Anorexia Nervosa Disorder Treatment In Atlanta

Post Watch Recovery

Post Watch Recovery: Peace in Mind

Post Watch Recovery

COMING SOON!

Manna Treatment would like to introduce our Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP) for retired or active Military and First Responders (Police, Firefighters, EMT's, Paramedics, Nurses, Dispatchers) recovering from trauma and PTSD.

Whether you are newly struggling or have carried the weight of trauma for years, Post Watch Recovery: Peace in Mind offers a compassionate path forward. Let us walk beside you as you reclaim your calm, your strength, and your life.

Program Highlights:

3 Days/Week, 3 Hours/Day
Includes Group Therapy, Individual/Family Therapy
Led by Licensed Trauma Therapists
Small, Supportive Group Setting
Confidential and Respectful Environment
All Insurances Accepted; Scholarships Available for Copays
In person and/or Virtual Attendance

LEARN MORE

TALK TO OUR AI ASSISTANT

You’ve served. You’ve protected.

Now it’s time to heal.

If you have any questions, please call our office at (770) 495-9775.

The Importance of Staying Hydrated

May 28, 2025 By Dominique Munday

The Importance of Staying Hydrated

With summer just around the corner, it's more important than ever that we are hydrating our body with the right amount of fluid to keep us cool in the heat. But why exactly is staying hydrated important? How much water should I really be drinking? Can I only drink water to meet my fluid needs? Today we’ll be answering these questions and setting the record straight about hydration misconceptions!

Why Is Water So Important?

Water has a variety of essential functions in our body. Some of which include:

1) Regulation of Body Temperature - Water helps regulate body temperature through sweating and absorbing excess heat.

2) Nutrient and Oxygen Transport - Water helps carry the nutrients we eat and the oxygen we breathe to the necessary cells in our body.

3) Waste Removal - Water helps eliminate waste products through urination, sweating, and bowel movements.

4) Joint Lubrication - Water lubricates and cushions joints, protecting them from damage.

5) Maintaining Blood Pressure – Drinking enough water ensures your blood volume, or amount of blood, is enough, which helps regulate your blood pressure.

6) Digestion - Water is essential for digestion, helping to move food through the digestive system and prevent constipation.

7) Cognitive Function – Proper hydration supports brain function and cognitive ability.

8) Skin Health - Water contributes to healthy skin by keeping it moist and lubricated.

What Is the Right Amount of Water to Drink?

I’m sure we’ve all heard the classic advice of drinking 8 glasses of water/day, and while this is a great place to start, it's important to note that there is no one-size-fits-all approach to hydration. Several factors, such as your activity level, the climate of where you live, your individual health conditions, and whether or not you are pregnant or breastfeeding, impact your daily water needs.

Diet and wellness culture like to promote the idea that you can never drink enough water. However, this is not the case! Your kidneys are only able to process 4 cups of water per hour, so anything over this can place you are risk of water toxicity – a life-threatening condition.

Unfortunately, the symptoms of dehydration and overhydration are eerily similar, including headache, fatigue, and dizziness. While you may experience these symptoms and assume you are dehydrated, consider if you may actually be overhydrated before reaching for your water bottle. A good rule of thumb to determine if you are adequately hydrated is peeking in the toilet. If you are well hydrated, your pee will appear light yellow. Dark yellow pee typically means you are dehydrated, while clear pee can mean you are overhydrated.

What Contributes to My Fluid Intake Besides Water?

While drinking water is the best source of hydration, there are other ways to hydrate if water isn’t your jam. Teas, and specifically herbal teas, are great for hydrating and can make meeting your fluid needs more exciting! Most fruits and vegetables have a super high water content and can be a great tool to help you reach your fluid needs. Lastly, try adding fruits, such as lemons or raspberries, or flavors to your water to help boost its flavor. If you find yourself sweating frequently, consider adding an electrolyte packet to your drink!

Working With a Dietitian

Hopefully this blog post helped clear up any questions you had about hydration. If you are worried about the amount of water that you are drinking, and want to work on becoming more hydrated, consider working with a Dietitian who can help you create a plan based on your individual needs!

-Isa Porrazzo, Registered Dietitian

Confirmation Bias

April 3, 2025 By Dominique Munday

Confirmation Bias: “What is That?”

