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Stages of Recovery in Eating Disorder Treatment

Recovery from an Eating Disorder is not the same for everyone and an understanding of the different stages can be helpful.
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pexels photo 258510Recovery is one word that holds so many different meanings to so many people. It could mean having the energy needed to go pumpkin picking with friends or maybe it means having freedom in your food choices. Whatever it is, there are five stages in which a person recovering from an eating disorder will go through during their recovery process. Recovery is not the same for everyone and an understanding of the different stages can be helpful.

Stage 1: Pre-contemplation

The Pre-contemplation Stage occurs when a person with an eating disorder is in denial that there is a problem. They may believe that how they eat is helpful and healthy rather than harmful and destructive. As family and friends may have noticed the warning signs, the individual with the eating disorder will have little to no understanding that anything is wrong. When they are approached by a concerned friend or family member about their behaviors, the person with an eating disorder may become angry, frustrated, or irritable. The person with an eating disorder has found a way in which they can cope with uncomfortable feelings. The thought of stopping and letting go of the control can be distressing. During this stage, it is important to gently educate the person about the harmful effects of continuing down the path they are going. Parents can offer their child support by being aware of the signs/symptoms, openly sharing concerns with their child, and avoiding excusing eating disorder behaviors.

Stage 2: Contemplation

During the Contemplation Stage, the individual is willing to admit that they have a problem and are now open to receiving help. It is normal for the person with an eating disorder to fear change and feel uncertain about whether treatment can help. Having the person meet with a psychotherapist who specializes in eating disorders is vital as it will help them identify how and why their eating disorder came to be and how it no longer serves them. Parents can assist their children by insisting they receive professional help. Educating yourself about the disorder and how certain topics of conversation such as, trying a new diet, can be upsetting to the person with an eating disorder. Take time to listen to the individual and do not try to fix them yourself. Join a support group for families and friends for encouragement.

Stage 3: Preparation

The Preparation Stage occurs when the person is ready to change but isn’t sure how to do it. The person will work with their psychotherapist on identifying triggers and learning coping skills such as grounding exercises for anxiety, how to set boundaries, and effective ways of dealing with negative thinking from the eating disorder. During this stage, you will want to ensure that the individual has a treatment team consisting of a psychotherapist, dietitian/nutritionist, and a physician. The treatment team will work with the individual as well as the designated family members and supports in developing a plan of action.

Stage 4: The Action Stage

The person is now ready to put their strategy into action and face the eating disorder head on. During this stage, the person is willing to try new behaviors and are willing to face their fears in order for change to occur. It is essential that the individual trusts their treatment team and has support from their family or friends. The treatment team will make recommendations as needed and it is important to follow them. Remove all triggers from the environment such as scales and diet foods. Praise positive changes without focusing on weight, shape, or appearance.

Stage 5: Maintenance/Relapse

After enduring in the Action Stage for at least 6 months or longer, the individual is able to transition into the Maintenance Stage. The person is actively practicing new behaviors and utilizing healthy coping skills to manage stress. Discussing potential triggers and how to deal with them to prevent relapse also occurs during this stage. Family members and other supports can continue to support the individual by praising them for their hard work and success and maintain healthy, positive communication. Parents can watch out for signs/symptoms of falling back into old behaviors.

Eating disorders are serious mental and physical illnesses that affect over 30 million people in the United States. They are treatable. Recovery is not a straight line; it’s filled with ups and downs but it is worth it. 

-Emily Mortelliti, LMSW

Eating Disorder Specialist / Psychotherapist
*Emily works in our Goshen and Middletown locations and currently has some limited availability for new clients. 

Interested in partnering with Emily on your therapeutic journey?

Contact us today.

[email protected] / Call or Text (845) 547-0479 / NourishYourMind.com/Appointment 

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BIO

Cameryn (Cam) received her Master’s degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Marist College. Prior to joining Nourish Your Mind, she worked in private practice, primarily serving children, teens, and their families. During this time, she developed a passion for helping clients navigate their unique challenges through the transformative power of play and expressive arts therapy. Cam believes that every individual deserves a safe, nurturing space where they can authentically express themselves. She is dedicated to empowering her clients by identifying and utilizing their inherent strengths to help them achieve their personal goals.

In her therapeutic approach, Cam integrates a holistic wellness model with strengths- and mindfulness-based methods. She employs a variety of evidence-based techniques, including DBT and Nondirective Play Therapy, and she recognizes the importance of tailoring interventions to meet the specific needs of each individual and family.

