Recovery Circle Pilot—Eating Disorder Recovery Impact Report · ten Months
* Results are based on a small pilot cohort and reflect actual participant outcomes, not a generalised claim.
⤷ Using the median across clinically validated recovery markers, participants no longer met DSM-5 diagnostic criteria for an eating disorder across restriction, binging, or compensatory behaviours, with significant improvements across wellbeing, quality of life, financial health and personal growth.
“I can’t tell you how much this has impacted my life. And this is after years of therapy and years of trying different things. I’ve never seen so much progress in such a condensed amount of time.”
impact at a glance
⤷ symptoms
↓ 87% reduction in distraction and emotional distress
↓ 80% reduction in restrictive eating
↓ 100% reduction in eating in secret (e.g. bingeing or food shame)
↓ 57% reduction in compensatory behaviours (e.g. purging, over-exercising, laxative use)
⤷ overall well-being
↑ 55% improvement in expressing needs & boundaries
↑ 47% increase in seeking help when struggling
↑ 39% improvement in personal growth
↑ 23% improvement in quality of life and overall satisfaction
⤷ financial & career impact
↓ Financial burden of ED behaviours reduced by up to £450/month
↓ Absenteeism reduced from up to 14 days/month → zero collectively
Those signed off work were back in full-time roles within six months
👇 Read on for the full data, participant reflections, and to see how this model can change lives and workplaces.
a new approach to recovery
Ten months ago, we launched our remote Recovery Circle program with one mission in mind: to create an accessible, empowering pathway for adult women facing eating disorders. One that offers more than short bursts of intervention or symptom management, and is rooted in connection, expert therapeutic support, and lived experience mentorship.
Too often, traditional approaches are brief, costly, and focused narrowly on food behaviours. Our model is designed to go further: to address the underlying causes, provide consistency over time, and weave recovery into everyday living.
⤷ what makes us different
Closed groups of 4-6 women
Long-term support (12 months+)
Integrated tools (psychotherapy, somatic work via EFT, and peer connection)
Lived-experience mentorship
Affordable, flexible access
Since then, our founding participants have shown us what’s possible when support is consistent, recovery is integrated into daily life, and healing is held in community.
This report captures a direct comparison between baseline and ten month data, and across every category, the results tell a powerful story of healing, resilience, and transformation.
We invite you to explore the results, hear reflections from participants, and celebrate what happens when women are supported to recover in a space that feels safe, structured, and deeply human.
Eating Disorder Symptoms—Steady and Sustained Improvements
We use the clinically validated Eating Disorder Questionnaire (EDQ) to evaluate the frequency and severity of disordered eating behaviours. This includes preoccupation with food and weight, body checking, secrecy around eating, compensatory behaviours, and restriction.
Together, these measures give a reliable and nuanced picture of how often participants engage in ED behaviours and how much these behaviours dominate their daily lives.
After ten months, the reductions across all symptom domains are significant, indicating increased emotional regulation, reduced reliance on harmful coping mechanisms, and a deeper sense of internal peace and safety.
“This is such a gentle, loving program where there’s no blame or pressure or judgment. It allows you to just naturally move into a freer space, which is why it’s been so successful I think.
The approach of focusing on the feelings that are driving the coping mechanisms, rather than the traditional way of focusing just on food, has been the most helpful thing, because you can connect things that you were just kind of confused by before, and then you’re able to get to the root of the problem.
You cure the cause and not the symptom. This has actually tackled everything from the bottom up.”
↓ 87% reduction in distraction and Distress Caused by Symptoms
Participants report far fewer moments where their eating disorder gets in the way of everyday life. This includes working, studying, or simply holding a conversation. The emotional turmoil and mental preoccupation that once disrupted their focus and caused distress throughout the day has eased significantly.
↓ 47% reduction in Body checking
A meaningful sign of progress in body image distress. While this collective reduction is substantial, this is often one of the most persistent and resistant behaviours to shift in eating disorder recovery. The fact that our participants are letting go of this shows the continued release of compulsive behaviours tied to appearance anxiety, making room for more self acceptance.
↓ 79% reduction in preoccupation with Food, Weight, or Shape
Participants have experienced a powerful release from the constant inner noise of their eating disorder. Thoughts about calories, control, and body image no longer dominate their thoughts or steer their decisions. This cognitive freedom creates space for joy, creativity, and presence—allowing them to re-engage with their goals, passions, and the people they care about.
