Shows
Understanding Disordered Eating: Eating Disorder Recovery and Body Image HealingHow to Quiet the Food NoiseHave you ever felt like your mind just won’t shut off about food? You’re in a meeting, at school, or out with friends, and instead of focusing on what’s in front of you, all you can think about is what you’ll eat next, what you shouldn’t have eaten, or what you’ll allow yourself later. That constant mental chatter, what many call food noise, can be exhausting. Tune in to the full episode to uncover what food noise is really telling you, and what steps you can take to finally quiet it. Twee...
2025-10-2819 minUnderstanding Disordered Eating: Eating Disorder Recovery and Body Image HealingWhat Does Treatment for an Eating Disorder Actually Look Like?When it comes to eating disorder treatment, one of the biggest questions people have is simple: What does it actually look like? The reality is that there’s no single answer. Every person’s story with food, body image, and recovery is unique, which means treatment has to be flexible, supportive, and tailored to the individual. Still, there are common building blocks that show up again and again, and understanding them can make the process feel a little less overwhelming. The number one goal is eating disorder symptom reduction. That means consistent and adequate nourishment as the firs...
2025-10-2127 minUnderstanding Disordered Eating: Eating Disorder Recovery and Body Image HealingBody Image with Sydney Greene, MS, RDNEver feel like nothing in your closet feels good, no matter how many outfits you try on? Or maybe you’ve found yourself spiraling about what people will think when they see you at a reunion, a wedding, or even just in the office. In this episode of Understanding Disordered Eating, I’m joined by my good friend and colleague, Sydney Green, MS, RD, to unpack the truth about body image: what it really means, how it shows up in daily life, and why it’s so intertwined with our relationship to food. Tweetable Quotes
2025-09-3035 minUnderstanding Disordered Eating: Eating Disorder Recovery and Body Image Healing174. Is This An Eating Disorder or Disordered Eating?Have you ever wondered where the line really is between disordered eating and a true eating disorder? It’s not always as clear as we’d like to think. In fact, so much of what we consider “normal” in diet culture—tracking every bite, stressing over body image, or skipping meals in the name of health—can feel harmless at first… until it slowly starts taking over more and more of your life. If you’ve ever asked yourself, “Is this just disordered eating, or is it something more?”, this conversation is for you. Tweetable Quotes “You...
2025-09-0913 minUnderstanding Disordered Eating: Eating Disorder Recovery and Body Image HealingFrom the Vault: Food and Desire with Dr. Judith BrismanWe’re kicking off our summer throwback series with an episode that’s just too good not to share again. While we take a little summer break, we’ll be rereleasing some of our most powerful and thought-provoking conversations—and this one tops the list. Originally aired as Episode 73, this conversation with Dr. Judith Brisman is one of those rich, soul-stirring interviews that stay with you long after it ends. Dr. Brisman is an icon in the eating disorder treatment world. With over 35 years in the field and deep roots in psychoanalytic thought, she brings both clinical depth an...
2025-06-1756 minUnderstanding Disordered Eating: Eating Disorder Recovery and Body Image HealingBeing Present and Eating DisordersLet’s be honest—most of us would love to be the kind of person who “lives in the moment.” You know, one of those magical unicorns who wakes up excited for the day, mindfully savors every bite of their avocado toast, and breathes through stress like it’s non-existent. But instead, we’re over here eating lunch in front of our inbox, wondering why we feel like a disembodied ghost hovering somewhere between a meeting and a meltdown. Tweetable Quotes "I just don't wanna feel like I am dissociating my entire life." - Rachelle Heinemann
2025-05-2727 minUnderstanding Disordered Eating: Eating Disorder Recovery and Body Image HealingImposter Syndrome and Eating DisordersIf imposter syndrome were a person, most of us would be in a very toxic, on-again-off-again relationship with it. And just like any clingy ex, it loves to show up at the worst possible time—like, say, the first day of a new job, or every single time we try to feel confident about our bodies. Fun, right? *Quick reminder that next week will be our last episode until September. Stay tuned for the re-release of some oldies but goodies to get you through the summer! Tweetable Quotes “By not talking about it, by n...
2025-05-2022 minUnderstanding Disordered Eating: Eating Disorder Recovery and Body Image HealingThe Perfectionist ParadoxThis episode is all about what happens when you combine years of working with people navigating eating disorders, a healthy dose of sarcasm, and way too many personal run-ins with perfectionism. I’m unpacking the idea I’m calling The Perfectionist Paradox—where striving for perfection actually gets in the way of the thing you’re trying to do well in the first place. Neat trick, right? Tweetable Quotes “Thinking about what you're afraid of can help us open the door to what is driving your perfectionism.” - Rachelle Heinemann “The perfectionism target is always movi...
2025-05-0635 minUnderstanding Disordered Eating: Eating Disorder Recovery and Body Image HealingHealing Binge and Emotional EatingIn this episode, I’m diving into the messy and complicated cycle of restriction and bingeing—not just with food, but with all the things we tell ourselves we shouldn’t need. Why do we do this? How does it backfire every time? And more importantly, how do we break free? Tweetable Quotes "You can't just ignore your needs and wants forever. That's when this moment of lapse of judgment, the binge, whether it's money, food, sex, anything under the sun, comes in." - Rachelle Heinemann "Food is inherently soothing." - Rachelle Heinemann
2025-04-2226 minUnderstanding Disordered Eating: Eating Disorder Recovery and Body Image HealingExercise and Eating Disorder RecoveryWhen it comes to exercise and movement, we believe it is this wonderfully balanced, healthy thing, right? But for a lot of us, it’s… complicated. Maybe you feel like you have to move or else your anxiety will skyrocket. Maybe you mentally calculate every bite of food and match it with a “required” workout. Or maybe you find yourself hitting the gym even when you're sick, exhausted, or, oh—I don’t know—literally injured. Sound familiar? Tweetable Quotes “It wasn’t about enjoying movement—it was about earning my food, controlling my body, and never feeling li...
2025-03-2522 minUnderstanding Disordered Eating: Eating Disorder Recovery and Body Image HealingWhy Avoiding Your Feelings Makes Everything Worse with Jenna HollensteinYou know that feeling when you’d rather do literally anything than sit with your own emotions? Like, suddenly, cleaning out your junk drawer or reorganizing your spice rack sounds way more appealing than dealing with that uncomfortable feeling creeping in? Yeah, we’ve all been there. The truth is, our brains are wired to avoid pain and chase comfort—it’s a survival thing. The more we run from discomfort, the stronger it gets. It’s like that pushy friend who won’t take a hint and just keeps showing up. In this episode, I’m joined b...
2025-03-181h 00Understanding Disordered Eating: Eating Disorder Recovery and Body Image HealingOCD and Eating DisordersPeople like to say that OCD and eating disorders go together. They even sometimes like to use fancy words like “co-ocurring.” Then they talk about how OCD can explain the development of ED symptoms and sit back triumphantly as if they’ve solved the world's toughest rubik’s cube. Satisfying, right? Meh, not really.. We’re setting the record straight and peeling back the layers on this so-called "connection" between eating disorders and OCD. Tweetable Quotes "If something is making us anxious, we really need to think about what about this particular thing is making...
2025-03-1121 minUnderstanding Disordered Eating: Eating Disorder Recovery and Body Image HealingClinicians in Recovery with Sarah RzemieniakAlright, let’s be real—working in the eating disorder field while navigating your own relationship with food? That’s messy. Like, “double-booked therapy sessions and forgot your coffee on the roof of your car” kind of messy. And yet, it’s something so many clinicians face but rarely talk about. So, let’s talk about it. Tweetable Quotes "There’s something particularly scary about being supported by someone who is really struggling." - Rachelle Heinemann "The moral of the story is to be the best clinician you can and try to keep your cli...
