Group Classes
Stephanie Hill
Adolescent Body Image Process Group

Everyone has a hard time liking their body during certain periods. Sometimes that dislike turns into body hatred and body shame, and you would do almost anything to feel more comfortable in your body! You might start thinking mean thoughts about yourself, change the way you eat, or exercise more to try and change how your body looks. As hard as you try, you may end up feeling worse and worse about yourself. Sometimes it feels like it is all you can think about. If this sounds like you, we can help you feel more confident, accepting of yourself, and comfortable in your own skin. 


Alicia and Stephanie both have extensive experience treating body image, self-esteem, and disordered eating/eating disorders.  We have a heart for helping youth become more confident, happier with themselves, and to learn how to accept and even like themselves. We are starting a creative and open evening group for teens aged 14-17 and we would love for you to come. 

Adolescent Body Image Process Group
International Women's Day, Inspiration
Stephanie Hill
International Women's Day

Gentleness. Grace. Broken. Heart. Sharp. Bleeding. Dreams. Life. These words (and many more) describe the unbelievably courageous women in my life.

International Women's Day
Inspiration
Alicia Hawker
What I am Choosing to Give Up This Season

What I am Choosing to Give Up This Season: Negative Self Talk

What I am Choosing to Give Up This Season
Inspiration
Stephanie Hill
Come As You Are

We are at the end of National Eating Disorder Awareness week, and this year’s theme is “Come as you are.”

I thought it fitting to include a post of someone’s story. A story of recovery, success, gut-wrenchingly hard work, struggle, beauty, acceptance, and grace.

Come As You Are
Alicia Hawker
National Eating Disorder Awareness Week

Despite the seriousness of eating disorders, many are unaware of the extreme risks and devastating consequences that come with these complex mental illnesses. Anorexia has been and continues to be the deadliest mental health diagnosis. However, all eating disorders are dangerous, and it is imperative that those struggling have support and help from caregivers, friends, loved ones, and sometimes professionals and a full treatment team.


Individuals cannot be diagnosed by their body size or overall appearance, as these disorders involve behaviors, emotions, and thoughts that inhibit the ability to have a healthy relationship with food and physical movement. Even within the professional community, a person's body size often dictates the need for treatment or how ill a person is perceived to be. People needing help are often overlooked because they are not sick enough or do not classically fit the "criteria" for an eating disorder. Society has created a stereotypical idea of what an eating disorder looks like, and we are here to break that stigma. Eating disorders do not discriminate! Anyone who struggles with the devastating effects of an eating disorder deserves treatment and compassionate support.


If you need more information about eating disorders or disordered eating there are wonderful resources within our community, as well as nationally and internationally. Educate yourself and those you know, and seek assistance when appropriate. Check out www.nationaleatingdisorders.org to get started.


With our full hearts, we believe recovery is possible! People have the ability to heal and integrate new coping skills and strategies into their lives. While eating disorders are indeed serious, there is hope and beauty in overcoming the daily struggle with food, bodies, and activity. Embrace the hope that comes with the idea of exploring the dynamic journey of recovery.

National Eating Disorder Awareness Week

Quotes

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Thought for a Thursday

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Thought for a Thursday

"You become. It takes a long time. That's why it doesn't happen often to people who break easily, or have sharp edges, or who have to be carefully kept. Generally by the time you are Real, most of your hair has been loved off, and your eyes drop out, and you get loose in your joints and very shabby. But these things don't matter at all, because once you are Real you can't be ugly, except to people who don't understand."

 - Margery Williams, The Velveteen Rabbit

 

Becoming. Being. Words that sound either peaceful or frightening, depending on where you are in your life and in your acceptance of yourself. I have heard the inability to "be" described as a spiritual crisis - as in, it is a fundamental rejection of and break from our authentic, raw, messy self. Which is the ME we are meant to be. When we cannot Be, we cannot Become. And if we listen to the wisdom held in this children's book (one of my favorites!), if we cannot Become, we cannot be Real.

I want to be Real, even if it means that my fur is loved off and my joints are loose, because my heart will be rid of the shame of being seen, and filled with a compassionate love for myself. THEN I can offer Real love to those I love most.