Grow Through What You Go Through with Monika Ostroff, LICSW, CEDS-S

 
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Episode 39 - Grow Through What You Go Through with Monika Ostroff, LICSW, CEDS-S

by Karin Lewis, MA, LMFT, CEDS

IN THIS EPISODE:

In this episode, I am joined by Monika Ostroff, LICSW, CEDS-S, and Executive Director of Multi-Service Eating Disorders Association Inc (MEDA). Nationally recognized for her 25+ years of experience and contributions to the field of eating disorders, Monika has directed several successful residential, partial hospital, and intensive outpatient eating disorder programs in addition to having owned a thriving private practice. Monika’s passion for treating eating disorders and mentoring other professionals was borne out of her own struggle and full recovery from what today is known as Severe and Enduring Anorexia Nervosa.


SOME OF THE TOPICS DISCUSSED:

  • How the recovery journey looks different for everyone.

  • Recovering when professionals label you as “chronic.”

  • How compassion, respect, and empowerment can elicit change.

  • Connecting back to one’s innate, inner wisdom.

  • The need for inclusivity, access, and equality within healthcare.

  • Being seen as a human, not a diagnosis.

  • Finding your voice is your key to recovery.

  • How eating disorders can serve as a “resource” when no other “resources” aren’t available.

ABOUT MONIKA OSTROFF:

Monika Ostroff, MSW, LICSW, CEDS-S is the Executive Director of MEDA, a leading national nonprofit organization dedicated to healing, educating, and empowering the community in the fight against eating disorders.

Monika is a therapist, author, and consultant specializing in the fields of eating disorders and substance use disorders. She is nationally recognized for her contributions to the field of eating disorders and their treatment. With expertise in individual, group, and family therapy in both outpatient and hospital settings, Monika has 25 years of experience in the field of eating disorders. Her passion for treating eating disorders and mentoring other professionals was borne out of her own struggle and full recovery from what today is known as Severe and Enduring Anorexia Nervosa.

Prior to joining MEDA, Monika was the Manager of Outpatient Behavioral Health Services at HCA’s Parkland Medical Center where she provided leadership for Reflections Eating Disorders Treatment Center at Parkland Medical Center in Salem, NH; Parkland’s Center for Emotional Wellness Adult Partial Hospital Program and the Behavioral Health Unit’s inpatient Social Work Department. She also assisted in launching the Cambridge Eating Disorder Center of New Hampshire, where she served as their Director. She served as the Clinical Director for R.O.A.D. To A Better Life's nine addiction treatment centers in the state of New Hampshire as well as the Program Director for Hampstead Hospital's Eating Disorder Treatment Center. Additionally, she owned a thriving private practice specializing in eating disorders for many years.

Among her credits, Monika is the co-author of Anorexia Nervosa: A Guide to Recovery, 1999; and a contributing author to both Self-Harm Behavior and Eating Disorders., 2004 and The Thinking Mom's Revolution: Autism Beyond the Spectrum, 2012. She has also authored several well-received essays on the topics of anorexia, bulimia, trauma, and healing. Monika has appeared on several radio and television broadcasts including NPR’s Public Affair and Boston’s WGBH Arts and Ideas. Monika has extensive experience speaking publicly and presenting workshops on eating disorders. She continues to lecture and present at conferences and universities across the country.

Monika strongly believes in providing compassionate care that combines alternative healing with evidence-based modalities. In addition to using meditation, yoga, and essential oils, she is certified in several alternative modalities and has recently teamed up with Dr. Patrick Porter to create an eating disorders recovery support series for the revolutionary BrainTap.

Monika received her BA from Wellesley College and her MSW from Boston College Graduate School of Social Work.


CONNECT WITH MONIKA OSTROFF:

  • Learn more about MEDA’s eating disorder support and recovery services

  • Donate directly and view other ways to support MEDA

  • Follow MEDA on Facebook and Instagram

  • Sign-up for MEDA’s weekly support group and view other events here

  • Tune into MEDA’s IGTV channel on Instagram to view their weekly support series and live recovery chats/interviews.

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. You can visit Karin Lewis Eating Disorder Center online to learn more about Karin and her center’s services. You can also connect with Karin on social media by following her on Facebook and Instagram.

