RESTORE

 Regulation - Embodiment - Safety - Trauma - Ownership - Restoration

Target Population:
Adolescents & adults with:
  • Anorexia, Bulimia, Binge Eating Disorder
  • ARFID
  • Disordered eating patterns rooted in trauma, control, attachment wounds, or chronic stress
Core Philosophy:
Eating disorders are adaptive survival responses, not pathologies. Healing occurs through safety, nervous system regulation, trauma processing, reconnection to the body, and restoration of identity.

PROGRAM STRUCTURE

  • Length: 12-16 weeks (flexible pacing)
  • Format Options:
    • Individual therapy
    • Group therapy
    • Hybrid (weekly individual + group)
  • Modalities:
    • EMDR Therapy
    • Somatic Therapy (Sensorimotor, Polyvagal-informed)
    • Attachment-based work
    • Psychoeducation
    • Optional faith-integration

PHASE 1: SAFETY & STABILZATION (Weeks 1-4)

Goals:
  • Establish safety and trust
  • Regulate the nervous system
  • Reduce ED behaviors without shame
  • Prepare for trauma processing
Somatic Interventions:
  • Interoceptive awareness (hunger, fullness, emotion)
  • Grounding through body orientation
  • Vagus nerve regulation (breath, temperature, rhythm)
  • Tracking sensations without interpretation
  • Developing a "safe enough body"
EMDR (Preparation Phase):
  • Resource installation (Safe Place, Nurturing Figure, Protector)
  • Calm/Safe Body imagery
  • Container exercises for intrusive ED thoughts
  • Ego-state mapping (ED part vs. protective function)
Psychoeducation:
  • Eating disorders as trauma responses
  • Window of Tolerance
  • Polyvagal theory & threat responses
  • Shame resilience
Optional Faith Integration:
(Client-led, opt-in only)
  • Grounding prayer or breath prayer
  • Scripture focused on safety, compassion, and worth
  • Reframing body as created with intention (not performance)

PHASE 2: EMBODIMENT & ATTACHMENT REPAIR (Weeks 5-7)

Goals:
  • Rebuild truth with the body
  • Heal attachment wounds
  • Decrease dissociation around food & body
Somatic Therapy:
  • Pendulation between comfort/discomfort
  • Boundary work (yes/no signals)
  • Gentle movement for agency
  • Resourcing through felt sense
  • Re-inhabiting the body safely
EMDR Targets:
  • Early attachment wounds
  • Body-based shame memories
  • Experiences of control, neglect, or criticism
  • Food-related trauma or medical trauma
Parts Work Integration:
  • Identify ED "protector" part
  • Develop compassionate dialogue
  • Reduce internal conflict
Optional Faith Integration:
  • Attachment to a safe, loving God
  • Spiritual re-parenting imagery
  • Scripture reinforcing presence over performance

PHASE 3: TRAUMA PROCESSING & CORE BELIEFS (Weeks 8-12)

Goals:
  • Reprocess traumatic memories driving ED behaviors
  • Shift negative core beliefs
  • Increase body autonomy and emotional flexibility
EMDR (Processing Phase):
  • Targets may include:
    • "I am not safe"
    • "I must control to survive"
    • "My body is wrong"
    • "I am unworthy of care"
  • Bilaterial stimulation with body tracking
  • Installation of adaptive beliefs
Somatic Completion:
  • Allowing incomplete defensive responses (flight/flight/freeze)
  • Releasing stored survival energy
  • Embodied empowerment
Cognitive Integration:
  • Rewriting body narratives
  • Decoupling worth from appearance or intake
  • Practicing self-attuned nourishment
Optional Faith Integration:
  • Processing spiritual wounds
  • Replacing shame-based beliefs with grace
  • Identity rooted in belovedness, not control

PHASE 4: RESTORATION & RELAPSE PREVENTION (Weeks 13-16)

Goals:
  • Sustain recovery
  • Strengthen internal leadership
  • Create a values-aligned life
Somatic Skills:
  • Recognizing early nervous system cues
  • Self-regulation toolkit
  • Embodied coping strategies
EMDR (Future Template):
  • Eating with flexibility
  • Responding to stress without ED behaviors
  • Embodied confidence in social situations
Relapse Prevention:
  • Identifying triggers & protective responses
  • Compassionate response plans
  • Support systems
Optional Faith Integration:
  • Purpose and calling beyond the ED
  • Practices of gratitude & embodiment
  • Spiritual disciplines that support - not control - the body

GROUP OPTION (Optional Add-On)

Weekly 90-minute group
  • Psychoeducation
  • Somatic exercises
  • Shared resourcing (no food monitoring)
  • Shame-free connection
  • Optional faith reflection (separate track if needed)

OUTCOMES & MEASURES

  • Reduced ED behaviors
  • Increased interoceptive awareness
  • Improved emotional regulation
  • Decreased shame and dissociation
  • Increased body trust and autonomy
  • Restored sense of identity

ETHICAL & CLINICAL NOTES

  • Not weight-centric
  • Collaborative with dietitians & PCPs
  • Trauma-informed pacing
  • Faith integration is never imposed
  • Inclusive, respectful to all belief systems
Healing is possible - and it starts with feeling safe. Contact us to schedule a conversation and discover how trauma-informed, body-centered care can support lasting eating disorder recovery. 

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