CCC 28-1

CLINICAL PRACTICE

Religious and faith-based views of eating disorders play a significant role in the struggle against unhealthy eating, as well as the type of support received. If negative spiritual beliefs are encountered in the client or their loved ones, it may aggravate the struggle.

a and the struggle to establish a healthy eating pattern is endless. Eating disorders are often comorbid with social anxiety, obsessive-compulsive behavior, and post-trau matic stress disorder. These disorders may contribute to an emotional need that leads to overeating. According to Pivarunas (2015), faith-based connected ness facilitates positive religious coping strategies. Group members exchanging biblical encouraging messages remind each other of their identity in Christ, which instills hope and determination. Faith-based connectedness provides enhanced meaningfulness and effectiveness of group interactions. It provides a sense of safety to share in the group, and they feel better understood. Elyse Fitzpatrick (1984) wrote in her book, Love to Eat, Hate to Eat , that she moved from heartache to a sense of purpose on her journey with food. She experienced the hope, disappointments, and shame of her inability to lose weight until she began to understand that God had something more important in mind for her. Her life was not merely about looking good, but to receive de liverance from inner strongholds of self-righteousness, self-indulgence, worry, fear, and pride. The fight was not only against eating for comfort, but to be transformed and find comfort in God’s presence. Having an unhealthy relationship with food was a symptom of a deeper need for acceptance and a longing to trust in His unconditional love. The impact of growth in an interpersonal relation ship with God and connectedness to others to overcome the imprisonment of an eating disorder is supported by research findings (Pivarunas, 2015). Religious and faith-based views of eating disorders play a significant role in the struggle against unhealthy eating, as well as the type of support received. If negative spiritual beliefs are encountered in the client or their loved ones, it may aggravate the struggle. For example, if the client’s or their loved one’s beliefs include a God that is punishing or abandoning His creatures, it would lead to spiritual dis contentment, which could deepen depression and worsen the eating disorder (Buser et al., 2015). Beliefs of aban donment may increase feelings of helplessness and a lack of control. On the other hand, beliefs in a punishing God may provide a sense of hope because the sufferer may find a way of appeasing Him. Understanding the client’s beliefs and their potential impact on eating behavior is crucial in therapy and the planning of interventions. Several therapeutic interventions could be developed based on a faith-based perspective on eating disorders. First, a thorough assessment of the client’s religious beliefs and their relationship to the eating disorder is required. Second, negative spiritual beliefs and discontentment

could be gently addressed and reframed. The feelings of discontentment and/or anger with God should be ex plored, and the personal relationship with God should be encouraged in a positive manner. The third intervention would be to focus on Christ-centered involvement. During these interventions, the person of Jesus and His ministry and work on earth are explored. The purpose of the cross is discovered anew, and the client is encouraged to ponder the abundant love and grace of Christ available to all humans. Reflection on the immense grace of Christ and its implications for the client’s existence, purpose in life, and eating disorder should become key talking points, with the aim of uncovering new spiritual and psycho logical insights. Painful emotions and shame should be released to Jesus and His love received. During this phase of therapy, inner healing prayers and/or Christian meditation are helpful tools that could lead a client deeper into a safe place with Christ. The pur pose is to facilitate a healing experience that could lead to a transformation of the heart and elucidation of the truth of Romans 8:28-29 (NASB1995): “And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose. For those whom He foreknew, He also predestined to become conformed to the image of His Son, so that He would be the firstborn among many brethren….” The Christ-centered approach would be concluded by reflecting on a personal application of Romans 8:28-29, particularly how the client can become more and more like Jesus, reflecting His purity and grace. The transfor mation of the heart is deeper and more satisfying than following a specific diet. This goal applies to all humans, has an everlasting significance, and prepares us to meet Christ face-to-face. ; Nicolene L. Joubert, Ph.D., is a

Counseling Psychologist and an Adjunct Professor of Psychology and Christian Counseling at Houston Christian University in Texas.

References Buser, J., Kearney, A., & Buser, T. (2015). Family, friends, and romantic partners of eating disorder sufferers. The Family Journal: Counseling and Therapy for Couples and Families, 23 (4), 320-329. Fitzpatrick, E. (1984). Love to eat, hate to eat . Harvest House Publishers. Eugene, Oregon. Pivarunas, B. (2015). A qualitative exploration of a faith-based support group for women with disordered eating. Pastoral Psychology, 65 (2), 215-225.

16 Christian Counseling Connection