Posts Tagged “Family”

The holidays—from Halloween through Thanksgiving and the December celebrations—can be one of the most challenging times for individuals and families navigating eating disorders. While many focus on celebrations, those struggling may face heightened stress around food-centered entertainment, meals, disrupted routines, and social pressures. It’s common to wonder, “Is this really the right time for treatment?”

As someone who struggled with an eating disorder as a teenager and young adult, and as a clinician working with people with eating disorders for three decades now, I find myself thinking, “Yes! Now is the right time”, because often there never is “the right time” given all of life’s conflicting responsibilities.

Episode description:

In this episode of Peace Meal, we’re joined by two North Carolina-based Emily Program clinicians, Mem Wood and Elysse Thebner Miller, to talk all things Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder, or ARFID.

Mem and Elysse unpack what makes ARFID different from ordinary food preferences, why it can emerge at any age, and how symptoms may affect nutrition, growth, medical stability, and daily life. They describe the three ARFID subtypes, share what treatment actually looks like, and highlight signs that often indicate it’s time to seek support.

This episode also introduces The Emily Program’s new specialized residential and inpatient programming for adults with ARFID in the Raleigh–Durham area—the only dedicated adult program of its kind nationwide.

**Content warning: This episode includes discussion of suicide. Please use your discretion when listening and connect with your support system as needed. If you’re experiencing suicidal thoughts, help is available. Text or call 988 to reach the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline.

Episode description:

When their daughter Grace developed an eating disorder, John and Kathy experienced the heartbreak and confusion familiar to many parents. In this episode of Peace Meal, they speak with raw honesty about the helplessness of those early years, the shock of seeing Grace’s personality shift under the illness, and the mix of fear and relief that came with entrusting her to treatment.

When Grace turned 18, she left treatment, and John and Kathy lost the ability to make decisions for her care. She struggled through a college relapse that felt devastating at the time. John and Kathy talk about learning to support Grace through those years—finding community with parents who truly understood, separating their daughter from the illness even when it felt impossible, and accepting that recovery had to be something Grace wanted for herself.

Introducing Between Bites:

The Peace Meal podcast is launching Between Bites, a new series of short, focused episodes hosted by Dr. Jillian Lampert. Designed to offer quick insights and meaningful support for eating disorder recovery, these bite-sized conversations will explore practical topics in a more accessible format.

Episode description:

In this inaugural episode of Between Bites, Dr. Jillian Lampert explores the common concern of how eating disorder treatment fits into school life. She highlights that recovery and academics are not mutually exclusive, and delaying care for school can have lasting consequences. The episode addresses questions parents and students often ask—from middle school through college—about balancing coursework, treatment schedules, and future goals. Dr. Lampert emphasizes that prioritizing health is the best way to ensure long-term academic success and a fulfilling recovery journey.

By Aronson

Dear me, when I was you,

Hi, you. I would ask how you’re doing, but sadly, I know how you’re doing. You’re scared. You’re worried. You’re hurting, confused, angry, frustrated, and broken. You’re thinking of every comment, every look, every everything that has ever been said to your child. You want to scream. You want to cry. You want to give up. You don’t need my permission. However, I personally did all these things – so I say with wisdom, it’s okay.

Allow me to also say for you: I’m sorry, this sucks. This REALLY sucks. This is not anything you did, you caused, or you can fix alone. I do not just say this – I lived this. Writing this letter to you brings so much emotion and so many feelings that I’ve not felt in a long time.  I was you a few years ago. If someone wrote this letter to me a few years ago, I would have thought there’s no way these feelings would ever not be the forefront of my life. If we had not found treatment for our daughter, I’m pretty sure I’d still have those feelings or worse, we may not have our daughter with us today.

If you are reading this it means you are looking for answers, for the sign you need to know that treatment is the right direction. If you are wondering if treatment is the right answer, let me tell you – it is. If you are looking into what treatment means or what it looks like it, this means your loved one would benefit from treatment.

I understand the fear, the worry, the second-guessing, and the ache that comes with even considering treatment for your child. I’ve been there. I’ve played the mind games. ‘If my kiddo eats this food, it means they don’t have a problem. If we make it through a meal and he completes most of the meal, it’s going to be okay. If I just keep buying the muffins that she will actually eat from the grocery store, then we don’t have a problem.’

Episode description:

In this episode of Peace Meal, we’re joined by Mindy Elliott, Director of Education at The Emily Program, for a thoughtful conversation about supporting students in eating disorder treatment. With over a decade of experience, Mindy speaks to the concerns that many families face: What happens to school during treatment? Will my child fall behind? She offers both reassurance and practical insight, emphasizing that recovery and academic progress are not mutually exclusive. In fact, with the right support, they can go hand-in-hand.

Episode description:

In this episode of Peace Meal, Kezia Reeder joins host Dr. Jillian Lampert to offer thoughtful, compassionate guidance for anyone supporting a loved one with an eating disorder. As a clinician with lived eating disorder experience, Kezia understands how complicated it can feel to reach out for help—especially when you’re afraid of saying the wrong thing or not being taken seriously.

Through honest conversation and real-life stories, Kezia and Jillian explore what support can look like—whether you’re a parent noticing early signs, a friend reaching out, or someone helping a loved one take the first brave step toward treatment. They reflect on the power of early intervention, the importance of trusting your instincts, and how simply showing up—consistently and without judgment—can make all the difference.

If you or someone you love is struggling with an eating disorder, you may be wondering where to turn for help. Many people start with a therapist, dietitian, or primary care doctor—but is that enough?

Eating disorders affect the body, brain, and emotions in deeply connected ways. Because of this, recovery isn’t something one provider can tackle alone. Without a coordinated team, critical aspects of treatment can be overlooked—making healing harder and increasing the risk of relapse.

A meal plan alone won’t heal the psychological roots of an eating disorder. Therapy without nutritional support may not help the body recover. And medical check-ins without mental health care can leave emotional struggles unaddressed. To fully heal, all of these elements must be treated together.

That’s where The Emily Program comes in. Unlike general mental health providers, we offer specialized, team-based care designed specifically for eating disorder recovery. Our coordinated approach ensures that every part of your healing journey receives the expert attention it deserves.