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Influences are everywhere around us, vying for our attention- others’ expectations, social pressures, family rules and the media, to name a few. We must get conscious about the influences we allow to determine our feelings, worth and experience- unless we prefer to live by default and give our power to others. Take the media, for example. The media has convinced us we must ACTUALLY LIVE in a movie or magazine ad; we must be beautiful, fat-free, wrinkle-free, in love, and on and on. Why would we accept influence from something that is fake? Movies are not real. Magazines are photoshopped, even models get altered. I say, be wise about the influence you accept into your life, for there are MUCH BETTER influences to choose than the media. And, in case you are interested, here are some helpful tips for dealing with the media: http://eatingdisorders.about.com/od/coping_skills/a/Become-A-Critical-Viewer-Of-The-Media.htm
And, read here about Ashley Judd’s response to the media:

http://www.allianceforeatingdisorders.com/ashley-judd

Oprah recently interviewed actor Sean Penn, who traveled to Haiti just days after the devastating earthquake killed more than 300,000 people and left another 1.5 million homeless. Planning to stay and help for two weeks, he is still there helping over two years later.  When Oprah asked him why, he looked her in the eye and simply stated, “I am feeling my life while I am living it.”

This statement is incredibly profound and reveals truth about being fully human, about being fully alive. When our senses, thoughts, emotions and actions come to life in such soulful synergy, a synergy that is born from within and then lived out loud with others, that is heaven on earth!  From this place, Penn established a relief organization called J/P HRO,  runs a tent camp that provides housing for 20,000 homeless residents, and has placed over 20,000 families in new, permanent housing.

Consider when you fall in love, experience the beauty of nature, are more than you thought you could be, or deeply touch another’s soul…your whole self is present, feels alive, has purpose. Dare to bring this kind of living into every day moments- enjoy the cozy warmth of your bed, take in the warmth of another’s smile, appreciate a cup of tea- and completely transform your life!

Brene Brown is a renowned sociologist that has studied relationships, shame, and personal meaning for over ten years. She has intereviewed thousands of people and heard countless stories.  Her TEDx presentation on vulnerbaility-  http://www.ted.com/talks/brene_brown_on_vulnerability.htmlWill and her article on perfectionism-http://www.cnn.com/2010/LIVING/11/01/give.up.perfection/index.html have much to offer those of us that wonder if we matter. In fact, Brown has specific findings as to why so many feel inadequate as well as what is different for those that feel worthwhile. This article may be especially helpful for those of you that need something “scientific” or “evidenced-based” about inadequacy and what it takes to feel valuable. If you are ready to question, get curious and even fight for your worth, check out these links. And, don’t stop there, tell us what you think! Let’s raise consciousness and turn the tide for everyone by talking and writing about it!

Many people know that eating disorders often co-exist with various forms of trauma, abuse and loss, and that trauma can be a strong contributing factor to the development of Anorexia, Bulimia, or Binge Eating Disorder.  Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing, or EMDR, is a leading, evidence-based, therpeutic approach for trauma and anxiety, highly utilized at Eating Disorder Center of San Diego as well as several other eating disorder centers.

EMDR works by facilitating the reprocessing of traumatic events and charged emotions, through non-invasive techniques, working more directly with the brain than other approaches. In fact, a recent article in the New York Times – http://consults.blogs.nytimes.com/2012/03/02/the-evidence-on-e-m-d-r/ - shows EMDR is a proven approach through independent studies. Furthermore, 90% of those tested reported a remission of post traumatic symptoms after three 90 minute sessions or after six 50 minute sessions.  Additionally, these tests controlled for and ruled out other factors being responsible for therapeutic success, such as the placebo effect, client expectations, or client-therapist alliance.

The wonderful truth is, that EMDR is one of several successful therapies for trauma, along with Trauma Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Somatic Experiencing, Exposure Therapy and Psychodrama. The important thing is to find the one that works for you, given your comfort level, learning style, personality and goals. Often, one session or even an initial consultation, can be definitive in determining the best route to go. At Eating Disorder Center of San Diego, both Megan and Susan are EMDR and Trauma Focused CBT Practitioners, Madison is a Somatic Experience Practitioner and I am Psychodrama Practitioner. Check out our training here: http://healingwithinreach.com/about/team/ . For more information, please don’t hesitate to contact Jessica at (858) 353-5378 or email at jessica@healingwithinreach.com to learn how you can accelerate your healing journey!