The Eating Disorder Therapist

People that develop eating disorders tend to be sensitive souls, who feel their feelings very deeply. Ultimately this is a super-power and means that individuals are hugely empathetic, kind and compassionate beings. But it also means that the world can feel overwhelming and tricky to navigate at times. It can exacerbate issues with low self-esteem, people pleasing, perfectionism and in managing emotions. In this episode, I focus in on pleasing and perfectionist traits to hopefully help those with eating disorders feel better understood and to offer carers and loved ones further insight. Of course, I am generalising in this episode and every person’s experience is unique, so if you don’t relate, trust your inner wisdom and your own path. I hope that you enjoy the episode. 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 London 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. Underneath an eating disorder is often a deep sense of shame. In this episode, I explore shame, with the loneliness and isolation that accompanies it. I talk about the perceived envy and sense of competition you might feel from others and the associated shame with this. I normalise shame as a universal feeling that we all experience, and explore strategies to overcome it. I hope that you enjoy the episode. 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 London 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 episode was released in 2021 and has been one of my most popular downloads, so I thought that I would share it again, whilst I head off for few days holiday. I’m talking about food and feelings. I explore how our early relationship with food develops, the emotional environment at home and how this all intertwines to influence the food and feelings connection. I explain how you can begin to tune into your emotions and find healthier ways of coping, rather than restricting or overeating. I hope that you enjoy this episode. This week's sponsor - Amber Romaniuk's program Sign up for Body Freedom Unleashed - the most powerful 7-month group program to overcome binge or emotional eating and use code TRANSFORM at checkout by June 11th for an extra $150 off the early bird price! https://amber-romaniuk.mykajabi.com/body-freedom-unleashed   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  

A Bite Size episode exploring comparisons and competitiveness in people with eating disorders. It’s very common that people with eating disorders can feel competitive with one another. Eating disorders are very destructive illnesses and you can almost feel that you are never sick enough. I think the competitive/comparing phenomenon is also rife in daily life with social media etc. It is easy to look sideways and to notice what others are doing/having and feeling a lack. You compare yourself and then you don’t feel good enough. In this episode, I dive into how to manage this. I explore ways to interrupt the competitive mindset and also to look deeper into what lies underneath. Often, envy and jealousy of others can indicate our own unmet needs and give an entry point to considering personal wants and desires. I hope that you find this helpful. 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  

Today I’m talking to Scarlett O Connor (BSc EFTi EFTMRA), an accredited and experienced Emotional Freedom Technique Therapist who works with clients in recovery from eating disorders. Scarlett has been on her own healing journey, after suffering for over 25 years with eating disorders. She now is passionate about supporting others with healing and inspiring hope for recovery. In this conversation, we explore Scarlett’s healing journey from different eating disorders. Scarlett shares her unique approach and reflects on helpful and less helpful support that she received on her own healing. She talks about dealing with food and eating more; the eating disorder voice; looking at the eating disorder in its present context and function, rather than getting lost in the past; her dislike of food diaries; finding the ‘grey’ rather than an ‘all or nothing’ mindset; dealing with feelings that emerge in recovery; thoughts on body image and finding your voice and self-acceptance. I hope that you enjoy the conversation. To find out more about Scarlett: - https://www.linkedin.com/in/scarlett-o%E2%80%99connor-53ba3a265 https://scarlettoconnor.coach/ https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100090001192996 https://instagram.com/scarletts__butterfly_steps?igshid=OGQ5ZDc2ODk2ZA==   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   London 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. What is rumination syndrome? A deep dive into signs and symptoms and how it can become intertwined with an eating disorder. A listener shares her experiences and consider treatments available. I hope that you enjoy it. 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  

Today I’m talking to Ryan Althaus from Santa Cruz, California - a 39 year old eating disorder survivor on his own recovery journey. He runs a non-profit program (an inclusivity project based around uniting diverse groups with disabilities through art and recreation). You can check this out at www.sweatysheep.com Ryan has a diagnosis of autism and is passionate about educating and raising awareness of eating disorder concerns that can go alongside this. He is an ex professional marathon runner and semi-professional Ironman Triathlete.  Ryan is also an ordained minister of the National Presbyterian Church USA in charge of mental health awareness throughout the SF Bay region. And is this wasn’t enough, he is additionally a certified Yoga Instructor and Certified Psychiatric Chaplain.  Ryan also hosts a a bi-weekly radio show on Mental Health called "The Kooky Side of Crazy". He has also authored several children’s books and has recently published a new book ‘From Emaciated to Emancipated talking all about his recovery journey’ and has another book coming out later this year.  Ryan has struggled with eating disorders and exercise addiction since childhood, then having health issues prior to Covid, sent him into an intense eating disorder relapse. He has also had relatively recent diagnosis of autism, which has helped shed light and understanding into some aspects about his relationship with food and exercise. In the episode today, we’re going to hear all about Ryan’s eating disorder recovery journey with the ups and downs of this. We do a deep dive into understanding Ryan’s perspective of living with autism and an eating disorder, this being an area that still needs far greater understanding and insight.  I hope that you enjoy it. To find out more or get in touch with Ryan: - Website: https://www.thesurfingmango.com/   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          

A Bite Size episode. Another question this week from a lovely listener. Thank you so much. My listener is feeling stuck in recovery. She has been given a meal plan from her Team and in theory, she wants to implement it and take recovery steps forward. However, putting this into practice is proving frustrating and difficult.  Here I offer 3 tips to support change when you're feeling ambivalent or stuck. I hope that you find it helpful. 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    

Today I’m talking to Brooke Carlson, an eating disorder therapist and Licensed Professional Clinical Counsellor, working primarily with adolescents and young adults and based in Minnesota, USA. Brooke has worked for a nationwide eating disorder treatment centre for three years called The Emily Program. Brooke was an outpatient therapist and partial hospitalisation program coordinator during that time,  while also running a recovery support group. Prior to this, Brooke worked at a university counselling centre, where she  found her passion for working with students with eating disorders  Brooke now works in private practice as an eating disorder expert and sees clients all day with the hope of creating an Intensive Outpatient Programme in the future. She is also an eating disorder ambassador for the state where she helps with social media and petitioning for congress, and legislation for more resources and care for eating disorders in the state. Brooke has never personally suffered with an eating disorder, however she has struggled with her own disordered eating and body image distress. She brings this experience with compassion and understanding to her therapy work.  In this episode today, Brooke is talks about the relationship between eating disorders and social media – discussing both the positive and helpful aspects in ed recovery; whilst also dissecting the toxicity and harm which social media can also cause. She explores how to use social media helpfully and in an intentional and thoughtful way to safeguard your mental wellbeing. She also explores way to diversify your engagement, posting versus scrolling, dealing with comments from others and lots more. Brooke’s previous episode on the podcast has proved to be extremely popular, when she talked about over-exercise and eds in athletes. I know you’re going to enjoy this one too. Let’s get to the conversation. Contact details for Brooke: - https://allintherapyclinic.com/team/brooke-carlson/ ALL IN Therapy Clinic 1800 Wayzata Blvd Minnetonka, MN 55305 651-271-1665 hello@allintherapyclinic.com   Bite Size Eating Disorder Therapy Membership - £5 per month 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  

Another Bite-Size episode. This week I'm talking about how to deal with a mother (or any parent) who is encouraging dieting or weight loss practices (basically being entrenched in diet culture), when you are working on your own eating disorder recovery.  I offer 5 tips to deal with this. I hope that you enjoy the episode.