Going into April celebrating April Fools Day is like experiencing biased confirmation. People look to influence our thinking to match what they are saying to us, just to yell ”APRIL FOOLS”!

Confirmation bias means we seek out information that supports/validates our preconceptions based on our current beliefs and reject any information that challenges those beliefs.

There are 3 types of Confirmation Biases:

Biased search for information – We research information that supports our views, beliefs. (I love Google).

Biased Interpretations – We evaluate the data that supports our views differently than the data that challenges our views. (We lie to ourselves).

Biased Memories – We tend to be selective in how we remember experiences that are going to support our narratives. (Keeps stereotyping alive and thriving).

Our biases are influenced by:

Social Media Posts, Religious Practice, Family Patterns, Environment in which we live.

Explore and Learn the implications of how you are impacted!

“Confirmation bias is like a horse running a race with blinders on and slowing down just before the finish line assured that he is winning, just to come in second place.” JB

What are your confirmation biased blind spots?

-Jania Bailey-Boyd, MS

Treatment for Eating Disorders, Trauma, & Mental Health Issues in Atlanta Georgia

Our Mission

Manna Scholarship Fund is a 501c(3) non-profit organization dedicated to providing hope and financial assistance to individuals who need scholarships to obtain the mental health treatment you need. We specialize in resolving the underlying trauma that often emerges in eating disorders, PTSD, Adolescent Mental Health, and other individual and family-based needs.

Book an Appointment

What we offer

Manna Treatment, a program under the Manna Scholarship Fund umbrella, is an Atlanta-based treatment program that provides services at the Partial Hospitalization, Intensive Outpatient, and Outpatient levels of care. Although we specialize in addressing the underlying Pain & Trauma Issues that underly Eating Disorders, Self-Injury, and other unhealthy coping behaviors, we also provide treatment for most other issues:

Trauma/PTSD
Adolescent Mental Health
Nutrition Counseling
Anxiety
Depression
Family of Origin Issues
Mood Disorders
Psychiatric Evaluations
Medication Management

Learn More

Our Comprehensive Services

Outpatient Program (OP)

Manna Treatment provides outpatient treatment for most issues. We provide counseling for the following ages: children 6 and up, adolescents, and adults. We have outpatient therapists that provide counseling from a myriad of perspectives. We provide individual, family, and group therapy.

More Details

Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP)

When someone is in need of a more intensive, structured outpatient treatment setting, they may find benefit from engaging in an Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP). This treatment option allows individuals to receive weekly group therapy (9-12 hours per week; 3-4 days, 3 hours per day), individual therapy (1x week), dietary therapy for the eating disorder programs (1x week), and psychiatric therapy (1-2 x month).

Our IOP programs:

Adolescent Mental Health
Eating Disorders
Trauma Recovery for Women (18+)
Family Wellness
PTSD Recovery for Veterans & First Responders (coming 2025)

More Details

Partial Hospitalization Program (PHP)

Our multidisciplinary team uses evidence-based interventions to treat the following eating disorders: anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, binge eating disorder, and other disordered eating patterns. As treatment encourages you to become free from your eating patterns, we invite you to step into who you were meant to become. Our PHP is a prevention from going into a residential program or a step-down from one. We provide PHP Monday-Friday, 6 hours per day. It can be our Eating Disorder Program or a hybrid Eating Disorder/Trauma Recovery for Women.

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Manna's Spiritual Foundation

Manna's staff embraces Christianity as our core team foundation. Like Jesus, we encourage individuals who have differing faiths to participate in our programs. We do not force our Christian beliefs on anyone nor do we require clients to hold the same beliefs. We believe that our faith creates a peaceful environment, thus giving you a different treatment process. Our primary goal with everyone is to help you heal from pain.

We are all about love, acceptance, and safety in recovery.

Get Started

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J.S

I completed the program last week. I just want to thank you from the bottom of my heart for starting Manna. Manna has changed my life. I was so far from even wanting a relationship with God again because of things that happened to me and now I realize how important my faith is in my healing journey. Thank you also for the great staff you have. They have all played a huge part in my recovery, and I’m thankful that I can continue seeing Dr. Lou and Kelsey."

