We offer a variety of clinical and therapeutic services to support individuals and loved ones through the various stages of their journeys. We provide education about eating disorders and their underlying causes to develop a compassionate community that promotes hopefulness and supports healing.
MEDA (Multi-Service Eating Disorders Association) is honored to have Lauren Planas run the 2025 Boston Marathon for MEDA this year. All proceeds raised by Lauren’s run will be donated to […]
The MEDA office will be closed on 4/21/25 in honor of Patriots' Day.
This is a personal memoir of binge eating disorder and anti-fat bias in society—and it’s different than anything we’ve read before.
Emma writes with raw, vulnerable honesty about her struggles with BED. She never glorifies the disorder (something we see way too often in eating disorder memoirs), and instead offers a nuanced look at what recovery really looks like—messy, ongoing, and deeply human.
I think my favorite quote is “Oh, the things we force our bodies to bear when our minds aren’t ready to carry the weight.”
This book challenged me, comforted me, and reminded me of the power of telling our truths. We definitely recommend additing it to your TBR, with the caveat and CW that it does mention ED behaviors. 💜~ OJ
#BookReview #MemoirRecommendation #BEDAwareness #AntiFatBias #BodyLiberation #MentalHealthMatters #RealRecovery #BooksOfInstagram #NonfictionReads #Bookstagram #MemoirsToRead
Apr 14
We’ll be honest—We don’t love the word “resilient.” At times it feels like a heavy word that glorifies survival, when we deserve so much more than just getting through the hard stuff, like trauma. 💪💭
But here’s what we do believe: If your body carried you through your darkest, most difficult moments, then it also holds the capacity for joy, ease, and thriving. 🌟💖
Survival doesn’t have to be the baseline. Survival is what your body does during a traumatic experience—it protects you. But let’s not stop there. Your body’s story is about so much more than survival. It’s also about:
🌸 Connection
😊Joy
🛋️Comfort
🛡️Safety
And yes, sometimes, finding these feelings means starting with very small moments of them. They don’t have to be monumental experiences. Being able to feel an internal sense of safety after trauma, is not easy. Give yourself grace and try to allow in the trust your body does know – that you are not where you once were. ✨
Even when your body doesn’t inherently feel safe or when these feelings don’t come easily, you can create small moments of comfort and ease:
🌿A deep breath that feels grounding.
⏸️A pause where peace quietly sneaks in.
🏡A moment of ease that feels like home.
These small acts, tiny as they might seem, aren’t just moments; they’re powerful and become the foundation for something bigger: They create space for growth, curiosity, and healing. 🌱✨ They’re acts of reclaiming your body’s capacity for more than “just getting through.”
So today, we invite you: Seek out one small moment of comfort, ease, or connection. Let it remind you that your body is capable of more than just surviving. 🌻💛And share it with us in the comments below! 👇
🌱 You are allowed to want more than survival.🌿 You are allowed to thrive. 💛 Your body is a testament to resilience.
Let’s rewrite your body’s story. Together. 🤝
#ResilienceRedefined #HealingJourney #SmallMomentsBigImpact #YouAreMoreThanSurvival #SelfCompassion #BodyWisdom
Apr 12
Here at MEDA, we understand the importance of compassionate, affirming support and offer a space for your authentic experiences. Join one of the following groups in our upcoming therapy cycle beginning in May, and swipe through for more information!
- Adult Body Image Group
- Root and Rise: Intuitive Eating for Body Compassion
- Hope and Healing from Trauma and Eating Disorders: Experiential Therapies
- EmbodiED Group
✨ Join and Connect with Us!
Each group offers a unique opportunity to connect, heal, and grow. Let’s walk this path together with empathy and understanding.
Together, we can create a supportive community that uplifts and empowers.
🧡 Interested in joining a group? Fill out our Initial Inquiry Form – link in bio or on our website at www.medainc.org. You may also contact us with questions at info@medainc.org
#MEDAHealing #BodyCompassion #TraumaRecovery #TherapyGroups #YouAreNotAlone #eatingdisorderrecovery
Apr 10
CW: Mention of sexual violence
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This month we honor Sexual Assault Awareness Month and the powerful relationship between sexual violence and eating disorders, which is complex and deeply personal. While there’s no single cause for developing an eating disorder, trauma is often a common thread.
