Media & Press of Eating Disorder Hope

Eating Disorder Hope Launches New Eating Disorder Non Profit Directory Dedicated to Promoting Eating Disorder Awareness and Prevention

FORT WORTH, Texas, Jan. 31, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Eating Disorder Hope, a respected independent resource for individuals suffering from anorexia, bulimia and binge eating disorders, has committed to supporting nonprofit organizations dedicated to helping eating disorder sufferers find recovery. This is why the Eating Disorder Non Profit Directory was launched.

Organizations included in the Eating Disorder Non Profit Directory offer resources providing information, direction and hope to those seeking to overcome anorexia, bulimia, and binge eating disorder. They educate the public and promote eating disorder awareness, prevention and treatment. Eating Disorder Hope gratefully acknowledges the work of these outstanding organizations.

"As the 2011 National Eating Disorders Awareness week approaches (February 20-26th), Eating Disorder Hope believes it is vitally important to draw attention to the Non Profit organizations that serve eating disorder sufferers and their families, all year long," said Jacquelyn Ekern, MS, LPC, founder of Eating Disorder Hope. "As our website is rapidly becoming a leader in the online pro-recovery world, we hope to inspire many to utilize and support these nonprofit groups."

"The EDC is proud to be included in the Eating Disorder Non Profit Directory. As a coalition representing a great deal of the organizations involved in the recovery of eating disorders on Capitol Hill, we value partnerships with organizations, like Eating Disorder Hope, that promote eating disorder recovery, awareness and prevention," said David Jaffe, Executive Director of the Eating Disorders Coalition.

Eating Disorder Hope is dedicated to increasing awareness of body image and eating disorders, and to improving access to treatment and recovery information. Since 2005 it has operated one of the leading websites dedicated to eating disorders, offering comprehensive information and tools that are utilized both by individuals and healthcare professionals. Key resources include an eating disorders specialist library, treatment directory, and recovery tools.

The work of Eating Disorder Hope is supported by sponsorship commitments from Timberline Knolls, Remuda Ranch and Rogers Memorial.

About Eating Disorder Hope

Jacquelyn Ekern, MS, LPC is the founder and director of Eating Disorder Hope, a one-stop resource for support, eating disorder treatment referrals and education about eating disorders. The site promotes ending eating disordered behavior, embracing life and pursuing recovery. Eating Disorder Hope fosters appreciation of one's uniqueness and value in the world, unrelated to appearance, achievement or applause. For more information, visit www.eatingdisorderhope.com.

Eating Disorder Hope and MyPyramid Form Partnership

FORT WORTH, Texas, Nov. 23, 2010 /PRNewswire/ -- Eating Disorder Hope, a respected independent resource for sufferers of anorexia, bulimia and overeating disorders, has partnered with MyPyramid to help eating disorder sufferers find nutritional and healthy lifestyle support.

"The purpose of 'Partnering with MyPyramid' is to equip consumers with the information that they need to make smart decisions about eating more healthfully and being more physically active," said Dr. Rajen Anand, Executive Director of the Center for Nutrition Policy and Promotion, an agency of the U.S. Department of Agriculture and sponsor of Partnering with MyPyramid. "Eating Disorder Hope is proud to play a role in bringing that vision to reality," said Jacquelyn Ekern, MS, LPC, founder of Eating Disorder Hope.

Eating Disorder Hope is dedicated to raising awareness of body image and eating disorders, and to improving access to treatment. EatingDisorderHope.com offers comprehensive information utilized both by individuals and healthcare professionals. Resources include an eating disorders treatment directory, tools for relapse prevention, eating disorder recovery tools, and libraries of articles, books, and recovery stories.

"Eating Disorder Hope encourages a focus on health and vitality as the preferred measure of good health, rather than an obsession with weight, which can trigger disordered behaviors," notes Ms. Ekern. "This partnership will help guide our visitors toward a healthier relationship with food and exercise."

The work of http://www.eatingdisorderhope.com is supported by sponsorship from Timberline Knolls Residential Treatment Center, Remuda Ranch, and Rogers Memorial.

