IN THIS EPISODE:

In this episode, I am joined by Carolyn Costin, MA, MEd, LMFT, CEDS, FAED, world-renowned eating disorder clinician, author, and speaker and consultant. Recovered from anorexia, Carolyn became a teacher and psychotherapist. After successfully treating her first eating disorder client, she recognized her calling. In 1996, Carolyn founded Monte Nido, the first residential eating disorder treatment program, and served as Clinical Director until 2016. Carolyn remains active in the field with her private practice, lecturing, teaching, supervising and serving on boards of professional organizations. In 2017, Carolyn founded The Carolyn Costin Institute, which offers continuing education and training for clinicians, coaches, mentors, and others. Serving as both my mentor and teacher for the last 15 years, it felt only natural to have Carolyn as my first guest.

SOME OF THE TOPICS DISCUSSED:

• Defining the term “RECOVERED”

• Why recovered clinicians are essential in the treatment of eating disorder clients.

• Why intensive training is vital for clinical success.

• Taking your character traits from darkness to light.

• Feeling your feelings in a recovered life.
  

ABOUT CAROLYN COSTIN:

In her early twenties, Carolyn Costin recovered from anorexia nervosa, earned two master’s degrees, became a teacher and began her career as a psychotherapist. A passionate and dedicated educator Carolyn taught high school and community college for 8 years and brought teaching to her role as an eating disorder therapist.

After successfully treating her first eating disorder client in 1979, Carolyn recognized this was her calling. Her continued success led her to develop and direct several inpatient eating disorder facilities during the period of 1987 to 1996.

In 1996, Carolyn created Monte Nido, the first licensed, residential eating disorder treatment facility in a home setting. She was the first to combine state of the art eating disorder treatment with eastern healing modalities, such as yoga and meditation. She was first to speak out that people with eating disorders could be fully “Recovered” and first to openly hire recovered therapists. Knowing that role models, trust and relationships matter, Carolyn created a program where staff and clients shop, cook and eat meals together like a family. Carolyn wanted clients and their families to have a healing environment where professionals delivered expert care and clients acquired the knowledge and skills necessary for long-term recovery.

Carolyn’s personal history of an eating disorder, her humanistic relational approach, her acclaimed speaking engagements, her six books and Monte Nido’s highly successful outcome study (Brewerton & Costin, 2011) have resulted in Carolyn being one of the most respected and sought-after leaders in the eating disorder field.

A large percentage of Carolyn’s career has been lecturing, training, teaching and supervising clinicians, dietitians, and physicians. Many regularly attend a monthly study group for professionals Carolyn began in the mid-1980s. An official CE provider, through the California Association of Marriage and Family Therapists (CAMFT) and the National Board for Certified Counselors (NBCC), Carolyn continues to travel nationally and internationally educating professionals and the public about eating disorders.

Having left Monte Nido & Affiliates in early 2016 Carolyn remains active in the eating disorder field on many fronts. She is a Fellow of the Academy of Eating Disorders and stays involved in many professional eating disorder organizations, as a member, speaker, consultant, or a collaborator on projects, such as her work with Project Heal, training eating disorder mentors for Communities of Healing.

In early 2017, Carolyn opened The Carolyn Costin Institute, which offers Eating Disorder Coach Training, Mentor Training, Continuing Education for clinicians as well as other specialized training.

CONNECT WITH CAROLYN COSTIN:

• Learn more about The Carolyn Costin Institute

• Connect with others on Facebook by joining Carolyn’s Facebook Group Recovered Eating Disorder Professionals

• Follow Carolyn on Facebook and Instagram

ABOUT KARIN LEWIS:

Karin Lewis, MA, LMFT, CEDS has been recovered from Anorexia Nervosa for over 20 years and has been specializing in the prevention and treatment of eating disorders since 2005. Karin is the founder of the Karin Lewis Eating Disorder Center located in Boston, MA. To learn more about Karin and her center’s services, you can visit Karin Lewis Eating Disorder Center. You can connect with Karin on social media by following her on Facebook and Instagram.