Survivors of sexual assault may experience profound disconnection, body shame, self-hatred, and overwhelming emotions. In moments of intense pain, controlling behaviors around food and exercise can feel like a temporary refuge—a way to numb or avoid difficult feelings and regain a sense of control.
Please know that you are not alone. Healing is possible, and hope is powerful. 💜
Here are some gentle ways to support your healing journey:
· 🌱 Grounding yourself in the present moment
· 🌸 Using mindfulness and self-care practices
· 💖 Cultivating joy and self-compassion
· 🦋 Exploring therapeutic approaches that resonate with you
· 🤝 Building a supportive community around you
Remember, your experiences do not define your worth. You deserve compassion, support, and healing.
#SexualAssaultAwarenessMonth #HealingJourney #SelfCompassion #EatingDisorderAwareness #SurvivorSupport #YouAreNotAlone
Apr 9
A heartfelt thank you to everyone who joined and supported us to celebrate our 30th Anniversary! Your warmth and support made it a truly unforgettable event. 🥳
We couldn’t have reached this incredible milestone without our amazing community—you are the reason we do what we do. Here’s to many more years together! ✨
Thank you again for sharing such a special moment with us. We appreciate each and every one of you! ❤️
If you’d like to make a contribution, you can do so at the link in our bio.
#30YearsStrong #Grateful #ThankYou #CommunityLove #MEDA
Apr 8
The MEDA Conference 2025 is on May 1st and 2nd and we are so excited to connect with all attendees! This year, we’re using Whova to help you network, navigate, and participate. Join our event app to stay connected with everything happening!
🔗To download the app: https://bit.ly/3DYAMiL
#whova #meda #medaconference #2025medaconference
Apr 7
While experiencing your eating disorder, do/did you ever feel like you want to be seen, yet invisible at the same time? The struggle of living with an eating disorder often comes with this confusing paradox. 💔
In this clip from our recent Hope and Inspiration event on Instagram Live, we dive into this raw and complex experience with compassion and understanding. It’s a reminder that you’re not alone in feeling this way—and there’s a path toward healing. 🌱
While it might not always feel like it, there are other ways to meet your needs without relying on your eating disorder.
💬 Let’s talk about it. If this resonates with you, drop a 💕 below or share your thoughts in the comments.
Together, we can create a space of hope, inspiration, and understanding.
#YouAreNotAlone #HopeAndInspiration #EatingDisorderAwareness #HealingJourney #MentalHealthMatters
Apr 1
Cristina Dudziak joins us for a deep conversation about an authentic values driven recovery in all its messy glory. Need a little Hope & Inspiration? Watch it here now!
#eatingdisorderrecovery #edrecovery #hope #authentic
Apr 1
Monte Nido is attending and sponsoring the Multi-Service Eating Disorders Association’s 30th Anniversary, an inspirational evening of music and community!
Join us in celebrating recovery, community, and eating disorder support. Click the link in our bio to learn more and get your ticket today!
Mar 27
🕒2025 MEDA Conference Early Bird Pricing Ends Soon!
Attention professionals! 🚨
The 2025 MEDA Conference early bird pricing ends this Friday, 3/28 at midnight.
🗓️ Don’t miss out!
🌟 Why attend?
1. Unparalleled networking opportunities
2. Innovative and dynamic insights and discussions on the transformational eating disorder treatment and healing
3. Join a community of like-minded individuals ready to grow, connect, and innovate
📌 Call to Action: Tag a friend or colleague who might want to attend! Let’s grow the conversation and make an impact together.
➡️ Visit the Linktree in our bio to learn more and register today!
#MEDAConference2025 #EarlyBirdRegistration #ProfessionalGrowth #NetworkingOpportunity
Mar 26
Guilt. It’s a heavy weight, isn’t it?
It whispers to us, reminding us of every mistake, every misstep of things we may have done wrong. Often, we feel guilty for things we don’t need to.
So what if we approached these moments differently? What if we chose grace instead? 💛
Grace doesn’t dwell on the past. It doesn’t demand perfection. Instead, it offers forgiveness, acceptance, and the truth that you are more than your moments of guilt. 🌟
Healing and growth don’t stem from endless self-criticism; they bloom when you extend compassion to yourself. 🌷
When you remind yourself that it’s okay to be human.