About Eating Disorder Hope

Eating Disorder Hope was founded by Jacquelyn Ekern, MS, LPC, to provide eating disorder education, support and eating disorder treatment referrals. EatingDisorderHope.com promotes ending eating disordered behavior, embracing life and pursuing recovery. Eating Disorder Hope fosters appreciation of one's uniqueness and value in the world, unrelated to appearance, achievement or applause.

Contact:

Jacquelyn Ekern, MS, LPC
Eating Disorder Hope
5112 Golden Lane
Fort Worth, TX 76123
817.602.8727
jacquelyn@eatingdisorderhope.com

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11/12/2010 6:24:00 PM

Cyber fight

Counselor uses website to battle eating disorders

Elizabeth Bassett
Reporter

The winter holidays often are a tough time of year for those who are watching their calories, but for some, dealing with food is never easy no matter what the time of year.

Eating disorders, which can be found in an estimated 10 million people, according to the National Eating disorders Association (NEDA), are a group of medical conditions that can be costly not only for an individual's health but also for the medical industry.

Jacquelyn Ekern, a licensed professional counselor, founded the website Eating Disorder Hope in 2005 when she was working on a master's in counseling/psychology and creating an eating disorder support group as part of her supervised internship.

Ekern had gone through her own struggle with an eating disorder, and she wanted to provide information about the support group when she started a website that today has sections for those with disorders, families, individuals in other countries and for professionals.

"It was very small when it started, and I had no idea it would take off like it has at that point, but there was such a need for information and resources online that it just became very apparent that this is something people need," Ekern said. "... It was just the most Podunk site."

Initially, the site was just for her support group, and she contacted other specialists and researchers about posting their work. Then she found nonprofits dedicated to supporting those with eating disorders and linked to those. Now, Eating Disorder Hope gets more than 15,000 visitors each month and about 40,000 page hits a month.

"And it keeps growing," she said.

Providing resources from reliable sources is key when the Internet provides an overload of information, much of which could be unreliable. Barbara Alderete, coordinator of the Texas Health Spring Center Southlake (and not affiliated with Eating Disorder Hope), said people often turn to online sources for research when they are starting to admit to themselves that they may have an eating disorder.

Eating disorders don't just include anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa, the two disorders that are the best-known. Binge eating disorder also is a problem, and being obese and overweight can be classified as such as well.

A NEDA report states that anorexia nervosa is expensive to treat and yet insurance coverage for treatment is "exceedingly insufficient." The average direct medical costs for treating anorexia nervosa is $6,054 per individual per year compared with $4,824 a year for schizophrenia. Additionally, 2005 National Institutes of Health research funding included only about $12 million dedicated to eating disorders compared with $350 million for schizophrenia, which affects an estimated 2.2 million Americans.

The lack of information is why Ekern started Eating Disorder Hope, and she said influences like family dynamics, biology, trauma and emotional distress and other factors can spur a person to develop an eating disorder.The American obsession with thinness is often seen in the media, Alderete said, but television, the Internet and other media sources can have a positive influence as well, giving people information on how to seek help and change behaviors to become healthier. The negative influence of the media typically works with other factors to be a contributing factor to an eating disorder.

"The impact is greatest on someone who is vulnerable who has these other predisposing factors that makes them vulnerable to an eating disorder," she said.

While reaching thousands of people through her website, Ekern also sees some patients, even though she's not accepting new patients. Most of her time is spent on the website, but she said she'd like to be able to accept more patients in the future.

In the meantime, there's still work to be done on the site. She's had support from three major sponsors that made the site possible, she said – Timberline Knolls, a residential treatment center in Illinois, is the partnering sponsor, and Remuda Ranch, with centers in Arizona and Virginia, and nonprofit psychiatric specialist Rogers Memorial Hospital in Wisconsin, are also sponsors.

Eating Disorder Hope recently added the Eating Disorder Specialist Library to help individuals find treatment options, and Ekern said she wants to bolster the international component and possibly add some kind of comparison feature that would let prospective patients or family members evaluate treatment centers. The site has also partnered with MyPyramid.gov, through the Department of Agriculture, to provide information on healthy eating.