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L.W

"It’s been a blessing finding Manna, not only that but the programs that they provide are incredible. I was in the Trauma Program, and I cannot tell you enough how much growth I’ve had. Every group in each program will teach you something. It’s an emotional journey and each and every therapist is so supportive and caring. You’ll truly feel that the light to your tunnel is getting closer. One very important thing that you have to know is that what YOU give is what YOU will receive. Healing may feel hard, but you can do had things!"

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D.D

"As the parent of a child with an eating disorder, one of the most notable elements of our Manna experience was the implementation of the Parent and Family IOP program…an intensive outpatient program specifically geared towards helping the parents and family members of Manna clients cope with their child’s eating disorder and guide them on how to best support them through their eating disorder and towards recovery.

Join us in making a difference today |

We invite you today to participate and support Manna Scholarship Fund as we continue to provide therapeutic services and scholarship funds for those in need. Through your kindness today, we can make an impact in our community.

Nourish hope, mend the heart, Your donation plays a part. In the battle, strong and tough, Every gift, a leap enough.

Become a partner |

Manna Fund strives to place our recipients in qualified treatment programs, and will continue to work with many of the programs listed as a part of the REDC. They have created standards for residential care, and Manna Fund also has a "credentialing process" by which we incorporate new treatment facilities into our network.

We are also incorporating a yearly re-credentialing process for each treatment center in order to ensure up-to-date information.

Donate Here

Find Us:

Manna Fund, Inc -
3305 Breckinridge Blvd #116,
Duluth, GA 30096

If you have questions, please feel free to contact us at our office number: (770) 495-9775

Our admin team will be able to answer your questions as soon as possible. It is also necessary to call and cancel appointments per the usual 48-hour cancellation policy. Again, because we are attempting to prevent issues by moving to virtual therapy sessions, we anticipate that you will be more inclined to keep your scheduled appointment.

Feel free to also: EMAIL US

Explore our blog!

The Importance of Staying Hydrated

By Dominique Munday | May 28, 2025

Confirmation Bias

By Dominique Munday | April 3, 2025

I AM Who I AM

By Dominique Munday | March 11, 2025

Setting Realistic Goals for Your Mental Health in the New Year

By Dominique Munday | January 27, 2025

The Intersection of Mental Health and Social Justice – What Are The Impacts?

By Dominique Munday | November 26, 2024

Mental Hygiene: Nourishing Your Mind As You Nourish Your Body

By Dominique Munday | October 28, 2024

Nutrition: Back to Basics

By Dominique Munday | September 26, 2024

Busting Diet Culture Myths

By Dominique Munday | August 28, 2024

Endurance in The Face of Suffering

By Dominique Munday | July 25, 2024

Managing Stress and Food

By Dominique Munday | June 28, 2024

Navigating Adolescence: A Guide to Mental Health

By Dominique Munday | May 28, 2024

Unleashing Healing: The Therapeutic Power of Dogs in Counseling

By Dominique Munday | May 1, 2024

Body Image and Self-Worth

By Dominique Munday | March 22, 2024

What Does God Have to Do With Recovery?

By Dominique Munday | February 28, 2024

My Extraordinary Journey as an Intern in the World of Clinical Therapy

By Dominique Munday | February 19, 2024

Embracing Mental Wellness

By Dominique Munday | January 24, 2024

Coping When We Struggle With The Holidays

By Dominique Munday | December 27, 2023

Understanding Athletes Eating Habits and Mental Health

By Dominique Munday | November 30, 2023

Understanding Trauma

By Dominique Munday | October 26, 2023

Understanding Mental Health

By Dominique Munday | October 2, 2023

I AM Who I AM

March 11, 2025 By Dominique Munday

I AM Who I AM

“I AM OLGA!”

The bouncing blonde woman, dressed in a 150-year-old Ukrainian outfit, beamed as she introduced herself in her Ukrainian accent.

“Yes, you are!” I replied, smiling back.

She was adorable—radiating joy, eager to share her story of how she was supporting her family back home. Olga was a beautiful example of someone embracing her true essence, allowing it to shine through her words and presence.

What would it be like to fully embody and radiate our internal essence? To be so joyful about who we are that we literally light up a room?

What if our “I am” was filled with excitement, exuberance, and a deep, life-giving joy?

How would that change how we feel inside? What would we be doing?