2025-03-0453 minUnderstanding Disordered Eating: Eating Disorder Recovery and Body Image HealingEating Disorders and ControlIf you’ve ever talked about eating disorders for more than five seconds, someone always drops the classic line: "It’s not about the food; it’s about control.” Boom. Case closed, right? Well, not exactly. Because what does that even mean? Control over what? Your body? Your feelings? Your life? And why does control even matter so much? That’s where things get interesting. So today, we’re getting into it. Not in some vague, theoretical, “let’s throw around big words” way, but in a way that actually helps us understand what’s happening—whether in...
2025-02-2528 minUnderstanding Disordered Eating: Eating Disorder Recovery and Body Image HealingEating Disorders and Low Self-EsteemAlright, let’s talk about self-esteem. Have you ever felt like you're just one awkward social interaction away from a full-blown identity crisis? Like, one unanswered text, one awkward pause in a conversation, or one unliked Instagram post, and suddenly you're spiraling into, "Does anyone even like me?” Well, welcome to the club—it's a big one. In this episode, I’m talking about self-esteem: what it really is, why so many of us struggle with it, and how it connects to our relationship with food and body image. Because let’s be honest, it...
2025-02-1824 minUnderstanding Disordered Eating: Eating Disorder Recovery and Body Image HealingYour Eating Disorder Diagnosis Doesn't MatterMany often question whether they’re “sick enough” or feel like their struggles don’t fit into a neat little box. So let’s talk about it. This week, we’re diving into why eating disorders are way more complex than the labels we slap on them—and why real recovery requires thinking outside the diagnosis. Tweetable Quotes "It is impossible to focus on just symptom reduction and not the bigger picture of all the other things that contribute to someone's eating disorder." - Rachelle Heinemann "The second someone's relationship with food or really...
2025-02-0417 minUnderstanding Disordered Eating: Eating Disorder Recovery and Body Image HealingTools for DissociationIn this episode, we’re diving headfirst into practical tools to deal with dissociation —the kind of techniques that are handy to have when you feel like your brain and body feel like they’re speaking two different languages. Tweetable Quotes "Dissociation is just sort of like what it sounds like: dissociated from whatever's going on." - Rachelle Heinemann "Our bodies hold everything in that is important." - Rachelle Heinemann "There has to be some wiggle room to be able to open yourselves up and try something new." - Rachelle Heinemann
2025-01-2821 minUnderstanding Disordered Eating: Eating Disorder Recovery and Body Image HealingWhat People Got Incredibly Wrong About Eating DisordersThe media often portrays eating disorders as affecting ultra-thin, hospital-bed-bound college girls. While this happens, it’s not the majority of what we mean when we say someone struggles with an “eating disorder.” In this episode, I’m talking about how the media’s (and beyond) portrayal is not only wildly inaccurate but also dangerously misleading. That “sick enough” myth? It’s real. And let’s be honest, it’s all kinds of messed up. I’m unraveling the reason why those 19-year-old, emaciated models aren’t the majority, and how most people don’t fit neatly into a category. ...
2025-01-2114 minUnderstanding Disordered Eating: Eating Disorder Recovery and Body Image HealingWomen's Hormones, Body Image, and Facts with Dr. Esther RollhausPicture this: you’re 18, your body is one way. Then you blink, and suddenly you’re navigating a new shape, new rules, and oh, a closet that betrays you every step of the way. What gives? Hormones give, my friend. And they’re running the show. Today’s episode is the reality check you might be looking for. In this episode, I’m joined by Dr. Esther Rollhous, She’s a reproductive psychiatrist who’s here to unpack the hormonal chaos—er, beautiful journey—we all endure. From the sneaky effects of estrogen on your brain to th...
2025-01-1446 minUnderstanding Disordered Eating: Eating Disorder Recovery and Body Image HealingCracking the Confidence Code: Part 2Welcome to 2025, where we’re leaving behind unrealistic New Year’s resolutions and that tired idea that confidence is about power poses and pretending to have your life together - cause it’s not. We’re throwing out the idea that confidence is some sort of performance art and instead diving into the real deal: confidence as resilience. Tweetable Quotes "Confidence itself is not showy. It is feeling secure." - Rachelle Heinemann "Resilience and confidence cannot be born.” - Rachelle Heinemann "If you don't embody this courageous version of yourself, i...
2025-01-0714 minUnderstanding Disordered Eating: Eating Disorder Recovery and Body Image HealingThe Secret Sauce for Building Confidence: Part 1In this episode, I’m diving into what actually builds confidence: relationships. Real ones. Consistent, validating, non-judgy, "I-got-you" type of relationship. The kind that reminds you you’re worthy, even when you’re sporting your least flattering sweatpants. Confidence isn’t flashy or loud. Sometimes, the most confident person in the room is the quiet one. (Let that one marinate.) Tweetable Quotes "Confidence is complex, and it is impossible to give a list of things to do in order to build confidence." - Rachelle Heinemann "It takes a lot of risk and a lo...
2024-12-1714 minUnderstanding Disordered Eating: Eating Disorder Recovery and Body Image HealingFundamentally Disagree? The key to navigating challenging situations and interactions with Jenna Hollenstein, MS, RD, CDNYou know that feeling when a conversation veers off the rails, but you can’t look away because the train wreck is oddly fascinating? Yeah, we’re about to do that—but in a way that will make you think, “Wait, why aren’t more people talking about this?” In this episode, I’m joined by Jenna Hollenstein. Together, we’re talking about what’s happening in the field, how we navigate division, and what it looks like to move from conflict to connection. Spoiler alert: it’s not glamorous, but it’s worth it. Jenna Hollenste...
2024-12-1044 minUnderstanding Disordered Eating: Eating Disorder Recovery and Body Image HealingFBT Do's and Don't with Suzannah Neufeld, MFT, CEDS-CWhat happens when “just eat” isn’t the solution, and the stakes are literally life or death? Picture this: you’re at the dinner table. Your teenager is glaring at you like you’ve personally served up their worst nightmare—maybe broccoli, maybe a slice of pizza, who knows? They shout, “You’re ruining my life!” Meanwhile, you’re just trying to figure out if this counts as “parenting” or if you’re starring in some twisted reality show. In this episode, I’m joined by Susannah Neufeld—a licensed psychotherapist, certified eating disorder specialist and consultant, author, and al...
2024-12-0346 minUnderstanding Disordered Eating: Eating Disorder Recovery and Body Image HealingBody Image is the Last to GoBody image is one of the most overused but essential topics in mental health. So why does poor body image seem to be the last clingy guest at the recovery party, the one who refuses to take a hint and just leave? Sure, changing your body might give you a short-term confidence boost, but once that “ideal” inevitably slips away, so does that fragile confidence. Turns out, there’s no quick fix here. Instead, there’s a long road to unpacking why we’ve all bought into the lie that self-worth and body size go hand in hand....
2024-11-1919 minUnderstanding Disordered Eating: Eating Disorder Recovery and Body Image HealingFatness Doesn't Mean What You Think with Chelsea Levy, RDBody size does NOT equal health status. Let’s be real: there’s a lot of confusion surrounding weight, health, and chronic illnesses like diabetes and PCOS. And if you’re like me, you’re probably tired of hearing the same old, tired advice. There are so many mixed messages when it comes to health and body size. Especially this myth that being in a larger body means you’re unhealthy. Tweetable Quotes "There’s so many different things that you can do to manage chronic illness that have absolutely nothing to do with your bod...
