Relationships Matter in Eating Disorder Recovery: Insights From Dr. Kim Lampson
When we think about eating disorder treatment, individual therapy often comes to mind first. But as Dr. Kim Lampson shared in her recent appearance on the , recovery doesn't happen in a vacuum. Our closest relationships can have a profound impact on the healing process.
Dr. Lampson developed Gottman-RED (Relationships with Eating Disorders), an adaptation of the Gottman Method designed to help couples navigate the challenges that eating disorders can create. The model goes beyond addressing symptoms by helping partners communicate more effectively, build emotional safety, and work together through recovery.
One of the most compelling ideas from the conversation is that partners often want to help but don't know how. Fear of saying the wrong thing can lead to silence, while difficult conversations about food, body image, or health can easily become sources of tension. Gottman-RED gives clinicians practical tools to help couples move away from those patterns and toward greater understanding and support.
For graduate counseling students, Dr. Lampson's work is a valuable reminder that clients don't exist apart from their relationships. Whether you plan to work with individuals, couples, or families, paying attention to the relational context can deepen your understanding of the issues clients bring into the therapy room.
As counseling continues to evolve, approaches like Gottman-RED show how established, evidence-based models can be adapted to meet the needs of specific populations. It's an exciting example of innovation in the field—and of the important role relationships can play in lasting recovery.
Dr. Kim Lampson Ph.D, NUhope Clinical Director and Professor of College of Social and Behavioral Sciences.