By focusing on healthy behaviors, instead of demonizing bad behaviors that are part of an eating disorder, and by giving individuals options to seek help, Ekern is hoping to continue influencing those who are fighting with food but ready to change.

"Nobody wants to be told what you're doing is wrong. I don't know that it would necessarily motivate change," she said.

Eating Disorder Hope Expands the Eating Disorder Specialist Library and Simplifies the Search for Eating Disorder Treatment

FORT WORTH, Texas, Oct. 29, 2010 — Eating Disorder Hope, a respected independent resource for individuals suffering from anorexia, bulimia, binge eating and other body image and eating disorders, has expanded its Eating Disorder Specialist Library to further help sufferers of anorexia, bulimia and binge eating disorder find treatment options.

"The detailed outlines of treatment centers within the Eating Disorder Specialist Library will better serve eating disorder sufferers, their loved ones and treatment providers by simplifying their search for treatment," said Jacquelyn Ekern, MS, LPC, founder of Eating Disorder Hope.

The new Eating Disorder Specialist Library features detailed overviews and pictures of eating disorder treatment centers and providers. Many eating disorder sufferers and families find that reviewing the online "virtual brochures" offered in the Eating Disorder Specialist Library greatly simplifies their search for treatment.

The Eating Disorder Specialist Library puts individuals in touch with some of the best treatment centers and providers for those suffering from anorexia, bulimia or binge eating disorder and/or co-occurring issues like addiction, anxiety and depression.

Eating Disorder Hope is an organization dedicated to increasing awareness of body image and eating disorders, and to improving access to treatment and recovery information. Since 2005 it has operated one of the leading websites dedicated to eating disorders at http://www.eatingdisorderhope.com/. The site offers comprehensive information and tools that are utilized both by individuals and healthcare professionals. Key resources include an eating disorders specialist library and treatment provider directory, relapse prevention and eating disorder recovery tools, and an extensive library of articles, books, and inspirational recovery stories. Over the past 5 years, its outreach has expanded to include blogs dedicated to anorexia, bulimia, and other related challenges, as well as a monthly newsletter that is widely read in the eating disorder community.

Aimee Lui, a well-respected educator and advocate in the community of eating disorder treatment and author of the recovery-related books Gaining: The Truth About Life After Eating Disorders and Solitaire A Memoir of Anorexia, has this to say about the website: "Eating Disorder Hope is well named, since hope is the first essential ingredient of recovery. This site supplies a wealth of information, contacts, and inspiration to help make recovery a reality." – Aimee Lui

The work of http://www.eatingdisorderhope.com is supported by significant sponsorship commitments from Timberline Knolls, Remuda Ranch and Rogers Memorial.

About Eating Disorder Hope

Jacquelyn Ekern, MS, LPC is the founder and director of Eating Disorder Hope, a one-stop resource for support, eating disorder treatment referrals and education about eating disorders. The site promotes ending eating disordered behavior, embracing life and pursuing recovery. Eating Disorder Hope fosters appreciation of one's uniqueness and value in the world, unrelated to appearance, achievement or applause. For more information, visit http://www.eatingdisorderhope.com.

Contact:

Jacquelyn Ekern, MS, LPC
Eating Disorder Hope
5112 Golden Lane
Fort Worth, TX 76123
817.602.8727
jacquelyn@eatingdisorderhope.com

Eating Disorder Hope Gains Support for Eating Disorders Outreach from Timberline Knolls Residential Treatment Center

FORT WORTH, Texas, Sept. 8 -- /PRNewswire/ -- Eating Disorder Hope, a respected independent resource for individuals suffering from anorexia, bulimia, binge eating and other body image and eating disorders, is poised for growth following a significant sponsorship commitment by Timberline Knolls Residential Treatment Center.

"Timberline Knolls' generous sponsorship will help us in our mission of promoting awareness, prevention and treatment in order to better educate sufferers, their loved ones and treatment providers," said Jacquelyn Ekern, MS, LPC, founder of Eating Disorder Hope. "Our website is rapidly becoming a leader in the online pro-recovery world. This additional support will strengthen our position as a powerful agent of pro-recovery lifestyles in an Internet still filled with too many voices promoting deadly pro-eating disorder lifestyles and behaviors."

