Jenny’s Recovery Story: Can The Emily Program Help Me?
**This is one person’s story; everyone will have unique experiences on their own path to recovery and beyond. Some stories may mention eating disorder thoughts, behaviors, and symptom use. Please use your own discretion. And speak with your therapist as needed.
Jenny Scherer was a college athlete who struggled with anorexia. She is currently recovered and is a runner, yogi, and WI sports fan. Jenny works to help student-athletes learn, develop and thrive.
Yes, The Emily Program helped me change my life, and I absolutely believe it can help you, too!
When I was at The Emily Program, I thought they did a tremendous job of providing me with a true treatment TEAM. I felt they had my holistic health in mind from the beginning. They were aware of my unique needs as an athlete, but they wanted me to get better as a human being first and foremost.
At The Emily Program, I had an amazing mental health therapist (psychologist) who I saw anywhere from 1-3 times per week for therapy sessions, to sort through my distorted thoughts, discuss my feelings, and helped me heal. She had previous experience working with athletes, which made it easy to connect with her and to feel understood. My therapist worked very closely with my assigned dietitian, who was a former Olympian. She completely understood the unique nutritional needs of an athlete. I was also set up with a physician’s assistant and able to have bloodwork done on-site, which helped me feel more comfortable, and those results could easily be shared among the entire treatment team.
Additionally, two other things The Emily Program offered that aided in my recovery were going to two different 8-10 week group therapy programs and seeing a career counselor. Group therapy made me truly realize I was far from alone in my struggles and it helped me learn to become vulnerable with others, while still allowing a safe, confidential space to do so. And, seeing the career counselor helped me to further recognize my interests and strengths outside of being an athlete. I was introduced to career possibilities I hadn’t previously been aware of, which helped fill me with purpose and feel less stuck.
Having all of these resources in one treatment program was life-changing for me. I know I would not have gotten better had I not had the support of my entire treatment team. While taking seriously my hope to be able to return to my sport, they pushed me and guided me to healing, to a healthy relationship with my body image, my sport, and food. The Emily Program, as a team of support, helped me get my life back.
I believe any human being, athlete or otherwise, struggling with their relationship with body image, food, and exercise, can find a place of hope, healing, and ultimately, recovery at The Emily Program. For those of you who are ready and considering treatment: I’m proud of you. You deserve to find peace with food and exercise. Take the next brave step towards healing and call The Emily Program right now at 1-888-364-5977. The staff at The Emily Program is ready and willing to listen to your concerns and talk to you about treatment options!