 

Out of the Pantry with Ronni Robinson

 
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Episode 36 - Out of the Pantry with Ronni Robinson

by Karin Lewis, MA, LMFT, CEDS

IN THIS EPISODE:

In this episode, I am joined by Ronni Robinson, a recovered author with a passion for helping others who are struggling with an eating disorder. Ronni’s first book, Out of the Pantry: A Disordered Eating Journey, offers a brutally honest glimpse into the trials, pervasive thoughts, and heartbreak of a compulsive overeater, and the courage and strength Ronni gained to live a life of food freedom. Ronni is also an active public speaker on the topics of eating disorders and emotionally abusive relationships.


SOME OF THE TOPICS DISCUSSED:

  • No matter how long one has struggled with an eating disorder, it is never too late to recover.

  • Turning to food as a coping mechanism in the absence of unconditional love.

  • Healing your “inner child” as a step towards healing.

  • Self-preservation at any age.

  • Missing opportunities for connection when one’s mind is consumed with food.

  • The freedom gained from listening to your body.

  • The ways in which a parent with an eating disorder can speak to their children.

  • Taking “what works” from different belief systems to create your own.

  • The process of writing Out of the Pantry: A Disordered Eating Journey.

ABOUT RONNI ROBINSON:

Ronni Robinson is a writer and indoor cycling instructor in the suburbs of Eastern Pennsylvania, where she lives with her husband in their newly minted empty nest, as both kids are off to college.

With a passion for helping others who are struggling with eating disorders, Ronni’s first book, Out of the Pantry: A Disordered Eating Journey, offers a brutally honest glimpse into the trials, pervasive thoughts, and heartbreak of a compulsive overeater, and the courage and strength Ronni gained to live a life of food freedom.

You can find Ronni on the Facebook page “Overcoming Food Nonsense,” where she serves as an administrator. She also does public speaking about eating disorders and emotionally abusive relationships.

Ronni has been freelance writing since freshman year in college (a long time ago) and has appeared in aSweatLife, Ravishly, The Temper, 50 Shades of Aging, Healthy Women, The Philadelphia Inquirer, the Courier-Post, The New Brunswick Home News, and Parents Express magazine. Ronni’s first book, Out of the Pantry: A Disordered Eating Journey, can be found on Amazon and Barnes and Noble.


CONNECT WITH RONNI ROBINSON:

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. You can visit Karin Lewis Eating Disorder Center online to learn more about Karin and her center’s services. You can also connect with Karin on social media by following @karinlewisedc on Facebook and Instagram.

 

Happiness is an Inside Job with Hope Hayes, MEd, RDN, LD

 
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Episode 34 - Happiness is an Inside Job with Hope Hayes, MED, RDN, LD

by Karin Lewis, MA, LMFT, CEDS

IN THIS EPISODE:

In this episode, I am joined by Hope Hayes, MEd, RDN, LD, a proud non-diet dietitian and believer in the Health at Every Size philosophy and founder of Nourishing NH, LLC. Hope believes that lived experience is incredibly valuable in this process and that each of us are our own experts about our bodies. As a nutrition therapist, Hope helps clients fight against diet culture and heal from dieting, disordered eating, and finding peace within their bodies. Hope maintains the idea that health is defined differently to each person and the work that she does with her clients respects that diversity.


SOME OF THE TOPICS DISCUSSED:

  • The body/brain disconnect that happens when someone is struggling with an eating disorder.

  • The humanness of the recovery journey.

  • Ways in which hunger shows up in the body.

  • Finding flexibility and compassion for self throughout the recovery process.

  • The use of eating disorder behaviors as a means of communication.

  • How one’s inner critic uses comparison negatively.

  • How social media can make someone “feel” a range of emotions.

  • The idea that intuitive eating is innate and exists within all of us.

ABOUT HOPE HAYES:

Hope Hayes, MEd, RDN, LD, is a proud non-diet dietitian and believer in the Health at Every Size philosophy and founder of Nourishing NH, LLC. She is dedicated to guiding her clients to understanding the truths of diet culture and helping them reconnect their body and mind.

While using a non-diet and Health at Every Size approach, Hope battles to end weight stigma, educate about disordered eating, and help people end their weight obsession. She is currently training in trauma-informed care to continue supporting clients who struggle with trauma and eating disorders.

Hope completed her Master’s degree in Health Education and Promotion at Plymouth State University, where she focused her studies in the field of eating disorders by attending the Eating Disorder Institute. Her dietetic coursework and dietetic internship were completed at Simmons College, in Boston, MA.