Timberline Knolls, a private residential treatment center for women and girls ages 12 and up, has supported Eating Disorder Hope since 2006 and has recently committed to the role of sole Platinum Partnering Sponsor. The new partnership reflects Timberline Knolls Residential Treatment Center's ongoing support of organizations promoting a stronger pro-recovery community that inspires girls and women to embrace a lifestyle of health and well-being.

"Our entire team is very pleased to partner with Jacquelyn Ekern and Eating Disorder Hope, which is a crucial independent resource for all concerned with eating disorders," said Kimberly Dennis, MD, an eating disorder treatment expert and medical director at Timberline Knolls Residential Treatment Center. "We're excited to see Eating Disorder Hope reach more individuals and families in need of unbiased information on these diseases and treatment options. Eating disorders are deadly serious medical conditions, but lifelong recovery is possible with proper eating disorder treatment."

Eating Disorder Hope is an organization dedicated to increasing awareness of body image and eating disorders, and to improving access to treatment and recovery information. Since 2005 it has operated one of the leading websites dedicated to eating disorders at http://www.eatingdisorderhope.com/. The site offers comprehensive information and tools that are utilized both by individuals and healthcare professionals. Key resources include an eating disorders specialist library and treatment provider directory, relapse prevention and eating disorder recovery tools, and an extensive library of articles, books, and inspirational recovery stories. Over the past 5 years, its outreach has expanded to include blogs dedicated to anorexia, bulimia, and other related challenges, as well as a monthly newsletter that is widely read in the eating disorder community.

Jenni Schaefer, a well-respected spokeswoman in the community of eating disorder treatment and author of the recovery-related books Life Without Ed and Goodbye Ed, Hello Me, has this to say about the website: "I wish Eating Disorder Hope had existed when I was struggling with an eating disorder -- I felt lost and like no one understood what I was going through. With just one click, Eating Disorder Hope gives people touched by eating disorders much-needed support -- letting them know that they are not alone, that there really is hope, and most of all, that people can and do fully recover."

The work of http://www.eatingdisorderhope.com is also supported by significant sponsorship commitments from Remuda Ranch and Rogers Memorial.

About Eating Disorder Hope

Jacquelyn Ekern, MS, LPC is the founder and director of Eating Disorder Hope, a one-stop resource for support, eating disorder treatment referrals and education about eating disorders. The site promotes ending eating disordered behavior, embracing life and pursuing recovery. Eating Disorder Hope fosters appreciation of one's uniqueness and value in the world, unrelated to appearance, achievement or applause. For more information, visit http://www.eatingdisorderhope.com.

About Timberline Knolls Residential Treatment Center

Timberline Knolls is one of the leading private residential treatment centers for eating disorders, substance abuse, and trauma, with or without a dual diagnosis or co-occurring disorder. Expert treatment staff offers a nurturing environment of recovery for women and girls (ages 12 and older) on a wooded 43-acre campus in suburban Chicago. Women and families seeking Christian eating disorder treatment have the option of working with a dedicated Christian therapist. For more information on Timberline Knolls Residential Treatment Center, the admissions department can be reached at 877.257.9611.

Contact:

Jacquelyn Ekern, MS, LPC
Eating Disorder Hope
5112 Golden Lane
Fort Worth, TX 76123
817.602.8727
jacquelyn@eatingdisorderhope.com

Pro Ana Versus Pro Recovery Sites: New Study by Johns Hopkins and Stanford University raises concerns.

Pro Ana websites are popular, enticing and potentially deadly to young women. They promote thinness at all costs and often disregard health, well being and common sense. The June 17th issue of American Journal of Public Health published a recent study of Pro Ana websites. This innovative study conducted by Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health and the Stanford University School of Medicine, has raised questions about how we can meet the needs of these Pro Ana website visitors in healthier ways. It is important that Pro Recovery sites are supported and promoted by leaders and those influential to young woman. Professors, Teachers, Coaches, Physicians, Nurse Practitioners, Parents and Therapists all can help offset the pro ana movement by supporting organizations that emphasize health and self esteem over thinness. It may save a life.