Hopefully, at some point in your life, you’ve experienced that feeling. Maybe in the past, maybe even today. If the parents, leaders, coaches, and mentors of the world are doing their jobs, they encourage us to learn, grow, and embrace both our successes and our flaws.

I believe one of the most intimate things God ever said was, “I AM who I AM.” (Exodus 3:14)

When I researched the Hebrew meaning of this phrase, I found that it expresses God’s eternal existence—He is who He says He is. He exists. He be. Yesterday, today, and tomorrow. A continuous state of being.

If that’s true, then one of the most powerful and intimate statements we can utter begins with “I am.”

How we finish that phrase shapes who we are. It influences how we feel, how we live, and ultimately, who we become.

We use “I am” in two key ways:

1. In relation to others – “I am… your teacher. A mother. His friend.” These statements define our roles in the lives of those around us. They carry meaning, power, and nuance depending on how we interpret ourselves in those relationships.

2. In relation to ourselves – “I am… sad. Thoughtful. Safe. Loved.” These statements reveal our internal world. Whether spoken aloud or expressed

through tone, facial expressions, or behavior, they communicate how we perceive ourselves in that moment.

Every time we complete the phrase “I am,” we shape our reality. Each thought influences the next, setting the course for our lives.

So, be mindful of what you say—especially to yourself. Your brain doesn’t always distinguish between words spoken by others and the thoughts you generate internally.

Remember, God created the heavens and the earth with just His words. He spoke, and it came to be.

What if the same creative power exists within us?

He also created you—uniquely, wonderfully, intentionally. So live like the masterpiece you are. Speak blessings over yourself. Be the only you that exists—imperfect, undeniable, amazing.

You.

-Dr. Genie Burnett, Psy.D, CEDS-S; CEO and Clinical Director

Setting Realistic Goals for Your Mental Health in the New Year

January 27, 2025 By Dominique Munday

Setting Realistic Goals for Your Mental Health in the New Year

The new year is a time filled with promise, reflection, and the opportunity to start fresh. Many of us set resolutions in January, but often, those resolutions focus solely on physical health, professional success, or achieving ambitious milestones. While those are important, prioritizing your mental health is equally vital. Setting realistic goals for your mental well-being can help you navigate life with greater resilience, balance, and joy. Here are some encouraging tips to get you started:

1. Start Small and Be Specific

One of the main reasons resolutions fall short is that they’re too broad or unrealistic. Instead of saying, “I want to be less stressed this year,” set a specific and manageable goal, like “I will dedicate 10 minutes each day to mindful breathing or meditation.” Small, actionable steps are easier to maintain and lead to lasting habits over time.

2. Focus on Progress, Not Perfection

Perfectionism can be a roadblock to mental wellness. This year, let go of the idea that you need to be flawless. Instead, celebrate progress—even the small victories. If you’re working on being more mindful but miss a day, that’s okay. Each new day is another opportunity to try again.

3. Incorporate Rest into Your Goals

We often undervalue rest, even though it’s essential for mental health. Make a conscious effort to incorporate rest into your daily or weekly routine. This might mean committing to going to bed earlier, taking regular screen breaks, or setting boundaries around your time to prevent burnout. Remember, rest is productive, too.

4. Practice Gratitude Daily

Cultivating gratitude is a powerful way to improve mental well-being. Commit to writing down three things you’re grateful for each day, whether it’s a warm cup of coffee, a kind word from a friend, or a small personal victory. Focusing on gratitude can shift your mindset and help you find joy even in challenging times.

5. Seek Support When Needed

One of the most courageous mental health goals you can set is to ask for help when you need it. Whether it’s reaching out to a friend, joining a support group, or seeking professional therapy, know that it’s okay to lean on others. You’re not alone, and support can make a world of difference.

6. Limit Comparisons

In today’s digital age, it’s easy to compare ourselves to others. This year, make it a goal to focus on your own journey and growth. Remind yourself that everyone’s path is unique, and what works for someone else might not work for you—and that’s okay.

7. Celebrate Milestones Along the Way

Achieving mental health goals doesn’t always happen overnight. Take time to acknowledge your efforts and celebrate milestones, no matter how small they might seem. Each step forward is a testament to your dedication and growth.

8. Stay Flexible and Adapt

Life is unpredictable, and your goals may need to shift as circumstances change. Be gentle with yourself and allow for flexibility. Adjusting your goals isn’t a failure; it’s a sign of resilience and self-awareness.

