Rachel Lewis- Marlow and Annie Goldsmith join me from the Embodied Recovery Institute to talk about the importance of embodiment (for both the individual and the practitioner) in the process of recovery from disordered eating.

Embodied Recovery Institute facilitates trainings, consultation, and program development for physical and mental health professionals in EMBODIED RECOVERY for EATING DISORDERS (ERED) – a trauma-informed, relationally oriented, and neurobiologically supported approach to the treatment of eating disorders that weaves modalities and interventions based on the latest research in traumatology, interpersonal neurobiology, and child development. This embodied perspective draws on principles of the Polyvagal Theory, Interpersonal Neurobiology, Sensorimotor Psychotherapy®, Sensory Integration, and Body-Mind Centering®.

Some topics we explore in today’s episode include the Four Principles of Embodied Recovery for Eating Disorders (ERED), recognising that recovery is an additive process (and how the body physiologically responds to being in a space of defence versus safety/attachment when cultivating lasting behavioural changes), the importance of the practitioner cultivating embodiment in their own lives, using the body as a resource and understanding it’s native language, challenging traditional parameters for what recovery looks like, and cultivating safety as a primary tool for navigating the ability to nourish the body.

Rachel has extensive experience as a teacher and presenter, focusing on accessing the body’s unique capacity to give voice to the subconscious and to lay the foundation for healing and maintaining psychological and physical health. She specializes in working with people exploring recovery from trauma, eating disorders, and dissociative disorders.

Annie holds an undergraduate degree from the University of Rochester in Brain and Cognitive Sciences and attended Winthrop University for her graduate coursework in human nutrition. She has experience treating eating disorders at the PHP, IOP, and outpatient levels of care. She opened her outpatient group practice, Second Breakfast Nutrition, in 2015. Her practice is rooted in a foundational belief in the inherent worthiness of all bodies. She is passionate about working with clients from a “bottom up” approach, cantering and supporting the wisdom of the body and its innate capacity for healing.

You can find out more about ERED and the Embodied Recovery Institute (including upcoming trainings and courses) here: www.embodiedrecovery.org