(PRWEB) June 22, 2010 -- A recent study of Pro Ana websites, published in the June 17th issue of American Journal of Public Health, shed some light on why young women are drawn to these sites and what they find there. This illuminating study has created a flurry of discussion and concern in the public.

Pro Ana websites are prolific across the internet. These sites provide tips, advice and encouragement to women on how to become thinner, emaciated or practice anorexia nervosa. Dramatic calorie restriction, fasting, excessive exercise, purging, laxatives and other unhealthy behaviors are often glorified as a magic key to achieving the media glorified waif look that has so deeply influenced women today. Eating disorder treatment is not advised or suggested. Thus, in most cases, these Pro Anorexia websites are promoting a deadly lifestyle and self destruction.

"These Pro Ana sites provide a sense of camaraderie and collaboration among the website visitors. These sites also can create a sense of pursuing a more perfect version of the self, or at least the body" commented Jacquelyn Ekern, MS, LPC, and Director of Eating Disorder Hope. Sadly, the Pro Ana sites are focused on thinness as a status symbol and promise increased confidence and power in the world if one can just become thin enough.

Fortunately, there are Pro Recovery sites that refute these claims and encourage visitors to find a sense of inner value, self esteem and worth in the content of the character - rather than the external image of the individual. Sites such as Eating Disorder Hope promote healthy self care, embracing life and pursuing recovery. This site's mission is to foster appreciation of one's uniqueness and value in the world, unrelated to appearance, achievement or applause.

Eating Disorder Hope and other recovery websites, provide treatment resources such as a Treatment Directory and a Specialist Library (http://eatingdisorderhope.com/eating-disorder-specialist-library.html). These provide sufferers from anorexia, bulimia, binge eating disorder and compulsive overeating with contacts to professionals who can treat the destructive condition and the underlying issues that led to this maladaptive behavior.

Recovery Tools are provided and explained to offer practical suggestions for developing a healthier lifestyle and self esteem. Tools are given, such as nutrition tips, mindfulness skills, spirituality, improving rational thinking, body image improvement advice and relapse prevention techniques.

Resources are also provided that direct the individual to articles on recovery, inspirational real stories of recovered women, pro recovery newsletters and blogs, support groups, and excellent non profit organizations that support eating disorder awareness and prevention.

If you know of a woman suffering from anorexia, bulimia, binge eating disorder or seemingly becoming far too preoccupied with weight, eating and diet - Please, seek help for them. A good starting point may be to refer them to a resource such as Eating Disorder Hope where they can find eating disorder treatment referrals, recovery tips and resources, and most of all, inspiration to choose a full and meaningful life over the empty existence of anorexia and other related conditions.

Jacquelyn Ekern, MS, LPC is Director and Founder of Eating Disorder Hope. http://www.eatingdisorderhope.com Eating Disorder Hope is the one stop eating disorder treatment, resource and information site. Eating Disorder Hope promotes ending eating disordered behavior, embracing life and pursuing recovery through implementing the best eating disorder treatment available for the individual with anorexia, bulimia or binge-eating disorder. EDH is sponsored by Timberline Knolls, Rader Programs, Remuda Ranch and Rogers Memorial.

Eating Disorder Hope (www.eatingdisorderhope.com), launches one of a kind Eating Disorder Specialist Virtual Library

Fort Worth, Texas (November 5, 2009) – Finding treatment for eating disorders is an overwhelming task for those suffering  from eating disorders and the loved ones trying to help them.  To solve this problem, Eating Disorder Hope launched the Eating Disorder Specialist Library at: www.eatingdisorderhope.com/eating-disorder-specialist-library.html, to provide a comprehensive resource for exploring and comparing treatment options, providers, treatment approaches and philosophy.

"Many find that perusing through the 'virtual brochures' offered in the Eating Disorder Specialist Library greatly simplifies their search and puts them in touch with some of the best treatment centers for their loved one," said Jacquelyn Ekern, MS, LPC and founder of Eating Disorder Hope. "Our rapidly expanding eating disorder specialist library is an excellent tool for eating disorder sufferers, families, friends and treatment providers who feel overwhelmed with where to begin in the search for appropriate care for the eating disorder sufferer. Finding professionals specialized in the field is key to successful recovery."

