The Use of Storytelling and Metaphor in Eating Disorder Recovery, with Dr. Anita Johnston

Today I’m talking to Dr. Anita Johnston Ph.D., Depth Psychologist, Certified Eating Disorder Specialist, and author of Eating in the Light of the Moon: How Women Can Transform Their Relationships with Food Through Myth, Metaphor and Storytelling, which has been published in seven languages. Dr. Anita was a pioneer in eating disorders therapy and has been treating eating difficulties and body image distress for over 35 years. She has developed eating disorder programs nationally and internationally and currently serves as Founder and Executive Director or Ai Pono Hawaii Eating Disorders Programs which has a residential program in Maui.

Dr. Anita is very aware that as humans, we can understand complex concepts using metaphor in memorable ways – we love stories and relating this to real life. In society and in eating disorder recovery in general, we often use left brain, logical ways of healing, whereas engaging with our creativity and imagination engages the right brain, and for many people, this is where change actively occurs.  Dr, Anita is passionate about this.

In this episode today, Dr. Anita does a deep dive into cracking the code of disordered eating using metaphor and storytelling. She opens her treasure chest of metaphors for us today. She also shares about the neuroscience and brain chemistry changes that occur when we suddenly make a powerful recovery shift. This is a fascinating conversation and I hope that you enjoy it.

To find out more about Dr. Anita Johnston: -

http://www.dranitajohnston.com/

http://www.lightofthemooncafe.com/

http://www.aipono.com/

Instagram and Facebook: @dranitajohnston

 

Harriet Frew's current offers: -

Online 10 Steps to Intuitive Eating Course

https://www.theeatingdisordertherapist.co.uk/online-courses.html

Online Breaking Free from Bulimia 

https://www.theeatingdisordertherapist.co.uk/online-courses.html

 Eating Disorders Training for Professionals

https://www.theeatingdisordertherapist.co.uk/eating-disorders-training-with-harriet-frew.html

Body Image Training for Professionals

https://www.theeatingdisordertherapist.co.uk/body-image-training-with-harriet-frew.html