Re:Eating disorders

Dear Bruce

Eating disorders are some of the most difficult conditions to treat. I see about one-two new cases each month on average. I believe that the first few seconds of the first consultatin are crucial.
My opening question, to all my patients is "What do you want to change?"
If the person responds "Nothing" then I point to the door.

I say, "My job is to help people change without change being frightening, When you want to change then come back. Would you like to talk about what you would like to perhaps consider changing?" No one has ever left the room.

Often they say "I don't want to have this eating problem."

I then ask them what exactly they do want. "Please tell me what you want to be like. Not what you don't want to be like. This can be difficult."

However if answered we have determined the therapeutic goal within the first 5 minutes of the consultation. My role is then to supply the strategy to reach the goal swiftly and with safety.

If you want details about the various Ericksonian strategies that can be successful let me know.

Dr Pat McCarthy
Medical Hypnosis Consultant
Wellington
New Zealand

Replies:

Re:Eating disorders, by Bruce Kirkcaldy, 11/04/02 Re:Eating disorders, by Conservative, 11/30/02 Re:Eating disorders, by Carlos J. Sanchez, 11/29/02

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