Eating and The Self - a Focal Dynamic Manual

Eating disorder inpatients were looking for more than repeats of the DBT manual. Focal dynamic provides a completely different perspective, looking at ways of relating (to self, family and interpersonally) as an analogy to eating disorder behavior (and eating disorder as a symptom of these relational styles). Patients were enthusiastic about this and found it very helpful and refreshing, feeling both understood and that they better understood themselves. The relationship with care providers also improved as patients began to see the same patterns unfolding: this person is in a care providing role, but their advice feels controlling and triggers me to fight against it and restrict, increasing their need and responsibility to change my behavior. 

We cover motivational interviewing and long-term goal setting as to ensure that ongoing behaviors are in line with long-term goals. Body and physical sensations help find opportunities to attend to and relate to our self and body in healthy ways that don't trigger body image and eating concerns. A family genogram helps gain insight into transgenerational patterns, and contributes to our understanding of both triadic (trauma triangle) and dyadic interpersonal patterns. Lastly, the intrapsychic section explores how we related to ourselves highlighting how this is analogous to interpersonal relationships and relationship with food/eating.