Hosts Nina Manolson and Jennie Kramer dive into the transformative concept of Unburdened Eating with Dr. Jeanne Catanzaro. Dr. Catanzaro, a clinical psychologist specializing in eating disorders and trauma for over 25 years, and the author of the thought-provoking book, Unburdened Eating: Healing Your Relationship with Food and Your Body Using an Internal Family Systems (IFS) Approach.
Dr. Catanzaro explains how Internal Family Systems (IFS) views our inner world as composed of "parts," each playing a distinct role in our thoughts and behaviors. Some parts may carry "burdens," or extreme beliefs and emotions, often stemming from trauma or societal pressures. In the model, IFS sees all of our different parts as integral to our daily functioning.
When we’re developing, we experience trauma that impacts a part who we are. To cope, we take on a burden of shame, or fear, just two of many examples. Other parts of us step in to protect us, sometimes through extreme or unhelpful behaviors. Dr. Catanzaro explains that tapping into our internal wisdom can help us to heal. Often extreme behaviors can keep us from accessing that wisdom.
One of the most empowering aspects of IFS is its emphasis on compassion for all parts, even those that might seem harmful or problematic, like the part driving binge eating. Every part of us has positive intentions, even the ones we want to get rid of. They’re trying to protect us in some way.
This perspective encourages understanding rather than judgment, fostering a sense of curiosity about why certain behaviors occur.
The discussion highlights two key types of protectors in IFS: managers and firefighters. Managers might keep us restricted and disciplined, while firefighters react in moments of stress or overwhelm, often through binge eating or other coping mechanisms.
Together with Nina and Jennie, Dr. Catanzaro breaks down how different parts show up in a real-world example. They breakdown how to identify who is control, who is binging, who is the protector and how to be curious about their roles. .
Dr. Catanzaro encourages listeners to cultivate curiosity about their inner world as a first step toward healing. By identifying and understanding their parts, individuals can create space for their "core self" to lead with clarity, compassion, and creativity.
Dr. Catanzaro’s insights challenge traditional views on eating behaviors, replacing blame and guilt with compassion and understanding. By embracing the IFS model, individuals can move toward unburdening their relationship with food and their bodies.
Explore Further
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
