CHANGE IS GOOD
Holly-Renee Miller MA, LMFT, CEDS-C
Executive Clinical Director

I am so excited to announce that we have rebranded from A Center for Eating Disorders, ACED, to Crescent Grace, and am so proud that our new name reflects the authenticity of who we were always meant to be.

Why Crescent Grace? To be honest the name evolved organically. First and foremost, Crescent is the name of the historic area we are located in and it also means growth. Additionally, over the years we have come to recognize that the recovery journey requires a foundation that is full of Grace.

It started with 3 days of Grace upon admission – do what you can, no expectations, no requirements, just show up. From there, the concept of Grace become more than we ever expected.

To sum it up our name speaks to our commitment provide the opportunity grow in Grace.

Walking through the doors of treatment is a brave endeavor. For many the idea of life without an eating disorder can be terrifying. Often the fear is manifested by a sense of unworthiness, failure, not being enough -all reasons the eating disorder voice tries to convince us we don’t deserve to be free. But ultimately there is no freedom in fear.

Recovery requires a gentleness and compassion for yourself amid times that can feel almost impossible. Recovery is the hardest thing you can do for yourself, but man is it ever worth it.

Grace is a powerful intervention. It literally has the capacity to give permission in the hard moments. Grace provides allowance for the messy, yucky, scary parts of change. Over time our clients found peace in the idea of Grace, and they began to teach us that there is a Grace for almost everything.

Our team began asking our clients what kind of Grace they needed to get through the day or the week or even a moment. As the program grew Grace became an integral part of the process. It became foundational in its promise of forgiveness, acceptance, and courage where originally there was space for none.

The concept of Grace took on a creative vibe, clients identified a need for all kinds of Grace –  Fierce Grace, Nourishing Grace, Wicked Grace, Forgiving Grace, Sober Grace, Messy Grace, Battle Grace, Gentle Grace and so on and so forth. And regardless of the circumstance, whether the struggle is a difficult meal, a family session, a hard group etc. -there’s a Grace for that.

Changing our name has been an important and yet anxiety producing endeavor, but we also know it is necessary and even though it’s hard, change can be a beautiful thing.

My wish for you is that if you choose to take your recovery journey with us, we want you to know there is Endless Grace for you along the way.

Nutritional Restoration at Crescent Grace
Amie Guice MA. Ed, RD, LD, CEDS
Director of Nutrition Services

Nutritional restoration is a cornerstone of treatment for individuals with eating disorders, playing a vital role in restoring both physical and mental health. Individuals struggling with eating disorders can often have severe nutritional deficiencies leading to everything from affected energy levels to decreases in cognitive function.

The goal of nutritional restoration is to reestablish a healthy relationship, with food so that the body can restore a biologically appropriate weight, as well as stabilize, and correct any nutritional imbalances that may have occurred due to restrictive eating, purging, or other disordered eating behaviors. To support this our multi-disciplinary team works closely with each client to develop a collaborative, individualized plan that ensures gradual, sustainable recovery.

Eating disorders can be riddled with myths and misinformation when it comes to the truth about nutrition. A key component of nutritional restoration is fact based nutritional education. At Crescent Grace we work to teach clients nutritional truths, including the long-term benefits of consistently eating at regular intervals, consuming enough food, and having balanced meals and snacks.

A solid understanding of nutritional health not only helps improve physical health but also empowers individuals to challenge harmful beliefs and behaviors related to food. A compassionate and structured approach is essential, as the recovery process can be emotionally challenging. Rebuilding trust in one’s body and relationship to food takes time, and it’s essential for individuals to feel supported and connected as they confront the anxieties and fears that often accompany reestablishing healthy eating in recovery-based life.

Gradual weight restoration, if necessary, is another important aspect of the nutritional restoration process. Nutritional restoration is never just about weight gain; it’s about the healing of the whole person, body mind and spirit. Gently restoring the body’s needs and ensuring the intake of essential nutrients increases an individual’s ability to focus on the difficulties of the recovery process. Improved physical health, supports increased emotional regulation, reduced anxiety, and improved cognitive function –  all beneficial factors that contribute significantly to a more positive treatment process and .better overall outcomes in recovery.

