Women & ADHD

Charlotte Hastings: Addiction, attachment & cooking as therapy

Nov 4, 2024

Charlotte Hastings, a psychodynamic counselor and nutrition instructor, discusses her innovative approach blending therapy with cooking. She unravels her personal journey with ADHD, exploring the ties between addiction, attachment, and neurodiversity. The conversation highlights the therapeutic role of cooking in mental health and the significance of nourishing connections built through food. Charlotte also shares insights on how early experiences with meals shape emotional development and the importance of community support for women navigating similar challenges.

01:03:24

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Charlotte Hastings

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Quick takeaways

Charlotte Hastings combines therapeutic practices with cooking, emphasizing how kitchen therapy enhances well-being for neurodivergent individuals.

The podcast discusses the impact of childhood trauma on ADHD development and underscores the importance of attachment in early emotional support.

Social connection during cooking turns meal preparation into a joyful experience, fostering relationships and alleviating feelings of isolation for those with ADHD.

Deep dives

The Importance of Kitchen Therapy

Kitchen therapy integrates cooking with therapeutic practices to enhance well-being, particularly for neurodivergent individuals. Charlotte Hastings, a trained psychodynamic counselor and cooking instructor, emphasizes that cooking offers a unique avenue for self-expression, creativity, and personal connection. By engaging the senses, individuals can foster a deeper relationship with food and nutrition, which is vital for their overall health. This approach not only promotes culinary skills but also provides a sense of belonging and emotional nourishment familiar could significantly help those with ADHD and related conditions.

Intro

3min

Navigating ADHD: Personal Journeys and Community Support

2min

Navigating Neurodiversity: A Personal Journey

18min

The Therapeutic Role of Cooking in Navigating Neurodivergence

3min

Nourishing Connections: The Role of Food and Attachment

15min

Navigating Healthy Eating with Meal Kits

2min

Culinary Connections: Nurturing Family Through Cooking

25min

Finding Connection and Community in the ADHD Journey

4min

Episode 192 with Charlotte Hastings.

“I used to pray as a girl: ‘Please, let me sit in my seat. Please, don’t let me shoot my mouth off. Please, just let me be a good girl. I just want to be like everybody else.’”

Charlotte is a trained psychodynamic counselor, a nutrition and cookery instructor, and a former head of drama at a boarding school for dyslexic, autistic spectrum, and ADHD students in the UK.

Her recipe of personal and professional experience, skills and passions have all fed into the creation of Therapy Kitchen. Charlotte integrates therapy with cooking to enhance personal and social well-being in individuals and groups. Her new book, Kitchen Therapy: How to Become a Conscious Cook, was published this past summer and is a cookbook and psychotherapeutic adventure in one, exploring the psychological, social, and spiritual dimensions food holds for us.

Charlotte and I talk about how she uses cooking and kitchen therapy to support neurodivergent clients and students, as well as her own journey of unraveling the ties between addiction, attachment, and ADHD. We also talk about the role of trauma and childhood development in ADHD, and the importance of connection and nourishing our brains in the kitchen and everywhere else.

Website: www.therapykitchen.co.uk

Instagram: @therapy.kitchen

Links:

Charlotte’s book: Kitchen Therapy: How to Become a Conscious Cook

Ep 187 with Sarah Collins

Ep 111 with Linda Yi

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Episode edited by E Podcast Productions

Find the transcript of this episode at www.womenandadhd.com/transcripts

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Small group coaching with Katy: www.womenandadhd.com/groupcoaching

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