2024-11-1242 minUnderstanding Disordered Eating: Eating Disorder Recovery and Body Image HealingWhy Your Doctor Doesn't Need to Weigh You with Dr. Mara GordonTweetable Quotes "It's pretty rare to find a doctor who practices from a weight-inclusive perspective." - Rachelle Heinemann "Obesity stigma is extremely common in healthcare settings. People with larger bodies like consistently in research study after research study say, that healthcare settings are some of the most stigmatizing places that they go." - Dr. Mara Gordon “Even the American Medical Association has said that clinicians shouldn't be using BMI to really be making decisions about their individual patients.” - Dr. Mara Gordon "My approach as a size...
2024-11-0538 minUnderstanding Disordered Eating: Eating Disorder Recovery and Body Image HealingNon-Food Eating Disorder Recovery Must HaveIf you’ve ever stood on the brink of a party, heart racing, contemplating whether to take the plunge into a sea of social awkwardness, you’re in good company. I mean, who doesn’t love the thrill of risking utter humiliation over finger foods and small talk, right? Spoiler alert: I don’t. In this episode, I’m unpacking the intricacies of anxiety around social situations, recovery, and all those delightful emotions we tend to shove down deep. We'll explore the ever-elusive idea of "recovery"—which, let’s be honest, can feel like trying to define “normal.” Is it j...
2024-10-2915 minUnderstanding Disordered Eating: Eating Disorder Recovery and Body Image HealingSocial Media and Eating Disorders with Lily Thrope, LCSWWhether you are active on social media or not, it’s probably had an impact on your life in one way or another. Let’s be honest—most of us have a love-hate relationship with it, and it’s the same story when it comes to how it impacts our relationship with food and body image. But, hey, why delete Instagram when you can just add more stress to your life, right? In this episode, I’m joined by Lily Thrope, a Certified Intuitive Eating Counselor and a Licensed Clinical Social Worker in NY, Massachusetts and Connecticut. Together...
2024-10-1545 minUnderstanding Disordered Eating: Eating Disorder Recovery and Body Image HealingCaring Less About What Others ThinkStop caring what others think about you. Now that I’ve got your attention, let me back up. We’ve all been there—so consumed by “what will they think?” that we lose sight of what we think. But if there is one thing I’ve learned, it’s that trying to please everyone just makes you boring. Tweetable Quotes “It's not necessarily about caring less because there's no magic in that. It's how do we care just as much, but then make decisions based on what we need, our values.” - Rachelle Heinemann
2024-10-0819 minUnderstanding Disordered Eating: Eating Disorder Recovery and Body Image HealingADHD and Eating Disorders with Brittany Modell MS, RD, CDNADHD + a complicated relationship with food = a recipe for disaster. Am I right? If you’ve ever found yourself forgetting key ingredients at the grocery store or using snacks to calm your brain from its chaotic circus act. If you're nodding along and thinking, "Yep, that's me," then listen up. In this episode, I’m joined by Brittany Modell, a registered dietitian and certified intuitive eating counselor who knows exactly how overwhelming it can be to juggle all the things, especially when ADHD makes remembering groceries or even meals feel like an Olympic event. T...
2024-09-2439 minUnderstanding Disordered Eating: Eating Disorder Recovery and Body Image HealingEating Disorder Prevention with Dr. Marcy FortaFlashback to your teenage years. What a blissful, uncomplicated time... said no one ever. Adolescence can be a confusing time—so confusing, in fact, that most of us can’t even make sense of our own teenage years even as adults. Prevention happens during these years, and because of that they are complicated. But here’s the thing: preventing eating disorders, or at least minimizing the chances, is more about fostering self-worth and emotional health than just keeping them off the latest fad diet. This episode isn’t just for parents who feel like the...
2024-09-1749 minUnderstanding Disordered Eating: Eating Disorder Recovery and Body Image HealingNormal Moms and Real SolutionsCalling moms everywhere: if you have ever found yourself standing in front of the fridge, starving but too tired to decide between a sandwich or just grabbing the entire pint of ice cream, then stick with me, because I’m talking to you. Mom life is amazing (read: exhausting). But let’s be real, it’s all about balancing both motherhood and a healthy relationship with food. Spoiler alert: it’s not as easy as those Instagram influencers make it look. Tweetable Quotes "The number one thing you have to do is nourish yourself...
2024-09-1021 minUnderstanding Disordered Eating: Eating Disorder Recovery and Body Image HealingCliff Notes: Everything You Need to Know About Eating Disorder Treatment Before You BeginThe idea of eating disorder treatment can feel very overwhelming. If you aren’t sure where to start, then this episode is for you. Think of it as your crash course—because who doesn't love a good cliff notes version? When it comes to eating disorder treatment, building an outpatient team (if we’ve excluded higher level of care for now) is probably the most important factor; the indispensable trio of a therapist, dietitian, and doctor. Note: We’re celebrating three amazing years of the Understanding Disordered Eating podcast! Just as a reminder, we’re ta...
2024-08-0619 minUnderstanding Disordered Eating: Eating Disorder Recovery and Body Image HealingFertility and Nutrition with Rachelle Mallik MA, RD, LDNHow many old wives’ tales have you heard about nutrition and fertility? More importantly, how often have doctors told you that intentional weight loss will miraculously improve your IVF outcomes? If you’re even slightly “overweight” and experiencing fertility issues, it’s common for doctors to subtly (or not so subtly) suggest you “lose a little weight” as a solution. In this episode, I’m joined by Rachelle LaCroix Mallik. We’ll take a deep dive into the limitations of studies claiming that weight loss boosts health. Spoiler alert: these studies often miss the mark by not considering...
2024-07-3038 minUnderstanding Disordered Eating: Eating Disorder Recovery and Body Image HealingSubstance Use and Eating Disorders with Sydney Greene, MS, RDNHave you ever noticed how sometimes substance use and eating disorders are intertwined? It turns out, these issues like to hang out together more often than not, complicating treatment and recovery. So, why do we keep these so separate in our conversations? There’s this illusion that some people can juggle their substance use with such precision. Spoiler alert: it's not as glamorous as it sounds. In this episode, I’m joined by Sydney Greene, a Registered Dietitian specializing in behavioral health nutrition. Tweetable Quotes “Write out all the times you rememb...
2024-07-2345 minUnderstanding Disordered Eating: Eating Disorder Recovery and Body Image HealingEating Disorder Recovery Cannot Happen Without ThisRecovery is overwhelming. If it feels like trying to solve a Rubik’s cube blindfolded, you’re not alone. But guess what? There’s one (okay, maybe two, but let’s not split hairs) thing that’s crucial for recovery to happen. Just one. And that is: eating adequately and consistently. It's the magic bullet that helps decrease food obsessions, restores physical health, boosts focus and memory, and—drumroll, please—improves your mood almost immediately. Tweetable Quotes "When you are eating consistently and enough for your body, the food obsessions decrease significantly." - Rachelle Heine...
2024-07-1616 minUnderstanding Disordered Eating: Eating Disorder Recovery and Body Image HealingCritical Thinking about Anti-Diet Messages“This intuitive eating thing is BS, I tried it and it didn’t work.” Sound familiar? Trust me, you’re not alone. Today we’re talking about another hot topic that’s been buzzing all over social media, popping up in emails and filling my DMs. \ That’s right, we’re talking about critical thinking in the realm of anti-diet messaging. Tweetable Quotes "I love the fact that intuitive eating and anti-diet messaging is out there and becoming a little bit more accepted." - Rachelle Heinemann "If you don't feel like you ca...
