The Eating Disorder Therapist

This week, 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.   If you'd like to support this podcast, please do enroll in my Patron.    

Today, I’m talking to Rachelle Heinemann, a licensed mental health counsellor based in NYC and Brooklyn. She specialises in the treatment of eating disorders and emotional eating as well as exercise addiction and body image struggles. She also works extensively with those challenged by depression, anxiety, relationship difficulties and career stress. Rachelle is trained as a psychoanalytic psychotherapist. She works with her clients to find meaning in their lives and attain long lasting results. In addition to her practice, Rachelle has taught courses in eating disorders and body image at undergraduate programs and high schools. She also provides consultation and education to members of the community. As a psychotherapist, Rachelle recognises that after many clients no longer use eating disorder symptoms, they don’t feel better. In fact, they can often feel worse. It is often because the work on the emotional component of recovery is missing. In this episode, Rachelle explores the connections between emotional experience and food related behaviours. It’s a fascinating insight into the unconscious coping of eating disorders and how to begin to work on this. I hope that you enjoy this conversation. To find out more about Rachelle: - Website: https://www.rachelleheinemann.com/ Instagram: @rheinemannlmhc If you'd like to support this podcast, please do enroll in my Patron.

Today I’m speaking with Ariana Rodriguez – Dietitian, Certified Intuitive Eating Counsellor, Yoga Teacher and NLP Practitioner.  Ariana trained as a dietitian in Montreal, Canada and later moved to London, where with Cassie Barnard, she founded Embody Health London. Here, they have a team of experts working in eating disorders and body image. Their mission is to help women heal their relationship with food and their body and live a life of diet freedom, being supportive of an anti-diet approach and Intuitive Eating principles. You may have seen Ariana and Cassie on TikTok or Instagram reels with their uplifting dance routines, spreading messages of body acceptance and a healthy relationship with food. They have such a positive energy, with is infectious. I love the way that they combine a fun element, but clearly are absolute professionals with a wealth of knowledge and expertise. Outside of Ariana’s nutrition and yoga therapy work, you can find her traveling around the globe, dancing and singing in the kitchen, spending time in the outdoors, meditating and connecting with friends and family. She is a self-proclaimed wannabe chef, amateur photographer and loves to stick her nose into a juicy book! In this episode, Ariana shares how own story in overcoming struggles with food and the journey to founding Embody Health London, with Cassie. It’s a story of overcoming adversity, following intuition and wonderful friendship. I hope that you enjoy the episode. 
   To find out more about Embody Health London: Website: https://www.embodyhealthlondon.com/ Instagram: @embodyhealthlondon_ Instagram: @nutritionari TikTok: @embodyhealthldn   If you'd like to support this podcast, please do enroll in my Patron.    

Today, I’m talking to Molly Fennig, author and researcher. Molly self-published her first novel, InSomnus, at age 17 and has published numerous short stories in many literary presses. Her second novel, Starvation, was published by Immortal Works in November 2020 when she was 22. The book explores themes such as male eating disorders and mental health, and won a 2021 Independent Press Award. ​Born and raised in Minnesota, Molly got a degree in Neuroscience, with minors in English and Spanish, from Swarthmore College. She is currently pursuing her PhD in clinical psychology, with a specialisation in eating disorders, from Washington University in St. Louis. Her research has been published in multiple scientific journals.  ​Molly’s mini goldendoodle Peach is training to be a therapist, and specialises in eating. Molly is passionate about mental health, chocolate, and mentoring young writers. In this episode, Molly talks about her wonderful new book and the important messages that she wishes to convey in this. We also explore common triggers for eating disorders and Molly’s research in this field. I hope that you enjoy the episode. To find out more about Molly: - Website: https://www.mollyfennig.com/ Instagram: @mollyfennig If you'd like to support this podcast, please do enroll in my Patron.  

