In and Out of Anorexia: The Story of the Client, the Therapist and the Process of Recovery

by Ayelet Polster, Tammie Ronen

Overview

Ayelet spent six years of her adolescence in and out of hospital, having been diagnosed as suffering from a severe anorexia disorder. She is now a special needs teacher. In the first part of this book Ayelet describes her personal experiences of the illness, the repeated hospitalisations and her ultimate recovery, illustrated with examples of her drawing and writing from when she was ill.

Tammie Ronen, her therapist, outlines the step-by-step progress of the therapy from the professional angle, describing in detail the decision-making and treatment considerations specific to Ayelet's life and context. She also includes comprehensive overviews of contemporary research into anorexia and of cognitive constructivist methods.

This interweaving of theory, practice and personal experience offers the reader unique insight into the reality of the illness and demonstrates the effectiveness of integrative and creative methods, and the central importance of a good relationship between the client and the therapist. The book is a rich source of inspiration and guidance for therapists and other professionals, as well as for people with eating disorders and their families.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781853029905
Publisher:	Kingsley, Jessica Publishers
Publication date:	07/15/2001
Edition description:	New Edition
Pages:	288
Product dimensions:	6.10(w) x 8.90(h) x 0.63(d)

About the Author

Tammie Ronen is a senior lecturer and head of the counselling programme in child clinical studies at the Bob Shapell School of Social Work at Tel Aviv University; she also heads the university research centre for child treatment and empowerment. She is president of the Israeli Association for Behaviour and Cognitive Therapy. She is an experienced supervisor and therapist. She has published and lectured widely around the world and is the author of Cognitive Developmental Therapy with Children. Ayelet is a special education teacher.

Table of Contents

Foreword, by Michael Mahoney. Preface: Before we begin. Part One: Ayelet's Story - On becoming anorexic 1. Introduction: Was I ever a normal child? 2. Childhood. 3. Between me and myself. 4. From a healthy child to becoming anorexic. 5. Learning to act anorexic. 6. Receiving the diagnosis. 7. My first hospitalisation. 8. Is there anyone who can help me? 9. My first attempt to commit suicide. 10. Medical assessment. 11. In the cuckoo's nest: My fourth hospital. 12. Will I ever be normal? Part Two: The Therapist's Story - The Challenge of Treating Ayelet. 13. Family History. 14. Multi-Targeted treatment for Ayelet. 15. Treatment considerations. 16. Rationale for the decision to work with Ayelet using cognitive-constructivist therapy. 17. Family intervention. 18. Individual therapy. 19. Working with her Obsessive Compulsive Disorder. 20. Working with her anxieties and fears. 21. Encouraging Ayelet to study. 22. Incorporating Ayelet's creativity, imagination and talents. 23. Social skills training. 24. Starting the journey towards self-acceptance. 25. Couple therapy. Part Three: Review of Anorexia. Part Four: Cognitive-Constructivist Therapy with Children and Adolescents. Part Five: The Self-Control Model for Children and Adolescents - Guidelines for Therapists. Part Six: Epilogue. References. Index.

Editorial Reviews

Reviewer: Gina M. Caputo, MA, LCPC (Cermak Health Services)
Description: This book uses a different approach to explore the disorder anorexia and its treatment. The client tells her story as she knows it, and the therapist hers. Literature summation is presented at the end of the book, including illustrations by the client, a glossary and references.
Purpose: The client initially wanted to tell her story in order to achieve closure and the therapist believed the process could be beneficial. The process itself, however, resulted in much more than a book and the insights gained by both client and therapist were much more than they anticipated. Objectives included providing an approach to anorexia from two different points of view and life after anorexia. The objectives are noble and accomplished.
Audience: It is hoped that this book proves helpful to mental health professionals, hospital staff, private clinicians, school counselors, and pediatricians as well as young women suffering from similar problems, their parents, and other family members. The book is very easy to read and honest. The author is very credible since she is the therapist and her background and experience in child clinical studies is appropriate.
Features: The book is covers three areas. Parts I and III portray the client's own story of her life, illness, and therapy; Part II is the therapist's account of the treatment; and Parts IV, V, and VI contain a summary of current literature, the therapist's approach, and guidelines for other clinicians. There are illustrations by the client throughout the book and a glossary.
Assessment: The book is very useful due mainly to its unique presentation. So often clinicians fall prey to the therapeutic rut. This book reminds us of the client's experience and also gives a "happy ending" after a long and arduous trek through therapy for client and author. Laypersons will find this book easy to read and understand. I have quite a collection of books on eating disorders and this is a welcome addition.

Doody's Review Service

‘Tammie Ronen outlines the progress of therapy from the professional angle, describing decision making and treatment considerations specific to Ayelet, and giving an overview of contemporary research into anorexia and cognitive constructivist methods.'

Human Givens

‘One of the striking things about this story is Tammie's ability to speak her client's language. Through adapting a variety of therapeutic techniques into Ayelet's language of metaphors, imagery and art, Tammie not only enhanced the effectiveness of these techniques but established a therapeutic alliance based on collaboration and openness. Although one cannot dispute the importance of the therapeutic relationship as a vehicle for change, the subsequent friendship that blossomed between them during the course of writing the book did leave me wondering where the boundaries between professional and personal relationships lie.

Although aimed towards a range of professionals as well as those suffering from anorexia, I thought this book would be of particular benefit to those working in the eating disorders field as it not only provides a detailed of a theoretically grounded intervention, but also highlights a number of wider issues. These include the therapeutic relationship between client and therapist, and the benefits of multiple interventions, all of which require ongoing debate within eating disorder teams as well as within the field as a whole. A valuable asset to any eating disorder service library.'

British Journal of Clinical Psychology

‘There are many good things here. We have an account of behavioural, cognitive and constructivist approaches to therapy, which is all the richer for the demonstration of theories in action in this complex case.' - European Eating Disorders Review

‘A detailed and compelling account of a young woman's struggle with anorexia nervosa. Certainly, the professional will learn from these insights, perhaps understanding better their patients' experiences and language. They are likely to benefit, too, from thinking about Ronen's patient-centred, individualised and creative approach'

Young Minds

3 Stars from Doody