Dr. Julie’s Meaningful Morsel … Learning to Use Your Voice!
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In the past, as the mother of two young children, I found myself saying, “Use Your Words!” as I worked to help teach my developing girls how to express their needs, wants and desires in a language that others could readily understand.
Now, as the mother of two soon-to-be adolescent girls, I find myself urging my evolving daughters to speak up and “Assert Your Self!” as I diligently work to help them develop the ability to empower themselves in a healthy and proactive manner.
Professionally, as an eating disorder specialist working with clients who are striving to achieve LASTING recovery, my favorite mantra is, “Use Your Voice!”
For the ability to create a HEALTHY sense of control in our lives (and therefore to let go of the unhealthy use of food, body and weight as a misguided attempt to gain psuedo-control), is achieved first by developing the ability to express directly our wants, needs and desires in a language that others can readily understand AND by learning to assert those needs in a healthy and proactive manner.
If you are working on recovery, pause and ask yourself, “What am I needing to express, that perhaps I am not?”
And what is the behavioral price that I am paying?
