The solution focused approach to working with eating disorders…
As a Solution Focused Therapist I remain “non expert” at all times with my clients; choosing to believe that they are the best expert of not only their problem, but also their solution.
No two people with an eating disorder or disordered eating are the same. Granted there are similarities in presenting behaviours but the thinking that an anorexic came from a different family background to a bulimic and consequently should be treated differently just isn’t helpful in finding the solution to the individual’s issues.
It is my belief that you should not label an individual as one thing (anorexic, bulimic, obese etc) and then treat that same label in the same way for each labelled person.
I help my clients to look for the exceptions in their behaviours, helping them to empower themselves towards their own solutions.
I refer to neuroscience to support the knowledge that the client is experiencing a battle between their left prefrontal cortex (intelligent control) and their primitive (limbic survival centre) minds. My aim is to help my client to engage their left prefrontal cortex (which interestingly is impaired when the primitive brain is active) so that they can make rational and sensible choices about how they behave and see their world.
The primitive brain: We do know that a nutritionally deficient body warrants certain controlling behaviours from the brain. The primitive mind becomes active when it perceives a problem (any problem), and lack of hydration and nutrients create a state of crisis.
The primitive brain is not an intellect so the behaviours that it dictates are often detrimental to the client and often are negative and continue to feed their problem. This is why it is crucial that the client is receiving all the necessary support that they require to ensure that they are fed as a priority.
In my studies with the National Centre for Eating Disorders I have learned that nutrition is the priority when supporting a malnourished client towards their recovery. A malnourished brain will continue to dictate the same negative behaviour (abstinence, binging, purging etc) that the client is hoping to move away from. I note here that a malnourished brain does not necessarily mean an underweight body as you may expect.
I find that in my work with clients diagnosed with anorexia it is critical to their recovery that I am part of a supporting team. In many cases my work as a Solution Focused Therapist can complement and support the client as they work through the anxieties and fears associated with re feeding. I insist that the client’s weight, food and regular health screening is undertaken by someone other than myself.
This allows me to work in a solution focused way and work towards the client's preferred future. Another note; the anorexic brain can be quite clever and can often tell you what it thinks that you want to hear. Some clients experience the anorexic “Voice” which can be very powerful and critical making change extremely difficult in the early stages.
The solution focused approach thankfully compliments pretty much any other therapeutic and medical intervention; however, I am always respectful of others and can only work with a client who is happy to do so and has the authority from their supporting team. The safety of my client is my priority so together we make sure that the right support is in place to ensure they are receiving the treatment for their physical wellbeing that they require.
Solution-focused therapists are very interested in the details of client’s past successes. De Shazer (1985), expanded on Erickson’s comments:
‘The past, particularly the problematic areas of the past, can then be seen as potentially detrimental to solution. Of course, past successes, deliberate or accidental, can be used in constructing a solution.’
People have the necessary resources. They are the experts on themselves. While
the aim is to establish a realistic solution to the client’s problem in as short as time as possible for lasting relief.
One of the brilliant solution-focused therapy tools that I use is called the 'miracle question'. It allows the client to start to see their future without the presence of their problems. As our brains can’t distinguish between imagination and reality this can be an incredibly powerful tool for the client’s transformation.
In early sessions with those with anorexia I choose, in many cases, to make some adjustments. Many clients are extremely anxious when we first meet and asking them to share their answers in the early stages can create a block. So, I ask the question but allow them to keep the answers to themselves until they feel comfortable enough to share.
I have been lucky enough to chat with diagnosed (and labelled) anorexics who have told me that they were extremely embarrassed by their thoughts and feel extremely guilty (the voice) in the early stages. So, asking them to share these with me is not always a positive and useful exercise. However, in time as they start to see the changes that they are able to make they become more confident and together we are able to address the issues that are holding them back and start to plan for their preferred futures.
As part of a client’s initial consultation I explain how their brains work referring to the left prefrontal cortex and the primitive brain. We look at the importance of sleep and nutrition and how together we can form an alliance that can support the client’s future. In many cases when we introduce this knowledge we are empowering our clients.
One of the reasons that I introduce the importance of nutrition is that many clients I see do not have the correct information in their intellectual brain to refer to when it comes to creating a more positive relationship with food. It appears perverse to help a client to regain the control of their intellectual mind for them to then refer to learned narratives, misinformed media and unrealistic expectations that take them back to where they started. For example; that to effectively lose weight we have to reduce the amount that we eat. They often choose to cut out vital food groups such as Carbohydrates or fats; both of which are essential for brain function.
Hypnosis: We are lucky that we are able to utilise trance (hypnosis) in our sessions too. Many are initially sceptical about this but soon realise the importance of this part of our sessions together. It’s also the “easy” bit that clients look forward to. But, can also be feared as clients assume that they will lose control; as you will see below in fact the opposite happens. In trance you are more in control than at any other time.
I find that many of my clients with anorexia won't close their eyes in the initial sessions but in time as change occurs they feel more comfortable doing so.
A trance can be induced in a number of ways. Normal daily activities that require repetitive movements and little awareness may induce trancelike states. For example, someone very familiar with cooking may enter a trance while cooking a simple meal, and some drivers are in trancelike states after a long drive.
We contrive this natural state in sessions; when your two brains (intellectual and primitive) come together and focus on the same thing. When this happens, you can ask the questions of yourself that you have yet to find answers to. It’s an extremely beneficial thing to do.
You may notice that your breathing slows, and your muscles become relaxed. You may sense a distance from where you are; the passing of time gets distorted and often you feel a pleasant, almost euphoric state of peace. The depth of a hypnotic trance varies, it can be very light or extremely deep. It gets better with practice.
“You do shift into a different kind of brain function when you go into a hypnotic state,” “It helps you focus your attention so you’re not thinking about other things, you have better control what’s going on in your body, and you’re less self-conscious.”- David Speigal.
The combination of SFT and hypnosis and my training in eating disorders and sleep (I am also CBTi qualified) enables me to support my clients in the best way that I know-how. Forming a collaborative front from which we tackle the problem together. I work with clients presenting with many problems, the majority of which are food-related (hence my ongoing studying with the National Centre for Eating Disorders) following a blog that I wrote a few years ago about my own experience of parenting an anorexic teenager.
I will also be delivering a day's training on The Solution Focused Approach to Eating Disorders - For Hypnotherapists & Practitioners, by Zoom on December 9th 2023. For more information and registration please use this link: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/729376403457?aff=oddtdtcreator
If you’d like to learn more about how I work or would like an initial chat, then please do get in touch.
Holly Stone - 07909 951 338
https://www.hollystonehypnotherapy.co.uk/