‘I’m boring’, ‘I’m not intelligent’, I’m unattractive. I’m too this or that……’; these are words heard frequently in the therapy room. And lying underneath these derogatory statements, is a fundamental belief of ‘I’m not good enough’. This inner feeling of unworthiness then permeates every area of life, through choice of relationships, work progress and social engagements. It’s like having a millstone around your neck, as you carry this heavy psychological baggage into every situation. Fundamentally, it causes lingering pain, which you then seek to avoid through eating or not eating, through alcohol, drugs, shopping or workaholism to name a few. The coping strategies bring temporary relief from the turmoil bubbling inside your head.  In this episode, I talk about my own inner feelings of not feeling good enough, which were a root cause of my bulimia. I share 3 tips on how to change this and boost your self-esteem sustainably. Learning to feel enough can be a life-changer in recovery. I hope that you enjoy this episode. If you'd like to support this podcast, please do enroll in my Patron.

Hindsight is a wonderful thing, when reflecting on the recovery journey! In this episode, I talk about my own recovery blocks in overcoming bulimia. What I wish I'd known back then and the things I might do differently. Your journey will be unique but I hope this will inspire you to reflect on your own path. Enjoy! If you'd like to support this podcast, please do enroll in my Patron.

Today, I’m talking to Lisa Blane - who is a London based wellness coach with a holistic approach to health & wellbeing. She’s passionate about helping men, women and their families eat better and think positively about themselves. As a certified fitness instructor & nutritionist, Lisa aims to investigate the root cause of her clients’ dietary problems so they can not only improve their health, address cravings, manage weight and strengthen the immune system, but also regain mental clarity and start living their lives with a sense of purpose. Lisa has a wealth of knowledge in supporting her clients in dealing with emotional eating, managing cravings and hunger; moving away from the weighing scales, practising mindful exercise and achieving quality sleep. She truly embraces wellness from a 360-degree perspective – slowing down, being in the moment and allowing her clients to become their fully-whole and authentic selves.  I hope that you enjoy the episode. To find out more about Lisa: - Website: www.lisablane.com Instagram: @lisablanewellness The Wellness Mindset book If you would like to support this podcast and and/or access additional episodes, do enroll in my Patron.

Today, I’m talking to Christie Dondero Bettwy. Christie serves as the Executive Director for Rock Recovery, a non-profit organisation that helps people overcome disordered eating by combining clinical and community care, and is based in Washington DC. Having gone through recovery herself, Christie understands the depth of emotional, mental, physical, and spiritual support needed to recover. She is passionate about spreading the message that complete freedom from disordered eating is possible. Christie is an active speaker and shares her story with organisations and media outlets across the country. She lives in Washington, D.C. with her husband Ryan. I hope that you enjoy this inspiring conversation.   To find out more about Rock Recovery: - Instagram: @rockrecovery Twitter: @RockRecovery Website: www.rockrecoveryed.org   If you would like to support this podcast and and/or access additional episodes, do enroll in my Patron 

Chewing and spitting (C and S) is a shameful secret sadly suffered by many people with eating disorders. As the name suggests, you chew your food, then spit it out – the aim being to enjoy the taste without the calorie cost, as food is not swallowed. Forbidden foods are the preferential choice, as the behaviour is rooted in restrictive eating behaviour. C and S does not discriminate and can be seen across all eating disorder diagnoses. It’s a tricky topic to talk about but it’s a topic that I feel needs a conversation and awareness. Increasing numbers of clients mention this behaviour and desperate queries slip into my DMs, as people ask for information about stopping and query whether they are alone in their struggles. In this episode, I talk about the costs of chewing and spitting and some first steps towards stopping this behaviour. I hope you find this helpful.   If you would like to support this podcast and and/or access additional episodes, do enroll in my Patron 

Today, I’m talking to Queeny June Borgman, registered dietitian, personal trainer, writer and founder of IAMSTUFFED. Queeny was raised in Amsterdam in the Netherlands and thrives on bringing a diverse and eclectic approach to food and looking at the world, having and Indian mother, Dutch father and being Jewish. Queeny is not your regular dietitian and provides bespoke packages to people to improve their relationship with food and exercise, whilst also enhancing their mindset and well-being. One of her special interests is working with eating disorders and also in supporting people regain their menstrual cycle. Queeny has not always had the easiest relationship with food herself. Previously, she tried almost every diet and wellness plan going and really has been on a journey in coming to be in a peaceful place in her body and mind. Queeny draws on her personal experience and professional expertise to help others do the same. I hope that you enjoy this episode. To find out more about Queeny: - Instagram: - @iamstuffed_com Website:- http://iamstuffed.nl/ If you would like to support this podcast and and/or access additional episodes, do enroll in my Patron