✨ Choose grace. ✨
✨ Choose self-compassion. ✨
✨ Choose to move forward, not linger in guilt. ✨
You are worthy of love, even when you stumble. 💕
What’s one way you’ve learned to be kinder to yourself? Drop a comment below and share your journey with us! 💬👇
If you needed to hear this today, share it with someone who might too. We rise together. 🌻
#GraceOverGuilt #SelfCompassion #HealingAndGrowth #YouAreEnough #ChooseGrace
Mar 25
IG Live Q&A-Tonight we covered:
1. The imperfection of recovery
2. Preventing relapse post surgery
3. Multiple scenarios of coping with dissociative parts and eating disorder symptoms
4. Navigating the therapeutic relationship with dissociative parts
Mar 25
𝔽𝕖𝕖𝕝𝕚𝕟𝕘 𝕤𝕥𝕦𝕔𝕜? 𝕐𝕠𝕦’𝕣𝕖 𝕟𝕠𝕥 𝕒𝕝𝕠𝕟𝕖.
Recovery is a 𝓳𝓸𝓾𝓻𝓷𝓮𝔂, not a straight line. And let’s be real—sometimes it feels like you’re running in circles, doesn’t it? That stuck feeling creeps in, making it seem like you’re not making progress. But here’s the truth: 𝓮𝓿𝓮𝓻𝔂 𝓼𝓶𝓪𝓵𝓵 𝓼𝓽𝓮𝓹 𝓯𝓸𝓻𝔀𝓪𝓻𝓭 𝓲𝓼 𝓼𝓽𝓲𝓵𝓵 𝓹𝓻𝓸𝓰𝓻𝓮𝓼𝓼.
There will be days when the changes feel almost invisible, and others when everything shifts at once. It can feel like stop-and-go traffic—frustrating, exhausting, and like you’ll never really get to where you want to be. But let us tell you something: recovery is not about moving fast. It’s about moving forward.
🅃🄰🄺🄴 🄰 🄼🄾🄼🄴🄽🅃 🅃🄾🄳🄰🅈 🅃🄾 🅁🄴🄵🄻🄴🄲🅃.
Swipe through the slides for help in thinking it through.
🅰 🅲🅾🆄🅿🅻🅴 🅾🅵 🆁🅴🅼🅸🅽🅳🅴🆁🆂 Your environment matters. If your social feeds are overflowing with diet culture or the “thin ideal,” it’s time to clean house. Curate a space that uplifts, inspires, and keeps you focused on your goals. Be picky about who you spend your time with, too!
Recovery is hard. We won’t sugarcoat that. But guess what? Hard things are worth doing. They shape us, strengthen us, and show us just how incredible we really are. There will be moments when you need to pause, take a breath, and refill your well. That’s not failure—that’s resilience.
Remember, you define recovery and healing. It’s yours, and yours alone.
👉 𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁’𝘀 𝗼𝗻𝗲 𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗽 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗰𝗮𝗻 𝘁𝗮𝗸𝗲 𝘁𝗼𝗱𝗮𝘆 𝘁𝗼 𝗺𝗼𝘃𝗲 𝗳𝗼𝗿𝘄𝗮𝗿𝗱 𝗶𝗻 𝗿𝗲𝗰𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘆 & 𝗵𝗲𝗮𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗴? 𝗦𝗵𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝗶𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁𝘀 𝗯𝗲𝗹𝗼𝘄 𝗼𝗿 𝘀𝗮𝘃𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗽𝗼𝘀𝘁 𝗮𝘀 𝗮 𝗿𝗲𝗺𝗶𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗿 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗱𝗮𝘆𝘀 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗳𝗲𝗲𝗹 𝘀𝘁𝘂𝗰𝗸.
One step at a time. One breath at a time. Keep going—you’re closer than you think. 💛✨
Tag someone who might need this reminder today 💬👇
#RecoveryJourney #YouCanDoThis #SmallStepsBigChanges #MentalHealthMatters #PatienceAndPersistence #edrecovery #eatingdisorderhelp
Mar 22
🏃♀️💙 Today is #BostonMarathonGivingDay! 💙🏃♀️
This is more than just a race—it’s a day to make a real difference! 🌟 As we gear up for the 129th Boston Marathon, we’re rallying support for the 176 incredible non-profit organizations that benefit from this event.