Ultimately, nutritional restoration aims to address the complex connections between physical health and emotional well-being. The restorative process emphasizes the importance of nourishing not only the body but to also promote a healthy relationship with one’s body. Our team fully commits to approach each client’s recovery with patience, empathy, grace, and truth, so they may find a life free from the eating disorder and restore not only their mental and physical health but also their soul.

do for yourself, but man is it ever worth it.

Grace is a powerful intervention. It literally has the capacity to give permission in the hard moments. Grace provides allowance for the messy, yucky, scary parts of change. Over time our clients found peace in the idea of Grace, and they began to teach us that there is a Grace for almost everything.

Our team began asking our clients what kind of Grace they needed to get through the day or the week or even a moment. As the program grew Grace became an integral part of the process. It became foundational in its promise of forgiveness, acceptance, and courage where originally there was space for none.

The concept of Grace took on a creative vibe, clients identified a need for all kinds of Grace –  Fierce Grace, Nourishing Grace, Wicked Grace, Forgiving Grace, Sober Grace, Messy Grace, Battle Grace, Gentle Grace and so on and so forth. And regardless of the circumstance, whether the struggle is a difficult meal, a family session, a hard group etc. -there’s a Grace for that.

Changing our name has been an important and yet anxiety producing endeavor, but we also know it is necessary and even though it’s hard, change can be a beautiful thing.

My wish for you is that if you choose to take your recovery journey with us, we want you to know there is Endless Grace for you along the way.

Embracing Grace in Eating Disorder Recovery
Cameron Cavenaugh MSN, LD, RD
Primary Dietitian

Recovery from an eating disorder is not a linear journey, and it’s essential to recognize that healing takes time, effort, and above all, compassion. One of the most important things to remember is that progress doesn’t always look the way we expect it to. There will be moments of success and moments of struggle, but both are part of the process. Allowing yourself the grace to experience setbacks without self-judgment is crucial for long-term healing. You are not defined by your setbacks or the times you feel like you’re taking a step backward. Each small step—whether forward or not—is still part of your healing journey.

In the quest for recovery, it can be easy to fall into the trap of perfectionism, thinking that unless you’re achieving “perfect” progress, you’re failing. But eating disorder recovery is not about achieving perfection; it’s about creating a relationship with your body that is kind, accepting, and patient.

Giving yourself grace means accepting that you’re human—imperfect, but worthy of love and care. It’s about recognizing that healing may come with missteps and that these moments don’t erase all the hard work you’ve already done. Recovery is not about being “fixed,” but rather about learning to embrace yourself, flaws and all, with compassion.

A key part of recovery is also learning to set realistic expectations for yourself. Acknowledging that you won’t have all the answers today—or even tomorrow—is vital. It’s easy to get discouraged when you don’t see immediate results, but progress in healing often happens beneath the surface. By allowing yourself grace and not rushing the process, you create space for authentic growth. Instead of focusing solely on what you “should” be doing, try to shift your focus to what feels supportive and kind in the moment. Whether it’s taking a break, reaching out for help, or simply giving yourself permission to rest, these small acts of grace can have a profound impact on your emotional well-being. 

Ultimately, recovery is about cultivating a healthier relationship with yourself, and that begins with how you treat yourself. When you approach your healing with self-compassion and grace, you open the door to real transformation. You don’t have to have it all figured out right away—just take it one day at a time, and remember, you deserve love and care at every step of the journey.

No Mud, No Lotus: Finding Beauty and Strength in Eating Disorder Recovery
Lisa Wilson MBA, LPC
Program Director and Primary Therapist

Recovering from an eating disorder can feel like a journey through deep, muddy waters. There are moments of hope and clarity, but also times when the path is dark, overwhelming, and painful. You might feel like you’re stuck, struggling, or that your progress is slow or even non-existent. But just like the lotus flower that rises from the murky depths to bloom in beauty, you, too, can TRANSFORM. The struggles you’re facing are not in vain—they are the soil in which your healing and growth can take root.

The Lotus: A Symbol of Healing and Rebirth

The lotus is a symbol of potential and rebirth, but it does not grow in clear, tranquil waters. It starts its journey in murky, muddy waters – but ultimately emerges above the surface radiant and strong. The mud is not what defines the lotus. It is what allows the flower to grow stronger, more beautiful, and more resilient.