Eating Disorder Hope offers information and resources to those suffering from eating disorders, their treatment providers and loved ones by providing the new Eating Disorder Specialist Library, articles, books, a virtual library, inspirational recovery stories, relapse prevention and recovery tools.

"Eating Disorder Hope is well named, since hope is the first essential ingredient of recovery. This site supplies a wealth of information, contacts and inspiration to help make recovery a reality," said Aimee Lui (www.gainingthetruth.com), author of Gaining: The Truth About Life After Eating Disorders.

The work of www.eatingdisorderhope.com is possible due to the support of sponsors including platinum sponsoring partner: Rader Programs; platinum sponsors, Remuda Ranch and Rogers Memorial; and silver sponsor, Linden Oaks at Edward.

"Eating Disorder Hope is a fresh source of inspiration and practical information to assist sufferers, loved ones, support team members, and professionals with finding the level and type of support and resources they need quickly and efficiently," said Shannon Cutts, Founder/Director of Mentor Connect, and  author of Beating Ana: How to Outsmart Your Eating Disorder and Take Your Life Back, "a website that is like a second home for both those who need help now and for the professionals who treat them!"

About Eating Disorder Hope

Jacquelyn Ekern, MS, LPC is the founder of Eating Disorder Hope, a one-stop resource for support, referrals and education about eating disorders. The site promotes ending eating disordered behavior, embracing life and pursuing recovery. Eating Disorder Hope fosters appreciation of one's uniqueness and value in the world, unrelated to appearance, achievement or applause.

Eating Disorder Hope (www.eatingdisorderhope.com), A New One-Stop Resource for Everything About Eating Disorders, Seeks to End Eating Disordered Behavior

Fort Worth, Texas (August 25, 2009) – Millions of Americans suffer from eating disorders and many don't know where to turn to for help. Jacquelyn Ekern, a licensed counselor and founder of Eating Disorder Hope, launched the site, www.eatingdisorderhope.com, to provide a comprehensive resource for support, referrals and education about eating disorders.

"My past battle with and recovery from an eating disorder fueled my passion to help others," said Ekern. "My goal is to become a global resource for help and healing in eating disorder treatment. My advice for individuals with eating disorders is to get help because these disorders rarely resolve themselves. Finding professionals specialized in the field is key to successful recovery."

Eating Disorder Hope offers information and resources to those suffering from eating disorders, their treatment providers and loved ones by providing articles, book suggestions, a virtual library, inspirational recovery stories, relapse prevention and recovery tools.

"I wish Eating Disorder Hope existed when I was struggling with an eating disorder," said Jenni Schaefer, author of Life Without Ed: How One Woman Declared Independence from Her Eating Disorder and How You Can Too. "I felt lost and like no one understood what I was going through. With just one click, Eating Disorder Hope gives people touched by eating disorders much needed support – letting them know that they're not alone, that there is hope, and most of all that people can and do fully recover."

The work of www.eatingdisorderhope.com is possible due to the support of sponsors including platinum sponsoring partner: Rader Programs; platinum sponsors, Remuda Ranch and Rogers Memorial; and silver sponsor, Linden Oaks at Edward.

"Eating Disorder Hope is a one-stop source for the best information about eating disorders on the Internet," said Sari Shepphird, psychologist, eating disorder specialist and author of 100 Questions and Answers About Anorexia Nervosa. "It is one of the most trustworthy and informative Web sites available today."

About Eating Disorder Hope

Jacquelyn Ekern, MS, LPC is the founder of Eating Disorder Hope, a one-stop resource for support, referrals and education about eating disorders. The site promotes ending eating disordered behavior, embracing life and pursuing recovery. Eating Disorder Hope fosters appreciation of one's uniqueness and value in the world, unrelated to appearance, achievement or applause. For more information, visit the Eating Disorder Hope website, Twitter, and Facebook.

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