9. Be Kind to Yourself

Above all, practice self-compassion. Speak to yourself the way you would to a dear friend. If you have an off day or week, remind yourself that it’s part of being human. Your mental health journey is not linear, and that’s perfectly normal.

10. It's Ok to Say No

For many of us, saying "no" can feel uncomfortable or even selfish. However, learning to set boundaries is an essential part of protecting your mental health. This year, practice saying no to commitments or requests that drain your energy or don’t align with your priorities. Start small—decline a minor obligation and observe how it feels. Remember, every time you say no to something that doesn’t serve you, you’re saying yes to yourself and your well-being.

A New Year, A New Opportunity

The start of a new year is a beautiful opportunity to refocus on what truly matters: your well-being. By setting realistic mental health goals, you’re giving yourself the gift of care, growth, and resilience. Remember, it’s not about achieving perfection but about nurturing yourself and creating a life that supports your mental wellness.

Here’s to a year filled with small steps, big progress, and a healthier, happier you!

-Dominique Munday, Marketing

The Intersection of Mental Health and Social Justice – What Are The Impacts?

November 26, 2024 By Dominique Munday

Social justice and its systematic impacts/inequalities are aspects that affect mental health and access to care. Mental health is not just an individual issue; it is deeply intertwined with social, economic, and political structures. Factors such as race, gender, socioeconomic status, and sexual orientation can profoundly influence mental health experiences. Here’s how these intersections play out:

1. Communities of color often face higher rates of mental health disorders, emphasized by systemic racism and discrimination. Access to culturally competent care is often limited, leading to untreated conditions and worsening mental health outcomes.

2. Gender-based violence, discrimination, and societal expectations can significantly impact mental health. The stigma around mental health can prevent individuals from seeking help, leaving them to cope with their struggles alone.

3. Individuals from lower socioeconomic backgrounds may lack access to mental health resources, facing obstacles such as cost, lack of insurance, and insufficient local services. Financial stress itself is a significant contributor to mental health issues.

It is important to become self-aware of how the intersections of your identities are impacted by systems and past experiences. Often times therapy can be a great way to gain insights on your personal impacts and areas of privilege vs oppression. Although it may prove to be difficult for individuals to change the systems that result in oppression and lack of access to care by themselves, there are few ways they can make an effort to contribute to methods of change.

Join a social justice movement! After becoming aware of systematic impacts on your identity, find a movement that you feel passionate about and get connected or find ways to donate/support causes that are important to you.

Educate yourself about mental health stigmas! Make an effort to help challenge the stigma surrounding mental health by engaging in open conversations and reducing barriers to seeking help as you share your own experiences and thoughts.

Explore Diverse Communities! Social justice initiatives often create supportive networks that foster community resilience and collective healing. These networks can provide essential resources and support for individuals facing mental health challenges.

Impactful change starts on an individual level. Tune in with yourself to unpack the complexities of your identity- you can start today!

-Zemirah Griffin, Primary Therapist

Nutrition: Back to Basics

September 26, 2024 By Dominique Munday

Nutrition: Back to Basics

The definition of nutrition is “the process of providing or obtaining the food necessary for health and growth”, yet it is not uncommon to lose or warp some of the most foundational aspects of nutrition in the name of “health”. Often, nutrition advice we receive involves restricting certain foods or food groups, conflicting information, unsustainable asks, and rigid rules. In today's world, where diet culture predominates, embracing a non-diet approach to nutrition can feel like navigating uncharted territory. However, understanding the basics of nutrition without the constraints of dieting can lead to a more peaceful relationship with food AND a healthy nourished body.

Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs is a psychological theory that illustrates human motivation through a pyramid of different levels of needs, starting with fundamental requirements. This concept can also apply to food and eating, as demonstrated by dietitian Ellyn Satter’s hierarchy of food needs. This concept can be used in helping us understand how to meet our basic nutritional requirements before progressing to higher needs.

Sufficiency:
The most foundational level of nutrition is to ensure you are eating enough. Regardless of other food/ nutrition choices, if you are not getting a sufficient amount of energy to support your needs, you won’t be adequately nourished. Your body needs sufficient calories, macronutrients, vitamins, and minerals to support basic functions like heartbeats and breathing. Diet culture often encourages restriction, but not eating enough can increase stress on the body, leading to inflammation and various health issues.