Nourishing NH is a private practice located in New Hampshire run by two nutrition therapists fighting against diet culture and helping people to heal from dieting, disordered eating, and finding peace within their bodies in a weight inclusive, gender-affirming space. The team at Nourishing NH believes that Health at Every Size and Intuitive Eating are fundamental to healing and creating an authentic relationship with the body. “We hold space for clients as they explore their relationship with food and body image. We believe our work with our clients is therapeutic, supportive, and full of compassion.”

CONNECT WITH HOPE HAYES:

  • Visit Nourishing NH online to learn more about their services offered

  • Information about the lens of “Health At Every Size” can be found here

  • Information regarding how Intuitive Eating is used in therapy sessions and more about IE can be found here

  • Contact Hope regarding eating disorder and nutrition services

  • Book Hope for your next speaking engagement

  • Follow Hope 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. You can visit Karin Lewis Eating Disorder Center online to learn more about Karin and her center’s services. You can also connect with Karin on social media by following @karinlewisedc on Facebook and Instagram.

 

Mountain Top Moments with Nicole Siegfried, PhD, CEDS

 
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Episode 29 - Mountain Top Moments with Nicole Siegfried, PhD, CEDS

by Karin Lewis, MA, LMFT, CEDS

IN THIS EPISODE:

In this episode, I am joined by Dr. Nicole Siegfried, a Certified Eating Disorder Specialist (CEDS) and licensed clinical psychologist, treating eating disorders for over 20 years. As a recovered clinician, Nicole is a recognized leader in the field of eating disorders and serves as the Chief Clinical Officer for Alsana Eating Recovery Communities. Nicole is an international speaker and has published research, magazine articles, and book chapters in the field of eating disorders and suicide. She is the founder and past president of the Alabama Regional Chapter of iaedp and currently a board member of the International iaedp Board. She is also a member of the Academy of Eating Disorders (AED) and former Co-Chair of the Eating Disorders and Suicide Prevention AED Special Interest Group.

SOME OF THE TOPICS DISCUSSED:

  • Deciding if the person you are in your eating disorder is the person you want to be.

  • The clinician and client healing journey.

  • The need for a “safe space” for clients to talk about suicidal thoughts.

  • Moving away from your eating disorder and into your values.

  • The importance of having self-compassion when dealing with critical thoughts.

  • Meeting clients at their "psych-ache.”

  • Growing through what you are going through.

  • The most difficult moments often result in the most beautiful moments.

  • Holding hope and trust in the recovery process.

  • The value of “Mountain Top Moments” on the path to recovery.

ABOUT NICOLE SIEGFRIED:

Dr. Nicole Siegfried, is a Certified Eating Disorder Specialist (CEDS) and a licensed clinical psychologist, treating eating disorders for over 20 years. She is a recognized leader in the field of eating disorders and serves as the Chief Clinical Officer for Alsana Eating Recovery Communities. In addition, Nicole is an Adjunct Associate Professor at University of Alabama at Birmingham and has also served as Associate Professor of Psychology at Samford University.

Nicole is an international speaker and has published research, magazine articles, and book chapters in the field of eating disorders and suicide. Nicole is the founder and past president of the Alabama Regional Chapter of IAEDP and a current member of the International Association for Eating Disorder (iaedp) Board of Directors. She is a member of the Academy of Eating Disorders (AED) and former Co-Chair of the Eating Disorders and Suicide Prevention AED Special Interest Group.

CONNECT WITH NICOLE SIEGFRIED:

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. You can visit Karin Lewis Eating Disorder Center online to learn more about Karin and her center’s services. You can also connect with Karin on social media by following @karinlewisedc on Facebook and Instagram.

 

Finding Your Way Home with Crystal Bowlby, PhD, HSP, CEDS-S

 
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Episode 28 - Finding Your Way Home with Crystal Bowlby, PhD, HSP, CEDS-S

by Karin Lewis, MA, LMFT, CEDS

IN THIS EPISODE:

In this episode, I am joined by Crystal Bowlby, Ph.D., CEDS-S, a clinical psychologist serving patients and staff for the Laureate Eating Disorders Program. She has specialized in the education and treatment of eating disorders since 2002. As an inpatient therapist at Laureate, Crystal offers direct patient care in the realm of individual, family, and group therapy within the intensive multidisciplinary program structure. As an educator, she supervises clinicians seeking eating disorder specialist certification and doctoral students selected for practicum experience at Laureate. As a recovered clinician, Crystal seeks to strengthen a client’s core relationships with self and others to build a strong, secure self-identity apart from an eating disorder identity.

