Black and White Thinking is Harmful.
(Even when talking about recovery)
Harm reduction is a concept that is often used in the context of drugs and alcohol, but it has many other applications that aren’t talked about as much. Harm reduction starts with you. What do you want to learn or change through therapy? What are you willing to do in order for your goals to be met?
This is what harm reduction means to me:
No coercion - Therapy is about you. This means we go at your pace and start with steps that you feel able to take. I do not dictate what therapy “needs” to look like and I do not impose goals on you.
You draw the map and I hold the compass - We go where you say we go, and I help you navigate the way. You are in the driver’s seat.
One step at a time - Momentum takes time to build, but it always starts with 1 step. The size of the step is subjective and there is no forced timeline to follow to get there.
No ultimatums - I will not force you to check a box in order to continue working together. If I have a concern, I will express it, but you ultimately get to decide the course of your care.
Harm reduction can look like:
Reducing the frequency of eating disorder behaviors used
Ensuring safety when using certain behaviors
Crafting a vision for healing/recovery based on your right to choose your own course