Trauma-Informed Recovery Coaching

Coaching is unique in the way it offers support for navigating the day-to-day challenges of recovery and focuses on taking action. After a consultation call and an assessment, I collaborate with you and any of your other treatment team members to develop a plan that will best support you. As a social worker, my approach is strengths-based, meaning we utilize your innate strengths and resources. I work from a social justice lens and a Health at Every Size and weight-inclusive framework.

I am based in Pennsylvania and work with clients virtually throughout the US and worldwide! When seeing each other weekly, text support is included between sessions. If we are meeting less frequently, I offer text support for a supplemental fee.

Please note: Coaching is not a replacement for therapy or a substitute for clinical treatment. Coaching is a wonderful addition to support your recovery. If you are actively struggling with an eating disorder, I do require that you also be working with a therapist or dietitian. If you need help finding a therapist or dietitian, I can sometimes assist with the process.

My Approach

My approach is nonjudgmental and compassionate. I believe you are the expert of your own experience and approach every session with a willingness to listen. I am willing to meet you wherever you are in your recovery process. It’s okay to feel unsure if you are ready to recover and ambivalent. I hold space for ambivalence, normalize it, and empower you to take steps at a pace that feels right for you. There is no one-size-fits-all approach to recovery. My aim is to support you in achieving your goals, whatever they may be at this point.

Eating disorders are multi-determined, biopsychosocial disorders which require a multi-pronged approach. In our work together, I can support you with neural rewiring, shifting your relationship with food and your body, and changing the behaviors that are no longer aligned with the life you want. I believe in state not weight when it comes to recovery. I factor in the role that falling into an energy deficit—intentionally or unintentionally—plays in developing and sustaining an ED including the latest research suggesting that EDs are metabo-psychiatric disorders.

I practice from a social justice lens —understanding the social and systemic inequities that contribute to eating disorders and add barriers to recovery. I utilize harm reduction while always holding hope for the possibility of full recovery. To support you in making changes, I use compassionate accountability and practices such as: setting collaborative realistic & specific goals, text/email support between sessions, meal/snack support, planning for obstacles, podcast & reading recommendations, writing prompts & activities, and peer support groups.

Services

Recovery Coaching

Our work together is completely individualized for your needs! Collaboratively, we will explore what you don’t like about how things are, how you want things to be different, brainstorm realistic steps, and develop a plan for supporting you in making the changes you want to make. We incorporate any goals you have with your treatment providers into coaching.

I truly aim to meet you where you and support you in working towards the life you want, whatever that looks like for you. Depending on your needs, we can meet weekly, biweekly, or as frequently as needed. When appropriate, a 60-minute session may be broken up into multiple check-ins throughout the week.

Coaching also includes reasonable text and email support in between weekly meetings.

Single Recovery Support Calls

Support calls are much less frequent than regular coaching and designed for someone who is looking for a single check-in to strengthen their commitment in their healing, get oriented in their goals, and receive foundational peer-support and guidance from someone who has been through their own recovery.

On a support call, we can prioritize anything specific that you feel would be most supportive to discuss and get feedback on to serve your goals!

Together, we can create an outline of specific strategies to support you in achieving your goals, whatever they are at this point in time.

Text support is not included between less frequent support calls.

Meal and Snack Support

Are you struggling specifically with eating meals and snacks? Do you need support with consistency? Would you like to challenge fear foods but want support from someone who understands the complications of eating with an eating disorder?

As a coach, I can join you, and we will navigate those challenges together. I can assist with offering support during a meal or snack and exploring eating disorder thoughts and urges. I offer accountability in a gentle, compassionate, and firm way that honors your choice and autonomy.

Please Note: Meal and snack sessions are most effective when they are done in conjunction with weekly or biweekly traditional coaching sessions.

FAQs


  • As a coach, my role is to specifically support and guide someone as they navigate the day-to-day challenges of recovery. We focus on the how rather than the why.

    My coaching approach includes reasonable texting in between sessions, which can be a powerful tool when someone is trying to make changes.

    I help with navigating challenging recovery-related situations in daily life such as eating meals; going out to eat; grocery shopping; people making comments about food, diets, & bodies; getting dressed & choosing clothes; getting rid of old clothing; ordering clothes; engaging in movement, etc.

