What does a culinary therapy include?

All therapeutic processes begin with a thorough intake process to identify mental health symptoms and concerns for treatment.

For this example, we will be using a 3-hour intensive therapy session:

1st hour: a brief check-in of the primary focus for the session and a grounding exercise, perhaps a short meditation focused on the senses of smell and taste, to prepare participants for the session. Following this, the individual/family would engage in a collaborative cooking activity, focusing on a recipe chosen to address specific therapeutic goals. For example, a recipe requiring careful attention to detail could be used to practice mindfulness, or a collaborative dish could promote teamwork and communication. 

2nd hour: During the cooking process, the therapist would facilitate discussions about the emotional and sensory experiences arising, encouraging participants to connect their feelings to the food and the process. A short break would allow for reflection and a moment to engage in sensory experiencing and mindfulness. 

3rd hour: The final portion of the intensive would be dedicated to sharing the prepared meal, fostering connection and providing an opportunity to discuss the experience. The therapist would then guide a debriefing, helping participants integrate their insights and identify strategies for applying them to their daily lives, perhaps with a short writing exercise or a discussion about planning future meals.