Somerset and Wessex Eating Disorders Association
"serving those affected by eating disorders"

Individual
Creative Arts

Therapy

What are eating disorders?

Eating disorders - such as Anorexia Nervosa, Bulimia Nervosa and Compulsive Overeating - have many causes including stress, painful issues and body image. An eating disorder is a serious emotional and physical problem. While the eating disorder may begin by the person focusing on food and weight, it is usually about much more than food.

A person suffering from an eating disorder often uses food and the control of food to make up for feelings and emotions that are too painful to deal with. By concentrating on the food and overeating or not eating, the sufferer can avoid these painful issues. Eating disorders can be a way of being in control of the body and life in general. They can be a reaction to an event or events that go back many years.

In some cases body image can be the cause, and trying to live up to unrealistic media images. More females than males have an eating disorder, but males are under similar pressures and can also develop eating disorders.

What is Creative Arts Therapy?

Creative Arts Therapy offers tools for expressing and exploring feelings which words do not always easily express. For some of us it is difficult to put feelings into words, and others are too good at words and they get in the way of what we are trying to say. .

We will be offering a safe, supportive environment to help you explore your thoughts and feelings using art materials, movement and other creative methods. You will tell your own story and develop your understanding of yourself. That understanding will enable you to take steps on the road to recovery with less fear.

Who can benefit?

This therapy is for you if you are :-

• struggling with an eating disorder
• At the point of wanting to work with the emotional issues underlying your eating patterns
  

Who are we?

Dinah Mason, Art Therapist, and Anita Worcester, Drama Therapist, who both work for SWEDA.

What should I do next?

If you are interested you will need to complete an application form. We will then invite you to meet with Dinah or Anita for about an hour to explore whether this is the right therapy for you at the present time. There will be an opportunity in that time to work creatively and ask questions.

So if you are interested, or would like more information, please contact Dinah or Anita via the helpline, or write directly to us as SWEDA (see back of leaflet).

Do I need to be referred by my doctor?

You are welcome to contact SWEDA directly. If you are receiving treatment for your eating disorder from your GP or Community Mental Healthcare Team (CMHT) you might want to discuss this therapy with them at some point, and it may be appropriate for therapy to be written into your care plan if you have one.

However, we will be working within SWEDA’s usual boundaries regarding confidentiality which means that any feedback from our work with you to anyone else, including professionals, would only be given with your agreement and involvement.

It is important for you to know that we will not be doing any routine checking of your eating and weight. Whilst we expect that the practical issues relating to food will be addressed at times, this is not the primary concern of this therapy process.

You can contact SWEDA for information about eating disorders and the range of services offered (including: one-to-one support, self-help support and the telephone helpline) at :-