173 pg, (paper) '97

Desperately Seeking Self is an invitation to healing—a passionate and compassionate call to you, if you seek freedom from your eating problem.  Using the unique approach of a dialogue between a client and therapist, this book offers a spiritual dimension to healing from eating disorders.

The client, a woman with bulimia, is a composite character based on patients Ms. Fodor helped over a fifteen-year period as a psychotherapist.  Their conversation, in a question and answer format, touches on the most basic human questions and truths, such as: Why do I have this illness?  Who am I to think that I deserve more?  How does life become different when we awaken to this deeper level?  What exactly is a transformation?  Tenets of psychology, philosophy, and spirituality are subtly women into an insightful, sensitive message.

A great gift for someone in recovery!

CONTENTS:

1 – My Journey / Your Journey
2 – A Conversation
3 – Quiet Time

ABOUT THE AUTHORS:

Viola Fodor is a Canadian psychotherapist and educator with 27 years of experience. She is a frequent speaker about eating disorders and wellness at several universities, high schools, family support groups, private companies, EAPs, and the Canadian Mental Health Association. In 1991, her work was featured on CBS’s national show “Man Alive” and she has been the author and subject of many articles in numerous Canadian newspapers, including the Toronto Star. A graduate of the University of Alberta, Edmonton, Ms. Fodor received her Master of Education in 1979. She is a certified member of the Ontario Association of Consultants, Counselors, Psychometrists, and Psychotherapists (OACCPP).

REVIEWS:

"With Viola's guidance and patience, I learned to open my mind and heart, and my healing then began. I discovered myself and freed my spirit. Thank you, Viola, for the gifts of you and your wisdom, which come through so warmly in your book."
—Lynn Carpenter, founder of Sheena's Place, an eating disorders center in memory of her daughter, who died of anorexia nervosa Toronto, Ontario

"An incredible insight into the human struggle while at the same time offering healing strategies for a new way of life."
—Mike Lavell, Director of Residence & lecturer of Religious Studies University of Toronto Erindale Campus

"Desperately Seeking Self is a gift to all who wish to begin the journey out of despair into wellness. Subtly, tenants of psychology, philosophy, and spirituality are woven into an insightful, sensitive message."
—Edith A. Birch, Nutritionist, Counselor Newmarket, Ontario

EXCERPT:

I feel trapped in this Jekyll/Hyde life and I hate it. You keep saying that I can be whole, that I can help myself far more, and that there is great learning potential in my problem. But right now I feel like Charlie Brown in that little cartoon where he says, “Life is full of choices,but you never get any!”

I know that cartoon. Charlie Brown is making a snowball and his friend Lucy is approaching. She anticipates his next move.  Calmly, she presents him with two options:he can either choose to throw or not throw the snowball at her.  Further, she warns him that if he decides to throw it, she’ll pound him into the ground. Not thrilled by the prospect of annihilation, Charlie Brown tosses the snowball away, drawing the conclusion: “Life is full of choices, but you never get any!”

Charlie Brown’s words of wisdom might seem to fit his situation.  However, they don’t fit yours simply because the healing process is self-initiated. Nothing can keep you from taking full responsibility for your life, if you so choose. Even your problem with food can’t stop you.

If you embark on the self-healing journey, it will unfold for you by itself. You can trust in that. Consider this one of the laws of the universe! You have the wonder of your true self to discover!  You can learn of your power of choice. You can choose to be well.