What is the ISR Therapeutic Technique?
ISR breaks down the psychological recovery process from a restrictive eating disorder into three main phases: Identification, Separation and Release. The This is Me journal is the foundation of the ISR technique and provides a visual aid to guide the individual through their rediscovery of self. During the hell that is an eating disorder sufferers often lose sight of their core selves, instead becoming lost in the mire of their disordered thoughts and behaviours. The ISR approach aims to encourage the individual to look beyond their eating disorder and instead focus on their unique self. This is a process that can support anyone at any stage of recovery. Some may find this very difficult at first but here at ISR we passionately believe that no-one is ever truly lost to their eating disorder whilst there is still breath in their bodies.
Recovery from an eating disorder is a lengthy process both physiologically and psychologically. Here at ISR we cannot stress enough how essential complete nutritional rehabilitation is in the recovery process. Food is the medicine and without it, a full recovery simply is not possible.
The approach was designed and created based on our learned experiences throughout Emily's battles with, and recovery from, Anorexia Nervosa:
"I became aware of the process during my own recovery journey as I began to move from disordered me to Me, me. Focussing on the phases that now form the basis of the ISR approach (Identify, Separate and Release) gave me a new understanding of my illness and so empowered me within my recovery. It was very different to any support I had experienced before and, with my own research finding that other people in recovery also identified with the process, I developed the method into a therapeutic technique with the goal to use my experience to help others" Emily Spence.
Each of the three phases of the ISR approach are interflowing and the time taken to progress from one to the next is completely dependent on the individual. Rushing the process is likely to have negative implications on the recovery process so a patient, supportive, open-minded approach is best for both the sufferer and any supporting person joining the individual on their journey of rediscovery. Each of the phases are broken down in detail below:
Recovery from an eating disorder is a lengthy process both physiologically and psychologically. Here at ISR we cannot stress enough how essential complete nutritional rehabilitation is in the recovery process. Food is the medicine and without it, a full recovery simply is not possible.
The approach was designed and created based on our learned experiences throughout Emily's battles with, and recovery from, Anorexia Nervosa:
"I became aware of the process during my own recovery journey as I began to move from disordered me to Me, me. Focussing on the phases that now form the basis of the ISR approach (Identify, Separate and Release) gave me a new understanding of my illness and so empowered me within my recovery. It was very different to any support I had experienced before and, with my own research finding that other people in recovery also identified with the process, I developed the method into a therapeutic technique with the goal to use my experience to help others" Emily Spence.
Each of the three phases of the ISR approach are interflowing and the time taken to progress from one to the next is completely dependent on the individual. Rushing the process is likely to have negative implications on the recovery process so a patient, supportive, open-minded approach is best for both the sufferer and any supporting person joining the individual on their journey of rediscovery. Each of the phases are broken down in detail below:
Identification
In this initial stage the individual is encouraged to focus on identifying their eating disorder thoughts and behaviours and so to see where and how this impacts on them and their world. At this stage, within the 'This is Me' tool, simple personal questions are explored to allow the individual to identify themselves, there are no right or wrong answers, every one’s answers will be different and in this the individual can note the uniqueness of themselves and so begin the journey of re-engaging with their core self, separate from their eating disorder. As the individual moves through this stage the questions within the tool will become more searching and so require slightly deeper exploration of self. By working through this first stage the individual will begin the process of rediscovering their actual self and with time through this they will begin to be able to identify the thoughts and feelings of their eating disorder. By gradually and fully identifying the presence of the eating disorder the individual can then begin to have more power against it: with clarity, comes understanding and with understanding comes power.
In this initial stage the individual is encouraged to focus on identifying their eating disorder thoughts and behaviours and so to see where and how this impacts on them and their world. At this stage, within the 'This is Me' tool, simple personal questions are explored to allow the individual to identify themselves, there are no right or wrong answers, every one’s answers will be different and in this the individual can note the uniqueness of themselves and so begin the journey of re-engaging with their core self, separate from their eating disorder. As the individual moves through this stage the questions within the tool will become more searching and so require slightly deeper exploration of self. By working through this first stage the individual will begin the process of rediscovering their actual self and with time through this they will begin to be able to identify the thoughts and feelings of their eating disorder. By gradually and fully identifying the presence of the eating disorder the individual can then begin to have more power against it: with clarity, comes understanding and with understanding comes power.
Separation
The next stage of the ISR process is separation. By working through this stage the individual will be enabled to recognise themselves as separate from their eating disorder so giving them power within their recovery. At this stage within the 'This is Me' tool the questions become more searching, encouraging the individual to explore and develop their sense of self and with this begin to experience their eating disorder as a separate part or separate entity within them. In the ISR process the foundation stone of recovery is the individual fully accepting the difference between themselves and their eating disorder.
The next stage of the ISR process is separation. By working through this stage the individual will be enabled to recognise themselves as separate from their eating disorder so giving them power within their recovery. At this stage within the 'This is Me' tool the questions become more searching, encouraging the individual to explore and develop their sense of self and with this begin to experience their eating disorder as a separate part or separate entity within them. In the ISR process the foundation stone of recovery is the individual fully accepting the difference between themselves and their eating disorder.
Release
The final stage of the ISR process is that of release. Once the individual has recognised themselves as a totally separate from their eating disorder their sense of release will gradually begin to develop. The questions at this point within the 'This is Me' tool will begin to focus more on where the person sees themselves in the world and what they hope for from the life that is ahead of them. As they work through this stage of the process they will begin to take steps away from their eating disorder, leaving it behind and slowly moving on into their lives with interest and excitement at the prospects of what is to come. Day by day the person will get stronger and the presence of their eating disorder within their mind and life will slowly begin to fade. With this the individual's ability to look after themselves will develop, their sense of self will continue to deepen and their outlook on life will change as they recognise the eating disorder as the enemy that, in reality, it always has been. The individuals focus will instead be on protecting themselves and their recovery, so allowing them to live the full and complete life that they deserve.
The final stage of the ISR process is that of release. Once the individual has recognised themselves as a totally separate from their eating disorder their sense of release will gradually begin to develop. The questions at this point within the 'This is Me' tool will begin to focus more on where the person sees themselves in the world and what they hope for from the life that is ahead of them. As they work through this stage of the process they will begin to take steps away from their eating disorder, leaving it behind and slowly moving on into their lives with interest and excitement at the prospects of what is to come. Day by day the person will get stronger and the presence of their eating disorder within their mind and life will slowly begin to fade. With this the individual's ability to look after themselves will develop, their sense of self will continue to deepen and their outlook on life will change as they recognise the eating disorder as the enemy that, in reality, it always has been. The individuals focus will instead be on protecting themselves and their recovery, so allowing them to live the full and complete life that they deserve.
For links to a selection of resources that we have found both helpful and informative please press the button below:
If you would like to find out more about the ISR approach and how it can be used to support the recovery from restrictive eating disorders then contact us today. We look forward to hearing from you!