What’s On Your Mind?

A Workshop with and for Students

In reaching children in school settings in an effort to prevent eating disorders, research has shown that traditional lectures by recovered anorexics urging students "not to do what I did" invariably backfire, inspiring students to experiment with pathological behaviors, rather than avoid them.  This workshop teaches school children how to eat healthfully at school and at home and to avoid eating disorders and body image problems before they begin.

Abbie addresses students' concerns about eating disorders and disordered eating… in themselves, family members, and peers. Based on original materials posted on the child/teen-friendly web site, www.empoweredkidZ.com, the focus of this workshop is on answering questions on children’s minds about healthy eating, healthy weight management and body image concerns. The discussion dispels commonly held myths and confusion about eating disorders, countering the effects of destructive pro-anorexic web sites. 

Conducted in a group format, this discussion allows children to express themselves freely, resolving significant issues of personal concern.  This workshop will offer students an opportunity to air personal concerns and issues, to learn how to confront and support friends who may have a problem, as well as their friend's parents. Students with eating and body image concerns learn how to approach their own parents… how to seek their help, and how to guide the nature and quality of their support throughout recovery. Most importantly, children learn that eating disorders can be prevented and are highly curable when treated early and effectively.