Welcome

What Are Eating Disorders?

Eating disorders are prevalent and often severe mental health illnesses that are categorized by a disturbance in eating behaviors and related changes in thoughts and emotions. There are many types of eating disorders and treatment is available. While serious, eating disorders do not have to be a lifelong illness. Individuals can experience recovery and continue on to live healthy, happy lives.

Emily DuBord is a Registered Nurse at The Emily Program. When she is not working at the Anna Westin House, she loves hanging out with animals, being outside, and reading.

The Emily Program: Tell us about yourself!

Emily: Hello Everyone! My name is Emily DuBord and I have been a registered nurse at the Anna Westin House for just shy of 2 years.  I am an avid animal lover and own a small hobby farm.  My pride and joy is my sassy pet pig, Oliver.  Oliver has many siblings at the farm including two very brave and loving Great Pyrenees pups who keep him and his siblings safe, 2 goats–one of which is a fainting goat–4 ducks, 6 chickens, and 3 cats.  Many women in my family are registered nurses and I am so grateful to have had the opportunities that I did that allowed me to be able to follow in their footsteps.  I am passionate about nursing and believe it shows in the work that I do. I also love to read, bike, kayak, boat, have bonfires, trap shoot in my backyard, and be outside.

We reached out to The Emily Program community and asked them to share their best holiday advice to those in eating disorder recovery. Here is what they said!

The Emily Program is pleased to announce that the Residential Eating Disorders Consortium (REDC) has released the Standards of Excellence Project (STEP), a collection of works demonstrating REDC’s continued commitment to raising eating disorder industry standards.

What is the REDC?

Founded in 2011, the Residential Eating Disorders Consortium (REDC) is the only national professional association for eating disorder treatment providers. The REDC represents the majority of eating disorder industry leaders, with roughly 80% of treatment programs as members (including The Emily Program!). With this network of field leaders, the REDC raises the bar for industry standards and professionalism by offering members a seat at the table for the most critical discussions in the industry. Members of the REDC learn from each other and share resources, advancing eating disorder treatment across America.

Thanksgiving is lauded as a holiday of thanks, togetherness, and harmony. However, this meal-centric holiday is also considered to be a goldmine of opportunity for advertisers. From commercials about new diets to gyms promoting memberships by promising that participants can “lose that holiday fat,” it’s easy to see why Thanksgiving isn’t always something to be thankful for.

For those struggling with food, weight, or body image, Thanksgiving can be a particularity triggering holiday. Not only are diet companies, beauty stores, and exercise facilities using the holiday to promote sales based off of body shame, but individuals are often subjected to critical comments by those they love the most. While often not intentionally, those around the Thanksgiving table may contribute to eating disorder thoughts and behaviors.

**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!

**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.

To the Athletes Out There Struggling with Food, Body Image, and Exercise…

Remember that you are not alone and that you never have to struggle silently.

**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.

Early Intervention is Important

I’ve thought a lot about what someone could have said to me that would have made me get treatment for my eating disorder sooner than I actually did, particularly because I want to continue to be the advocate and the educator that I didn’t have in my time as a college and professional athlete. I believe strongly in educating student-athletes about their risk for eating disorders and intervening as early as possible when there are warning signs.