ABSTRACT
This chapter focuses on several opportunities to improve outcomes. Adopting a deeply compassionate and encouraging attitude will create a safe environment. Pacing the rate of learning to accommodate compromised cognitive function will yield steady progress at skill acquisition and self-confidence. The avenue to success is most important when helping the client learn to protect against lapsing. Framing lapses as positive contributions to the process sets a warm tone that supports the processed food addiction (PFA) client in rebuilding self-esteem and staying open to continuing to build a recovery program. By understanding and adapting to the severity of PFA, the practitioner naturally develops compassion for the suffering of normal lapses and "setbacks" while slowly establishing protective routines. Drug addiction professionals might be surprised at the number of treatment elements that are common to both PFA and drug addiction. Learning about PFA may help substance use disorders counselors prevent drug addiction from shifting to PFA in the course of recovery.
