Authentic Eating Therapy Group

This Authentic Eating Therapy Group is for men and women who have a basic understanding of Internal Family Systems by Richard Schwartz (2001, 2020, 2021), and are struggling with extreme behaviors of overeating, binging, purging, restricting, obsessing (about sugar, calories, body weight and size, health, dieting, etc.) and over/under exercising.

According to the Internal Family Systems Model, these extreme behaviors are often the result of “firefighter parts” who are trying desperately to extinguish the pain and suffering from “exiled parts” who are burdened with extreme feelings of shame, overwhelm, terror, and rage; often as a result of trauma. According to Dr. Gabor Mate, “Trauma is not what happens to you, it’s what happens inside you as a result of what happened to you.” From an Internal Systems Family point of view, inside you there is a dis-connect between “Self” and “parts.”

In this group, we will be focusing on understanding burdened parts related to food, exercise, and health. Your Authentic Self can heal the burdened, wounded parts by connecting to them, appreciating their good intentions, and demonstrating compassion. There are no bad parts, as Dick Schwa rtz says!

Authentic Eating ©2024

Authentic Eating stems from Self. Self-led behaviors around food and body include listening to our bodies and making choices that support and enhance well-being.

• We are calm and clear: We know when to eat and drink (we notice when we are hungry and thirsty)
• We have choice: We choose foods and liquids that support health and vitality
• We are present and have perspective: We know when to stop eating (we notice we are satisfied)
• We are curious and confident: We know what to eat (We ask our bodies what foods and liquids they need. Foods are neither good nor bad. We ask our systems what foods support our health and create vitality)
• We are playful: Eating is pleasurable; We enjoy our food; We like the taste; We savor our meals.
• We have compassion: Life is about balance. There is no such thing as perfect eating. I allow flexibility in my eating and forgive my parts when they judge my eating choices. 

Mental Health Part 1 – Dr. Duffy Spencer talks with Nadine Lucas, Licensed Mental Health Counselor, in June of 2021, about a fresh look at addiction through the Internal Family Systems model, which offers access to the subconscious

Mental Health Part 2 – Dr. Duffy Spencer talks with Nadine Lucas, Licensed Mental Health Counselor, in June of 2021, about an exploration into using IFS as a vehicle for communicating with parts of the self that are having cravings, and identifying the real needs underneath

Refund Policy: Once the participation fee is paid and the group has begun, it is non-refundable regardless of whether the participant completes the program or chooses to withdraw early. Exceptions to this no-refund policy may be considered on a case-by-case basis for situations such as emergencies or other unforeseen events that significantly impact the participants ability to continue with the group. In that case, the situation will be assessed to determine if a partial refund is warranted.