Meal Support

WHAT IS MEAL SUPPORT?

Meal support is a space to have a meal in a recovery-focused setting. With either a therapist or a registered dietitian present, together or in a group setting, meal support focuses on decreasing eating disorder behaviors while eating and practice implementing skills to remain recovery-focused. Meal times are often sabotaged by the eating disorder, therefore, working with a trained professional in how to best use this time can be really helpful.

WHO CAN PROVIDE MEAL SUPPORT?

Typically meal support is provided by an eating disorder professional in the treatment setting. However, if in the outpatient setting, family members and friends may be trained in how to provide meal support by a member of the eating disorder treatment team. It is important to seek professional help in how to best provide support during meal times because these are such challenging experiences for an individual in eating disorder recovery.

WHAT DOES MEAL SUPPORT AT ALLOW LOOK LIKE?

Both the client and the clinician bring their own meal and eat together. There may be moments to decrease stress or set an intention before beginning to eat. The clinician may redirect behaviors while eating. If the client is struggling emotionally or with ED thoughts, the clinician may help walk you through these thoughts and remind you of specific skills to try and uses these skills with you. After the meal is finished, we may take a moment to process how it went and/or make a plan for how to spend your time after a meal to avoid post-meal ED behaviors.