    I am a trained social worker and understand the interconnection between eating disorders and trauma which is why I use a trauma-informed approach in my coaching. But as a coach I do not provide interventions for trauma or delve into trauma. I point clients to therapy for the deeper wounds in need of processing and healing.

    Therapists often use coaching in their practice, but coaches have a much narrower scope of practice than therapists. Coaching is meant to be an adjunct to working with a therapist, dietitian, psychiatrist and/or doctor.

  • I bring an understanding of how common trauma is in those with eating disorders and take steps to prevent further harm and promote healing. I consider the role of trauma at an individual, collective, and historical level and the connection with eating disorders

    Trauma-informed care asks us to make a shift from “What is wrong with you?” to “What has happened to you?”

    I incorporate the trauma-informed principles into my coaching: Safety; Trust and Transparency; Peer Support; Collaboration and Mutuality, Empowerment, Voice and Choice; Cultural, Historical, and Gender Issues

    Citations

  • Coaching can be beneficial for anyone trying to make changes either (1) towards recovery or (2) towards reducing negative consequences from behaviors and improving their quality of life while living with an eating disorder.

    Some examples of things we might do in coaching include:

    • Practical strategies for following through on goals

      • Think about all the things that need to happen for someone to reach their goal: planning meals, buying the food, finding support, anticipating obstacles, coping for after, etc.

      • For example, how will someone eat lunch even when their mind is coming up with every reason not to have lunch.

    • Collaboratively anticipating barriers/obstacles and developing supportive ways to get through them

    • Staying committed to recovery and compassionate accountability for tough moments

  • I believe full recovery from an eating disorder is a possibility while also acknowledging and respecting that we are complex humans living in a complex world. Not everyone is in a place where recovery is their priority and not everyone wants to recover. The idea that we are obligated to recover creates a sense of morality which perpetuates feelings of shame and disempowerment. I believe someone is always worthy of compassion, support, and an improved quality of life regardless if that is with an eating disorder or trying to recover from one.

    You can read more about my perspective HERE.

  • Yes, I incorporate harm reduction into my coaching to reduce the negative consequences of eating disorders. Harm reduction is ethical care.

    I have learned so much in this area from the amazing Gloria Lucas of Nalgona Positivity Pride.

  • This can depend based on someone’s needs. Standard weekly coaching includes 60-minutes of video/phone coaching which can be broken up to best meet someone’s current needs. I also offer additional time each week if someone needs more frequent meetings. I meet with someone less frequently if they are further along in their recovery and in need of less support. 

    Please note that texting is only included if meeting weekly. If meeting less frequently I do offer text support for a supplemental fee.

  • I offer a free 30 minute consultation call to give someone the chance to meet me, ask questions, and see if working together feels like the right fit. I believe finding providers that someone feels comfortable with is so important in recovery.

    If it’s a good fit, then we schedule our first session, and I send over a few forms to fill out and sign beforehand.

  • Ideally we work together consistently because change takes time, but I understand financial resources can make frequent coaching not feasible for some. Or maybe you are at a stable place in recovery but need a bit of a boost or guidance every few months! For these situations I offer 90-minute recovery support calls.

    In a support call, we will collaboratively create an outline of your recovery goals and obstacles you have been experiencing. Together, we will develop specific ways to support yourself and take steps towards the direction you want to be moving in.

    You are always welcome to book another single support call if you feel you need another!

  • 60-minutes of video/phone coaching with texting support in between - $120 per week

    I offer a certain amount of sliding scale and pro-bono coaching spots. Please inquire if this is needed.

    Unfortunately coaching is currently not covered by most insurances at this point in time but that could change in the future. I encourage you to contact your insurance company & inquire if there are any reimbursement avenues available for coaching services.

Schedule a Free Consultation

Have questions about coaching and want to talk about working together? I offer a free 30-minute consultation call to see if working together feels like the right fit. I believe finding supports you trust and feel comfortable with is so important.

Please fill out the below form, and I will be in touch within 1-2 days. I work with clients virtually worldwide and in-person in central Pennsylvania.