ARD Therapies Ltd
 Specialist Therapy Service in Kent, UK  

Here is an overview of the program modules and the extras that are available to complement them

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Module 1: 

• Initial assessment and History:-  The opening module begins with an initial assessment to gather key information regarding your difficulties.  This will help you to formally recognise exactly where the problem lies. This is in the form of simple questionnaires for you to complete.  

• Understanding the causes of your eating disorder:-  We provide you with a way to normalise and understand why you are having difficulties related to food.  You will learn about your strengths and personality traits that may contribute and maintain your current difficulties. We also look into the disorder as a coping mechanism that can be changed for behaviours that are more positive and rewarding, both in the short and long term.  

• Goal setting:- This is a massively overlooked aspect in recovery.  We help you to understand that eating disorders thrive on not setting definitive goals.  By not defining where you want to be and how you will get there, both in the short term and long term, you allow the problem to control you.  We show you how to set goals that enable real change, and provide goal setting templates that break them down into achievable results.  Overcoming eating disorders is dependent on knowing how to set short, mid and long term goals that are tailored to your specific recovery.  The timing of each goal is critical, and we take you step by step on how to create and achieve the goal of recovery.  ​

• Supporting Extras available to help this module:-

• Goal setting Templates and Goal setting Example reference sheet

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Module 2: 

• Body Image:-  In this module we explore how you feel about your current body image and exactly what you would ideally want it to be.  We further explore how controlling our body image is often a means to control other anxieties in our life.     

• Self Esteem:-  Eating disorders and low self esteem usually go hand in hand.  We will help you to find ways to lift your self esteem in ways that are not connected to body image.  We hope to help you separate how you look from how you feel.  Although the two are closely linked during an eating disorder, becoming more mindful of your feelings will be a major step towards recovery.  Module 2 introduces practical approaches to change how you think about self-esteem.      

• Self worth and validation:-  Again, a low sense of self worth is common among experiencers of these difficulties.  When we feel worthless, we will often try to create a sense of worth in any way we can.  We look at how we often validate ourselves with our behaviours and through the reactions of those around us.  We will help you to create a positive sense of self worth through focusing on your strengths and your uniqueness as an individual.    

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Module 3:  

• Anxiety and Stress management:  Controlling anxiety is often at the root of eating difficulties.  In this module, we look at the nature of anxiety and get you to explore the causes of your own anxieties.  We then provide practical exercises to help you change your thoughts to reduce your anxiety.  Although this module alone cannot remove all of these, we hope to make you more aware of the connection between your own thoughts, feelings and your behaviours.  We also try to highlight the need for those around you to be aware of their own emotional state and how we all affect each other.  This can be particularly helpful for loved ones to become aware of their role in supporting you in your recovery.  

• Meditation and mindfulness training:- Managing stress and anxiety requires forward planning.  The more we can prepare ourselves to be aware of our emotional triggers, the more chance we have to minimise the damaging effects of anxiety and stress.  Learning simple techniques from meditation and mindfulness can assist you in taking back some control over your mind and mental well being. ​

• Supporting Extras available to help with this module:-

• The HOME Meditation and Mindfulness Guide. It includes a number of different meditation techniques that can be completed in as little as 2 minutes everyday.  

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Module 4:  

• Nutrition and Exercise: 

• Macro and micro nutrients:- Eating disorders thrive on misinformation and false beliefs around nutrition and exercise.  This module is designed to challenge everything that you think you know about these areas to root out any false beliefs that you may be holding.  What are the different types of carbohydrates - Starch, Sugar, Fibre, Simple, Complex? How many of each does the body need in kcals and grams per day?  How does the body process each differently?   What is the result of not getting sufficient carbohydrate intake?  Where can you find healthy sources for each of this macro nutrient?  This module will challenge you in the same way about fats, proteins, vitamins and minerals.  By the end of the nutrition module you will be able to challenge all of your current beliefs about food that may be holding you back.  

• Body Composition and Basal Metabolic Rate:- Understand the composition of your body in terms of how much of your weight is bone, organs, muscle and fat. Understand why losing weight can increase body fat percentage.  Learn how many kcals your body requires for healthy organ function, for activity and for the Thermic Effect of food.  

• Meal Plans:- From the information in this module you will be able to develop a meal plan that is healthy, nutritious and that meets your needs and goals as set out in module 1. 

• Exercise:- Understand when and why it is not safe to exercise.  Learn how to safely reduce body fat and the benefits of appropriate exercise.  Understand the benefits of increasing muscle tone.  

• Supporting Extras available to help with this module:- 

• The HOME nutrition guide for Eating disorders includes all of the information that you need to complete this module. 

• Meal Plan Example Templates - Example meal plans to guide you on how to create your own food intake. 

• BMR Calculation Reference Guide - How to calculate your daily calorie needs.  

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Module 5:  

• Control, Decisions and Responsibility:- 

• Loss of control and types of choice: - Understand where you may have lost control and the reasons and choices that have led you to be in this position.

• Creating new choices: - Complete the exercises designed to generate new healthier choices to create a positive future for yourself.  

• Decisions: - Learn the importance of becoming true to your word and decisions.  

• Accountability and Responsibility: - We challenge you to become accountable to yourself and to take responsibility for everything you do from this point onward.  Empowering you to be responsible for your recovery and to not blame others for your circumstances.  

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Module 6:

• Behaviour Change:-  Within this module we pull together everything that we have covered throughout the course and help you to identify unwanted behaviours, the triggers that start them, and finally create a Behaviour Change Action Plan.  This will enable you to create definite measurable change everyday and lead you in the right direction towards recovery.

• Relapse prevention:-  Finally we will provide some guidance on recognising the difference between real recovery and temporary change and advice on preventing relapse.  ​

• Supporting Extras available to help with this module:- 

• The HOME Family Support Guide which includes the role that the family can take to support a loved one, how to create a conducive therapeutic home environment and specific Do's and Don'ts that can speed up or hinder the recovery process.  

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