Eating disorders are both emotional and physical suffering. The healing process is experienced as being able to work through the various emotions that led to the disorder. The essence of the treatment is to investigate how life experiences in the past and present led to the eating disorder.

Usually, the one who is suffering from an eating disorder:

     -   Has no sense of control over one's life,

     -   Has low self-esteem,

     -   And has a feeling of despair.

As a result of that, the food becomes an emotional outlet. In the experience of eating, one has a temporary sense of control and comfort.

In the eating disorder treatment model, one has the opportunity to master those powerful emotions and be able to enjoy food without the need to attach meaning to the food beyond its function for the body.