Recovery is a journey, and as a clinician I strive to guide my clients along the way.  Generally, I try to point them in the right direction and from there allow themselves to explore their own path, and if they get off track we course-correct. 

Along the way we cast the vision for where we're going by identifying their true self's values (sometimes hard to separate from the ED's values at first) and creating a road map using the values as the compass. 

For example, if someone values their physical health so they can live life to the fullest potential, that means we need to define health and examine the ways in which the ED is interfering, which is sometimes painful to acknowledge.  However this acknowledgement then allows us to choose a different path, a path guided by their values.  This likely means accepting the need for nourishment through food, getting enough sleep, taking medications as prescribed, and moving the body in enjoyable ways. 

The trip isn't always easy, and that's why we need to cast a vision for where we are going and why.  The map to where keeps us on course, and the why sustains motivation through the difficult patches of the journey.