2024-07-0918 minUnderstanding Disordered Eating: Eating Disorder Recovery and Body Image HealingGLP Medications and Eating Disorders with Dr. Kim DennisRemember the last time we dipped our toes into the hot world of Ozempic and other GLP meds? Yeah, we barely scratched the surface. The world is absolutely obsessed with GLP medications, and the more we know, the better we can make informed decisions—without all the drama, please. But honestly, conversations around Ozempic, Wegovy, and other GLP medications can get super heated with not nearly enough facts to back them up. In this episode, I’m chatting with Dr. Kim Dennis about the science and controversy of GLP medications. Kim Dennis, MD, is a...
2024-06-2548 minUnderstanding Disordered Eating: Eating Disorder Recovery and Body Image Healing5 Tips for Summer and Body Image/"Out of Control" Food StrugglesAh, summer—the time of year when the sun is blazing, the BBQs are sizzling, and the body image issues are... lurking. If the thought of putting on your swimsuit and being invited to a pool party sends shivers down your spine, you're not alone. There’s an often misunderstood world of intuitive eating. Sure, it’s all about “all foods fit” and “no food rules,” but let’s get real—sometimes you need a bit of structure, especially when that party-size bag of chips starts whispering your name. Tweetable Quotes "We do need som...
2024-06-1811 minUnderstanding Disordered Eating: Eating Disorder Recovery and Body Image HealingParents and Families with Judy Krasna from FEASTYou know, parents have an intuition for a reason. If you ever feel like your child is getting worse or not receiving the right treatment, trust your gut and seek alternatives. Many listeners have requested episodes focused on parents and families dealing with eating disorders. We usually address the issues from the perspective of those struggling or the clinicians working with them. But families need support too, right? In our field, we often talk about "lived experience" versus "expert by experience." These are people who have directly dealt with eating disorders, either personally...
2024-06-1142 minUnderstanding Disordered Eating: Eating Disorder Recovery and Body Image HealingReal Nutrition Information Minus the Shame with Claire Chewning RDNAre you team strict diet or team intuitive eating? Or maybe, the team thing is kind of ridiculous. When it comes to nutrition, it often feels like we're stuck between two opposing camps: those who are all about strict diets and scientific nutrition, and those who advocate for intuitive eating. It’s like there’s an invisible line, and folks tend to stick to their side, often mocking the other without really engaging in meaningful dialogue. But reality isn’t that black and white. It’s not just about choosing between nutrition science and having a peacef...
2024-06-0425 minUnderstanding Disordered Eating: Eating Disorder Recovery and Body Image HealingSo You Think Processed Foods Caused Obesity and the Answer is Weight LossWhat is really considered an “expert” opinion? When we talk about topics like weight loss or body positivity from an emotional angle, it's easy to paint the other side as the villain. It's tempting to accuse those advocating for weight loss of spreading misinformation or manipulating the truth. It’s tempting to speak with cynicism and sarcasm and scoff at the other side. This mindset can lead us to dismiss their views, believing that only our perspective holds the real answers. Tweetable Quotes "Most people who are providing information about anything weight loss and obe...
2024-05-2818 minUnderstanding Disordered Eating: Eating Disorder Recovery and Body Image HealingThe Deeper Meaning of Your Eating Disorder + What to Do About It with Karen Koenig MED, LCSWCommunication shapes our world. The words we use don't just reflect our thoughts; they shape our experiences, both internally and in our relationships with others. We often ask: What's the deeper meaning behind someone's struggle with food? What could be going on beneath the surface? While these questions are important, we should also be thinking of how we can apply this understanding to create positive change. In this episode, I am joined by Karen Koenig. Karen R. Koenig, LCSW, M.Ed., is a psychotherapist and international, award-winning 8-book author. Her books and blogs f...
2024-05-2141 minUnderstanding Disordered Eating: Eating Disorder Recovery and Body Image HealingSex and Eating Disorders with Dr. Judith BrismanFood, desire, intuition, and… sex. We often get stuck in the food and body image loop when discussing eating disorders. But let's be real, it's so much more than that! Our relationship with food and our bodies spills over into every aspect of our lives, especially anything that connects with our desires, including our sexual desires and intimacy. This week, I am welcoming back Dr. Judith Brisman. She joined me back in episode 73 for a discussion on food and desire. Now she’s back to talk about how eating disorders have an impact on our sexu...
2024-05-1448 minUnderstanding Disordered Eating: Eating Disorder Recovery and Body Image HealingResponse to Washington Post's "As Obesity Rises, Big Food, and Dietitians Push ‘Anti-Diet’ Advice."“The food industry pays ‘influencer’ dietitians to shape your eating habits”. Yep, you read that right. Recently, the Washington Post put out an article, and it's stirring the pot on a topic close to my heart: the Anti-Diet movement. So let’s stir the pot on this article. Basically, the gist of the article is that big food companies, like General Mills, are teaming up with anti-diet dieticians to promote what they call "junk food" while discouraging weight loss efforts. Sounds sketchy, right? But here's the thing: this article is missing some crucial nuance. Also as...
2024-05-0720 minUnderstanding Disordered Eating: Eating Disorder Recovery and Body Image HealingLying, Deception, and Eating Disorders with Tom Wooldridge, PsyD, ABPP, FIPA, CEDS-SLast Episode in April! See you in May! From an early age, we’re taught that lying is bad. But, is it? What drives someone to lie? Is all lying inherently bad? How does lying intersect with our internal struggles and vulnerabilities? These are just a few questions I had before my conversation with Tom. There are a lot of reasons as to why someone may lie. But here's the thing - lying isn't a black-and-white issue, especially when it comes to individuals grappling with eating disorders. There's a profound connection bet...
2024-04-1645 minUnderstanding Disordered Eating: Eating Disorder Recovery and Body Image HealingPostpartum, Body Image, and Eating Disorders with Pam Skop LMHC, CEDS, RYTPregnancy is beautiful (for some). Postpartum is raw. There is so much more to a person’s fertility journey than just pregnancy. But there seems to be a universal narrative surrounding pregnancy - the glow, the anticipation, the miracle of life. But what about what comes next? As a mother myself, I've experienced firsthand the pressures of bounce-back culture. It's everywhere - from social media ads to casual conversations. The expectation to quickly return to your pre-pregnancy body after carrying a human for 40 weeks and giving birth is, quite frankly, absurd. In this ep...
2024-04-0946 minUnderstanding Disordered Eating: Eating Disorder Recovery and Body Image HealingHow the ED People Are Pushing the Masses AwayHas the eating disorder community pushed the envelope a little too far? It's a nuanced conversation, one that doesn't lend itself to easy answers. As we endorse concepts like health at every size, intuitive eating, and body love, are we inadvertently alienating those who need our message the most? At the core of it all lies a fundamental question: How did we get here, and what can we do to prevent further suffering? Tweetable Quotes "All foods are morally equal, which means that you're not a good person for e...
2024-04-0220 minUnderstanding Disordered Eating: Eating Disorder Recovery and Body Image HealingThe Beauty Ideal with Nechami Tennenbaum, CEO Defiance BeautyWhen we talk about eating disorders, the conversation often revolves around body image – from the harmful effects of body shaming to the empowering message of body positivity. But there's another aspect of this conversation that often goes overlooked: beauty ideals. There are so many tough questions to answer: Is there such a thing as a "perfect" beauty standard? How does makeup fit into the narrative of body positivity? Can beauty ideals coexist with self-love? And most importantly, how can we redefine beauty on our own terms? In this episode, I’m joined by my d...
