Utilizing Art Therapy in Eating Disorder Recovery
At Veritas Collaborative, we integrate a variety of treatment components to support patients healing from eating disorders. Art therapy is an essential element of this comprehensive approach. Led by our trained art therapists, this type of therapy allows patients to use creative modes of communication to share, process, and reflect on their thoughts, emotions, and experiences over the course of treatment.
The Power of Art Therapy in Eating Disorder Treatment
Art therapy is a form of psychotherapy that helps patients work through their thoughts and feelings about food and their body through active art-making and creative processing. The practice encompasses many expressive activities to support a patient’s personal growth, enhance self-awareness, and address treatment goals across varying diagnoses. These goals may include creating coping methods for eating disorder triggers, exploring and addressing difficult emotions that have been avoided, and more.
Eating Disorders, Suicidal Ideation, and Nonsuicidal Self-Injurious Behavior
Eating disorders are serious mental illnesses that commonly co-occur with other mental disorders. Research has shown that 55–97% of people diagnosed with these illnesses are also diagnosed with at least one more psychiatric disorder. In addition, individuals with eating disorders are at a higher risk of dying by suicide in comparison to the general population (NEDC). This information highlights the importance of understanding the signs of suicidal thoughts and methods of preventing suicide in those experiencing eating disorders.
Alyssa Kalata, PhD, Clinical Training Manager for Veritas Collaborative and The Emily Program, joins us in this blog to discuss five actions you can take to reduce suicide risk when working with eating disorder patients.
Reflections on Mental Health: A Q&A with Veritas Staff
Millions of Americans struggle with their mental health. That is one reason why Mental Health Awareness Month is so significant. Eating disorders, anxiety, depression, and bipolar disorder are just some examples of what people are experiencing. Mental health is often stigmatized, but it deserves to be seen as equally as important as physical health. Everyone deserves support and care for their mental health, regardless of whether they suffer with a mental illness.
To close out Mental Health Awareness Month, we asked some of our therapists about mental health—what it means to them and how they protect theirs while working in the field. Check out their answers below!