It is important to recognize that anyone, regardless of body size, can be undernourished.

One way to help ensure your body is getting adequately nourished is by eating regularly throughout the day. While each person’s needs and frequency may vary, a good general guideline is to fuel your body every 2-4 hours while awake. This helps maintain consistent energy levels.

Balance:
Balance in nutrition shouldn't be about canceling out or compensating for certain foods. Instead, it means getting enough of each macronutrient—carbohydrates, proteins, and fats—because all play essential roles in the body. When diets demonize any of these macronutrients, it can prevent your body from functioning at its best. Including each of these macronutrients is also important in communicating with the brain. When glucose from carbohydrates, amino acids from protein, and fatty acids from fat increase in the blood after a meal, they signal the brain to reduce hunger and boost feelings of fullness. If a meal lacks one of these macronutrients, you may consume a larger volume of food but still don’t feel satisfied or become hungry again soon after.

Creating neutrality around all foods helps foster greater permission to enjoy a variety of foods, including all macronutrients. This approach supports a balanced and flexible relationship with food.

Variety:
As we meet our basic nutritional needs, we next move towards adding more variety in our food choices. One aspect of variety is eating foods from each of the food groups - grains/ carbs, protein, fruits, vegetables, fat, and dairy. Different foods, even within the same food group, provide different nutrients. Expanding beyond the usual options, such as trying different vegetables or eating several types of carbohydrates, can also offers diverse nutritional benefits. Adding variety also helps prevent food burnout from eating the same meals repeatedly.

Individuality:
As we develop a healthier relationship with food and meet our most fundamental nutrition needs, we can look at more individual needs and preferences. Utilizing individual foods and nutrients can offer specific benefits and, at times, focusing on these foods can be beneficial for overall health (such as probiotics for gut health, fiber for cholesterol management, and protein for blood sugar stability). It is however important to remember that this is not the most important factor in overall nutrition.

Often times, mainstream nutrition advice over emphasizes this top level without addressing the others first. Individual foods only matter when you have adequate intake, balance, and variety in your diet. These foundational aspects of nutrition are essential for the benefits of specific foods to have an impact.

With all of the latest nutrition trends and advice readily available at our finger tips, eating and nourishing our bodies can quickly begin to feel complicated and unattainable. Looking at our most fundamental nutrition needs from a non-diet approach can offer a starting place for improving nutrition, health, and relationship with food.

-Tori Payton, MS, LD, RD, Director of Eating Disorders IOP

If you are interested in more support or help learning how to nourish your body, we offer nutrition counseling/medical nutrition therapy with our Registered Dietitians.

Body Image and Self-Worth

March 22, 2024 By Dominique Munday

Body Image and Self-Worth: Take Charge of How You See Yourself!

Statistics about how people view their bodies are heartbreaking! According to the NOW Foundation (National Organization for Women Foundation), “53% of American girls are 'unhappy with their bodies.' This grows to 78% by the time girls reach seventeen.” Body dissatisfaction is not only observed in women, it is a struggle for all genders. Additionally, the diet industry makes over $70 billion yearly in America and over $270 billion worldwide, and these numbers are steadily rising. Although we know there are many other contributing factors to the development of disordered eating and eating disorders, it is no wonder the prevalence is so high in our culture!

The way we view ourselves changes over time. Have you seen a young child grinning from ear to ear as they admire their outfit and reflection in the mirror? Maybe you can remember feeling this way about yourself early in life. Sadly, at some point, so many of us are negatively impacted by unrealistic “beauty ideals” and messages we receive about how we are "supposed' to be from other people. These spoken or unspoken messages about our appearance and how we are “supposed” to be “different” ultimately damage our self-worth, and faulty beliefs can develop about WHO we are.

In the busyness of life, it is easy for our mental health to take a backseat. Critical thoughts about outer appearance can lead to faulty beliefs about self-worth. Left unchallenged, these harmful beliefs about WHO we are can fuel maladaptive behaviors, including disordered eating, self-harm, and substance use/abuse. Sometimes, because of a mental health disorder, such as an eating disorder or body dysmorphia, someone does not see themselves accurately, even as other people see them. If you are struggling with body image and self-worth in a way that impacts your ability to live a joy-filled life, I urge you to seek the assistance of a counselor who can help you sort through beliefs about yourself and build skills that can help you heal. Manna would love to walk alongside you on this journey!

