In addition to psychotherapy groups, CEDaR Associates has taken one more step to provide their clients with optimal care for recovery from their eating disorder.

CEDaR Associates helps  clients further develop a healthy relationship with food and body image through a nutrition group offering meals and meal time support therapy. Clients now have the option to select a well balanced meal and eat with a Registered Dietitian in a safe and supportive group environment.

Meal and meal time support therapy is designed to give support and guidance to our clients who are pursuing recovery from an eating disorder.  Meal and meal time support therapy is also designed to encourage our clients to minimize the need to use their eating disorder symptoms whether it be using food rituals, restricting their food intake and/or purging their meal.  It is an effective hands-on approach to normalize one’s eating in a safe and relaxed atmosphere where role modeling is being emphasized.

CEDaR clients have the    option of joining two meals per week. This meal is lead by a CEDaR Registered  Dietitian (RD).  Each person is responsible for bringing a nutritionally balanced meal from a restaurant establishment which is discussed with the RD in their individual nutrition session.  As the  client becomes more comfortable with their food  intake and eating behaviors, she is encouraged to challenge herself by eating “risk” foods or foods she may have once omitted.

After the meal time is completed and clients have finished 100% of their meals, a processing group takes place.  All group members discuss how their meal was for them in regards to comfort level; assessing their hunger/fullness cues and separating foods and feelings.  The RD and members give support and feedback throughout the discussion.  Members may be at different stages of recovery and thus help each other to progress.