Featured Non-Profit Organization: Project Bliss

Blog contributed by: Jacquelyn Ekern, MS, LPC, President @ Eating Disorder Hope and Crystal Karges, MS, RDN, IBCLC, Special Projects Coordinator @ Eating Disorder Hope

At Eating Disorder Hope, we have the opportunity to work with wonderful organizations, whose efforts are geared towards helping the eating disorder community.  Many non-profit organizations work tirelessly to connect eating disorder sufferers with the quality treatment they need to recover and heal in all aspects of their lives.  Project Bliss is such an organization, that strives to meet the needs of their community while carrying on the message of hope for recovery from an eating disorder.  We recently had the chance to interview our friends at Project Bliss and learn more about this special place purposed for increasing eating disorder awareness and availability of resources.

1) What is Project Bliss?

Project Bliss is a non-profit, tax exempt [501(c)3] program with the primary purpose of providing cutting-edge treatment for those with eating and behavioral health issues. PB also works to provide quality education, support and health information to the local and online community. PB supports a non-medical, community-based residential home to promote the affordable treatment of eating disorders.

2) How was Project Bliss Founded?

The National Council on Health and Wellness Board of Directors recognized a need to serve the community by promoting healthy eating habits and body image, as well as raising awareness of eating disorders. One of the ways this has been done is by providing a space for the promotion of normalized eating, body, and general mental and physical health…Project Bliss.

3) What are some unique components of the Project Bliss Program?

At Project Bliss, we use a revolutionary approach to overcoming internal and external struggles. Primarily, we offer inviting solutions for inner conflict that expresses through food and body issues. We specialize in eating disorders, emotional eating, behavioral health concerns, and life cycle issues. We teach healthy coping and self-soothing skills using research-supported treatments including DBT, ACT, and intuitive eating. We also promote exploration of alternative ways to find your bliss, whether that be through art, active play, gardening, dance, writing, volunteering, and music, just to name a few.

4) What services are currently available to eating disorder sufferers through Project Bliss?

Levels of care include:

• Transitional Living

• Day Program

• Intensive Outpatient Program (3 or 5 evenings/week)

• Outpatient therapy and nutrition

• Weekend Intensives

• Day Intensives

A typical day at Project Bliss includes 5-6 therapeutic groups, movement, meditation/prayer, 3 meals and 3 snacks available, and individual sessions with therapist or dietitian as indicated. Our professional and support staff helped create this program and center, and there is a palpable feeling of genuine care, passion, and warmth. We are doing what we love, and it shows.

5) How can someone become a part of the Project Bliss Community?

Individual gifts and/or fundraising efforts will make a big difference in people’s lives. These acts of generous charity are the breath of life for this program. In order to provide the best care possible, we chose to be a non-profit home–unfortunately, this means there are no big investors to support our growth. We are grateful for the support we receive from donors and volunteers, and we are passionate about providing support to those who are struggling.

Individuals interested in treatment may either go to our website, www.theblissproject.com, and fill out a contact form or simply call (817) 584-5399 to set up an in person or over the phone, free of charge intake assessment to determine what level of care is appropriate.

Thank you to Project Bliss for sharing your organization with us and for the invaluable work you do in the eating disorder community!