At Manna, we teach a variety of approaches and skills to combat poor body image and low self-worth. Here are a few examples of effective tools:

★ Challenge the concept of an “ideal beauty standard”. Remind yourself that this “standard” has changed dramatically, over and over again, throughout history. If we take a snapshot of one particular time period, any beauty “standard” is subjective, as it differs depending on which group of people we ask. Even within the same culture, ideas about “beauty” can vary drastically.

★ Determine whether you have beliefs about how you “should” look or be “different”? Examine the messages you have chosen to believe about yourself, where these messages have come from, and decide which are beneficial and which need to be challenged/discarded. A counselor can help you use Cognitive Behavioral Therapy to dig deeper to find the core beliefs you have about your worth and challenge them with truth.

★ Set boundaries in the areas where you are receiving negative messages about body image and self-worth. For instance, boundaries are necessary with people who are critical of you. Boundaries in other areas, such as social media, may also be needed.

★ Make a function and gratitude list. If you struggle with body image related to a specific body part, write down all the reasons you are thankful for the functionality of that part of your body. For example, if you do not like the size of your legs, remind yourself of the purpose of your legs and write down all of the things you enjoy doing with your legs (e.g. walking, hiking, riding a bike, snow skiing).

★ Give yourself grace, as thoughts and beliefs about yourself will not change overnight. Just as it takes time for negative body image and poor self-worth to develop, it takes time to challenge and replace the messages that are causing distress and to notice body image and self-worth improving.

The reason I am so passionate about helping others with body image and self-worth is because I have experienced the freedom and joy that result from working through my own challenges in these areas. It is my absolute joy to teach others how to love themselves for who they truly are, instead of holding onto beliefs that degrade their worth.

I work with clients of all faith backgrounds, including clients who do not believe in God. Since I am a Christian, I choose to challenge my own faulty beliefs (LIES) with the way I believe God sees me (TRUTH). Examples of my truth statements are:

• My Heavenly Father created me exactly as I am supposed to be, including my physical body and inner characteristics.

• I am valued by God, despite my many mistakes and imperfections.

• I am accepted, loved, and ENOUGH, just as I am.

Struggles with body image and self-worth do not need to continue to derail your joy, and it IS possible to learn to believe the truth about yourself. You are uniquely amazing!

Christie Payne, LPC RD LD

Virtual Eating Disorder IOP

An Online Program Designed to Help Nourish the Body and the Soul.

“Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind.” -Romans 12:2

What To Expect:

A fully virtual program for all therapy sessions and groups to make treatment more accessible
Weekly 1 hour individual sessions with a primary therapist that you will be connected with at the start of treatment
Weekly individual sessions with a registered dietitian for meal planning and nutrition counseling
Biweekly appointment with board certified psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner with potential for medication management as needed
Family therapy & education

MORE ABOUT FAMILY IOP

Tuesday, Wednesday, & Thursday: 4pm-7pm EST

At Home Monitoring:

MyClearStep - MyClearStep is a display free, numberless scale that captures measurement and sends the data to be accessed by your treatment team through a HIPAA compliant portal.

We understand that monitoring weight from home and the topic of weight in general can pose a variety of challenges during the recovery journey. Manna is excited to utilize MyClearStep products for this program to help decrease potential stressors related to medical monitoring at home. All of our clients at Manna will receive a discount code for the numberless scale and blood pressure cuff upon registering for the program. For more information and to purchase your scale and BP cuff please visit: https://www.myclearstep.com/

Recovery Record - An easy-to-use app for monitoring, meals and snacks, thoughts and emotions, and eating disorder behaviors, as well as the opportunity to ask questions and receive support from your treatment team.

We accept most major insurances for program including: Aetna, Alliant, Anthem (BCBS), Carelon Behavioral Health (Beacon Health Options), Cigna, Humana, Multiplan/PHCS, Oscar, Tricare, UHC/Optum. If you have questions about your insurance plan, please email: insurance@mannatreatment.com

LEARN MORE

If you have any questions about our Virtual IOP, please call our office at (770)-495-9775.