The Vital Role of Family in Eating Disorder Recovery
The Eating Disorder Center at Sanford Behavioral Health is decorated for Spooky Week with a Snoopy pumpkin patch and artwork created by clients during art therapy. Recreational therapist Amy Kosiba, CTRS, says, “Many clients come to us with tunnel vision that they are here for treatment. They think this will be the worst experience of […]
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. […]
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 […]
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 […]
6 Reasons a Michigan Summer is Good for Mental Health
Michigan summer feels hopeful and restorative. Green is the color of life, nature, renewal, and energy. The color green is also associated with fertility, growth, and harmony.ย Blue stands for serenity, stability, inspiration, wisdom, and health. So, what better place to explore than Pure Michigan now that summer is here with all its shades of […]
Don’t Call it Gym Class: Recreational Therapy for Eating Disorders
Recreational therapy, also known as therapeutic recreation, is essential to the comprehensive treatment of those with eating disorders at Sanford Behavioral Health. People seeking treatment may feel lost and disconnected from their identity, values, bodies, and leisure interests because of their eating disorder(s). This is where the recreational therapist steps in as part of […]
Body Acceptance & Diet Culture – A Parent’s Guide
In October, we celebrate Body Acceptance Week (National Eating Disorders Association) and at Sanford Behavioral Health we support NEDA. In fact, eating disorder programming has shaped the way the entire organization looks at body acceptance and meals. We know that body dissatisfaction is a risk factor in the development of an eating disorder. But […]
Binge Eating Disorder and Diet Culture
Binge Eating Disorder (BED) is characterized by the consumption of a large amount of food in a discrete period of time. It is the most common eating disorder in the United States, and it affects people of all racial and ethnic groups. About 1.25% of adult women and 0.42% of adult men have binge […]
Can Exercise and Healthy Eating Go Too Far?
Today on the podcast we talk to Sanford Behavioral Health’sย Gail Hall, LMSW, DCSW, CEDS-S about orthorexia and other eating disorders. Gail, who has been treating eating disorders for over 30 years, says exercise and healthy eating can present a problem when the individual becomes obsessed with eating clean. Also, the compulsion to exercise […]
Prioritizing Nutrition in Recovery
When an individual begins treatment for a substance use disorder, prioritizing nutrition is not at the top of their list. The importance of nutrition often gets lost in the process of attending counseling sessions, finding local meetings, adjusting to new environments, and doing the exhausting work of forming better habits in every area of […]