SOME OF THE TOPICS DISCUSSED:

  • The importance of breathwork to get through difficult times.

  • Finding purpose and meaning in recovery.

  • It’s never too late to start the recovery process.

  • How the isolating nature of eating disorders can lead to a solitary recovery process.

  • Finding balance in your home and with your family, especially when there are children involved.

  • Learning to stay present with both suffering and with joy.

  • How suffering can act as a catalyst to positive change.

  • Crystal’s definition of recovery as “being at home with self, body, and feelings without the need to ‘flee’.”

ABOUT CRYSTAL BOWLBY:

Crystal Bowlby, PhD, CEDS-S, is a licensed clinical psychologist (Health Service Psychologist) serving patients and staff for the Laureate Eating Disorders Program in Tulsa, Oklahoma. As an adult therapist, Crystal serves patients in individual, family, and group therapy, meal support, and crisis intervention. As a supervisor, Crystal works with clinicians towards specialty certification for IAEDP as well as works with doctoral students gathering practicum and internship hours.

Crystal is passionate about inpatient care and enjoys both the relational aspect and intensity of the work--- feeling grateful for mealtimes with patients, being present for struggles in real-time, and watching dynamics unfold in a relational milieu. She sees patients through, from admission to discharge through acute/medical stabilization, RTC, and PHP.

In education. Crystal holds a B.S in biochemistry, M.S Counseling Psychology, M.A Theology/Spiritual Integration, M.A Clinical Psychology, and PhD in Clinical Psychology (loving education). Originally, Crystal sought out her 1st degree in psychology as a wish to heal herself in growing awareness of anorexia, with no intention to practice as a therapist. As life unfolded, and healing occurred, opportunities presented themselves to become a therapist and have the great privilege/honor of holding space for others going through the recovery process.

Crystal's passion and curiosity to grow, to learn, and to relate to others engenders her work. She is drawn to depth/Jungian perspectives, narrative approaches, positive psychology, and soul care. Research interests surround therapist use of self in the therapeutic process, the role of gratitude to enhance the quality of life, the theme of hope, and the process of surrender.

CONNECT WITH CRYSTAL BOWLBY:

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. You can visit Karin Lewis Eating Disorder Center online to learn more about Karin and her center’s services. You can also connect with Karin on social media by following her on Facebook and Instagram.

 

Igniting Something Spectacular with Greta Gleissner, LCSW

 
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Episode 25 - iGniting something spectacular with greta gleisSNer, lcsw

by Karin Lewis, MA, LMFT, CEDS

IN THIS EPISODE:

In this episode, I am joined by Greta Gleissner, LCSW. Greta is a NYC-based psychotherapist specializing in eating disorders. In recovery since 2001, Greta has firsthand knowledge of the challenges individuals face in the eating disorder recovery process, particularly during transitions. Her personal recovery and expertise in the field was the primary impetus for the co-creation of Eating Disorder Recovery Specialists and the Sanctuary Healing trauma intensive outpatient program. Greta is also the author of Something Spectacular: The True Story of a Rockette’s Battle with Bulimia, a raw, personal chronicle of the devastating effects bulimia had on her personal and professional life during her time as a Radio City Rockette.

SOME OF THE TOPICS DISCUSSED:

  • Fighting against the label of “chronic.”

  • Igniting even the tiniest flames of “hope” and setting fire to recovery.

  • How dance can support recovery.

  • How eating disorders numb out the feelings that accompany abuse and neglect/CPTSD.

  • Healing from an eating disorder in an entrenched family system.

  • The importance of finding and/or creating a sense of community and safety.

  • Managing the limitations of and creating our own “family.”

  • The multidimensional aspect of recovery may require the addition of treatment team members.


ABOUT GRETA GLEISSNER:

Greta Gleissner, LCSW (NY 083574), is a therapist who specializes in eating disorders and trauma, In 2013, Greta founded Eating Disorder Recovery Specialists (EDRS)–pioneering an in-home, on-campus, and virtual post-acute therapeutic care and recovery support model for adolescents and adults with eating disorders. EDRS utilizes over 150 recovery specialists, utilizing in-person and virtual recovery support nationwide.

Greta's most recent and exciting new project is Sanctuary, the first intensive outpatient program (IOP) in NYC that treats PTSD and related disorders, which she co-founded with Dr. Sarah Chipps. Sanctuary has a unique approach, utilizing top-down and bottom-up therapeutic modalities together to soothe the mind, body and nervous system simultaneously and expedite the path to healing.

