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By Tammie Ronen and Ayelet
Jessica Kingsley Publishers
£15.95
ISBN 1 85302 990

This book about the process of recovery is written by a client, Ayelet, and her therapist, Tammie Ronen. Ayelet graphically describes her descent from social dieting to starvation, depression and suicide attempts. She took medication, saw 10 therapists and had five traumatic hospitalisations. Like many anorexics, she was perfectionist, secretive and afraid. Interventions by parents and professionals made things worse. So how did Ronen succeed where so many experts had failed?

Ronen describes the cognitive-constructivist treatment programme she designed with Ayelet's co-operation. She views anorexia as "a holistic disorder that includes whole areas of life. It relates to personal components (self-acceptance, self-image, thinking styles); family relationships and family attitudes towards life in general and toward the client in particular; social relationships and peer acceptance." Over four years, she saw Ayelet as an individual, and, with her family, focused on each component in turn, setting achievable goals.

Ayelet appreciates the way Ronen focused on her strengths and abilities rather than on the eating problem. She was the first therapist who understood her beliefs including the art and poems that illustrate this book. Ayelet is now a wife, mother and teacher. It is an inspiring story.

Julia Tugendhat is a psychotherapist and writer.