↓ 80% reduction in restrictive eating
Participants have learned to listen to their bodies without fear, release rigid food rules and allow themselves to eat consistently, adequately, and with greater self-compassion. This shift reflects growing trust in internal cues, a loosening of control-driven behaviours, and a move toward intuitive, life-affirming nourishment. Participants no longer meet DSM-5 criteria for restrictive behaviours.
↓ 100% reduction in eating in Secret
Eating in secret is one of the most shame-driven eating disorder behaviours. Its complete disappearance signals a major release of secrecy, fear, and self-judgment. Participants are now able to approach food with greater openness, self-compassion, and emotional safety. Significantly, participants no longer met DSM-5 criteria for binge eating disorder (BED) six months in.
↓ 57% reduction in compensatory Behaviours (e.g. purging, over-exercising)
This is a major milestone, showing participants are turning away from physically harmful behaviours and beginning to trust their bodies rather than punishing them. Participants also no longer met DSM-5 criteria for bulimia by the six-month mark.
“I’ve gained a completely different perspective on my eating disorder. It doesn’t feel like everything revolves around it anymore. It’s strongly linked to so many other issues, and by working on those, I’m directly addressing the ED itself.
There are definitely some difficult days, but it doesn’t take over my life anymore, and that’s such a massive win.”
well-being & quality of life—Building Inner Stability
To assess emotional wellbeing and overall life satisfaction, we use two clinically validated scales: the DASS-21 (Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scale) and the Q-LES-Q-SF (Quality of Life Enjoyment and Satisfaction Questionnaire).
Unlike many models that focus solely on symptom reduction, our approach prioritises real-life outcomes: joy, stability, self-expression, and purpose. These are not distant goals—they're integral to recovery from the very beginning.
From the start of the program, participants have shown consistent and meaningful improvements in both wellbeing and quality of life, even while navigating the emotional demands of healing.
⤷ detailed insights
Collective Progress +23%
Top Individual Improvement +54%
This upward trajectory shows deepening emotional resilience. Participants are able to sit with discomfort, regulate their emotions, and act with greater awareness rather than falling back into old coping strategies.
“Instead of avoiding my emotions, I’m dealing with them in healthier ways. I’m so much more mindful of what I need…
I’ve been ‘tapping’ and meditating my way through and not restricting. So thank you, I would just be doing old patterns if it wasn’t for my time with Ianthe house.”
financial & career health—Recovery Pays Off
The financial toll of eating disorders is often overlooked. We measure this category by tracking participants' monthly spending on ED-related behaviours and the impact on work/study (absenteeism and presenteeism).
Together, these metrics reveal how our program is reducing the economic burden of illness while restoring financial freedom, focus, and functional capacity.
⤷ detailed insights
Collective Progress +22%
Top Individual Improvement +47%
Most participants now report spending just £0–£50 per month on ED-related behaviours, down from up to £500 per month for some. But the impact goes far beyond finances.
Those who were unable work due to the severity of their symptoms when they joined the program were back in full-time roles within six months, with no reported mental health related absences to date. Collective missed days have dropped to zero, down from as many as 14 days per month in some cases.
This speaks to more than just recovery. It reflects a return to purpose, routine, and professional fulfilment.
“Now, I’m thinking much more about the bigger picture, what I really want, and what is actually aligned with how I want to continue living my life.
It’s definitely changed my career trajectory in terms of where I think I can be and what I want to do. It’s also just given me way more confidence in my abilities. I feel so much stronger and more robust.”
personal growth—a Predictor of Lasting Change
This metric represents our core Recovery Pillars, a composite of social support seeking, active tackling, and autonomy—all crucial predictors of sustained recovery. Together, these reflect our participant’s ability to show up for themselves, take empowered action, and build a life aligned with their values, not their eating disorder.
“I am now able to be a lot kinder to myself, and give myself the space to heal without feeling like a burden.
It’s so powerful to realise I’m not alone with my situation and thought processes, and that’s been so comforting after years of feeling like it was just me.”
⤷ detailed insights
Collective Progress +39%
Top Individual Improvement +62%
The group’s progress in this area shows that our women are not just reducing ED symptoms. They are reclaiming their identity and becoming more confident, intentional, and self-directed in how they live.
