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San Antonio: Healing the Heart: Grief, Eating Disorders, and Finding a New Self
30 January @ 12:30 pm – 2:00 pm
Grief can deeply impact the journey of eating disorder recovery, influencing emotions, behaviors, and the ability to engage in healing. This talk explores the intersection of grief and disordered eating, addressing how loss—whether of a loved one, identity, or sense of control—can shape one’s relationship with food and body. We will discuss the emotional and physiological effects of grief, how it can complicate recovery, and the importance of assessing core needs during this process. Attendees will gain insight into compassionate coping strategies, practical tools for navigating grief in recovery, and ways to foster healing through self-awareness, support, and connection.
Learning Objectives
- Examine the impact of grief on the brain and explore the cognitive and emotional processes involved in learning and adapting to life without the deceased
- Identify key emotional, psychological, and physiological factors that can intensify grief.
- Discuss the Nonlinear Nature of Grief – Explain that grief does not follow a fixed path and how individuals may move through Kübler-Ross’s five stages in different ways, impacting eating disorder recovery uniquely.
- Apply Attachment Theory to Grief and Eating Disorder Recovery – Explain how attachment styles influence the grieving process and the ways individuals cope with loss, including the impact on emotional regulation, relationships, and eating behaviors in recovery.


