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On Our Mind: Thoughts from Mark & Michelle Dean

Category Archives: Eating Disorders

Art Therapy and Adolescents

by Michelle Dean 15-11-2016 | 6:43PST | Comments (0)

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Adolescence can be a challenging time in a child’s development, but when losses, adjustment issues, or trauma affect the child, it makes it all the more difficult. Teenagers often feel self-conscious, under stress, and shut down. Sometimes teenagers in traditional talk therapies fail to feel engaged. Imagery and art tap into our earliest ways of […]

Cultural Considerations of Eating Disorders through Art Therapy

by Michelle Dean 29-06-2015 | 5:03PDT | Comments (0)

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This is an excerpt from the chapter: Dean, M. L. (2013). Cultural Considerations of Eating Disorders Through Art Therapy. (pp. 277-288). In Howie, Prasad and Kristel (Eds), Using Art Therapies with Diverse Populations: Crossing Cultures and Abilities, London and Philadelphia: Jessica Kingsley Publishers.        While biological, genetic, and psychological factors contribute to the etiology of eating disorders, the influence […]

IAEDP 5th Annual Imagine Me Art Competition: A judge’s perspective

by Michelle Dean 07-02-2015 | 7:07PST | Comments (3)

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I am delighted to be a part of and share my experience about this year’s competition International Association of Eating Disorders Professionals (IAEDP) 5th Annual Imagine Me Beyond What You See Body Image Mannequin Art Competition and Eating Disorders Awareness Campaign. This, I believe, is my fourth year participating in the event as one of three […]

The Symbolic Expression of Eating Disorders

by Michelle Dean 13-10-2014 | 6:29PDT | Comments (0)

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Have you ever noticed how expensive, haughty cuisine is often associated with sex, the divine, and transcendent experience; and conversely cheap, junk food is equated with addiction, excitement, or an out-of-control behavior? For example, in some conversations with friends, clients, and even in online food reviews the following may be heard: “The apple tarty ice cream […]

Group Art Therapy

by Michelle Dean 19-05-2014 | 9:28PDT | Comments (2)

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Group therapy works!  In studies comparing group psychotherapy to individual therapy, group therapy has been shown to be as effective and sometimes even more effective.  In cases of medical illness, there is substantial evidence that this form of therapy helps people cope better with their illness, enhances the quality of their lives and, in some cases, […]