As a coach, my role is to specifically support and guide clients as they navigate the day-to-day challenges of recovery. Recovery coaching focuses on the how rather than the why. I don’t work with the underlying psychological contributors to an ED; coaching focuses on equipping clients with tools to support them moving in the direction they would like to go.

My coaching includes texting in between sessions, which can be a powerful tool when someone is trying to make changes and needs a little extra support. I offer support and planning with things that need to occur in daily life like meal support, ordering food, tips for clothes shopping, closet clean-outs, body image in daily life, compassionate accountability for tough moments, practical strategies to face fears, etc.

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

Coaching can be a wonderful addition to therapy. Therapists often incorporate coaching into 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.

Coaching can be beneficial for anyone trying to make changes either (1) towards recovery or (2) in an effort to reduce harm and improve their quality of life while living with an eating disorder.

Some examples of things we might do in coaching include:

• Making plans for following through on goals. Think about all the things that need to happen for someone to reach their goal: meal planning, buying the food, planning distractions, etc. Intentions are not enough; people often need help with the logistics and practicalities to be successful.

• Developing personalized strategies for how to follow through with goals even when the urge to avoid the change is high. For example, how will someone eat lunch even when they are afraid and their mind is coming up with every reason not to have lunch.

• Coping in the moment with urges to engage in compensatory and harmful behaviors

• Anticipating barriers/obstacles and developing ways to handle and overcome them.

• Staying committed to recovery even when motivation is low because it’s normal motivation for recovery to be inconsistent.

Ideally someone is already working with a therapist, dietitian, psychiatrist, or doctor and coaching is an additional support. I can sometimes assist with finding a therapist and/or dietitian if someone is in need of one.

Yes, I do believe full recovery from an eating disorder is possible and always hold hope that this can happen for everyone. 

I believe in state not weight when it comes to recovery. Full recovery requires us to surrender to full nutritional rehabilitation, unconditional permission to eat, and an unsuppressed weight for our unique body. Only someone’s body can decide what it needs to weigh in order to fully heal from an ED and what weight range it is happy and healthy at. Like height, our weight is largely predetermined and there are consequences for trying to force our body to a lower weight that is right for it. And for those with the genetics for an eating disorder, the consequence is far greater because we know that being in an energy deficit is a major contributing factor to developing and sustaining an eating disorder.

It is essential in recovery that we neurally rewire the fears and behaviors that have been strengthened and reinforced throughout an eating disorder. This means we need to be brutally honest with ourselves and our supports about where our eating disorder is still showing up. If we wanted cookie dough ice cream but got vanilla—that is restriction. If we wanted seconds but we don’t have it because our meal plan didn’t require it—that is restriction. Restriction is insidious and full recovery requires fully rooting it out even when others cannot see it. To fully recover we must let go of all eating disorder rules, compulsions, and conditions around eating, movement, and weight. 

You hold the map to your recovery. It’s doing all the things your eating disorder does not want you to do and is afraid of. 

In my work with clients, I consider the role of trauma at an individual, collective, and historical level and the connection with eating disorders while taking universal precautions to reduce the risk of retraumatization and further harm.

I incorporate the trauma-informed principles when working with clients: Safety; Trust and Transparency; Peer Support; Collaboration and Mutuality, Empowerment, Voice and Choice; Cultural, Historical, and Gender Issues

"Trauma-Informed Care understands and considers the pervasive nature of trauma and promotes environments of healing and recovery rather than practices and services that may inadvertently re-traumatize."
-University at Buffalo Social Work

Citations

• Institute on Trauma and Trauma-Informed Care. (n.d). What is Trauma-Informed Care? University at Buffalo.https://socialwork.buffalo.edu/social-research/institutes-centers/institute-on-trauma-and-trauma-informed-care/what-is-trauma-informed-care.html

• Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. (2014). SAMHSA's concept of trauma and guidance for a trauma-informed approach. https://ncsacw.acf.hhs.gov/userfiles/files/SAMHSA_Trauma.pdf

I incorporate harm reduction into my coaching to reduce the negative effects of eating disorders and promote safety. Even when someone is working towards a full recovery from their ED, harm reduction always has a place during the process. I have learned so much in this area from the amazing Gloria Lucas of Nalgona Positivity Pride.

I always hold hope for recovery for everyone because I believe and know it is possible! Everyone deserves to heal and live a life without suffering from an eating disorder.

I acknowledge that each person faces a unique set of contributing factors to their eating disorder and obstacles in their life influenced by the systems and environment we exist within and interact with.

This depends and is individualized based on a client’s needs. On average, I see clients once per week, but I meet with clients more frequently if support & meals are needed more often. I can 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 based on needs.

During the consultation call and first coaching session, I collaborate with clients to determine the best schedule for their needs and what they hope to get out of coaching.

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-minute coaching session with texting support in between - $120

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.