The Eating Disorder Therapist

Today I’m talking to Matthew Campling. Matthew has, throughout his career, combined writing with his therapeutic interests.  He has been working with clients since 1994, gaining a Diploma in client-centred therapy, a BA honours in client-centred therapy, and a Masters Degree in general psychotherapy.  He also has post-graduate qualifications in EI (Emotional Intelligence) and CBT for Anxiety and Depression. The start of Matthew's therapeutic journey was his own situation.  He had two breakdowns before he was 21, the second after having had anorexia nervosa for a couple of years.  Each time, having to put himself back together, with very little outside help (this was in South Africa during the apartheid era) he learned about the psyche.  His began putting this into practice working as an advice writer, agony uncle, for various publications. Then he became a therapist.  He's written three books on eating disorders, including Diary of A Male Anorexic, a memoir.  During lockdown Matthew published five novels on a variety of subjects.  He has also had 11 plays produced.  Recently he has been a member of The Pink Singers, London's LGBTQ+ community choir.  Matthew returned to working as a therapist six months ago, and as well as taking up more work with clients with eating disorders and other issues; he's also working with survivors of historical clerical abuse.   In the episode today, Matthew talks about his own recovery journey, exploring what helped and hindered this. He talks about finding the right kind of support; dealing with the eating disorder voice and gently questioning this;  avoiding over-control in treatment and how this can be hugely detrimental; the 12 Type Enneagram; leaning into your intuitive system, emotions and going within; writing books, including his memoir ' Diary of a Male Anorexic', and more. I hope that you enjoy the conversation.   To get in touch with Matthew: Website: - https://www.matthewcampling.com/ Email: - campling.m@gmail.com Diary of a Male Anorexic (book) - https://www.amazon.co.uk/Diary-Male-Anorexic-Recovery-Apartheid/dp/1916180337   This week's sponsor: WeShape - Katie Bramlett:   http://www.weshape.com/freedom   Harriet Frew's current offers: - Bite Size Eating Disorder Therapy Membership https://www.patreon.com/theeatingdisordertherapist Online 10 Steps to Intuitive Eating Course with Harriet Frew - 50% off with code FREEDOMISPOSSIBLE https://www.theeatingdisordertherapist.co.uk/online-courses.html Online Event - Inspiring Prevention of Eating Disorders and Body Image Issues https://www.eventbrite.com/e/inspiring-prevention-of-eating-disorders-and-body-image-issues-tickets-601388086957

A Bite Size episode. In this podcast, I talk about the Minnesota Starvation Study - it wouldn't be ethical today(!) but it remains one of the most profound and interesting scientific experiments to date. It is particularly helpful as a psycho-education tool for anyone suffering from an eating disorder.  I hope that you find it interesting. This week's sponsor: WeShape - Katie Bramlett:   http://www.weshape.com/freedom   Harriet Frew's current offers: - Bite Size Eating Disorder Therapy Membership https://www.patreon.com/theeatingdisordertherapist Online 10 Steps to Intuitive Eating Course with Harriet Frew - 50% off with code FREEDOMISPOSSIBLE https://www.theeatingdisordertherapist.co.uk/online-courses.html Online Event - Inspiring Prevention of Eating Disorders and Body Image Issues https://www.eventbrite.com/e/inspiring-prevention-of-eating-disorders-and-body-image-issues-tickets-601388086957

Today is a conversation between me and Ciandra Birnbaum, the passionate and empathetic eating disorder recovery coach behind “Flourish with Ciandra”. Ciandra possesses a unique blend of personal experience and professional training, She helps individuals navigate the journey to recovery with understanding, resilience, and positivity. Overcoming her own struggles with an eating disorder, Ciandra embarked on a mission to inspire others to embrace their self-worth and transform their lives. With an innovative, compassionate, and holistic approach, Ciandra offers not just coaching, but also empowerment, guidance, and continuous support to those on the path of recovery. Her ultimate aim is to cultivate healthy body images, inspire self-love, and enable her clients to truly flourish. In the episode today, we do a deep dive into eating disorder therapy and coaching. We explore the benefits of each; how they can complement one another; we share our success stories; practical tools from the therapy and coaching room; we debunk myths; consider the long term benefits of accessing therapeutic support and more! I hope that you find it helpful.   To find out more about Ciandra: - Instagram  https://www.instagram.com/recovertoflourish_pod/. Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/recover-to-flourish/id1636188619 Website: https://flourishwithciandra.com/   This week's sponsor: WeShape - Katie Bramlett:   http://www.weshape.com/freedom   Harriet Frew's current offers: - Bite Size Eating Disorder Therapy Membership https://www.patreon.com/theeatingdisordertherapist Online 10 Steps to Intuitive Eating Course with Harriet Frew - 50% off with code FREEDOMISPOSSIBLE https://www.theeatingdisordertherapist.co.uk/online-courses.html Online Event - Inspiring Prevention of Eating Disorders and Body Image Issues https://www.eventbrite.com/e/inspiring-prevention-of-eating-disorders-and-body-image-issues-tickets-601388086957