This year, Lauren is taking on the challenge and running for MEDA. Every step she takes is dedicated to empowering and healing individuals and families affected by eating disorders.
💡 Here’s how YOU can help:
Donate today to support MEDA’s critical programs and services.
Share this post to spread the word and inspire others to contribute!
Together, we can help Lauren cross the finish line—not just for the miles but for MEDA’s mission. ❤️
🔗 Link in bio to make a difference!
#BostonMarathon #MEDA #CharityRunner #BostonStrong #GivingBack
Mar 20
🌟 𝕲𝖊𝖓𝖙𝖑𝖊 𝖗𝖊𝖒𝖎𝖓𝖉𝖊𝖗 for Your Journey 🌟
Hey lovely humans! 💛
We know the world feels especially tough right now. But we want to remind you of something so important: 𝗔𝗟𝗟 𝗯𝗼𝗱𝗶𝗲𝘀 𝗱𝗲𝘀𝗲𝗿𝘃𝗲 𝗻𝘂𝗿𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗴, 𝗹𝗼𝘃𝗲, 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗰𝗮𝗿𝗲—including yours.
Today, we encourage you to take a moment for YOU. Do something to nurture your body AND your soul. 💫
Here are a few gentle ideas to inspire you:
🍽️ 𝕎𝕒𝕪𝕤 𝕥𝕠 ℕ𝕠𝕦𝕣𝕚𝕤𝕙 𝕐𝕠𝕦𝕣 𝔹𝕠𝕕𝕪:
*Eat foods you truly love.
*Remember to eat regularly throughout the day.
*Enjoy foods that make you feel good.
*Share a meal with people who lift you up.
🛌 ℝ𝕖𝕤𝕥 & ℝ𝕖𝕛𝕦𝕧𝕖𝕟𝕒𝕥𝕚𝕠𝕟:
💤Take that afternoon nap. You deserve it.
☕Curl up with a great book and and a yummy drink.
🌞Sit in the sunshine and just 𝓫𝓻𝓮𝓪𝓽𝓱𝓮.
😴Get 8 hours of sleep.
🧘Meditate for a moment of calm.
💬Call your BFF for a heart-to-heart.
🫶 ℂ𝕠𝕟𝕟𝕖𝕔𝕥𝕚𝕠𝕟 𝕨𝕚𝕥𝕙 𝕄𝔼𝔻𝔸:
✔️Join us for 𝙏𝙝𝙪𝙧𝙨𝙙𝙖𝙮 𝙉𝙞𝙜𝙝𝙩 𝘿𝙧𝙤𝙥-𝙄𝙣 Group with Giancarlo at 7 PM EST.
✔️Hop on our 𝙄𝙣𝙨𝙩𝙖𝙜𝙧𝙖𝙢 𝙇𝙞𝙫𝙚 with Monika Monday nights.
✔️Don’t miss “Hope & Inspiration” on 𝙈𝙤𝙣𝙙𝙖𝙮, 𝙈𝙖𝙧𝙘𝙝 31𝙨𝙩 𝙖𝙩 7 𝙋𝙈 right here on IG with OJ, Monika, and our inspirational guest speaker Cristina Dudziak. 🕊️
𝘞𝘦’𝘥 𝘭𝘰𝘷𝘦 𝘵𝘰 𝘩𝘦𝘢𝘳 𝘧𝘳𝘰𝘮 𝘺𝘰𝘶! Drop your favorite way to nurture your body or soul in the comments below 💬 Let’s remind each other that even on the hardest days, we are worthy of care and compassion.
Sending you so much love, always. 💕✨The MEDA Team
➡️Swipe through & screenshot to save for later 🥰
#EatingDisorderRecovery #SelfCare #NourishYourSoul #YouAreEnough #MEDASupport
Mar 19
Check out our video to learn more about eating disorders and the programs and services offered by MEDA.
From Rogers Behavioral Health The medical and social consequences of Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder (ARFID) are often compared to those seen in other eating disorders...
Read MoreBy OJ Bushell It might be surprising to some who know me that I actually do most of the cooking and meal prep for my...
Read MoreThese organizations make it easier for people with eating disorders to get treatment.
Every 52 min someone dies from complications due to an eating disorder and 28.8 million people in the US will struggle with an eating disorder.
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