The Eating Disorder Therapist

Today, I’m talking to J.L. Keez – mother, teacher, writer, Reality Therapy Certified Counsellor and Director of Anorexia Unlocked. J.L. has been on a journey in recovering from anorexia nervosa, along with suicidal depression, chronic fatigue, debilitating migraines, OCD and depersonalisation. J.L. openly shares her story and her journey in healing, and the many roadblocks along this route. Today, she has made a full recovery from anorexia and supports others to do the same. J.L. has created Anorexia Unlocked – an online support programme for recovery, bringing together her expertise as a therapist and her personal experience. She has also written a book, 'Anorexia Unlocked, Understanding your Story Through Mine', which is out in November. Instagram: @jlkeezanorexiaunlocked Website: https://jlkeez.com.au/ Book: Anorexia Unlocked – Understanding Your Story Through Mine, by J.L.Keez

Intense emotions can knock your relationship with food off track. This can feel frustrating and overwhelming to deal with, particularly when you’ve been making some progress. Developing good self-awareness is key in changing this. In this episode, I share a personal experience of rejection and how historically, this would have derailed recovery progress, whereas today, it is a minor blip that is reframed and worked through. Recommended TED TALK: 'What I learned from 100 days of rejection' by Jia Jiang https://www.ted.com/talks/jia_jiang_what_i_learned_from_100_days_of_rejection

Today I'm talking to Dr. Rachel Evans,  psychologist and hypnotherapist who specialises in eating disorder recovery. She has a private practice in Derbyshire and also works with clients online.  Rachel treats anorexia, bulimia, binge eating and orthorexia through her holistic recovery programme, called Nourish. It’s an empowering combination of talking therapy (coaching), Rapid Transformational Therapy (RTT; hypnotherapy) and holistic support. Rachel has previously suffered from eating disorders, bringing her empathy and understanding of living with an eating disorder into her client work. Rachel shares her journey and shares how she supports clients today to find their own freedom with food. I hope you enjoy. Instagram: @rachel.evans.phd Website: www.eatingdisordertherapist.co.uk

Today I'm talking to Christophe Garon, author, I.T. analyst and researcher. Christophe has always loved sports and been keen on health and fitness, but a few years ago, when chasing aesthetic fitness goals, this unintentionally led to disordered eating. Christophe experienced constant food cravings, poor digestion, hormone imbalances and a myriad of other symptoms associated with chronic dieting and over training, which went on for several years. Christophe was determined to restore his relationship with food and his body and fully committed to this through his own education and changing behaviours. In this episode, he shares his learning and insights, drawing on his personal experience and research. I hope you enjoy. Instagram: @metabolism_recovery Website: https://metabolismrecovery.com/ Book: Metabolism Recovery: Stop Restricting, Recover your Metabolism and Take Back the Power from Food  

 How can family members, friends and loved ones support someone with an eating disorder? You might feel incredibly anxious, upset, alone, frustrated as a carer. You might not know what to do. You may feel despairing about change. In this episode, I talk about the New Maudsley Animal Model - created by the Maudsley Hospital Eating Disorder Service in London (for adult sufferers rather than children or young teens). This helps explain how communication can be effective and ineffective in supporting someone. I talk through the different animals and the skills ideally needed, when becoming a 'dolphin'. It takes time to learn these skills. If you're a carer, I suggest you seek out a local support group. It's also vital that you self-care and look after yourself. These resources below might also help. The New Maudsley Animal Model http://thenewmaudsleyapproach.co.uk/media/animal_analogies.pdf Book recommendation: - Skills-based Caring for a Loved One with an Eating Disorder: by Janet Treasure, Grainne Smith and Anna Crane

Today, I’m sharing 3 more personal recovery secrets. Your path will be different but I hope this can inspire you and offer hope. Enjoy!

Today, I’m thrilled to have Victoria Stockwell back on the podcast. Victoria is an academic researcher, former pro bikini competitor and podcaster (The Hungry Girl Podcast). Victoria talks today about the changing female body ideal through the ages: how it’s changed; why it’s so influential and the damage it does to self-esteem and mental health. Victoria also shares openly about her own struggles in feeling the pressure to attain the body ideal (particularly in the fitness world) and how she is working to overcome this. Men do get a brief mention too, as the pressure on the male body to conform to an aesthetic is ever increasing. Thank you, Victoria, for another informative episode. I hope you enjoy listening. To find out more about Victoria:- Instagram: @hungrygirlvictoria Podcast: The Hungry Girl Podcast - https://victoriafairclough.podbean.com/

Today, I am talking to Stefanie Bonastia (Binge Eating and Diet Culture Recovery Coach). Stefanie helps women stop the binge/restrict cycle, feel more at home in their bodies and live authentic lives, free from diet culture. Stefanie experienced 20 years of eating disorders, with restriction, binge eating, over-exercise and a deep dive into wellness culture and orthorexia, before she finally found her peace with food and her body. If you are feeling stuck in disordered eating and need some hope and inspiration for change, then this is an episode for you. Hope you enjoy. To find out more about Stefanie: - Website: http://www.iamstefaniemichele.com/ FB & Instagram @iamstefaniemichele

In this episode, I share 5 secrets that were game-changers in my own recovery from an eating disorder. Your’s may well be very different but I hope that this episode offers hope and inspiration.

Today I'm talking to Amy Harman: a licensed marriage and family therapist and Certified Eating Disorders Specialist.  Amy talks about her work in eating disorders involving clients and their families, and shares her passion for helping people create positive body image. Amy shares her wisdom and tips to achieve better body image and introduces her brand, new book, which delivers the strategies to you.  To find out more about Amy: Website: www.reflectwholenesstherapy.com Instagram: @amyharmanlmft  Book: Perfectly Imperfect: Compassionate Strategies to Cultivate a Positive Body Image https://amzn.to/2CSByhz