2024-03-2643 minUnderstanding Disordered Eating: Eating Disorder Recovery and Body Image HealingOzempic, Wegovy, & Mounjaro with Laura Cipullo RD CDCES, CEDRD-S, RYTEveryone knows Ozempic. Everyone wants Ozempic. There’s a sea of misinformation out there because medications like Ozempic, Wegovy, and Mounjaro have become so popular. But the real question is why? These aren’t necessarily brand-new medications but lately, we’ve seen them “prescribed” right and left and it leaves us wondering if it’s something we should consider. What are these medications for? Who should use them? Who shouldn’t use them? What are the side effects? Are we using them correctly? Is there a better way to navigate these medications? What’s the impact on other asp...
2024-03-1953 minUnderstanding Disordered Eating: Eating Disorder Recovery and Body Image HealingThe Comparison Trap and Eating Disorders“Here’s what I eat in a day as an *insert social media influencer title here*” If you’re active on social media, chances are you have scrolled through posts like these. Whether they are “what I eat in a day” or “what I earn in a month” or whatever it may be, they are so common but to be honest, a little toxic. Tweetable Quotes "For the most part, every single person that I talk to when they get off social media, they feel worse about themselves, mostly because of this comparison trap." - Rachelle...
2024-03-1217 minUnderstanding Disordered Eating: Eating Disorder Recovery and Body Image HealingDisordered Eating VS Eating Disorder, Which Is It?There’s a fine line between disordered eating and an eating disorder. These are terms we’ve all heard, but have you ever stopped to consider the difference between these labels? Better yet, does it truly matter what the difference is? Tweetable Quotes “I think that when we narrow ourselves into boxes and say, this needs to be labeled as disordered eating or an eating disorder, we pigeonhole ourselves, we pigeonhole our clients and their recovery or self-growth healing journey.” - Rachelle Heinemann "The way that I like to se...
2024-03-0515 minUnderstanding Disordered Eating: Eating Disorder Recovery and Body Image HealingYou Don't Look Like You Have an Eating Disorder“You don’t look like you would have an eating disorder.” Crazier things have never been said. Here’s the thing, eating disorders don’t have a look. It’s a myth that eating disorders are typically portrayed by a “skinny” individual. But the reality is far from that stereotype. Eating disorders can affect anyone, regardless of their outward appearance. They don't discriminate based on size, shape, or weight. Tweetable Quotes "When eating disorders were portrayed in the media, they said ‘If you don't look like this, you don't have an eating disorder’ a...
2024-02-2714 minUnderstanding Disordered Eating: Eating Disorder Recovery and Body Image HealingNavigating Parenthood and Eating Disorders With Dina Cohen, MS, RDN, CEDS-CParenthood can be both beautiful and stressful. Firstly, it’s okay to admit that. There are no sick days, there is no PTO, you work 24/7 shifts and you get paid nothing. It’s sometimes a thankless job, and you’ll never get a break. But, it’s the toughest job you will ever love. If we really dive into the rut of parenting, it can feel incredibly overwhelming, and sometimes it’s enough to send someone into a downward spiral. However, it’s hard to prepare for something like this. Until you actually become a parent, you c...
2024-02-2041 minUnderstanding Disordered Eating: Eating Disorder Recovery and Body Image HealingWeight Loss and Eating Disorder RecoveryWeight loss and Eating disorder treatments? Pft. Talk to the hand. Okay, let me clarify. This used to be my point of view. I couldn’t quite understand how these two topics really played into each other. Now, I don’t necessarily disagree, but I do think this is a lot more complex, and it’s far from black and white. We should be exploring questions around the perception that excessive weight is a health problem, the dangers of intentional weight loss, and the conversations that uncover this controversial topic. Tweetable Quotes "We...
2024-02-1313 minUnderstanding Disordered Eating: Eating Disorder Recovery and Body Image HealingBariatric Surgery and Eating Disorders with Dr. Marianne MillerJust last year, The American Academy of Pediatrics put out (terrible) guidelines, that in a nutshell, give the “go-ahead” to evaluate children for weight loss medication and/or surgery. Weight loss surgery is completely irreversible. So why is it being recommended? There are many challenges that individuals will face when deciding to undergo weight loss surgery. Not only the painful physical challenges but the mental and emotional ones as well. Dr. Marianne has been in the mental health field for 27 years and has specialized in eating disorders for the last 12 years. She was a ful...
2024-02-0643 minUnderstanding Disordered Eating: Eating Disorder Recovery and Body Image HealingHow To Recover When Everyone Around You Is DietingWhy does it feel like everyone is anti-recovery? It’s like we live in this world where everyone is either dieting, jumping on a health trend, or counting calories. Wanting to “feel healthy” is great, but the pressure to fall into some standard of health is overwhelming. Everyone seems to have an opinion, you've probably encountered unsolicited advice and opinions from well-meaning (or not-so-well-meaning) friends or family. Tweetable Quotes "The number one focus needs to be on you. You are number one in this journey, this is your life, this is your r...
2024-01-3017 minUnderstanding Disordered Eating: Eating Disorder Recovery and Body Image HealingWhat Every Therapist Wished Psychiatrists Knew About Eating Disorders As a therapist, there are so many things I wish that psychiatrists knew when it comes to eating disorders. Now before we hash this out, here’s my caveat–I am not a prescribing provider, I never went to medical school. I am a psychotherapist and these are all of my personal thoughts but from my professional experience. When we view mental illnesses as medical illnesses, we are going to miss the nuance that is associated with emotions and psychology. Tweetable Quotes "We can't just take a brain MRI and say, ‘this p...
2024-01-2318 minUnderstanding Disordered Eating: Eating Disorder Recovery and Body Image HealingHighly Sensitive People and Eating DisordersEverybody has emotions. This isn’t a new concept. However, in more recent years, we’ve started to give names to everything as a way to “label” each other or give an overall meaning to how someone may feel, act, etc. (Labels are usually meant to organize things, not necessarily bad.) So somewhere along the way, we started to label certain individuals as “highly sensitive people”. Everyone is sensitive to a certain extent, but some are more sensitive than others, hence, highly sensitive. The question is, how did it come to be that somebo...
2024-01-1625 minUnderstanding Disordered Eating: Eating Disorder Recovery and Body Image HealingMedical Assistance In Dying and Eating Disorders with Dr. Anita FedericiLet’s get controversial. Can the concept of medical assistance in dying be used for individuals who are suffering from “severe” and persistent eating disorders, as it is for patients who have terminal cancer? Now, before we go anything further, please know that I acknowledge the sensitivity of this topic and if it feels too heavy and overwhelming, please skip it. But the question is, why is this a controversial topic? MAID is not a new construct. It has been utilized around the world with different controversies for many...
2024-01-0950 minUnderstanding Disordered Eating: Eating Disorder Recovery and Body Image HealingHow To Eat When You Don’t Feel Like ItHappy New Year! Can I be honest? I’m not a huge fan of New Year’s resolutions. I get that there’s this idea of a “new year, new me”. There’s almost like a fantasy of having a clean slate, when in reality, it’s just another day, in a new year. However, it could be a great time to reflect on the past year and embrace what was. So, here's the deal. If you're into New Year's resolutions, go ahead and set realistic, measurable, and slightly challenging goals for yourself. If you’re not, then no big deal...
2024-01-0222 minUnderstanding Disordered Eating: Eating Disorder Recovery and Body Image HealingBody Positivity is a Farce + All Foods Are Not EqualIn today's episode, we delve into a crucial discussion about the evolving landscape of traditional eating disorder treatment. What comes to mind when you hear the term “body positivity”? First off, it’s become a mainstream concept. Body neutrality, all foods fit, and body positivity are all terms to describe a phase of coming to terms with your body. However, we have to recognize that this approach may not resonate with everyone seeking help. While we shift towards inclusivity, we also inadvertently exclude individuals who may not be ready or comfortable with these concepts. Tw...
