The eating disorder often drives a wedge into the family relationship, making it difficult to see the person underneath the illness. Caregivers need tools to effectively navigate the emotional intensity of treatment while continuously nurturing the individual identity and spirit of their loved one. This workshop focuses on the crucial skill of connecting with your loved one to ensure they feel seen and supported, regardless of the stage of recovery.
Equip and F.E.A.S.T. have partnered to offer this vital support group, bringing together the clinical expertise of Equip with the invaluable lived experience mentorship of F.E.A.S.T. This session is designed to provide caregivers with strategies and a framework to maintain a strong, positive relationship with their loved one throughout the recovery process. This session will be led by Equip clinicians Lainy Clark and Alanna Hager.
We will begin with a brief explainer where our clinical experts and mentors will provide clear, actionable information on:
- The Lifespan View: Discussing unique challenges and strategies for supporting a loved one who is a child/adolescent, an emerging adult, or an adult.
- Seeing Past the ED and Nurturing the Person: Concrete ways to look beyond the eating disorder's symptoms and actively nurture the unique personality, interests, and non-ED aspects of your loved one.
- Maintaining Connection: Strategies for maintaining warmth, empathy, and positive interactions even during times of conflict or distress related to treatment.
A Focus on Practical Skills: Relationship and Communication
Drawing on crucial communication and relationship-building skills, you will be introduced to and practice:
- Emotionally-Focused Family Therapy: Our clinical experts will share tools and skills from this adjunct therapeutic model that promote connection even when the fight against the eating disorder has everyone feeling distressed and often misunderstood.
- Connect Before You Direct: A powerful communication skill that emphasizes validating your loved one's feelings and seeking connection before attempting to guide, instruct, or set a boundary. You will learn how to create a climate of psychological safety that makes therapeutic direction more effective.
You will leave with a greater understanding of how to protect and nurture your relationship with your loved one, along with a proven skill to stay connected and supportive through the most challenging moments of the recovery journey. Join our clinicians, mentors, and a supportive community.
(The 60-minute session will include a 30-minute presentation and a 30-minute supportive Q&A with Equip providers and FEAST caregivers.)
Lainy Clark, MA, LPC received her Master of Counseling degree at Dallas Baptist University. She is a Licensed Professional Counselor in multiple states and works as a clinical supervisor for Equip Health. She has received specialized training in Family Based Treatment, Emotion Family Focused Therapy, Enhanced Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Eating Disorders, Adolescent Focused Therapy and Dialectical Behavior Therapy. Before joining Equip, Lainy worked in multiple levels of care including IOP, PHP and outpatient mental health treatment centers. Lainy is passionate about helping individuals heal from the oppressive forces of diet culture. She incorporates the principles of Health at Every Size (HAES) into her work with clients looking to recover from disordered eating and heal from their fight with body image. Lainy is a native Texan who resides in the Dallas area with her partner, two toddlers, and two dogs.
Dr. Alanna Hager has been a clinician and clinical supervisor in the eating disorder field for over 12 years. She is most passionate about creating access to eating disorder treatment and empowering caregivers of those suffering from mental illness. Dr. Hager received her PhD in Clinical Psychology at the University of Victoria in British Columbia, Canada and completed post-doctoral training at Veterans Affairs Canada. She is currently a Therapy Lead at Equip Health, a Certified Eating Disorder Specialist (CEDS), and a Certified Advanced Emotion-Focused Family Therapist (EFFT).
Lainy Clark, MA, LPC received her Master of Counseling degree at Dallas Baptist University. She is a Licensed Professional Counselor in multiple states and works as a clinical supervisor for Equip Health. She has received specialized training in Family Based Treatment, Emotion Family Focused Therapy, Enhanced Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Eating Disorders, Adolescent Focused Therapy and Dialectical Behavior Therapy. Before joining Equip, Lainy worked in multiple levels of care including IOP, PHP and outpatient mental health treatment centers. Lainy is passionate about helping individuals heal from the oppressive forces of diet culture. She incorporates the principles of Health at Every Size (HAES) into her work with clients looking to recover from disordered eating and heal from their fight with body image. Lainy is a native Texan who resides in the Dallas area with her partner, two toddlers, and two dogs.
Dr. Alanna Hager has been a clinician and clinical supervisor in the eating disorder field for over 12 years. She is most passionate about creating access to eating disorder treatment and empowering caregivers of those suffering from mental illness. Dr. Hager received her PhD in Clinical Psychology at the University of Victoria in British Columbia, Canada and completed post-doctoral training at Veterans Affairs Canada. She is currently a Therapy Lead at Equip Health, a Certified Eating Disorder Specialist (CEDS), and a Certified Advanced Emotion-Focused Family Therapist (EFFT).