A Bite Size episode. I think that it's a cliche to say that eating disorders are all about control. I guess it is a cliche for a good reason - an eating disorder can be a coping strategy and life-raft to cling to, when life throws its unpredictable turbulence at your door. In this podcast, I talk about an eating disorder as a coping strategy, exploring feeling in control and out-of-control and suggest different and more healthy ways of coping. I hope that you find it helpful.   This week's sponsor: WeShape - Katie Bramlett:   http://www.weshape.com/freedom   Harriet Frew's current offers: - Bite Size Eating Disorder Therapy Membership https://www.patreon.com/theeatingdisordertherapist Online 10 Steps to Intuitive Eating Course with Harriet Frew - 50% off with code FREEDOMISPOSSIBLE https://www.theeatingdisordertherapist.co.uk/online-courses.html Online Event - Inspiring Prevention of Eating Disorders and Body Image Issues https://www.eventbrite.com/e/inspiring-prevention-of-eating-disorders-and-body-image-issues-tickets-601388086957  

In this episode, I talk about 9 reasons why you might be binge eating, whilst sharing tips and strategies to deal with this. I explore busyness, restriction, alcohol, sleep, people pleasing, perfectionism, inner critic, catastrophising blips, and good and bad foods. Lots packed into this episode! I hope that you find it helpful.   This week's sponsor: WeShape - Katie Bramlett:   http://www.weshape.com/freedom   Harriet Frew's current offers: - Bite Size Eating Disorder Therapy Membership https://www.patreon.com/theeatingdisordertherapist Online 10 Steps to Intuitive Eating Course with Harriet Frew - 50% off with code FREEDOMISPOSSIBLE https://www.theeatingdisordertherapist.co.uk/online-courses.html Online Event - Inspiring Prevention of Eating Disorders and Body Image Issues https://www.eventbrite.com/e/inspiring-prevention-of-eating-disorders-and-body-image-issues-tickets-601388086957

A Bite Size episode.  Trying to be body positive can often feel like an unattainable and unrealistic goal. However, body neutrality can offer a path towards body acceptance and greater peace. In this episode, I explore the difference between body positivity and body neutrality; I look at what body neutrality means and how to become more body neutral in your daily life. I hope that you enjoy the episode. This week's sponsor: WeShape - Katie Bramlett:   http://www.weshape.com/freedom   Harriet Frew's current offers: - Bite Size Eating Disorder Therapy Membership https://www.patreon.com/theeatingdisordertherapist Online 10 Steps to Intuitive Eating Course with Harriet Frew - 50% off with code FREEDOMISPOSSIBLE https://www.theeatingdisordertherapist.co.uk/online-courses.html Online Event - Inspiring Prevention of Eating Disorders and Body Image Issues https://www.eventbrite.com/e/inspiring-prevention-of-eating-disorders-and-body-image-issues-tickets-601388086957

This is a re-share of an old podcast episode that has proved to be very popular. Understanding why you might be in patterns of control, neglect and self-sabotage around your eating. Your early relationships in life will impact the way you care for yourself, the way you interact with others and also your relationship with food and your body. Patterns of over-control, conditional acceptance, emotional neglect or even abuse can all have a significant impact. In this episode, I talk about Reciprocal Roles, a tool used in Cognitive Analytic Therapy, to give you greater insight into understanding this. I hope that you enjoy the episode.   This week's sponsor: WeShape - Katie Bramlett:   http://www.weshape.com/freedom         Harriet Frew's current offers: - Bite Size Eating Disorder Therapy Membership https://www.patreon.com/theeatingdisordertherapist Online 10 Steps to Intuitive Eating Course with Harriet Frew - 50% off with code FREEDOMISPOSSIBLE https://www.theeatingdisordertherapist.co.uk/online-courses.html Online Event - Inspiring Prevention of Eating Disorders and Body Image Issues https://www.eventbrite.com/e/inspiring-prevention-of-eating-disorders-and-body-image-issues-tickets-601388086957  