2023-12-2618 minUnderstanding Disordered Eating: Eating Disorder Recovery and Body Image HealingThe 1 Thing That Affects Every Single Person with an ED100% of people who struggle with their relationship with food, also struggle with assertiveness and boundaries. Okay, now that I have your attention, maybe let’s say 95% just to be safe, even though it’s 100% of the people that I’ve met. Regardless, it is an issue for many people to have the courage to speak up and say what’s on their mind. It's a common hurdle that people face when trying to navigate the delicate balance between setting boundaries and practicing assertiveness. The interesting part is, these two aspects are intricately intertwined. Tweetable Quotes ...
2023-12-1220 minUnderstanding Disordered Eating: Eating Disorder Recovery and Body Image HealingThe Rules of the Therapy Game with Dr. Dana Satir, PhD, CEDSHow do you do therapy? Are there “rules”? What are they? Questions most of us have probably never considered before we start therapy. When we look at how the therapeutic relationship of therapy works, we have to consider the foundation of therapy, and what the deeper meaning is behind it. In this episode, I am joined by Dr. Dana Satir. We are breaking down the what’s and why’s of therapy, and sharing some metaphors along the way. Dr. Satir is a clinical psychologist who has been practicing in the eating disorders field fo...
2023-12-0550 minUnderstanding Disordered Eating: Eating Disorder Recovery and Body Image HealingHow to Understand and Utilize Your Dreams to Maximize Growth with Jennifer Neely, LCSW-RWhat’s the deal with our dreams? How often do you find yourself waking up in the middle of the night, from a crazy dream, wondering how you were even able to imagine it? Dreams, according to Freud, aren't mere froth. They're messages, beckoning us to pay attention to the deeper recesses of our minds. And here's the kicker: dreams don't bother with trivial matters. If it's in your dream, it's significant. In this episode, I am joined by Jennifer Neely, LCSW-R, a psychotherapist and psychoanalyst in private practice in New York City with over 20 yea...
2023-11-2840 minUnderstanding Disordered Eating: Eating Disorder Recovery and Body Image HealingThe Root of Your Emotional Eating How do we define binge eating? In this episode, we’re diving into all things binge eating and emotional eating. We’re breaking down what these terms mean, what they don’t mean, where they come from, and the underlying factors that contribute to these behaviors. Tweetable Quotes "When someone says that they suffer from emotional eating or binge eating, I think first and foremost, we have to take the person's subjective experience into account." - Rachelle Heinemann "Whether or not we call it binge eating, emotional eating, a binge eating disorder...
2023-11-2131 minUnderstanding Disordered Eating: Eating Disorder Recovery and Body Image HealingHow Anti-Diet Culture Became Like Diet Culture with Jessica BrownThere is no doubt that I disagree with diet culture. But recently I’ve been noticing that a lot of these things that frustrate me with this culture are starting to show up in the anti-diet culture as well. Between the judging, the internal shaming, and the “cult behaviors”, the lines are starting to blur and the cycle we were trying to break has begun to repeat itself. In this episode, I’m talking with Jessica Brown about how anti-diet culture has started to become similar to diet culture. This conversation highlights some of the gray areas that are...
2023-11-1445 minUnderstanding Disordered Eating: Eating Disorder Recovery and Body Image HealingMy Kid's Being Bullied, ARFID, and More *Podcast Listener Questions Answered*Listener questions: answered. To be totally honest, my inbox has been filled with amazing questions from podcast listeners. While I usually integrate listener questions into various episodes, today, I want to break down a few of the more popular ones. Before we get started, I just want to note that if you have a question, whether it's something that you've been wondering about for a long time and just don't really know who to ask, or you've been asking like every single person you see and you want another take on it, let’s chat. Se...
2023-10-3119 minUnderstanding Disordered Eating: Eating Disorder Recovery and Body Image HealingHow To "Deepen" the TreatmentLet’s get personal. In the therapy world, sometimes we think that we want a CBT therapist, a psychodynamic therapist, a DBT therapist, or whatever other type of therapist when ultimately, we may not necessarily know what any of that means or if it’s what we really need. We want to be able to “fit” into a box and have a specific type of therapy that we can lean into. In reality, it’s not black and white at all and therapy most certainly doesn’t fit into boxes. I want to preface this entire episo...
2023-10-2423 minUnderstanding Disordered Eating: Eating Disorder Recovery and Body Image HealingIntuition, Decisions, and FoodIn a world driven by absolutes and quick fixes, where opinions often seem black or white, it's time to stop for a minute and just think about how complex the situation really is. Let’s embrace the nuance in our decision-making, whether it pertains to nutrition, relationships, or any other aspect of life. It’s clear that we’re often pressured to make snap judgments and rely on one-size-fits-all solutions. However, life rarely follows directions. It’s not enough to say that something is definitively right or wrong, because everyone and every situation is different. T...
2023-10-0317 minUnderstanding Disordered Eating: Eating Disorder Recovery and Body Image Healing*Clinician Series* How to Handle the Hardest SituationsCalling all clinicians - this conversation is for you. How do you handle someone giving you feedback, as a therapist? How do you handle a situation where the feedback is negative or hurtful? As clinicians, we have an obligation to explore whatever the person in front of us is bringing up with. We have to put our feelings aside during this conversation, despite it being an almost impossible thing to do. In this episode, I’m diving into the hard situations that you may face as a clinician. Tweetable Quotes "The hope...
2023-09-1923 minUnderstanding Disordered Eating: Eating Disorder Recovery and Body Image HealingWhat ED People Got Wrong About Science with Dr. A'nna Roby PhD, RDN, LD, CPTHave you ever considered what the limitations of scientific research are? What do we do with the limitations in nutrition science? Much of the conversation among nutrition scientists, outside the realm of eating disorders, revolves around various fad diets or approaches involving highly processed foods, intermittent fasting, and keto diets, among other trends. But the majority of this evidence may lack comprehensive scientific support. During this conversation, I want you to stay in the gray area with us. In this episode, I’m talking with Dr. A’nna Roby. Dr. A'nna Roby is an esteemed phys...
2023-09-1255 minUnderstanding Disordered Eating: Eating Disorder Recovery and Body Image HealingThe Disaster of No BoundariesIs BetterHelp actually providing better help? Since 2020, online therapy platforms like BetterHelp have become very popular, mainly because of their convenience and affordability. With a subscription-based model, easy therapist switching, and 24/7 accessibility, they promise an accessible and hassle-free mental health solution. But are these platforms really a replacement for traditional therapy? Are these platforms providing true therapeutic value? Let's dive into this debate. Tweetable Quotes "Therapy is a lot more complex... It's about so much more than just the specific issue you're going for." - Rachelle Heinemann "Therapy changes aren't necessarily...
2023-09-0520 minUnderstanding Disordered Eating: Eating Disorder Recovery and Body Image HealingIt's Not About Food, It's About This LAST EPISODE FOR SUMMERIn moments of high emotions, like feeling stressed from work, angry at your spouse, or sad from grieving, how are you regulating your emotions? Do you bury them deep down and move on? Do you let them take control of you and guide your actions? There has to be a balance on the emotional scale, but where does the balance lie? In this solo episode, we’re covering how our emotions play into eating disorders and how emotion regulation is crucial. Tweetable Quotes “It sucks that you have to teach yourself this stuff, but you can...
