by Hiba Giacoletto, Healthwise
Imagine an environment so peaceful you feel safe as soon as you step into it.
A place where you can let go of your burdens and start anew.
This is the vision behind La Maison AnnaBelle which provides supportive housing for women working towards recovery from all types of disordered eating such as anorexia, bulimia, binge eating disorder, over exercising, overeating, orthorexia or EDNOS - Eating Disorder Not Otherwise Specified.
This beautiful house perched on the hills above Montreux, in Chernex, provides a judgement-free zone away from home, where women facing eating disorders can finally put down their baggage and work on recovery away from outside pressure.
A safe and supportive environment where they can start answering the questions:
Who am I today beyond how I eat?
Who do I want to be?
La MaisonAnna Belle welcomes up to six women at a time, creating a community for women who often suffer alone. This community is key to recovery as the women staying here connect with others facing similar struggles and working towards similar goals.
“There’s a lot of misunderstanding around what it means to have an eating disorder,” explains Susan Matthey, founder and Clinical Director of La Maison AnnaBelle. “There is a lot of shame around having an eating disorder, particularly around meal times - even in more traditional clinical settings.”
Before moving back to Switzerland where she grew up, Susan Matthey worked at a residential treatment center for women who suffered from eating disorders in the USA. This is where she got the inspiration for Maison AnnaBelle from - she saw how women flourished in an environment where they felt safe and supported.
La Maison AnnaBelle provides a comfortable, relaxed, homey feel where residents cook together and share common activities. Most residents stay for 2-3 months. Susan Matthey explains that this is how long it takes for people to feel safe enough to open up and start making real change.
In such a small group where residents are facing similar challenges, everyone participates. Nobody can hide. And because shame, which is very present with eating disorders, has a tendency to hide, by forcing participants into open and honest conversations, shame can be dissipated.
Susan Matthey explains: “The magic happens when residents can see: I struggle and you struggle too. I am not alone.” This is where healing often begins.
La Maison AnnaBelle works with external experts to provide all the high quality services of a traditional clinic. This network of professionals includes psychologists, nurses, dieticians, masseurs, yoga teachers and others who help provide a holistic experience.
I asked one of the residents what she would want people to know about eating disorders and she told me: “It can happen to anyone. It sort of sneaks up on you and you don’t even see it coming.”
What about parents? What would you want them to know about eating disorders?
Without hesitation, Susan tells me she recommends all parents read the book Brave Girl Eating: A Family's Struggle with Anorexia by Harriet Brown.
“And I would want them to know: Don’t waste your time on blame. Instead, try to open up the discussion with your child. Also, try not to take things personally - often it’s the eating disorder reacting, not your child. And get help. There is always hope.”
La Maison AnnaBelle
Route De Chamby 7
1822 Chernex
Switzerland
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
www.lmab.ch
Facebook.com/Lmab.ch
Association in Lausanne for guidance about resources available:
http://www.boulimie-anorexie.ch
More general information about eating disorders:
https://www.b-eat.co.uk
https://www.nationaleatingdisorders.org
Brave Girl Eating: A Family's Struggle with Anorexia by Harriet Brown.
