Healing Beyond the Story

A Case Study in Brain Health, Self-Perception & Trauma Recovery

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A Collaborative Research Effort Between Licensed Therapists, Clinicians, and the FIORIA Institute

Clients recovering from eating disorders who are doing powerful work in therapy—reclaiming safety, stabilizing their nervous systems, experiencing weight restoration and rebuilding trust with their own bodies and stories. Yet for many, one area remains difficult to shift: how they see themselves.

This case study explores how adults engage with a structured photographic research experience and daily visual-neuroscience-based practices over time. The study does not provide treatment, nor does it promise results. Its purpose is to deepen understanding of how the brain processes visual information and how individuals relate to imagery of themselves in the context of long-term healing work.

The FIORIA Institute is partnering with clinicians to investigate whether a carefully guided photographic experience, paired with daily visual interaction, may influence self-perception and emotional processing in meaningful, observable ways.

WHO IS A GOOD FIT?

Participants must:

  • Be actively working with a licensed therapist 

  • Have a history of an eating disorder

  • Be emotionally stable and in a growth or maintenance phase of treatment 

  • Be willing to take part in a reflective photographic research experience 

  • Be able to complete daily mood logs and weekly submissions for up to 6 months 

  • Be open to identifying 2–4 trusted individuals who can complete short research interviews 

    *Additional eligibility requirements may apply, based on therapist consultation and clinical stability.

WHAT’S INVOLVED?

Selected participants will:

  1. Initial Discovery Call (30–45 minutes, virtual) 

    A research call to review readiness, clarify participation, and prepare for the photographic experience.

  2. Full-Day Photographic Research Experience

    (9:30 AM – 5:00 PM in Frisco, Texas) 

    Includes a two-hour lunch break. This guided day produces the imagery needed for the study’s visual-exposure exercises.

    *Travel and lodging are the responsibility of the participant.*

  3. Assessments & Questionnaires (varies between written, phone and video)

    Participants complete:

    • Pre-experience questionnaire (~45 minutes) 

    • Post-experience questionnaire and video interview (~30 minutes) 

    • Follow-up questionnaires at:

    - 6 weeks (~30 minutes)

    - 3 months (~30 minutes)

    - 6 months (~30 minutes)

  4. Engagement After Artwork Delivery (Required)

    Across the six months following your photographic experience, there will be 2–3 short mood-logging periods, each lasting 7 days.

    During each 7-day period, you will:
    • Complete a brief daily mood log (2–5 minutes)
    • Submit your completed logs to the research team at the end of the week

    Between these short cycles, you will be invited to continue simple visual anchoring practices with your portrait (2–5 minutes/day).

    *These touchpoints help us understand how individuals naturally interact with a visual anchor over time.

  5. Interviews

    Participants identify 2–4 trusted people (friends, family, mentors) who can participate in a short interview about your strengths?

  6. Provided Materials

    Through donor support, participants receive:

    • A photographic research experience valued at $5,000

    • One custom, museum-quality wall art statement piece valued at $2,800, used in the visual-exposure portion of the study

    • Opportunities to purchase additional artwork (not required)

 *Participants only cover their own travel and lodging.

EMOTIONAL COMFORT AND SAFETY

It is very common for people to feel nervous, uncertain, or self-conscious about being photographed—especially in a reflective or personal context. Many participants share that they feel anxious beforehand, and some even describe wanting to cancel once or twice before arriving. This is a completely normal reaction.

Your comfort and emotional safety are our highest priority throughout this study.

You will always be:

  • treated with dignity and respect

  • given choice and voice during the photographic experience

  • supported in moving at a pace that feels right for you

  • free to pause or take breaks as needed

While moments of vulnerability may arise, participants often describe feeling more grounded once they begin. Your willingness to show up—even when it feels uncomfortable—is something we deeply honor.

Participation does not require confidence or ease; it only requires openness and collaboration.

Why This Study Matters

Research has long explored how trauma affects the body and mind, but far less is known about how individuals relate to images of themselves during and after long-term healing. This study seeks to better understand the connection between:

  • visual neuroscience

  • self-perception

  • identity processing

  • and the lived experience of trauma recovery

By participating, individuals contribute to a growing field that is asking new and important questions about the role of visual engagement in emotional well-being.

This study does not provide therapy or treatment, and no outcomes are implied. Its purpose is to observe how people naturally interact with a structured photographic process and how the brain responds to repeated visual exposure over time.

Your participation helps deepen scientific understanding in an area that has been overlooked and is ready to be explored.

Optional Media Participation (Completely Voluntary)

As part of documenting the development of this research, we occasionally capture behind-the-scenes footage or educational materials

that highlight the process—not the participant’s personal story.

Participants may choose whether or not they are comfortable being recorded for:

  • behind-the-scenes footage

  • educational materials

  • public presentations, grant proposals, or donor updates

  • social media posts related to the research

This is entirely optional and does not affect eligibility for the study.

How to Apply

Participation is by therapist or clinician referral only.

 

• Partnering therapists and clinicians identify clients who may be a good fit based on stability, readiness, and therapeutic progress. 

• Eligible clients receive a secure, password-protected application link.

If your therapist believes you may be a suitable candidate, they will provide you with the password and instructions to submit your confidential application.

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Confidentiality & Anonymity

All case study findings will be shared in aggregate form only, and participants will remain anonymous unless they explicitly choose otherwise.
No personal details, imagery, or identifying information will be included in research publications without the participant’s written permission.