Being in the IOP or being in any kind of therapy process is often deeply misunderstood.  It is common to think that a therapist or dietitian has the answers to our problems, and that we go to them to get those answers.  In doing so, we are in a passive stance in that we come in to take in what they have to say or teach us.  Then we go out in the world and wait to be spoon-fed at the next session.  This is not true. 

          Although it is true that occasionally there are things that a dietitian or therapist can teach us about, the point of coming in for help is to explore what it is that we actually already know and have lost touch with.  Each human being knows how to eat.  We also know somewhere deep down, why we have disordered eating, negative body image or exercise problems.  Yes, we lose touch with these deeper knowings through buying into what the culture teaches us about how to look, what and how to eat and about how to move our bodies.  Most of what the culture teaches is run behind the scenes by the food, exercise and image-related industries (clothing, make up, accessories) and the advertisers they hire.  Billions of dollars are generated by selling books, magazines and internet information which are aimed at creating self dissatisfaction, and are aimed at severing our own trust in ourselves.  Instead, we are taught that we need a certain health-program, jeans brand or diet product. 

          The IOP, like other therapies is a place to investigate what is getting in the way and blocking your own truth.  Sometimes it is family history, the belief systems we learn in our original families that unknowingly eclipse our connection to our own true selves.  The goal of the groups and individual work is to discover what it is that your truly desire, truly need (like enough food) and what is getting in your way of having an incredible, fulfilling life. 

          Your job in the IOP, is to come in with a burning curiosity about what your disordered eating or exercise is really about.  These disorders are always a calling from hidden aspects of your true self, a part of you seeking change, wanting freedom.  The reason we get sick is because what we are doing, the way we are living is not working for us.  The only way to get our own attention, is for the true self to become so ill, we need to go into a process of therapy with a program that helps us “go mining” for our Self.  You are the one that needs to have questions throughout, and an interest in your own behalf.  If you don’t have much interest in your own behalf, you can make that the issue to explore. 

          You bring in the topic to work on, and yes, the therapist can have a direction in mind as well but he/she does not have any answer that you do not possess.  His/her job is to help you uncover what awaits your discovery.  As such, the main aspect of your work will be out in the world, between sessions.  Instead of waiting for each session and then going out into the world blindly following old patterns, the idea in the IOP is that you take the things you learn from group and individual sessions and work on them in the world between sessions, reporting to the therapist about your discoveries. 

          You can use any number of approaches to your work in the world, from writing, expressive art, contemplating, musing, any means of connecting to feelings and definitely practicing risk taking in your self care and communications with others.  Dreams, irrational fears, and particular food/exercise behaviors are direct metaphors for things your psyche is trying to show you.  Unfortunately the metaphors are easy to miss and so we have to become very uncomfortable in order to come into a program and get help with what is wrong with our lives.   

          Keep in mind, it is your process, your life, your deeper Self that is seeking expression.  This process requires you being the active agent, the one who is curious, wanting change and willing to do whatever it takes to find the freedom and richness of living from the inside out, getting the life that is beyond your dreams-come-true! 

          Does everybody get what they want in the end?  Absolutely not!  For some reason, about 50% of people are complacent, and do not seek higher evolution for themselves.  We can evolve to incredibly wonderful physical health, psychological richness and even spiritual fulfillment by shifting “levels” to higher, and more peaceful existence.  We only graduate to a higher or more fulfilling and meaningful level through our own risk taking. These risks most often involve giving up some aspect of what our ego clings desperately to.  Our ego tends to hang on for dear life to old patterns while our true Self wants to break through into new ground and go to new levels.   

          In the IOP we believe that everyone is born with a capacity and potential destiny for powerful shifts and much richer lives. You will be challenged to try new physical (eating/exercise) processes, new psychological processes and to explore what gives meaning to your life. We, as the therapists only follow your lead…beginning with your symptoms. We can show you how your symptoms are “speaking for you” and then the changes are up to you. The groups offer support since often our true desires are terrifying to make happen out in the world. In that way, with the support around you, you can change the way you live in the world, feel in the world and in the end, find yourself in a life that you dare dream could be possible….