Los Angeles as a recovery support

Los Angeles can be lonely and just too big when you are anxious and your eating disorder isn't leveling you out. This city has many riches to offer in terms of fun, education, relaxation, culture, sports, and opportunities to meet like-minded people. But imagination shuts down when you are frightened.

If you feel alone and on the verge of desperation because you can't eat enough, binge enough, purge enough or starve enough to feel you can function, your perception of the world gets small and grim. 

The call to make at such times, ideally, is to your therapist. I hope that you are in therapy and making progress on your recovery path. If not, the call to make is to someone who will become your therapist.

Once you are engaged in your therapy and know you are on your healing path, even the worst of times aren't as bad as before. Then, you and your therapist, and later you on your own, can explore what's possible for you in the world. You discover what opportunities exist that will help you grow and live a better life. Treatment doesn't only happen in the therapy office.

Los Angeles offers joyful and healthy opportunities to grow and develop in a healthy way. This city is often my co-therapist with my patients.

Resources:

• UCLA Extension classes
• USC Extension classes
• Getty Museum programs
• Los Angeles County museum programs
• Los Angeles Parks and Recreation programs
• Los Angeles Public Library programs
• and so much more.

Please add your favorites in the comment section.

• What appeals to you?
• What has already helped you?
• Would would it take for you to explore one or more of these resources?

Please share your thoughts in the comment section below.

Written by Joanna Poppink, MFT. Joanna is a psychotherapist in private practice specializing in eating disorder recovery, stress, PTSD, and adult development.

She is licensed in CA, AZ, OR, FL, and UT. Author of the Book: Healing Your Hungry Heart: Recovering from Your Eating Disorder

Appointments are virtual.

For a free telephone consultation, e-mail her at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.