SEARCH (Supported Experiences and Real-world Challenges)

Clients in this stage are supported to experience areas where their fears prevent them from gaining experience in their life outside treatment. All experiential sessions involve one on one support over 4 hours, with an experienced carer/counsellor. Clients and their families collaborate closely with their treatment team to determine which thoughts and behaviours they most need to challenge. Clients also have weekly counselling and participate in a number of structured groups appropriate to their stage of illness and readiness to recover.

Program Goals:

• To become more aware of thoughts and feelings and how these shape behaviour
• To participate in tailored challenges in the real world; to gather evidence that fears and phobias can be faced
• To develop trusting relationships with people who can help to reframe the SPiN of the eating disorder
• To increase tolerance of emotional and psychological distress
• To identify and begin living according to personal values and principles