In eating disorder recovery, the journey is much the same. The emotional and physical challenges you face—the fear, the guilt, the shame, the physical pain—can be the “mud” that feels so overwhelming at times. But just as the lotus blooms despite, and because of, the mud, you too can emerge from this darkness stronger and more resilient. The process of recovery, though difficult, offers the potential for deep transformation—where your inner strength, beauty, and self-worth can truly shine.

Embracing the Mud of Recovery

In recovery, the “mud” isn’t something you can bypass or avoid. It’s part of the process. And while it might feel like you’re sinking at times, each step forward—no matter how small—is a part of the healing journey. Like the lotus, you may have to navigate difficult and uncomfortable waters to emerge stronger.

Here are some ways to embrace the “mud” during your recovery and use it as a springboard toward healing:

1. Accept the Struggles as Part of Your Journey
   Eating disorder recovery is not linear.  There will be setbacks, days when it feels impossible, or moments when you question if things will ever get better. Instead of seeing these setbacks as failures, view them as part of your growth process. The mud is not an obstacle to your recovery; it’s an essential part of it. Every struggle you face is teaching you something new about yourself and your courage.
2. Cultivate Patience with Yourself
   Recovery takes time, and healing is rarely a quick process. Just as the lotus doesn’t bloom overnight, your journey to self-acceptance and healing will require time, patience, and care. Trust that with every difficult moment, you are building the foundation for a more resilient and compassionate version of yourself. Trust that healing is happening, even when it doesn’t feel like it.
3. Find Support Along the Way
   Just as the lotus grows in a supportive environment, eating disorder recovery requires connection. Surround yourself with people who understand, support, and encourage your healing journey. Whether through therapy, support groups, or loved ones, find those who will help you navigate the mud when it feels too deep to wade through alone.
4. Celebrate Your Small Wins
   Each step forward—no matter how small—is worth celebrating. Whether it’s resisting the urge to engage in disordered behaviors, taking a step towards self-compassion, or even allowing yourself to enjoy a meal without guilt, these are victories. Acknowledge and celebrate them as they come, because every small win is part of the larger transformation you’re undergoing.

The Beauty of Your Bloom

In eating disorder recovery, it may be difficult to envision a future where you feel whole, at peace with yourself, and free from the grip of your disorder. But just like the lotus, when you look back at how far you’ve come, you’ll see that the muddy waters were essential to your growth. The struggles were never a sign of weakness—they were the forces that forged your resilience, your wisdom, and your ability to rise above.

The bloom is not just a return to normal. It’s a transformation into someone who is deeply aware of their worth, their strength, and their capacity for self-love. It’s a version of yourself that is grounded, whole, and beautiful—not despite your struggles, but because of them.

Remember, there is no beauty without the mud. To truly experience and appreciate the light of joy, you must also have experienced the darkness of suffering.  You are not defined by the challenges you face, but by how you rise from them.

No Mud, no lotus!

In the Business of Change
Holly-Renee Miller MA, LMFT, CEDS-C
Executive Clinical Director

Working with souls learning to live differently I find myself confronted with my own response to their changes. What are my expectations? How does their change, no matter how desired, affect my relationship to them? Do I ask them to risk changing and then not allow them the room to become different? And it’s not just in work. It happens in all relationships.

It’s not uncommon to fall into the trap of reacting to “what used to be” rather than responding to the efforts of “the now”. Even as a “professional”, it’s easy to make assumptions or have expectations or even forget the necessity of my own response to those around me. Change is hard. And no change is ever small. For those who have lived in old patterns for years, the obstacles surrounding even the most desired changes are immense to say the least.

When someone we care for is in the process of “becoming”, not only is it imperative they have grace and compassion for themselves during what is often a difficult transformation; it’s equally important those of us who care about them remember to support their change with compassion, grace, and empathy in response to the changes being born.

When the people we care for are working towards change, it’s hard for everyone. We must become aware of our own responses. Are we responding to their commitment to change or are we reacting to the way they used to be, even though they have shown tremendous progress? When they slip up, do we get frustrated and angry for them not changing fast enough?

