Stephanie Meakin, a registered nurse at a Primary Care Network, recently shared her experience with the Craving Change ‘Put your Cravings on Hold’ CBT strategy.
“During our interview, my client identified that she finds sugar cravings challenging to manage. I explained the ‘Ride the Craving Wave” analogy and the changing intensity of a food craving. We discussed the strategy of setting a timer to delay the craving outcome (eating). We also discussed how this allows us to make a mindful food choice.
The client was very eager to try this strategy. She found that it was a tangible action that she could implement right away. She wondered how long she should set the timer for. We discussed choosing a time in the beginning that she is 70% confident she would succeed at. The client chose 5 minutes to start.
I have met with the client since implementing this strategy and the outcome was positive. She was able to put her craving on hold for minimum 5 minutes each time and chose not to have a chocolate bar twice in the three weeks between our sessions. The client was thrilled with this outcome and continues to use the strategy.”
“Using a cognitive-behavioral strategy was incredibly helpful for me as a clinician. Strategies to help clients handle behavior change challenges is always welcomed. I felt that the explanation of the strategy went well, and there was clear understanding from the client. I will use the strategy in the future, and actually have already done so!”