2023-08-1527 minUnderstanding Disordered Eating: Eating Disorder Recovery and Body Image HealingUsing Intuitive Eating in Eating Disorder Recovery is a Myth with Hilmar Wagner MPH, RDN, CD, LNHere’s the scenario: You have a, let’s say, complicated relationship with food. You’re trying to work toward healing and get rid of these freaking food obsessions and weird binges. You crack open the Intuitive Eating book and love it. Eat when hungry? Stop when full? Honor cravings? This sounds amazing! You try it. And it totally backfires. Then you start wondering if it even works at all. Today I am talking with Hilmar Wagner about what eating should actually look like at the beginning of recovery. Spoiler: not like the eating described above. Hilm...
2023-07-2544 minUnderstanding Disordered Eating: Eating Disorder Recovery and Body Image HealingHow Do I Learn To Trust Myself? with Diane Barth, LCSWDo you find yourself questioning your own thoughts and decisions? (esp with your eating habits) If so, you are not alone! Today we have Diane Barth talking all about trusting oneself. F. Diane Barth, LCSW is a psychotherapist in private practice. She also teaches and supervises other therapists. Her articles have been published in professional journals and in popular online magazines including Think and Quartz. Her most recent book is I Know How You Feel: The Joys and Heartbreaks of Friendship in Women’s Lives. She has a blog on Psychology Today, called “Off the Couch” and a b...
2023-07-1838 minUnderstanding Disordered Eating: Eating Disorder Recovery and Body Image HealingDid We Take Intuitive Eating Too Far?Starting off with a loaded question I keep asking myself (& you keep asking me): Did we take intuitive eating too far? Today's episode is a follow-up from last week's with Dr. David Wiss, all about ultra-processed foods. I stand by the content of the information and data shared last week, and I know David only speaks about information he can completely back up. However, I do want to reiterate the intent of the conversation. It was not to make more rules in your brain or tell you to be more restrictive. We were mostly talking...
2023-07-0419 minUnderstanding Disordered Eating: Eating Disorder Recovery and Body Image HealingThe Basics of Health at Every SizeHealth at Every Size is a hot topic right now. But what exactly does HAES or HAES-aligned actually mean? Health at Every Size (HAES) is NOT at all suggesting that someone is healthy at every size. In fact, if someone says that HAES stands for “Healthy at Every Size,” then they really don’t understand what they’re talking about. Yes, the one letter makes a difference. Now read this paragraph again. DEFINITION: Health at Every Size is a framework that talks about access to healthcare. It states that everybody has the right to work tow...
2023-04-0415 minUnderstanding Disordered Eating: Eating Disorder Recovery and Body Image HealingThe Best Advice You’ll Ever GetAdvice is never universal or one-size-fits-all. This episode is for you if you’re the kind of person who reads or hears someone give advice and you think, “Should I do that?” and you always implement it (or think you should). Let’s be real: how many of you are searching online for “how to be healthy” or “ways to lose weight” and read about that one secret food that will change EVERYTHING? Yeah, so many of us have fallen trap to that. The truth is that this is going to ha...
2023-03-2119 minUnderstanding Disordered Eating: Eating Disorder Recovery and Body Image HealingFood and Desire with Dr. Judith BrismanWhen you feel like bingeing or restricting “just happens,” how do you begin to uncover how you got there… so you can take steps to make it stop? Believe it or not, an eating disorder has a purpose. That purpose might be to manage emotions that feel intolerable, whether that’s anger, sadness, or yes, even desire. But how do you begin to name WHAT you’re feeling, and resolve it? How would you even recognize desire as something that’s playing out in food for you? Dr. Judith Brisman and I got to talk about...
2023-03-1456 minUnderstanding Disordered Eating: Eating Disorder Recovery and Body Image HealingTapping Into Your Hunger and Fullness ** LAST EPISODE UNTIL MARCH **This is the breakdown you need to begin to understand your hunger and fullness cues. If you’ve had a long history of dieting and disordered eating, chances are this isn’t something you’ve paid that much attention to. So how the heck do you do so? Stay right here! Before we get started with today’s episode, I wanted to take a second and let you know that although there are a couple of weeks left in December, this will be the last episode of 2022. The reason for that is I’m going...
2022-12-1324 minUnderstanding Disordered Eating: Eating Disorder Recovery and Body Image HealingWhat’s The Purpose of Anger?Why do we get angry? What’s the point of anger, and how do we deal with it when it feels SO overwhelming and intolerable? This week’s episode was born out of an idea that popped into my head while reading an emotions book for toddlers. I know, right? The book identified four different emotions: anger, sadness, frustration, and happiness. The whole premise of the book was teaching children to recognize when they’re having those emotions, and to figure out how to put words to them– so they can better comm...
2022-12-0612 minUnderstanding Disordered Eating: Eating Disorder Recovery and Body Image HealingHigh Functioning Eating DisordersAre you the friend who has it all together? Does it seem to you that since you know others have it worse, you can’t possibly need help? If you’re listening to the episodes in order, this episode is a very interesting juxtaposition to last week’s episode on the neurobiology of recovery with Dr. Jeffrey DeSarbo, where we scratched the surface on Severe and Enduring Eating Disorders (SEED). In contrast to that, this week we’re discussing what it looks like when someone actually functions very well in their daily life, but still suffers f...
2022-11-2913 minUnderstanding Disordered Eating: Eating Disorder Recovery and Body Image HealingIs It All About Control?You’ve probably heard it said: “Eating disorders are a way to maintain control.” The connection between control and eating disorders is a phenomenon people talk about all the time. It’s not untrue, but honestly, I’m not the biggest fan of it. Here’s why. The biggest problem with the idea is that it’s so vague. What does “control” mean? Control of outside events? Control of how we feel? Control of other people and outcomes? What does control actually mean, and in what ways do eating disorders help maintain control? To me...
2022-11-1511 minUnderstanding Disordered Eating: Eating Disorder Recovery and Body Image HealingBut What's Wrong With Wanting to Lose Weight?“Why don’t you endorse intentional weight loss?” This is a question I get SO often – from random people, from clients, and in messages from you guys (by the way, keep the questions coming in my DMs and by replying to the newsletter! I’d love to do podcast episodes answering your questions!). The entire world has seemed to endorse weight loss, and especially as a means toward health. It’s become so normal and, sadly, is the root of a lot of people’s disordered eating. To put it plainly...
2022-11-0813 minUnderstanding Disordered Eating: Eating Disorder Recovery and Body Image Healing7 Tips for Positive Body ImageWe talk about positive body image all freaking day. But how do we actually get there?? Body image is something so many of us struggle with, and it’s no wonder: we live in a world that is obsessed with thinness. But it’s so much deeper than just how you see yourself in the mirror and how you feel in your skin. It’s really intertwined with self-esteem. And it can be representative of deeper dynamics that we aren’t even aware that we struggle with. It may reveal how we feel about ourse...
2022-11-0117 minUnderstanding Disordered Eating: Eating Disorder Recovery and Body Image HealingWhen It’s Not Working Out With Your TherapistWhen you know in your gut that something isn't working in therapy how do you approach the conversation so you get what you need? You’re feeling stuck. You’ve been seeing your therapist for a while or perhaps just a short time, and maybe you don’t know what it is, but you KNOW something isn’t working. Maybe they’re just not getting you. You’ve heard of just “not clicking,” but maybe this goes beyond that. Is it not the right fit? Or is it a bit more complex than that? Did something happen t...