Do we use a slip or the emergence of an old pattern to call into question all the progress they’ve made? It’s important to remember as people change in our life, we have to change with them and understand that the process is never linear. The emergence of old patterns never eliminates a person’s growth and progress. It’s a natural part of the process.

Take a breath, stand back and with compassionate curiosity, check in with them. Check in with yourself. Let the moment be just that. When confronting someone in a moment of change, be mindful of your intentions. Are you reacting or are you responding? Is the moment being highlighted different in some way? Don’t recall every other moment of a person’s struggle/history you may not have even been present for and allow it to taint one experience.

If someone you care for and love is working to make changes, remember that one of the best ways you can support them is to let each moment be its own and acknowledge what changes you need to make in your own life to support their growth. If we commit to help someone along the journey of change, we must commit to give them the room to wrestle with what that means and own our part of the process.

If a soul in the midst of change shows up with old patterns be sure you don’t respond in kind with your old reactions.

A little grace goes a long way – for both of you.

It’s Sooooo Worth It
Emily Burke
Former Crescent Grace Nurse

Last week my husband and I were in Denver, Colorado and decided to go hiking in the Rocky Mountain National Park.  After researching the different trail options, we finally decided on Bear Lake Trail.  We chose this one because it passes three different scenic lakes along the way, each progressively larger and more beautiful, with Emerald Lake being the main attraction at the end.  The reviews described absolutely amazing scenery but warned that the trail was extremely popular and often crowded.  We knew that a 4-mile hike at an elevation of 10,000 ft would be a challenge, but we decided to take the risk. 

We traveled almost two hours from our hotel to get to the trailhead.  Right as we were arriving, we noticed rainclouds.  By the time we got out of the car and began to hike, it started to sprinkle and, of course, we didn’t have rain jackets.  As we started on the trail, we were surrounded by about a hundred other people with the same goal as us, to make it to Emerald Lake.  However, as it continued to rain, and the winds continued to blow, and the temperature dropped, we noticed more and more people turn around.  Most of them made it to the first lake (about a 0.8 mile hike), took pictures, and then turned around and went home.

We, however, were not satisfied.  We knew there was more.  So with wet hair, cold hands, and rain hitting our face like needles, we continued on.  At that point, there were only two other people on the trail and one of them was hiding under a tree waiting on the rain to pass. We began to get tired, winded, and cold. The hike was almost entirely uphill with long stretches of steps carved in the path. We wondered if we should turn around. 

As we stopped to take a break, a hiker on his way back from Emerald Lake passes us. “How is it?  Is it worth it?” we ask.  “You’ve still got a long way to go, and its mostly uphill, but its soooo worth it,” he said.  We kept going (with several more breaks to catch our breath) and three more people pass us on their way back from Emerald Lake. They all said the same thing.  “it’s not an easy hike, but its soooo worth it.” 

Eventually the rain began to clear and our lungs began to adjust to the altitude.  The hike actually became enjoyable.   We even saw a rainbow in the horizon, beaming out over the mountain like a peace offering rewarding us for our hard work.  A few miles later, we finally arrive at Emerald Lake.  We crash on the rocks, exhausted, beat down, but so full of pride that we had done it.  I wish that I could describe the view as beautifully as I experienced it, but it’s just not possible.  All I can do is tell you that it felt like pure and complete peace. 

When I was lying on the rocks at Emerald Lake, I kept thinking about how our journey that day paralleled the process of recovery.  Lots of people say they want to recover and may even start out on the journey, but when the rain comes, and the wind starts blowing, they are tempted to turn back.  They become satisfied with the first sign of progress.  “At least I stopped this behavior” or “At least I’m not doing that thing anymore,” they say.  They hang out at the first lake and they either stay there for a while or they turn around and go back, not realizing that there’s so much more to the journey and so much more beauty to behold.  Sometimes in the thick of the storm it’s hard to trust someone who says, “keep going, its sooo worth it,” but when you take the risk, you open yourself to the possibility that you will arrive at a more peaceful place.  Who nows,you may even get to be the messenger along the path that gets to encourage the next person that, “the journey is hard, but its sooo worth it.”