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The therapists at GROW work with clients who are dealing with addictions to a variety of things, including substances (drugs and alcohol), food, work, or relationships. While the specific content of an addiction might be a mystery to friends and family (they might have never used heroine) the experience of addiction is common to us all. We all, from time to time, have tried to use something or someone to make us feel better. At the core, that is what an addiction is. However, the problem it that it only works in the short run – in the long run when we use substances or people to distract us from our problems or pain, we end up crashing. We help people deal with the core issue so that they can live a purposeful, meaningful, joyful life.

Eating disorders are complex, typically develop over time, and can stem from a variety reasons. Eating disorders can be one of the most challenging and discouraging addictions to break. With other forms of addiction, people can avoid the substance, but with eating disorders you have to face your struggle every time you eat. Most often disordered eating begins when an individual is trying to find a way to cope with a stressful situation or emotional problem. Once they have found a pattern of eating or exercise allowing them to feel some sense of control or normalcy, they start to generalize that behavior to other situations when they feel stressed or overwhelmed.

Excessive exercise becomes the norm, and restrictive or binge eating becomes a daily practice. It is typical that these behaviors become more extreme over time. The reason that people focus on eating or exercise varies. At it’s core, eating is one of the most primitive behaviors in which we engage. While the issues that drive people towards disordered eating may be related to emotional distress, relational turmoil, or distorted thinking, the expression of the behavior is most often about attaining control, power, and safety. While emotions, the context, or relationships can feel unpredictable, rituals around eating and exercise bring a sense of control. When one senses that they have little or no power in their life, a sense of mastery over their behavior decreases feelings of powerlessness. Feelings of danger or vulnerability can be combated by a perception on being invisible (extreme under-eating) or unwanted (extreme over-eating).

We work, in an out-patient setting, with individuals to find hope, freedom, and joy in the eating process. It’s important to identify the core problems and triggers associated with the over-eating, under-eating, or purging. We are gentle in our approach, never shaming or critical, and seek to understand the person as a whole. When appropriate, we work collaboratively with medical doctors and nutritionists towards making health a reality in our clients’ lives.

Statistics:

• It is estimated that 8 million Americans have an eating disorder – seven million women and one million men.
• One in 200 American women suffers from anorexia.
• Two to three in 100 American women suffers from bulimia .
• Nearly half of all Americans personally know someone with an eating disorder.
• Anorexia is the 3rd most common chronic illness among adolescents
• 95% of those who have eating disorders are between the ages of 12 and 25
• 50% of girls between the ages of 11 and 13 see themselves as overweight
• 80% of 13-year-olds have attempted to lose weight
• Only 1 in 10 people with eating disorders receive treatment

GROW provides specific therapy for the treatment of veterans. Our therapists have seen first-hand how many veterans return home from defending our country only to face a myriad of problems. At GROW, we recognize that every veteran has had a different experience and as a result need a tailored approach to addressing their individual needs. We believe in the providing excellent therapy as we partner with veterans through the process of their restoration journey. We use a collaborative approach to give our clients a voice in deciding what they choose to explore and how they would like to approach the counseling. At GROW, we provide therapy to veterans who are suffering from PTSD, mental health issues, substance abuse, suicidal ideations, and problems returning to civilian life.

ASSESSMENTS and EVALUATIONS
An assessment/evaluation is conducted through a one-on-one appointment with a licensed therapist. The client will be able to tell their story and the therapist will ask a series of questions to get a full picture of what is going on. We take into consideration biological, psychological, and social factors that may be contributing to substance use, mental health, anger, and domestic abuse. The assessment enables our therapists to develop the specific treatment plan tailored to the client’s needs.

INDIVIDUAL THERAPY
Individual Therapy provides a space to explore the many experiences and stressors that veterans are forced to manage on a daily basis. It’s a place where they can be open and vulnerable about the stress, and learn new tools and skills to manage the challenges. Rather than feeling distracted, our goal is help them live their lives centered and fully present.

In the last few years the mental health of professional athletes has become an area of national attention. From substance use and domestic violence to suicide, the mental health of professional athletes is appearing in social and mainstream media. At GROW, we strive to remove the stigmas associated with mental illness, family pressures, and professional demands from athletes through individual and family counseling. Our goal is not for a public “spin” of the athlete’s mental health, but to work for a holistic and sustainable future through the use of personal and performance counseling and health coaching. We believe that an athlete’s mental health is just as critical as their physical health, in preparing them to perform to their greatest ability.

THE IMPACT TO PERFORMANCE
Professional athletes often have public relations representatives who help them “handle” or “manage” the message about a performance or behavioral issue, but it can be challenging to find mental health professionals who understand the unique challenges that professionals athletes and their families face who can help that athlete get to the core issues and deal with the problem. In fact, the American Psychological Association states “Athletics subject a person to a unique set of challenges and circumstances that can make a person vulnerable to feelings of depression or anxiety.” Stress, expectations, balance, focus, ADHD, eating disorders, addictions, and trauma, are just a few of the other issues athletes may face, which can distract them and ultimately negatively impact their performance. Working through their concerns in a confidential space and with a trusted mental health professional, can be the key to unlocking their full ability. Athletes are often expected to perform as machines on the field or court, however emotions are never mechanical and if not managed well, may begin to “spill” over in other areas of life.

Athletes, just like everyone else, need a place where they do not have to keep up a front, perform, or be praised, but can work through the stressors and challenges they are facing, thus setting them up to fully live their lives centered, not distracted, and fully present.