When she’s not in the office, Cam enjoys reading, traveling, weight-lifting, and immersing herself in music and films. She also values spending quality time with friends, family, and her cats.

  • Licensed Mental Health Counselor
  • Master of Arts in Mental Health Counseling, Marist College
  • Bachelor of Arts in Psychology, SUNY Geneseo
  • Member of the American Counseling Association (ACA)
  • Middletown Office
BIO

Brianna earned her Bachelor of Social Work degree from Siena College and her Master of Social Work degree from Adelphi University. Throughout her education and early career, she worked with at-risk adolescents experiencing trauma and maladaptive coping as both a clinician and crisis interventionist. She later spent several years in emergency services, specializing in trauma-informed care for adolescents and adults. Brianna has extensive experience working with individuals struggling with trauma, anxiety, depression, mood dysregulation, self-esteem, and relationship challenges.

Brianna takes a strength-based, integrative approach to therapy, empowering clients to discover their own path toward healing and self-acceptance. She believes that while we cannot change the past, we can change our relationship with it. She is passionate about helping clients develop effective coping skills, reconnect with their inner resilience, and build lives that extend beyond surviving trauma.

Brianna believes healing is not only a journey of the mind, but a whole-body experience. She is a Registered Yoga Teacher (RYT-200) and thoughtfully incorporates mind-body practices into therapy to support nervous system regulation, mindfulness, and emotional awareness. She is also certified in Accelerated Resolution Therapy (ART), an evidence-based trauma treatment that helps clients process distressing experiences, and Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy (KAP), offering a holistic approach for individuals seeking deeper healing from trauma, depression, anxiety, and other emotional challenges. By integrating traditional psychotherapy with somatic approaches and specialized trauma treatments, Brianna helps clients create lasting, meaningful change.

Above all, Brianna is dedicated to creating a safe, compassionate, and authentic therapeutic environment where clients feel seen, supported, and empowered to reconnect with their truest selves.

Brianna resides in Orange County with her two rescue huskies. In her free time, she enjoys hiking, spending time in nature, painting, practicing yoga, and cooking while surrounded by music, friends, and family.

  • Licensed Clinical Social Worker, State of New York
  • Master’s of Social Work, Adelphi University
  • Master’s of Social Work, Adelphi University RYT-200
  • Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy (KAP) Certified, Journey Clinical
  • Accelerated Resolution Therapy Trained, Rosenzweig Center for Rapid Recovery
  • Middletown Office
BIO

Ashley received her Master’s Degree in Mental Health Counseling from SUNY New Paltz. While attending her graduate program, Ashley worked as a supervisor at a Crisis Intervention Program and interned at an Adolescent Partial Hospitalization Program, gaining valuable skills in crisis management and group therapy. Before joining Nourish Counseling, she spent several years working in a long-term outpatient care clinic specializing in children, adolescents and their families. Ashley has expertise in partnering with those suffering from depression, anxiety, trauma, family conflict, and personality disorders.

Ashley believes that each client is their own expert. She provides an integrative approach that focuses on both the thoughts and behaviors her clients may be struggling with in order to help them find balance and build resiliency. She works with clients in a person-centered and skill building approach to help determine and reach their own individual goals. Following a Dialectical Behavioral and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy approach, she encourages and supports clients to reach their full potential.

Ashley lives in Middletown, NY with her husband and a very loved dog. She enjoys family time, cooking, and trying new things whenever possible.

  • American Counseling Association
  • Middletown Office
BIO

Amanda is a Certified Clinicial Trauma Professional with a deep commitment to guiding clients through their healing and discovery. She believes that you are the expert of your own life, and she is dedicated to building a safe, collaborative space where you feel both validated and motivated for change. 

Amanda specializes in treating those with Complex Trauma, Grief and Loss, Anxiety and Depression, Chronic Illness, Infertility, Infant/Pregnancy Loss, Women’s Health and Neurodivergent Disorders. She works with individuals aged 5 and up. 

Amanda’s unique, holistic approach to psychothreapy is rooted in evidence-based practices and tailored to fit your specific clinical needs. She seamlessly integrates practices like mindfulness and meditation with powerful theraputic modalities, including Accelerated Resolution Therapy (ART), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Motivational Interviewing, and Internal Family Systems Therapy. 

After gaining experience in Baltimore – including intensive work in Residential Foster Care and as a Medical Social Worker – Amanda has been settled back in her home, the Hudson Valley. She enjoys cooking, reading and spending time with her husband and two young daughters. She has journeyed with cleints for nearly 5 years at Nourish and is now ready to partner with you!

  • Cornwall Office
  • Middletown Office