicated to helping individuals learn healthy coping mechanisms and develop a positive relationship with food and their bodies. […]
Family Health Matters – Eating Disorders
Thanks to Shelley Irwin and WGVU’s Family Health Matters for including us in their panel of experts to discuss eating disorders. Joining Shelly were Sanford Behavioral Health clinical liaison Dr. Anna Flores, Kathy Robinson, parent, and Gail Hall, executive director of Michigan Eating Disorder Alliance. Some of the questions the panel answered: What is an eating […]
Insatiable Hunger – Eating + Substance Use Disorders
According to the National Eating Disorder Association (NEDA), up to 50% of those with eating disorders also use drugs or alcohol. This is a rate five times higher than the general public. For those with an alcohol or drug dependency, up to 35% also have an eating disorder, a rate 11 times greater than the […]
DBT, Eating Disorders & Tools to Thrive with Dr. Anna Flores
Dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) is a type of psychotherapy adapted for people who experience intense (often negative) emotions. DBT effectively treats various mental health conditions, including borderline personality disorder, eating disorders, PTSD, substance use disorders, depression, and anxiety. Developed in the 1970s by Marsha Linehan, “dialectical” means combining opposite ideas. DBT focuses on accepting reality […]
Preventing Eating Disorders – A Parent’s Guide
At Sanford Comprehensive Treatment for Eating Disorders (Sanford CTED), we work directly with pediatricians to individualize care for our clients under 18. If our young clients have not visited their pediatrician, we refer them for an assessment and recommendation. We do this to complete their lab work and request an EKG and a full physical. […]
Eating Disorders Summer Reading – Best of Excursions
One of the joys of summer (after a walk in the woods or a paddle in the pool) is to settle in with a cold glass of lemonade and a good book. For those in recovery from eating disorders, reading can be a distraction, an escape, and even an anxiety reliever. Reading a good […]
Community, Creativity & Vulnerability in Recreational Therapy
Sanford Comprehensive Treatment for Eating Disorders (SCTED) recreational therapists Tori TerAvest, CTRS, and Raina Bawden, CTRS, are back to discuss creative art, social media, values clarification, and more. In a follow-up to Recreational Therapy for Eating Disorders, Raina and Tori share their thoughts on building a community at all levels of eating disorder treatment. […]
Do I Have Binge Eating Disorder? Signs, Symptoms & Treatment
Binge eating disorder (BED) is the most common eating disorder in the U.S., affecting about 3% of the population at some time in their lives. Of people with eating disorders, 47% have binge eating disorder. BED is characterized by recurrent binge eating without compensatory measures to counteract the binge, such as purging, laxative overuse, and […]
Ultra-Processed Foods, Mood & Mental Health
Have you ever read the ingredients on your breakfast cereal box or other ultra-processed foods (UPFs)? It’s not for the faint of heart. Sodium bicarbonate, yellow 5, pyridoxine hydrochloride, and six synonyms for sugar. What is this stuff? Ultra-processed food contains high-fructose corn syrup, hydrogenated oils, and chemical additives like artificial color, sweeteners, and preservatives. […]
