To My Client Watching 'To The Bone'

By: Audrey Grunst, LCSW

You’re supposed to be scared straight. But you’re not. Because fear doesn’t work like that, fear doesn’t drive you to change, it drives you to protect

Dear Client,

I know you may or may not even tell me you're watching it. Most likely because you’re conflicted. Part of you hates what you see because it triggers uncomfortable feelings. Part of you feels envious and scared. Scared for yourself and scared for others who are watching this. You are triggered because it makes you look at your life and compare yourself both physically and psychologically. You probably find her attractive, controlled and accomplished.

You’re supposed to be scared straight. But you’re not.

Because fear doesn’t work like that, fear doesn’t drive you to change, it drives you to protect. It’ll drive you to protect your eating disorder because in the eating disorder’s sick and twisted way, it’ll use Ellen's life to its' advantage and perpetuate the f...