Healing Your Relationship With Food Eating Disorder Program - Royal Oak, MI Review

Detroit, February 2008, Bugg's Living Room -

It had been a really bad day at work.  The only thing that could possibly undo the damage and stress from a day such as this was carbs. Noodles and egg rolls from the Chinese place at the mall food court.  I made a pitstop there on my way home then sat on the couch to watch TV and eat that greasy, glorious comfort food.  I ate until I was full.  I ate until it hurt but kept eating anyway.  When it was all gone I wished I had more.

And then I cried. What the hell was the matter with me?  How crazy to start a diet in the morning then blow it by lunch time.  How nutty to eat myself sick later the same day.  Deep down inside I knew that food was not helping me but only allowing me to zone out and remain in denial about what I really needed.

That realization was the eggroll that broke the camel's back. 

That night I was so disgusted with myself.  I realized that I needed to stop trying to fix the food and fix myself.  I needed professional mental help.  I had tried seeking the help of therapists in the past.  They told me to diet.  They told me that instead of eating junk food when I was eating emotionally that I should eat carrots or work out or read a book.  I read plenty of books about eating disorders as well which helped me to realize that issues from the past were partly responsible for my problem but they didn't tell me how to use this knowledge to heal.  Never once did someone suggest that it was my head that was hungry and not my stomach and that I needed to figure out what type of nourishment I truly needed at that moment so I could give it to myself. 

I vowed that this attempt would be different.  I wouldn't find the closest female therapist to work who participated in my health plan.  I'd find someone I actually liked, who didn't just read about eating disorders in textbooks but who really knows what she's talking about and I didn't care if it was covered by insurance at all.  I just wanted someone to help me fix me.   

I searched for intensive outpatient eating disorder programs in the Detroit area and found a website called I Am Worthy.net which is the website of Eve Cribbs, LMSW. This site outlined details of the eating disorder program Eve developed called Healing Your Relationship With Food.  

The program was everything I was looking for.  Reasonably close to home, within my budget, the program details looked great, and Eve herself has struggled with eating disorders herself.  Perfect!

About the program

Participants in Eve's program receive education, advice, and support and participate in group and individual exercises and activities that are designed to help participants get to the root of their eating disorder.  The program is for women who have anorexia, bulimia, are overeaters or emotional eaters, those who have dieted only to gain all the weight back and then some. It's really for anyone who has issues with food.  The 3-hour group sessions are held weekly for ten weeks at Eve's office in Royal Oak, Michigan.  The program's focus is not on dieting, exercise, or restrictive eating.  Weight may come off in the process, but weight loss is not the program's intent. This is not a diet and/or weight loss program.  The focus is on examining the reasons for turning to food for comfort, determining what purpose the eating disorder serves, administering self-care via other means of nourishment, self-acceptance, childhood issues, and much, much more. 

The week before the program started I had an initial consultation with Eve so she could get to know me a bit better.  Even though I knew the basic idea of the program from the website I was still very nervous the first night of group as it was just that; a group.  I would be in group with six strangers discussing very personal issues.  I think we all felt scared and vulnerable but Eve's easygoing, warm, and friendly style helped us to quickly break the ice, build trust, and get down to business.  Having completed the program I now understand the enormous value in discussing our common issues and the realization that I am not alone in this.  I truly care about each of these ladies and Eve truly cares about us.  We are not just names or numbers but people and souls who need her help.

Each week Eve provided us with printed outlines and notes related to that week's topic so everything was very organized.  This was very nice as we could concentrate on listening and participating and not so much on writing. Included in the handouts were exercises and tools to reinforce our discussions.  Some exercises and activities were done in group, some were homework assignments, and some are tools that we can use every day to remain tuned in and not zoned out.  There were two assignments where I thought "what the heck is the value of THIS?" but when I finished them the lightbulb came on and I realized that they were two of the most enlightening exercises I had ever done. 

When I've gone to other therapists in the past I felt no connection whatsoever and actually felt somewhat intimidated on occasion.  But that's not the case with Eve.  She's as approachable and real as the girl next door, a sister, a friend.  She is educated, experienced, and highly competent but never comes off as a know it all.  The subject matter can be painful and difficult and at times Eve really pushes us to focus and peel back the layers.  She never sugar coats anything but manages to use her warm personality to inject fun and humor when possible and appropriate.

I have gotten so much out of this program and it truly exceeded my expectations.  I completed the primary program and have been in an aftercare program with the same group of five women since early March and I learn something new every week.  What's more, I started to feel better about myself from the very first night of group.  When I have had therapy in the past it dragged on for weeks before I felt like I was making the smallest amount of progress.  But with Eve's program I left the very first night and already felt better, had tools to start the process, and knew that I had finally found the environment where I could begin to heal.

Speaking of the environment...

It rocks!  Eve's office consists of a large square room that is painted the most lovely shade of sage (my favorite color).  There are two brown leather couches and two comfy chairs that match.  The room is accented with herbal wreaths, candles, and cozy blankets and pillows and the lighting is low.  The atmosphere is very welcoming and comfortable and I feel at home there.

All about Eve (I always wanted to have a reason to use that line)

Eve Cribbs earned her Master's degree in Social Work and graduated from Wayne State University in 1995.  She has over 12 years experience working with men, women, and teenagers with various types of eating disorders, depression, anxiety, and chemical dependencies. In 2003 Eve moved into private practice in Royal Oak where she utilizes her professional and personal experience with eating disorders to help others struggling with the same issues to overcome them.  In addition to the program Eve offers individual therapy to group members and other men and women.  There is an aftercare program available to those who have completed the ten week primary program. 

Recommended?

Yes, highly.  I am so thankful that Eve's site popped up on my search engine that cold night last winter.  Overcoming an eating disorder or any kind of addiction is a slow process and I am not cured, healed, in remission, or even close to that point yet.  But I am more aware, more tuned in instead of zoned out.  I still sometimes eat when I'm not hungry but it's a rare occasion.  When I do lose control the volume of is less, it lasts for a shorter period of time, and I no longer beat myself up afterward.  I am finally learning to stop and figure out what it is that I truly need and to feed that need instead of feeding my belly.  That feels great and I have Eve's program and the support of my group to thank for getting me this far. 

Contact Info

If you live in the Detroit area and are you eating for emotional reasons, considering bariatric surgery, have tried diet after diet only to gain it all back again and more, or are struggling with any type of eating or dependency issues, I urge you to call Eve Cribbs at 248-797-3619 and to visit her site at iamworthy.net.  You will not regret having this top-notch, kick butt therapist on your recovery team.

Insurance and Payment Info

Each weekly session costs $75 payable by check or cash.  Payment may be made weekly or in full at the start of the program.  Although Eve does not submit claims to your insurance company, she does provide receipts that can be submitted to a health care reimbursement account or to your health insurance company for possible reimbursement.  I was able to submit a claim with my receipts and my insurance company cut me a check for the portion that they covered for the procedure and diagnosis codes noted on my receipts.