Becki’s story — from struggle to strength in eating disorder recovery
How joining a Recovery Circle helped becki break free from food obsession and find peace with intuitive eating.
Every morning, Becki woke up feeling trapped—her first thoughts were about food, her body, and what she could or couldn’t eat that day. She felt exhausted by the constant mental noise, desperate for relief but unsure how to find it.
Then, she found her Recovery Circle at Ianthe House, a peer-supported program that offered emotional healing, community support, and practical tools for recovery. It wasn’t an instant fix, but gradually she began to reclaim her days—eating without fear, building trust in her body, and finding moments of peace where there was once only noise. Now, she lives with a sense of freedom she never thought possible.
From Overwhelm to Hope — Becki’s Turning Point
When Becki joined Ianthe House’s remote eating disorder recovery program, she was searching for something she couldn’t quite put into words. A sense of peace. A quieter mind. A way to break free from the binge and restrict patterns that had held her captive for years.
“I would just wander in and out of the kitchen for hours, completely stuck in my head. It felt like food and my body were taking up every inch of space in my brain, and I couldn’t focus on anything else.”
💡 Many people struggling seeking eating disorder recovery feel trapped by obsessive thoughts about food and their bodies. Recovery isn’t just about eating differently—it’s about changing the way we think and relate to ourselves
⤷ where she was
She had spent years trapped in cycles of bingeing, restriction, self-doubt, and overthinking.
Her relationship with food and her body was complex, dominated by obsessive thoughts and a black-and-white approach to eating.
Smoking weed had become her way of escaping the relentless noise in her mind.
But recognising the need for change was just the beginning. Breaking free from deeply ingrained patterns would take more than just awareness—it would require practical tools, structured support, and a compassionate community that truly understood her journey. When Becki found Ianthe House, she found more than just recovery tools—she found hope.
“I really can’t see it as anything other than a miracle, this chance to heal. I’m actually getting better for the first time and I can’t say thank you enough.”
Breaking Free with EFT for Eating Disorder Recovery
In the early stages of the program, Becki began to confront the patterns that had controlled her for so long. Her transformation didn’t happen overnight, but by applying practical tools from our EFT for eating disorder recovery workshops (Emotional Freedom Techniques or ‘tapping’) and mastering emotional regulation, she started experiencing profound shifts.
“Every session feels transformative, and I’ve seen such a difference in myself after just a few… I’d typically fall into bad habits at this point but I’m so conscious of it now that I’ve been tapping and meditating my way through it and not restricting, despite my brain telling me to. So thank you, I would just be doing old patterns if it wasn’t for what I’ve learned from Ianthe House.”
⤷ key breakthroughs
Through EFT, Becki gradually developed healthier ways to deal with difficult emotions, learning to sit with and process discomfort rather than escaping it
In moments of stress, instead of reaching for old coping mechanisms, she now actively uses EFT tapping and meditation to self-regulate
She stopped smoking weed entirely, freeing up five hours a day that she now spends on meaningful activities like journaling, exercising, and connecting with friends instead of isolating herself
Most importantly, her relationship with self-care has evolved—she now listens to her body’s needs, prioritising rest, nourishment, and emotional well-being over self-sabotage
⤷ data snapshot
Her well-being and quality of life scores improved from 75% → 92% within just six weeks
Her self-advocacy scores increased from 57% → 100% in the same timeframe
“Instead of avoiding my emotions, I’ve started dealing with them in healthier ways. I’m so much more mindful of what I need.”
💡 Healing requires more than willpower—it takes the right tools, structure, and support
Overcoming Binge-Restrict Cycles and Embracing Intuitive Eating in eating disorder recovery— "Now, I Just Eat."
Becki had long been caught in cycles of bingeing and restricting. If she “messed up” one day, she would spiral into self-sabotage, believing she had already failed.
“I used to go through extreme cycles of restriction and bingeing. Now, I just eat. I had a big, hearty Nepalese dinner last night, woke up, had breakfast, and then brunch—without even thinking about it.”
