Stories of Healing: Laura

Like so many, Laura's eating disorder began with a diet and a desire to be "healthy." What started as a few rules around food quickly spiraled out of her control. After a heartfelt talk with her parents, she realized she had an eating disorder. Through Rock Recovery's individual therapy and faith support programming, Laura embarked on her journey to freedom, and now lives a much happier, healthier lifestyle.

Laura, Rock program graduate

I don’t quite know when I developed an eating disorder. I was small for my age for a long time, so “tiny” was often a title I was given – and I accepted willingly. However, in high school, I remember my body starting to change shape and size. I started gaining weight, and that worried me. I compared myself to my sisters, my friends, people I saw, and even characters in books, and I increasingly felt like I was failing.

I didn’t think I was pretty. I didn’t seem to be desirable. I became less comfortable in social situations, and I liked photos of myself less and less. By the end of high school, while I didn’t feel like I could really control my food, I knew I didn’t like my body as it was. I wanted to fix that.

About my second year of college, I decided to try “fixing” that. I worked hard to do certain exercises every day and avoid eating anything I deemed “bad” for my body, and I became increasingly anxious to keep up with those rules I created for myself. I wanted to please my parents, my professors, my boss, and everyone around me.

When I went home for fall break, I was tired. I had lost a significant amount of weight in a relatively short period of time. That Christmas break, my parents sat me down and shared their concerns. They said I had an eating disorder, which I hadn’t really realized before – I thought I was just being healthy. I actually felt better about my body than I had in years, especially after realizing I had lost weight, so I didn’t see it as a problem. I didn’t even connect the facts that I was constantly exhausted, that I was experiencing some specific health problems, or that I constantly felt tired and on edge over the food and exercise decisions. Honestly, if I had, I’m not sure that I would have stopped restricting foods anyway; I was willing to pay a high price to get closer to my conception of beauty. But when Mom and Dad talked about not letting me go back to college in the spring like this, I knew I needed to get help. My mom finally found an option online and sent it my way: Rock Recovery.

That first day I joined [Set Free faith support group], I was terrified as to what in the world this might be like, and what any other women in the group would think of me. But it didn’t take long for the group to become an encouragement to me. From the thoughtful rules, to the warm welcome and introductions from both leaders and other group members in various seasons of life, to the practical and uplifting teaching from Scripture, to the sharing of trials and victories from the week at the end of the meeting; I was brought in, welcomed as I was, and given a space to really wrestle with a hard issue in a brave way. 

I also eventually reached out for individual therapy with one of the leaders of the Set Free group, with whom I met for the next two years. During this time, Rock’s sliding scale rates were particularly helpful, as I couldn’t afford most regular therapists, but I knew I continued to need help.

Those years of being in Set Free and individual therapy through Rock were years of many ups and downs for me. Through it all, Rock continued to be a safe place of welcome and faith-based guidance as I struggled. My counselor from Rock became a gracious and necessary presence in my life, and I started to hope that I could call myself recovered at some point.

Rock Recovery, through individual therapy, Set Free, and their general resources, has been such a help and a blessing along the road to healing. Rock has brought me support and hope that I wouldn’t have found possible when I first encountered my eating disorder struggles. I am so thankful for what they offer, and so thankful for all those who donate to Rock to make this possible for me and so many others! I know Rock Recovery has changed my life, and I hope it can continue to offer that opportunity to others for years to come. 

If you relate to Laura’s story and are looking to begin experiencing the same healing and freedom, we invite you to schedule a free consultation to learn more about our eating disorder therapy services today. You can click here to learn more.