A Bite Size episode! In this episode, I do a whistle-stop tour of different eating disorders, including anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, binge eating disorder, OSFED (Other Specified Feeding and Eating Disorder), Orthorexia and ARFID (Avoidant Restrictive Food Intake Disorder) and talk about general disordered eating too. I hope that you find it helpful. Do visit the BEAT website for more comprehensive information about eating disorders. https://www.beateatingdisorders.org.uk/   This week’s sponsor Dr Marianne Miller https://www.drmariannemiller.com/binge-eating-101-class-1 Use code: HARRIET for $20 USD discount   Harriet Frew's current offers: - Bite Size Eating Disorder Therapy Membership https://www.patreon.com/theeatingdisordertherapist Online 10 Steps to Intuitive Eating Course with Harriet Frew - 50% off with code FREEDOMISPOSSIBLE https://www.theeatingdisordertherapist.co.uk/online-courses.html Online Event - Inspiring Prevention of Eating Disorders and Body Image Issues https://www.eventbrite.com/e/inspiring-prevention-of-eating-disorders-and-body-image-issues-tickets-601388086957

Today I’m speaking to Amber Romaniuk who is a returning guest to the Eating Disorder Therapist Podcast. Amber is an Emotional Eating, Digestive and Hormone Expert who helps professional women achieve optimal health through mindful eating, self-care and overcoming self-sabotage with food. ⠀ ⠀ Her podcast “The No Sugarcoating Podcast” has a million downloads, over 400 episodes and is listened to, in over 88 countries. She was featured on TV Personality Whitney Port’s podcast and has also appeared on local TV 50 times in the last three years alone. Amber overcame her own emotional eating, after gaining and losing more than 1000 lbs and spending over $50,000 on binge foods and spending 5 years balancing her hormones and digestion. Now she helps others achieve Body Freedom™ so they have the confidence and health to create amazing lives. ⠀ ⠀ In this episode today, Amber is talking all about food and eating around your menstrual cycle – so apologies to any men listening, but hopefully you will benefit from this knowledge and pass this on to all the women in your life! ⠀ ⠀ Amber is going to explore increased appetite levels prior to the menstrual cycle and explain what creates this. She talks about how this can make women feel more vulnerable to using food about a week prior to their cycle. Amber goes on to explain how the mindset, mood and physical body all together create this effect and the kind of imbalances that can amplify it. A great topic and one we haven’t covered on the podcast before. ⠀ ⠀ Amber does a deep dive here and gives a multitude of tips and wisdom on how to find a more balanced place of harmony and healing, drawing on her own lived experience and through many years of supporting her clients. I hope that you enjoy the conversation.   To find out more about Amber: - ⠀ ⠀ Website: https://amberapproved.ca/ ⠀ ⠀ The No Sugarcoating Podcast: https://amberapproved.ca/podcast/gh ⠀ ⠀ Instagram: @amberromaniuk   ⠀ ⠀   This week's sponsor: WeShape - Katie Bramlett:  http://www.weshape.com/freedom   Harriet Frew's current offers: - Bite Size Eating Disorder Therapy Membership https://www.patreon.com/theeatingdisordertherapist Online 10 Steps to Intuitive Eating Course with Harriet Frew - 50% off with code FREEDOMISPOSSIBLE https://www.theeatingdisordertherapist.co.uk/online-courses.html Online Event - Inspiring Prevention of Eating Disorders and Body Image Issues https://www.eventbrite.com/e/inspiring-prevention-of-eating-disorders-and-body-image-issues-tickets-601388086957  

A Bite Size episode! It is incredibly common for people with eating disorders to struggle with 'all or nothing thinking'. This frequently leads to 'good phases' and the contrasting, wholly chaotic and distressing 'bad phases' and this approach doesn't support balanced mental and physical well-being. In this episode, I talk about 'all or nothing thinking'. I discuss the ways that it can be so detrimental in recovery and explore how to take steps towards embracing the grey, along with greater contentment and peace. I hope that you enjoy it.   This week's sponsor - Dr. Marianne Miller https://www.drmariannemiller.com/binge-eating-101-class-1  Use code HARRIET for $20 off.   Harriet Frew's current offers: - Bite Size Eating Disorder Therapy Membership https://www.patreon.com/theeatingdisordertherapist Online 10 Steps to Intuitive Eating Course with Harriet Frew - 50% off with code FREEDOMISPOSSIBLE https://www.theeatingdisordertherapist.co.uk/online-courses.html Online Event - Inspiring Prevention of Eating Disorders and Body Image Issues https://www.eventbrite.com/e/inspiring-prevention-of-eating-disorders-and-body-image-issues-tickets-601388086957