Recovery Support

Jenni Schaefer - Recovery Support

Jenni Schaefer often says that she has never been married, but she is happily divorced. Psychotherapist and author, Thom Rutledge, taught Jenni to treat her eating disorder as a relationship, rather than an illness or condition. She learned to think of her eating disorder as a distinct being with unique thoughts and a personality separate from her own. Jenni actually named her anorexia/bulimia, "Ed," an acronym for "eating disorder." Ed was controlling and manipulative; she hated him but would not leave him. In order to recover, she finally had to divorce Ed. Jenni divorced her eating disorder.

Jenni wrote a book about her experience titled Life Without Ed: How One Woman Declared Independence from Her Eating Disorder and How You Can Too (McGraw-Hill). A consultant with the Center for Change in Orem, Utah, she is a contributing author to Chicken Soup for the Recovering Soul and its companion Chicken Soup for the Recovering Soul: Daily Inspirations (HCI Books). Jenni is a regular guest on national radio and television, including appearances on Dr. Phil and Entertainment Tonight. Her work has been recognized in national publications, including the Chicago Tribune, Cosmopolitan, Cosmogirl, The Washington Times, and Woman's World. She speaks across the country and writes regularly for self-help/recovery publications.

A singer/songwriter from Nashville, TN, Jenni uses music in her outreach efforts to help others struggling with eating disorders. She also incorporates humor into her work as a speaker and writer. Even though the topic of eating disorders is very serious, she finds that humor provides a hopeful light and adds a fresh perspective.

Jenni has a deep passion for educating others about eating disorders and for providing hope to those lost in the treacherous illness. Jessica Weiner honored Jenni as a Featured Actionist for her dedication to promoting eating disorder awareness. Today Jenni's mission is to raise the divorce rate in this country (from Ed, of course).

Life Without Ed
Author: Jenni Schaefer
with Thom Rutledge
188 pages (paperback)
order online at www.gurze.com

"Ed and I lived together for more than twenty years. He was abusive, controlling, and never hesitated to tell me what he thought, how I was doing it wrong, and what I should be doing instead. . . Ed is not a high school sweetheart. Ed is not some creep that I started dating in college. . . Ed's name comes from the initials E.D. —as in eating disorder. Ed is my eating disorder. —from the introduction

Jenni had been in an abusive relationship with Ed for far too long. Then she met psychotherapist and author Thom Rutledge who taught her how to treat her eating disorder as a relationship, not a condition. By separating herself from her eating disorder, Jenni says goodbye to Ed forever.

Inspiring, compassionate, and filled with practical exercises to help you break up with your own personal E.D., Life Without Ed provides new hope for the disorders that plague millions of women and young girls. This supportive, lifesaving book combines a patient's insights and experiences with a therapist's prescriptions for success to help you live a healthier, happier life without Ed.

Therapists have told us that this a good book to read out-loud to patients.