Our approach to working with eating disorders (new page to match with side link)
Along with the guiding principles of our mission and values statement, our approach to the nutritional treatment of eating disorders is also influenced by a transtheoretical model called “Stages Of Change”. 

Five stages of change have been conceptualized for a variety of problem behaviors. The five stages of change are:

1. Pre-contemplation - people in this stage are unaware that their issue is a problem behavior. 
2. Contemplation - people in this stage recognize a serious problem exists, however, they are ambivalent as to whether they want to change.
3. Preparation - Individuals in this stage are intending to take action to change their behavior in the next month.  Most have made failed attempts to change already.
4. Action - Those in this stage begin to modify their behavior, their choices and their environment in order to overcome their problems. 
5. Maintenance - This stage is characterized by planning to prevent relapse.  

Our commitment

We are committed to meeting you where you are at, whether you are in the contemplative state of change or you are in action mode.  What place you are in will determine how our sessions are conducted, what we discuss and what we will challenge you on.

We do not force anyone to change.  This is beyond our capabilities and would lead to unproductive power struggles.  Rather, we work with where you are at and wait patiently for you to make a decision as to whether you want to go forward with the change process.   
We will gently encourage and challenge you to take risks, to experience both the discomfort and freedom in changing problem behaviors.  However, the ultimate choice to change lies with you.

Nutritional counseling sessions are varied and include different activities.  Listed below are some activities you can expect to experience at one of our sessions:

• Creating a meal plan
• Appetite awareness activities
• Normal eating inventory
• Pros/cons of problem behavior(s)
• Introduction of fear foods
• “Coping toolbox” strategies
• Work on the binge/purge/restrict cycle
• Meal planning
• Mindful eating