Caitlin’s story — from control to confidence in eating disorder recovery
How Ianthe House Helped Caitlin Break Free from Restrictive Eating and Rebuild Her Sense of Self Worth.
For years, Caitlin lived in a cycle of control, restriction, and fear. She had worked with therapists, explored her emotions, and intellectually understood her eating disorder—but something was missing. Long-term eating disorder recovery still felt out of reach.
Then Caitlin joined Daphne’s Circle, Ianthe House’s founding Recovery Circle—a long-term, peer-supported program—that provided the emotional healing, community support and practical tools she needed. For the first time, she started to experience real change and a new sense of control and agency over her life—one not grounded in eating habits and behaviours, but in self-discovery, self-efficacy and emotional resilience. More than just addressing symptoms, she discovered a way to reconnect with herself, her emotions and her sense of self-worth.
Before Ianthe House — feeling trapped by perfectionism, Where Restriction Felt Like Safety
Caitlin had spent years managing uncomfortable feelings through control—control over food, over her body, over her emotions. Even when she intellectually understood her behaviours, she couldn’t break free from them.
“A lot of my behaviours and coping mechanisms were very much fear-based or anger-based, or just basically being afraid to express those emotions in a healthy way without being completely overwhelmed by them.”
💡 lasting recovery is about learning to manage emotions differently and building emotional resilience
⤷ where she was
Restrictive eating felt like an achievement rather than a concern.
She was stuck in cycles of self-criticism and struggled to express her needs.
Sobriety had made her more aware of her emotions but hadn’t helped her change how she responded to them.
She wanted recovery—but wasn’t sure what that would look like for her.
As Caitlin began the program, she started to see recovery as more than just changing behaviours—it was about rebuilding trust in herself, uncovering her true needs, and finding new ways to navigate life's challenges.
The Shift with Peer-Supported Eating Disorder Recovery
📍 Joining Ianthe House offered Caitlin something she had never experienced—a supportive community of women who understood her struggle with control and perfectionism. Through structured peer support, she found the confidence to let go of rigid expectations and embrace progress over perfection.
“Everyone opened up and was so vulnerable, it was really special. I feel so lucky to be in this group.”
Reframing eating disorder Recovery — Seeing Beyond Food and Control
The turning point came when Caitlin realised that controlling her eating was never really about food. Within the safe space of her group therapy sessions, she came to understand that, for her, it was about regulating her emotions, managing fear, and growing her sense of self.
“I used to think my ED was this thing I had to fight against. Now I see it as something I’m working through, and I actually believe I can do it.”
⤷ key breakthroughs in Caitlin’s ed recovery
Recognising her eating disorder as an emotional coping strategy, not just a behaviour.
Feeling safe to feel her emotions thanks to practical tools like Emotional Freedom Techniques (EFT) that help identify, accept and release them.
She began accepting that feeling full is not something to “undo”.
She stopped eating in secret completely—something she had struggled with for years.
⤷ data snapshot
Her eating disorder recovery scores improved from 33% → 69%.
Her active tackling scores (her commitment to and consistent engagement with recovery focused activities) increased from 71% → 86%.
“I haven’t had a single day of thinking ‘I’m not going to eat today’ for ages. And even if it’s late at night, I just eat when I’m hungry.”
📍 At Ianthe House, we help women reframe their eating disorders—not as battles to be fought, but as a part of them that's crying out for attention and healing. Our psychodynamic sessions provide the space to explore what’s beneath disordered eating, making lasting recovery possible.
Reclaiming Her Power — Learning to Advocate for Herself and Her Needs
With a stronger sense of self developing, Caitlin started setting boundaries in ways she never had before. Ending an emotionally unfulfilling relationship was a major moment—one that proved she was no longer willing to suppress her own needs to make others comfortable.
“I realised I was doing all the emotional labour of a girlfriend without any of the benefits. No amount of ‘but he’s a nice guy’ was going to make that enough.”
⤷ How She Built Confidence and Found Her Voice
Recognising patterns of self-silencing and learning how to break them.
Finding her voice in the group setting, which made it easier to advocate for herself outside of it.
Understanding that boundaries aren’t just for protecting herself—they create space for healthier relationships.
Speaking up about her needs in relationships, rather than internalising discomfort.
Building the self-worth and confidence to walk away, realising that she deserves better.
⤷ data snapshot
Her self-advocacy scores increased from 43% → 71% in just three months.
“I’ve just been pretty determined to be more authentic. Doing all this therapy and finding my voice in a safe space has helped me exercise that in real life.”
💡 Recovery isn’t just about eating differently—it’s about breaking free from limiting beliefs, healing relationships and reclaiming self-worth
🔗 Discover why finding purpose and meaning during recovery is our North Star
Where Caitlin Is Now — A Future She Feels Excited For
Three months into the program, Caitlin is no longer driven by fear and control. While the journey isn’t over, she feels a sense of momentum she never had before. She no longer sees her eating disorder as a life sentence but as a pattern she has the tools to manage. She’s actively shaping her recovery rather than just trying to “get through” it.
“When I reflect on where I was, I feel so much stronger. I used to think recovery was about being perfect, but now I know it’s about trusting myself, even on the hard days.”
⤷ how her life has changed
She no longer views her eating disorder as a life sentence—she sees it as something she has the tools to manage.
She sets boundaries in relationships without fear of rejection.
She embraces progress rather than striving for perfection.
She now knows that long-term recovery is possible for her.
She no longer feels like she’s fighting herself—she’s learning to trust herself.
⤷ data snapshot
Caitlin's Quality of life scores increased by 42% within just six weeks.
“When I first opened my results, I couldn’t believe it. I feel completely different now, and the data shows that. I’m so excited to start [the program] again. I literally can’t wait.”
📍 Lasting recovery takes time—it’s a journey of growth, self-discovery, and trust. That's why our programs are designed for long-term engagement through 12 months and beyond.
🔗 Discover how sustained commitment drives long-term healing
start your recovery journey with us
At Ianthe House, we empower our clients to take charge of their eating disorder recovery, equipping them with the tools to build a personalised and sustainable path forward.
⤷ why choose a recovery circle?
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💛 work with an intimate, therapist-led group providing expert therapeutic guidance and peer-support at every step.
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💌 maintain momentum with structured, compassionate support and mentorship through key moments of every day.
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🧰 experience psychodynamic therapy, EFT, somatic therapy, psychedelic therapy and other powerful recovery tools to empower your journey.
📍 A full year in a Recovery Circle costs the same as just one month of intensive outpatient or two weeks of residential treatment—making long-term, structured support finally accessible.