2022-09-2020 minUnderstanding Disordered Eating: Eating Disorder Recovery and Body Image HealingANNIVERSARY EPISODE! My Signature Approach to Eating DisordersEating disorders are complex and multi-faceted, but what if they’re far more connected to our emotional experience with the world than we realize? First of all: This is episode 55… our 1 year anniversary! Happy anniversary, guys! 🎉🎉 I am SO excited to start another year with all of you. I have loved getting to know all of this past year. I love putting this show together, and connecting with you via emails, DMs, and comments… I’m so grateful for every single one of your listens. ❤️ I decided to start the new year with my...
2022-08-2320 minUnderstanding Disordered Eating: Eating Disorder Recovery and Body Image HealingTeens and Eating Disorders with Danielle Swimm, LCPC, CEDSWe know that the onset of eating disorders very typically begins in the teenage years and that teens are particularly vulnerable to disordered eating… so how can we create an environment that fosters a healthy relationship with food and body for teens? Whether you are a teen, have a teen, or just want to understand your teenage self, Danielle Swimm, LCPC, provides enlightening answers for us. Danielle is a good friend of mine and is a certified eating disorder specialist in Annapolis, Maryland. She has a group practice, Collide Behavioral Health, that focuses on helping wo...
2022-08-0932 minUnderstanding Disordered Eating: Eating Disorder Recovery and Body Image HealingOvereaters Anonymous ThoughtsThe 12 Step Program and Overeaters Anonymous have been around for a while… but is there a side to it that might be harmful to some people? We’ll explore that… or at least, we’ll explore my opinions on that. But first, a couple of disclaimers. First of all, I am by no means an Overeaters Anonymous or a 12 Step expert. I’ve been to one meeting and it was for an assignment at school. So, in no way have I been part of the 12 Step Program nor do I claim to have the expertise...
2022-07-2624 minUnderstanding Disordered Eating: Eating Disorder Recovery and Body Image HealingUnleashing Your True Strength with Mya Kwon, MPH, RDWe’re talking about self-compassion… but not the kind you’re thinking. Don’t roll your eyes yet, because if you know me, you know I’m right there with you. I’d never hand you mushy-gushy self compassion as a whole freaking episode. So hang with me. 😬😬 I love that the two of us are talking about this topic. Why? Because she and I are the most direct, no-nonsense women in the world. So we won’t be talking about self-compassion from the perspective of, “Oh, you have to love yourself more! Increase y...
2022-07-1936 minUnderstanding Disordered Eating: Eating Disorder Recovery and Body Image HealingAttachment Styles and Food Relationships with Dr. Sarah ChippsHave you ever considered the issues you have with food… might just be connected to issues you have in your relationships? Believe it or not, the two are closely related in ways you’ve probably never thought about – and Dr. Sarah Chipps is going to explain how, and give some tips for healing. Dr. Sarah Chipps is our beloved Vice President (soon to be President – woohoo! 🎉) of IAEDP New York. She’s the founder of two different programs: Well Williamsburg, a group practice in Williamsburg, Brooklyn, and Sanctuary, an intensive outpatient program (IOP) for people with a trauma...
2022-07-1235 minUnderstanding Disordered Eating: Eating Disorder Recovery and Body Image HealingBasics of Intuitive EatingWe reference intuitive eating all the time, but we haven't discussed it in depth. In this episode, I talk about the basics of intuitive eating. Please take note that this is not in lieu of reading the book. In fact, I am encouraging you to read the book or listen to the audiobook to understand the principles enumerated even more. Let's dive in. [00:01- 01:40] Introductions [01:41-22:53] Principles of Intuitive Eating Reject the diet mentality. Honor your hunger. Make peace with food. Cha...
2022-06-1424 minUnderstanding Disordered Eating: Eating Disorder Recovery and Body Image HealingRed flags and warning signsIt’s hard to determine whether a loved one is suffering from an eating disorder or not. The good thing is, that there are signs that you can look out for that can help you know when to start a conversation. In this episode, I talk about red flags and warning signs. If you see someone you love who might be experiencing any of these, you can go way back to episode 9 about what the heck to do. Spoiler: unconditional support and love go a long way. Keep in mind that you can also look out for thes...
2022-06-0715 minUnderstanding Disordered Eating: Eating Disorder Recovery and Body Image HealingDo I have a sugar addiction? with Marci EvansMarci Evans, RD has dedicated her career to counseling, supervising, and teaching in the field of eating disorders. She is a Certified Eating Disorder Registered Dietitian and Supervisor and certified Intuitive Eating Counselor. In addition to her group private practice and adjunct teaching positions, Marci launched an online eating disorders training for dietitians and co-directs a specialized eating disorder internship at Simmons College. She volunteers for a number of national eating disorder organizations including the IAEDP certification committee and is serving as an eating disorder resource professional for The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. She has spoken l...
2022-05-1754 minUnderstanding Disordered Eating: Eating Disorder Recovery and Body Image Healing5 Tips for After a BingeI know that I talk quite a bit about the deeper meaning of different eating disorder symptoms and behaviors. But sometimes, especially right after a binge, what you need is tips to help at the moment. In this episode, I share 5 tips to keep in mind after a binge. That obviously doesn’t mean that we forget about the function of the binge. The binge is there for a reason. It is there to help us manage really difficult emotional experiences. Chances are if you are still bingeing, it’s actually doing so effectively. Except that...
2022-05-1012 minUnderstanding Disordered Eating: Eating Disorder Recovery and Body Image HealingNew Year, New You?Welcome to another episode of the Understanding Disordered Eating Podcast. I am so grateful that you are here with me as together, we welcome another year. Today we will be retrospecting as we look back to our journey towards food freedom in the course of 2021 . I will also walk you through what to consider putting in your new year’s resolution, should you decide to make some. Join me, and let’s all reflect on our accomplishments, mistakes, progress, and focus on our goals for the next upcoming chapter of our food journey. [0:01-1:07] Intro S...
2021-12-2814 minUnderstanding Disordered Eating: Eating Disorder Recovery and Body Image HealingStarvation Study: The Extreme Psychological and Behavioral Effects of MalnourishmentWelcome to another episode of the Understanding Disordered Eating podcast. In this episode, we will be diving deeper into the Minnesota Starvation Experiment or the Minnesota Semi Starvation Experiment. This study was conducted by Ancel Keys, who was a professor of Physiology at the University of Minnesota. During World War II, he was a consultant to the War Department, and wanted to study the effects of starvation most significantly for those who were in the war, and how to provide post-war rehabilitation. Though this study is being cited all the time, it is important to note that i...
2021-09-2819 min
Understanding Disordered Eating: Eating Disorder Recovery and Body Image HealingLet's Talk About Kate: A Case FormulationWelcome back to another episode of Understanding Disordered Eating. Today’s episode is going to be different from the last 2 episodes because today we’re going to be sitting down with Kate, and try to learn from her story. Let’s dive in! [00:01 - 2:48] Opening Segment I introduce the topic for this episode Importance of storytelling Ask yourself “why” [2:48 - 16:39] The Story of Kate I describe Kate Kate is very self conscious Kate feel empty Has poor body image Feels the need to change her body to get attention Treats food as something to...
2021-08-1117 min
Understanding Disordered Eating: Eating Disorder Recovery and Body Image Healing00. Welcome to the Understanding Disordered Eating Podcast!Welcome to the Understanding Disordered Eating Podcast! I am your host, Rachelle Heinemann, a licensed mental health counselour, eating disorder expert, and deep work therapist. In this podcast, we will talk about how we can uncover the secrets that are encoded in your relationship with food so you can move toward health, healing, and growth Each week, we will be talking to experts in the field of eating disorders and psychoanalysis to explore all of these mysteries. We’ll be talking to analysts, therapists, dietitians, doctors and lots of others to help...
2021-08-1004 min