Stories of Healing: Kelsey

"Without a doubt, I am standing on the other side of recovery due to my time with Rock and the amazing women that composed our group. I am so thankful I had the ability to attend and receive care!"

– Kelsey, Program Graduate

In Fall of 2018, Kelsey suffered a painful relapse with anorexia. Her family and friends noticed the signs and quickly swooped in to offer treatment resources. Part of Kelsey’s healing plan involved attending Rock Recovery’s Bridge to Life program. Although Kelsey feared the group setting, what she found was a strong community of women to hold onto her through her pain. Read Kelsey’s full story of healing below.

I suffered a relapse with anorexia that lasted about eight months. Thankfully, my husband and dear friends swooped in to help dig me out and part of our plan involved attending one of the support groups Rock Recovery offers. Admittedly, I had trepidation that the group setting would be helpful, but rather it would be triggering. 

That fear was unfounded. 

The group was full of women who were supportive and encouraging and yet respectfully challenging in discussion with me and one other. The meal each meeting delivered opportunities to slay my own irrational fears and food rules as well as encourage others as they did the same. The simple act of eating with others, particularly if the meal was a challenging one, was incalculably invaluable in my recovery. Fears and rules were shredded to pieces with every mouthful. 

Our group discussions provided crucial insight to propel my recovery both directly- through specific conversations during my time to share- and indirectly via teaching me how to listen more closely as each woman spoke and ask thoughtful questions, of them and myself. Our therapist did a phenomenal job of pointedly challenging us and our old thought patterns yet she was kind and empathetic as we wrestled with them. She also created a culture where each member felt heard, cared for, and respected. 

Without a doubt, I am standing on the other side of recovery due to my time with Rock and the amazing women that composed our group. I am so thankful I had the ability and opportunity to attend and receive care!