One does not go on this journey alone. In addition to our teams and our supports, resources for growth are a vital pillar of growth and self-development. This page is meant to provide a record of the resources I have found most valuable throughout my journey. Please feel free to take what speaks to you and leave the rest.
Table of Contents
- Brené Brown – courage, vulnerability, shame, empathy
- Jenni Schaefer – ED Recovery
- ED Recovery Staples
- Self-Help Staples
- Dialectic Behavioral Therapy (DBT)
- Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)
- Learning Who You Are
- PuttyLike – multipotentialites
- Values Sort
Brené Brown
Brené Brown is an author and researcher on courage, vulnerability, shame, and empathy. Her work has helped guide me through some of the most difficult aspects of recovery as I learned to face my imperfections and to foster the strength to embrace my vulnerability. I would recommend her for any stage of recovery and for everyone, ED or not.
Jenni Schaefer
An inspiring author, Jenni Schaefer presents her journey through recovery and all that she has learned through her work. These book are invaluable must-reads not only for those in recovery, but also for their supports.
ED Recovery Staples



The following resources have been recommended to me, but I have not personally used. As I work through them, I will add them above with notes on their best application.

Self-Help Staples


Dialectic Behavioral Therapy (DBT)
DBT is an extremely useful modality often used in ED treatment. It is applicable to a wide range of disorders, and focuses on a skills training model to help increase coping capacity and decrease distress. It consists of four modules: Distress Tolerance, Interpersonal Relationships, Mindfulness, and Emotion Regulation. This was the primary therapeutic modality taught in my treatment center. I highly recommend this model to create a foundational basis for recovery, and have found it incredibly valuable in my own recovery. Anyone can benefit from these skills, whether they are diagnosable or not.

If you are a kindle/e-reader person, I would strongly recommend getting these in print. They are easiest to work with in that format.


Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)
I see ACT (pronounced like the word, act) as a sort of part two to DBT. DBT gives you the skills to self regulate, ACT helps guide you to accepting your self and your life and making goals towards your future. This was the secondary modality taught at my treatment center, meant to be integrated fully at the IOP level. This should absolutely be implemented under the supervision of a therapist. It is heavy stuff and you will need help working through it.
Learning Who You Are

PuttyLike is a home for people who have many interests and creative pursuits.
Do you feel like you don’t have “one true calling” and have difficulty finding “your path”? You may be a Multipotentialite.
Multipotentialites: “An educational and psychological term referring to a pattern found among intellectually gifted individuals. [Multipotentialites] generally have diverse interests across numerous domains and may be capable of success in many endeavors or professions, they are confronted with unique decisions as a result of these choices.”
Values Sort
Doing a Values Sort is extremely valuable when first evaluating who your are and what matters to you most. It helps you to identify what you need and why, which can help you decide on the direction you want your path to take. I found this to be one of the most valuable activities I participated in during treatment – I did an initial sort in residential, and several more throughout PHP and IOP, always with my therapist. My final values of Joy, Freedom, Connection, Authenticity, and Growth were extremely different from those I pulled on my first sort, and fit me authentically. I have used them throughout my Out-Patient care to help direct my decisions as I built my recovery life.
I would strongly recommend you do this with your therapist. Below are a few links to online, printable, and Amazon versions of the Values Sort that are free and accessible.
Think2Perform Online Values Sort
Printable Personal Values Card Sort (I used these in Residential)
These resources will be updated as I discover them. Check back often for updates!