⤷ How She broke the cycle
Through structured and compassionate support, alongside evidence based therapies, Becki started to break these destructive cycles
She learned to be kinder to herself and not judge her eating patterns
She has gradually learned to eat intuitively, and stopped punishing herself for food choices.
She has redefined what it means to eat well—not by rigid rules but by listening to her hunger cues
⤷ data snapshot
Becki’s eating disorder recovery scores had improved from 44% → 75% by the end of the first three months of the program.
The biggest shift? At just three months in to her recovery journey, she's now enjoying meals without guilt, and making choices based on self-care rather than self-punishment.
“Instead of sabotaging myself, I now take small steps to help myself—and it’s working!”
💡 Recovery isn’t about ‘perfect eating.’ It’s about breaking free from cycles of guilt, shame and self-punishment
🔗 Discover our Recovery Circles exclusively for binge eating disorder
The shift with Peer-Supported Eating Disorder Recovery — Becki’s Recovery Circle Experience
One of the most transformative parts of Becki’s journey has been the deep sense of belonging and safety she found in her support group. Joining her Recovery Circle offered Becki something she had never experienced—a supportive community of women who understood her struggle with food obsession and restrictive eating. Through structured peer support, she found the courage to confront her fears and embrace intuitive eating.
“Just a beautiful, strong and inspiring group. I felt so safe to say stuff I’ve never said out loud. And the responses I’ve had? Just space, love, and kindness.”
⤷ how the support of the circle changed things
Through her Recovery Circle, Becki learned to trust others, let go of shame, and develop self-compassion.
The Circle dynamics have allowed her to open up in ways she never had before.
Instead of withdrawing when struggling, Becki reaches out to her circle.
She now has people she can lean on, which has transformed her sense of self-worth and trust in others.
A structured support system provided both independence and accountability.
⤷ data snapshot
Becki’s social support seeking scores have improved from 57% → 100%.
Becki realised that recovery wasn’t just about self-work—it was about feeling supported by people who truly understood her struggles with obsessive preoccupation with food, emotional eating and emotional regulation.
💡 Healing happens in connection, not isolation. Having a support system makes all the difference
🔗 Discover how peer support transforms eating disorder recovery
Daily Recovery Support — The Small Reminders That Changed Everything
A vital part of the program for Becki is her relationship with her Ianthe House recovery mentor, and her personalised daily support messages, which provide gentle yet powerful reminders to stay grounded throughout the day, at the moments where she most needs encouragement.
“I love the daily messages. The affirmations really resonate with me. Having consistent messaging has been invaluable, they help me focus on what’s important and keep me motivated.”
⤷ how mentorship and personalised daily support helped
Personal mentorship helped her navigate emotional breakthroughs.
Encouraging affirmations within the messages have helped her reframe situations with kindness rather than criticism.
Consistent messages have become anchors that keep her from spiralling into old habits.
Little daily nudges celebrating small wins helps her shift her mindset from perfectionism to progress.
Personalised daily support messages provided Becki with real-time encouragement, helping to shift intrusive thoughts, reinforce positive behaviours, and build resilience—turning everyday moments into opportunities for healing.
Embracing Long-Term Eating Disorder Recovery with Ianthe House
Becki feels more confident, more in control, and more hopeful about the future. She no longer sees her eating disorder as a life sentence but as a pattern she has the tools to manage.
Her journey is a testament to the power of compassionate, peer-supported, long-term eating disorder recovery. The cycle of food obsession, guilt, and self-sabotage doesn’t have to be your reality forever. You deserve freedom. You deserve peace. And you don’t have to do this alone.
At Ianthe House, we believe in recovery that honours your strength and story. Our programs are designed to meet you where you are, creating a safe and nurturing space for transformation.
⤷ why choose a recovery circle?
-
💛 work with an intimate, therapist-led small providing expert guidance and peer support at every step.
-
💌 maintain momentum with structured, compassionate support and mentorship through the key moments of your day to day.
-
🧰 experience psychodynamic therapy, EFT, somatic therapy, and other powerful recovery tools.
📍 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.