“I really hated myself before. My self-loathing was so strong and I’ve come through so many barriers with that where I now just have a lot of love for myself.”
Social support seeking—Breakthroughs in Vulnerability
This category measures how often participants reach out to others when they’re struggling, another key behavioural predictor of long-term recovery. Eating disorders thrive in secrecy, and the ability to seek support reflects reduced shame, increased self-worth, and growing emotional safety.
We’ve seen a strong overall increase here, confirming that consistent relational support is not just helpful, it’s essential for emotional safety and recovery momentum.
⤷ detailed insights
Collective Progress +47%
Top Individual Improvement +100%
These are not just statistics. They represent someone reaching out, opening up, and refusing to suffer alone. This speaks to the success of our Recovery Circles: a structured, compassionate environment where support-seeking becomes not just safe, but second nature.
“I can say honestly and whole heartedly that this is the first time I’ve seen real results from anything I’ve done.
Ianthe House has helped me to overcome many of my challenges, with a robust strategy, meaningful accountability and a support system that has developed into friendships.
It’s such a beautiful, strong and inspiring group, and I feel so safe to say stuff i’ve never said out loud.”
Autonomy & Mastery—reclaiming personal power
This category assesses a participant’s ability to express their thoughts, needs, and boundaries—even when it feels uncomfortable or risky. For many women in eating disorder recovery, these skills have been suppressed for years in favour of people-pleasing, self-abandonment, or self-silencing.
As participants develop greater awareness of, and connection to, their personal experience and needs, they begin to confront a more complex reality: many of their core needs—emotional, relational, physical—have long gone unmet. Changes here represent important shifts in identity and self-worth.
⤷ detailed insights
Collective Progress +55%
Top Individual Improvement +57%
Voicing needs, asserting boundaries, and disrupting deeply ingrained patterns doesn’t happen overnight, but mastery of this domain is essential for sustainable recovery. Research shows that increased autonomy and assertiveness are closely linked to overall life satisfaction, reduced relapse risk, and stronger interpersonal relationships.
This is why a core pillar of our approach is to equip participants with the tools, practice, and support needed to identify their needs and use their voice confidently to get them met in all areas of life.
“Before, I would’ve said yes without thinking. Ignoring my needs and my finances, just people-pleasing to my own detriment. But this time I asked for what I needed. It was a calm, easy conversation and they said yes! That would’ve absolutely terrified me before.”
Active tackling—Choosing Recovery, Even When It’s Hard
This metric reflects how consistently participants engage in behaviours that support their recovery. These include attending therapy, using emotional regulation tools, completing journaling or reflection exercises, and following through on supportive routines.
Active tackling is intentional action in the face of discomfort. It’s one thing to want change; it’s another to show up and do the work. Our program builds this muscle through structure, encouragement, and accountability and the group’s improvements here tell us they’re actively making those choices, day after day.
⤷ detailed insights
Collective Progress +15%
Top Individual Improvement +29%
Participants are developing real-world resilience. They are no longer waiting to “feel ready” to recover; they are actively building recovery into daily life.
looking forward: the next chapter
This data doesn’t just reflect meaningful transformation. It validates our core belief that real, lasting change is possible when women are met with the right support, for long enough, and in a space where they feel truly safe to grow.
We’ve seen participants return to work after long-term leave. We've seen women who once lived in secrecy now share openly, eat freely, and show up for themselves day after day. And we’ve seen what’s possible when recovery is supported consistently, with compassion, structure, and community.
And the journey isn’t over yet. Our participants will continue to deepen their progress in emotional integration, boundary-setting, identity, and self-leadership. These are the ingredients not just of successful recovery, but of a life fully lived.
If you or someone you love is ready to begin, know that change is not only possible, it’s already happening here.
We’re currently welcoming new cohorts. So, if you’d like to explore joining a Recovery Circle, or would like to bring this support to your organisation, you can connect with our team via the options below.
⤷ join a recovery circle today
⤷ find out more
Explore location specific Circles, mixed impulsive and restrictive circles, or dedicated Circles for binge-eating disorder, women in midlife and beyond.
💡 Still have questions? We’re here for you. Whenever you’re ready.
