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Helping Clients Develop Gratitude and Purpose


Thursday, March 23, 2017: 8:30 AM-9:45 AM

Background: Individuals struggling with eating disorders are hurting and therefore experience the world from an egocentric, self-oriented perspective. This seminar gives practical insight into helping a client move from that self-oriented perspective to a more altruistic and purposeful life which can improve outcomes in recovery.

Objectives: 1. Following the presentation, participants will be able to articulate the most relevant findings about research related to the impact of gratitude in recovery. 2. Following the presentation, participants will be able to describe the most relevant findings about research related to the impact of purpose in recovery. 3. Following the presentation, participants will be able to conceptualize clients along a continuum of spiritual development from egocentric to altruistic.

  1. Overview 

    1. Discussion about how gratitude and purpose can benefit people struggling with self-destructive behaviors and thought processes. 

  2. Research shows a correlation between gratitude and recovery.  

    1. Gratitude is a "moral emotion" what could also be termed a virtue.  

    2. Gratitude stimulates moral behavior. 

    3. Gratitude, then, is a step away from an egocentric perspective.  

  3. Purpose  

    1. Purpose is one of the early stages of development to Erikson 

    2. Purpose is also one of Viktor Frankl's main points related to fulfillment in life. 

    3. Proposed: purpose is an expression of altruism. 

  4. The journey from egocentrism to altruism is a spiritual journey 

    1. Spiritual development occurs over a continuum of movement from egocentrism to altruism. 

    2. There is a difference between people-pleasing and altruism 

    3. That journey takes place in steps. 

  5. The steps  

    1. Recognizing that I am self-oriented. 

    2. Understanding that my behaviors impact others 

    3. Identifying my potential positive impact in my world 

    4. Functioning according to purpose 

  6. The story of one resident 

Individuals struggling with eating disorders are in mental and emotional pain, and often physical pain. When one experiences distress it is difficult to focus on anything else. Focusing on the self can hinder an individual from developing a more meaningful life. This author proposes that, by intentionally experiencing gratitude, one can begin a process of other-oriented thinking and altruism, which can be conceived as a fucntion of purpose and meaning. This seminar discusses some of the research about the benefits of gratitude and the importance of purpose and meaning in developing stronger mental health and recovery from eating disorders and other mental illnesses. It conceptualizes the spiritual aspect of these ideas along a continuum of moving from self-oriented perspective toward altruism.
Primary Presenter:
Stephen Wright, MA, LCPC, RDDP

A former minister, Steve Wright served in churches working with youth and families. He earned a Master of Arts in Community Counseling, and then spent several years in the behavioral health field. He worked in residential treatment as a therapist, supervisor, coordinator, and program director first in the substance abuse field and then in the eating disorder field. He is currently at Timberline Knolls and serves as a primary and family therapist and leads groups that help promote personal and spiritual growth. Steve is a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor in Illinois. He is also a Registered Dual-Disorder Professional.



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