EDCare Kansas City

02/08/2026

When messages about dieting and “perfect health” get mixed with body standards and social pressure, it can hurt how teens feel about food and themselves. What starts as trying to eat “better” can turn into anxiety, restrictive habits, or disordered eating. Learning to listen to your body, question one-size-fits-all health trends, and focus on well-being rather than appearance helps protect mental and physical health. Support and real information make a difference.

The morning her family made pancakes without her was one that Elina Mahanta* vividly remembered. She couldn’t eat a single bite. Not because of a lack of hunger, but because she didn’t know every single ingredient to divide up into calories. The smell of butter and sugar should have felt comfort...

02/07/2026

Disordered eating is not just an individual struggle. Research shows it is a broader social issue shaped by the environments we create. When athletes, coaches, and parents are educated and supported, stigma decreases and reaching out for help becomes more accepted. Creating a culture where mental health is openly discussed helps everyone feel safer asking for support.

In a significant development within the realm of adolescent health, the study led by Franzoni et al. has amplified our understanding of the complex interplay between psychosocial factors and

02/06/2026

Bryn Miller, LPC, CEDS-C, Advisor of Family Services at EDCare, answers another frequently asked question about Emotion Focused Family Therapy. This post explores what makes EFFT unique compared with other family or systems approaches.

Question: How is EFFT different from other family based or systems approaches?
Answer: What makes EFFT so special is its commitment to using emotion as the engine for change—for everyone involved! Unlike some other family models that focus mainly on behavioral rules or interaction patterns, EFFT digs deeper. It uniquely supports the caregivers in processing their own difficult feelings first, recognizing that a clear emotional system in the caregiver makes all the difference in helping the loved one heal. It is also about supporting the support people so they can better show up for their loved ones, so, while it is therapy for the family, it isn’t usually “family therapy” in that traditional sense.

Learn why EFFT is different and how it can support you at https://eatingdisorder.care/

02/05/2026

EDCare is honored to be both exhibiting and presenting at the 2026 iaedp Foundation Annual Symposium, taking place February 19–21 in Baltimore, MA. The symposium’s theme, Evidence, Empathy, and Evolution, highlights the thoughtful integration of research, clinical skill, and human connection that guides our work.

Join us for our breakout session:
The Art and Science of Validation: The Use of Emotion Coaching for Eating Disorders

Speaker: Bryn Miller, LPC, CEDS-C, Advisor of Family Services, EDCare
When: Saturday, February 21 | 8–9 AM ET

We also invite attendees to visit us at Booth 6 to learn more about our programs, resources, and approach to care.

02/02/2026

We’re excited to partner with The Eating Disorder Foundation for "Step Into My Office: Fostering Mental Health Support for Athletes" during Athlete Mental Health Week. This free online event will help coaches, families, clinicians, and teammates recognize and respond to eating disorders and mental health concerns in athletes. Join us this Thursday, Feb 5 at 5 PM MT. Register here: https://ow.ly/AMJa50XU014

02/01/2026

Feeling overwhelmed by the world right now is more common than you might think. Seeing constant suffering and uncertainty can keep your nervous system on alert and leave you feeling worn down or guilty for trying to rest. That response is real and human. You are allowed to take breaks, set limits on news, and care for yourself without feeling like you are ignoring the world’s problems. Rest and joy help keep your compassion alive.

Living your life can feel wrong when suffering is so visible. Name that tension and find ways to stay grounded without shutting down.

01/31/2026

Eating disorders can be hard to see at first because they often start in someone’s thoughts and feelings about food, body image, and control, not just in how they eat or look. If you notice someone becoming unusually preoccupied with food or exercise, withdrawing socially, or struggling emotionally, trusting your concern and reaching out with care matters. Talking early and finding support helps people get the help they need sooner.

Occupational therapist Marlene van den Berg says eating disorders are complicated because many people very often think it’s just about weight.

01/30/2026

This Q and A series with Bryn Miller, LPC, CEDS-C, Advisor of Family Services at EDCare, highlights how Emotion Focused Family Therapy supports caregivers in the recovery process. In this post, Bryn shares the key skills support people gain through EFFT.

Question: What skills do support people learn?
Answer: Support people essentially learn the "language of connection." This involves mastering skills like deep emotional validation, which is about really seeing and accepting feelings without needing to fix them. They learn how to offer a calm, non-anxious presence so their loved one feels safe enough to share their deepest vulnerability, shifting away from needing the eating disorder behaviors for comfort. I like to say these skills help caregivers get calm, confident and connected, both to their loved one and the person they want to be.

Discover how EFFT helps support people grow their skills at https://eatingdisorder.care/

01/29/2026

Choosing recovery can feel uncertain, especially when change brings fear or doubt. But healing opens space for connection, presence, and a fuller life beyond the eating disorder. Recovery is not about perfection, it is about reclaiming time, energy, and the ability to engage meaningfully with yourself and others.

If you are considering taking that step, you do not have to do it alone. Explore treatment options and support services at https://eatingdisorder.care/

01/28/2026

In our ongoing Let’s Talk series, Bryn Miller, LPC, CEDS-C, Advisor of Family Services, discusses Emotion Focused Family Therapy and answers your many questions about how it supports eating disorder recovery. In this post, Bryn explores what EFFT is and why it can be an effective approach for individuals and their support systems.

Learn more about EFFT and family support services at https://eatingdisorder.care/

01/26/2026

Last chance to register!

Athlete Wellness Consultants , Lane 9 Project, and and Athlete EDGE at EDCare are coming together for a powerful virtual conversation on supporting female athletes. Topics include REDs, eating disorders, mental health, levels of care, and more. Join us tomorrow for this FREE webinar!

Register here: https://ow.ly/9wM250XQlOg

01/25/2026

Megan Crabbe who once struggled deeply with an eating disorder found healing by rejecting diet culture and embracing self-compassion and body acceptance. Her journey reminds us that recovery is about reconnecting with ourselves, not chasing external ideals. If you or someone you care about is wrestling with body image, know that support and healing are possible. https://ow.ly/yOsX50Y1UAy