Karly’s the creator of growing human(kind)nessTM, a map to create emotional healing from sugar addiction, binge eating, overeating, and body obsession. Grounded in self compassion, attachment theory, and high sensitivity research, growing human(kind)nessTM works by changing our relationship with ourselves to change our relationship with food.
There’s lots of information available on nutrition and weight loss. These are the “how tos,” the external behaviors that create health. What gets in the way are the internal barriers that are rooted in emotional wounds, developmental gaps and protective behaviors.
Growing human(kind)nessTM is a map for removing these internal barriers so that you can follow through on the external behaviors, so changes can “stick.” By removing these barriers, you have what you need to move forward and grow out of painful, addictive patterns.
Growing human(kind)nessTM is an integrative approach that eases the vacillation between bingeing and restrictive eating. By pairing growing human(kind)nessTM with excellent support (we heal in community) and physical healing (supporting the body and brain with vitamins, minerals, and sound nutrition), you can heal a compulsion to overeat.
Growing human(kind)nessTM draws from a wide variety of psychological and spiritual disciplines, although its main influences are attachment theory, developmental psychology, self compassion, and Elaine Aron’s research on high sensitivity. Other influences include Imago therapy, Jungian psychology, mindfulness, non-violent communication, simplicity, psychosynthesis, and the work of Abraham Maslow, Dr. Elisabeth Kubler Ross and Dr. Gordon Neufeld.
Its core beliefs are that growth is the result of having what we need, that opening to every part of ourselves is what leads to wholeness, and that kindness, not punishment, is what creates healing, growth and change.
Click to view diagram of the growing human(kind)ness therapy
Growing human(kind)ness includes these 6 practices:
Grounding – Regular, rhythmic self care and loving boundaries leads to consistency, capability, and safety – a message of self assurance that says, “I have what I need; I am strong and capable.”
Nurturing – Meet your deepest needs for empathy, love and belonging – to be seen, heard and understood – with compassionate awareness.
Flowing – Lower anxiety, cortisol (stress!), and overarousal by caring for your sensitivity, creating boundaries, and moving with the ebb and flow of life.
Acceptance – Mourn your limits and grieve what you can’t change so that you can move forward into action, accepting what you can change. Practice unconditional acceptance for all aspects of your being.
Centering – Unhook from obsessive thinking, perfectionism and guilt by questioning “shoulds,” thoughts and beliefs. Shift your thinking to be kinder, supportive, and balanced.
Compassion – Create an inner sanctuary, a place of safety and rest. Soothe shame (your anxiety about being “bad” or “flawed) with unconditional love, forgiveness and compassion. Soothe emotional hurts by offering them care and compassion.
Growing human(kind)nessTM was created by Karly after struggling with eating disorders (sugar addiction, bulimia, binge eating disorder, compulsive overeating, body hatred, and orthorexia) for over 20 years.
- To explore Karly’s latest work applying this therapy, peruse her sugar workbook.
- Search the glossary of terms.
