Book Recommendation: Balancing Thoughts and Feelings About Food
When eating becomes difficult, it is rarely just about food. For adolescents especially, eating behaviors are often closely tied to emotions, self image, stress, and a growing need for control and understanding. That complexity is exactly what makes Balancing Thoughts and Feelings About Food such a valuable resource.
Written by Therese Tuski Scarpace, LMSW, ACSW, this book is a practical and compassionate guide for mental health professionals working with adolescents who struggle with eating disorders. It focuses on helping young people understand the connection between their thoughts, emotions, and behaviors around food, rather than treating eating concerns as isolated problems.
A Thoughtful and Practical Approach
What stands out in this book is its balance of structure and creativity. Scarpace draws from evidence based therapeutic approaches while offering concrete ideas that can be used in individual or group settings. The activities are designed to help adolescents engage more fully in treatment, build insight, and feel less overwhelmed by the work of recovery.
Rather than pushing quick solutions, the book emphasizes curiosity, reflection, and emotional awareness. It supports adolescents in learning how their internal experiences influence their relationship with food and how small, thoughtful changes can lead to meaningful progress over time.
Supporting the Whole Person
Balancing Thoughts and Feelings About Food reinforces an important truth in eating disorder treatment. Recovery is not just about changing eating behaviors. It is about understanding emotions, building coping skills, strengthening self worth, and developing healthier ways to relate to oneself and others.
The book also recognizes the importance of creating a safe therapeutic environment. One where adolescents feel heard, respected, and supported as they navigate difficult thoughts and feelings. This perspective aligns closely with a treatment approach that values collaboration, empathy, and individualized care.
Who This Book Is For
This resource is especially helpful for:
Mental health professionals working with adolescents
Clinicians facilitating group therapy
School counselors and support staff
Caregivers seeking a deeper understanding of eating disorder treatment
While written for professionals, the themes may also resonate with parents who want insight into the emotional and psychological work involved in recovery.
Why We Recommend It
At DMBA, we value resources that respect the complexity of eating disorders and the individuals affected by them. Balancing Thoughts and Feelings About Food offers thoughtful guidance without oversimplifying the work. It encourages patience, reflection, and compassion, all of which are essential to sustainable healing.
For clinicians and caregivers alike, this book serves as a reminder that meaningful change happens when thoughts and feelings are given space to be understood, not rushed or ignored.