The collaborative approach to the new group has made it even more distinctive. It was developed and is co-facilitated by Allison Lansky, EdS, LMFT, CEDS, NCC, Lead Senior Primary Therapist, and the Reverend Matthew Rhodes, PsyD, Director of Religious Ministries at Princeton Medical Center. Upon assuming her role as Director of Princeton Center for Eating Disorders, Lynnette Peoples, MSN, PMHCNS-BC, APN became a strong advocate for the group, and has an eye on expanding its reach.
“The combined support of a senior therapist and a chaplain with valuable insight on the tenets of spirituality and forgiveness—however that may be defined for each person—has been very powerful for our patients,” says Peoples. “This group is enabling patients to explore deeper places without fear.”
The Grief, Meaning, and Recovery group is a safe place for patients to consider additional underlying issues driving the emotional urge to use eating disorder behaviors as a coping mechanism.
“We’re working to undo the power of the eating disorder by allowing patients to engage with their pain and suffering but not be isolated with it,” explains Rhodes. “Faith and spirituality are a source of hope for many people. By putting patients more in touch with hope, they often can deal with things that are otherwise too painful.”
The Grief Component
Exploring grief as it relates to illness and recovery is a critical component of the group. In fact, many patients need to grieve the loss of their eating disorder, according to Lansky.
“It’s not uncommon for an eating disorder to become the patient’s primary relationship and the central part of his or her identity,” she says. “Just as with any other relationship, patients must process feelings of grief and loss—along with the accompanying issues beneath the surface—in order to let go and move forward.”
As part of this healing process, the group is designed to provide insight that helps patients create a new framework of meaningful connections. This includes the ability to form a greater intimacy with their true selves, with other people, and with their faith.
A Supportive Environment
In the context of the group’s safe, supportive environment, patients tend to bring up topics that they may not otherwise discuss. Fellow group members have shown a tremendous level of acceptance for their peers, regardless of where each patient is in the recovery journey.
“Even our patients with severe and enduring eating disorders have taken steps toward healing through this group,” adds Peoples. “It embraces the philosophy that there is hope for everyone, no matter how long they’ve been suffering. The freedom to work through these emotions in our clinical setting is not just life-enhancing—it’s life-saving. There’s no question about it.”
The Group Structure
Held weekly, the Grief, Meaning, and Recovery group begins with a “check-in” topic to center patients and facilitate a group connection. The group is then structured around a theme that inspires discussion. Themes continually evolve and may include topics like helplessness, self-harm, self-sabotage, happiness, intimacy, pain, and healing.
While the group is currently geared toward adults, the Princeton Center for Eating Disorders team is exploring how to translate this medium for our pediatric patients.
Meaningful FeedbackMany patients attending the Grief, Meaning, and Recovery group have expressed how instrumental it has been in their recovery. “The concept of pain for grieving over the loss of my eating disorder left a lasting impression on me throughout my recovery process. The group helped me understand this loss. It gave me a safe place to feel this pain and begin mourning.” “I had never given any thought, until prompted, that my feelings of loss surrounding me were more intertwined with my eating disorder, identity, and faith than I could imagine. In a group setting, I discovered that I’m not alone. Having guidance from a person of faith and a therapist’s support, I was able to see things from a different perspective and take it with me.” |