The Diary Healer with Dr. June Alexander

 

Episode 95 - The Diary Healer with Dr. June Alexander

by Karin Lewis, MA, LMFT, CEDS

In this episode, Karin welcomes Dr. June Alexander, author, advocate, and writing mentor to the show. After recovering from anorexia nervosa and other long term mental health challenges in 2006, June has written ten books on eating disorders, including her memoir, and has a PhD in Creative Writing. June’s website, The Diary Healer represents and attracts readership from all sectors. Having healed in adulthood from long term anorexia, comorbid chronic anxiety, PTSD and depression, June thrives in the joys of mainstream living and inspires hope in recovery at every age.

SOME OF THE TOPICS DISCUSSED:

  • Seeking recovery later in life

  • The definition of what a family is (and is not)

  • Understanding fears brought on by motherhood

  • The healing properties of diary writing

  • The role of progress and small steps in the recovery journey

  • Joining one’s internal and external selves to become whole

  • Finding answers in the darkest moments

  • June’s novel, “A Girl Called Tim”

ABOUT JUNE ALEXANDER:

June’s prime motivation for The Diary Healer is to connect with people who have experienced an eating disorder, trauma or other mental health challenge, and to inspire them through the use of the narrative, to live a full and meaningful life. June has written ten books about eating disorders (including her memoir). Prior to writing books, June had a long career in print journalism as a journalist, sub-editor and editor. She combines her writing expertise with the life experience of recovering from anorexia nervosa, trauma and other comorbidities.

In 2017, she graduated as a Doctor of Philosophy (Creative Writing). Her research focused on using extracts from unsolicited diaries to create a book about the usefulness of journaling in eating disorder treatment. 

Using writing as a therapy for eating disorders: The Diary Healer and the process of using personal diary excerpts to assist people with eating disorder. [Thesis]

June’s contribution to the eating disorder field was recognized at the 2016 Academy for Eating Disorders International Conference in San Francisco where she was awarded the Meehan/Hartley Award for Public Service and Advocacy.

She is a co-chair of the NEDC Steering Committee Evidence of Experience Group, and a foundation steering committee member of the annual World Eating Disorders Action Day. She is a member of the Australian Society of Authors (ASA), Writers Victoria, Academy for Eating Disorders (AED), Australian and New Zealand Academy for Eating Disorders (ANZAED) and is an advisory panel member for Families Empowered and Supporting Treatment of Eating Disorders (F.E.A.S.T.)

Today June enjoys being a writing mentor for people with mental health challenges —helping them to find purpose in their life through writing their story; and people who want to write their memoir. In addition, June enjoys being a non-fiction manuscript copy editor for people who have written their story and wish to prepare it to publication standard. She is also the host of “A Girl Called Tim” podcast.

CONNECT WITH JUNE: