Harm reduction is a compassionate, client-centered approach that honors the reality of each person’s recovery process. It recognizes that recovery isn't always linear, and not everyone will commit to full recovery all at once. Some individuals may be more motivated to take smaller, manageable steps, and that’s not only okay—it’s valid.
This approach is typically for individuals who have been through multiple higher levels of care, such as residential or inpatient treatment, and found that the intensity or rigidity of those environments did not support their long-term recovery. For many, returning to the same structure repeatedly can feel disheartening—especially when relapse follows discharge. Others have encountered providers who were unwilling to work with them unless they agreed to pursue full recovery right away, leaving them feeling dismissed or unsupported.
Harm reduction is not about enabling eating disorder behaviors. It’s about acknowledging the full humanity of the person struggling with an eating disorder, and respecting their right to body autonomy and self determination. You deserve care, even if you’re not ready to give up all eating disorder behaviors right now. Choosing to pursue some steps forward, even if they’re not huge, is still progress.
This approach centers around collaboration, safety, and dignity, offering support to clients who want to make changes, even if their goals differ from traditional models of recovery. For example, a client may not be ready to fully normalize eating patterns but may be open to increasing nourishment slightly, decreasing frequency of behaviors, or exploring more self-compassionate internal dialogue.
When applied ethically and with clinical expertise, harm reduction can support clients in:
Stabilizing health while minimizing some immediate medical risks
Reducing frequency or intensity of disordered behaviors
Maintaining functionality in their daily lives
Identifying long-term goals at their own pace
Building trust with providers without feeling forced or judged
This approach also creates space for clients who may be managing severe and enduring eating disorders—including anorexia nervosa—where the focus may shift from full weight restoration to increasing quality of life, reducing medical risk, or building safety and stability.
Informed Consent for Severe and Enduring Anorexia
In situations where a client is navigating severe and enduring anorexia nervosa, particularly when a client is in disagreement with full nutritional rehabilitation as part of their recovery plan, you may be asked to complete additional consent forms. These are not meant to create barriers to care—they exist to ensure that you are fully informed about the risks and realities of this approach. They reflect a commitment to transparency, body autonomy, and shared decision-making, even when full recovery isn't the client's immediate or primary goal.
At Freedom With Nutrition, we take on a select number of adults clients at any given time who require a harm reduction approach. Please inquire if we have availability if this is something that describes your needs.