Greta’s interest in eating disorders and trauma grew out of her recovery from eating disorders and complex PTSD, which provides her with both a personal and professional lens through which to support clients. Having been a professional dancer, she knew from the age of 16 if she could ever heal from her eating disorder it would be her life’s mission to help others. Shortly after graduate school at New York University, Greta published her first book, Something Spectacular: The True Story of a Rockette’s Battle with Bulimia, a raw, personal chronicle of the devastating effects bulimia had on her personal and professional life during her time as a Radio City Rockette.

In addition to founding Eating Disorder Recovery Specialists and Sanctuary trauma intensive outpatient program, Greta maintains a small private practice on the Upper West Side and is trained in EMDR, CBT, DBT, and Motivational Interviewing.

CONNECT WITH GRETA GLEISSNER:

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. You can visit Karin Lewis Eating Disorder Center online to learn more about Karin and her center’s services. You can also connect with Karin on social media by following her on Facebook and Instagram.

 

Bringing the Eating Disorder Into the Room with Joe Sciarretta, LCSW

 
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Episode 21 - Bringing the Eating Disorder Into the Room with Joe Sciarretta, LCSW

by Karin Lewis, MA, LMFT, CEDS

IN THIS EPISODE:

In this episode, I am joined by Joe Sciarretta, licensed clinical social worker and owner of Earnest Therapy, LLC, a private practice specializing in helping people find hope during the chaos of eating disorders, anxiety, depression, OCD, trauma, and PTSD. Since 2010 Joe has worked within intensive eating disorder treatment and has served individuals suffering from a wide variety of symptoms. Joe is passionate about helping those suffering from mental health problems and sees recovery is attainable for anyone. When asked how he got into this particular line of work, Joe’s response is that he “found my passion for helping people with eating disorders by accident, but stayed with them on purpose”.

SOME OF THE TOPICS DISCUSSED:

  • Understanding (and honoring) ambivalence.

  • The difference between “fixing” and “healing.”

  • Looking through the lens of someone who hasn't experienced an eating disorder.

  • Why does getting better feel so bad?

  • Bringing the eating disorder into the room...even if you don’t want to.

  • The importance of education and insight when doing family work. "There's a lot of heat; but until there is education, there is not a lot of insight".

  • Eating disorders and suicide.

ABOUT JOE SCIARRETTA:

Joseph (Joe) Sciarretta, LCSW is a licensed therapist who focuses his career on the treatment of people with eating disorders, anxiety, depression, OCD, and trauma.

Joe received his BA in Psychology from The College of New Jersey in 2011 and his MSW from Rutgers University in 2014. Since completing his graduate education, Joe has held a variety of positions in the world of eating disorder treatment including Admissions Coordinator, Recovery Coach, Primary Therapist, and finally Lead Therapist. Joe is a fully credentialed Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) in the state of New Jersey. Joe is also a member of the International Association of Eating Disorder Professionals (IAEDP) and the National Association of Social Workers (NASW). Joe also offers training workshops on eating disorders to other healthcare professionals.

Joe got his start working in the eating disorder field sort of "by accident". After looking through a binder of internships held by previous students in his undergraduate psychology department, he had his interest piqued by the idea of learning in the most professional setting he could find, and so applied to intern at a hospital-based eating disorder program. Although he knew very little about eating disorders then, he was given a chance to learn and became the first male intern the program took on. During this experience, Joe had the privilege to help people as they started their journey in a state of illness and then gradually moved through their healing process. After witnessing many people go through meaningful transformations, Joe was so inspired that he decided to dedicate his professional career to the care of people with eating disorders.

Since that internship in 2010, Joe has been working with people who have eating disorders at a number of reputable treatment centers in the New Jersey-New York area. He has made it a point to serve people with eating disorders at all levels of care: from outpatient office visits, day treatment programs, residential centers, and inpatient hospitals. Having been a long-time staff member of Monte Nido's residential treatment center in Irvington, NY, Joe emphasizes the Monte Nido therapeutic approach outlined in the "8 Keys To Recovery From An Eating Disorder" book. He also heavily incorporates effective evidence-based principles from Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Exposure Therapy, Cognitive Processing Therapy, and Family Therapy.

At present, Joe owns and operates Earnest Therapy, LLC - a private practice dubbed for his tendency to eagerly support and encourage his client's true selves. At Earnest Therapy, he continues his tradition of directly serving people suffering from eating disorders, anxiety, depression, OCD, and trauma.

CONNECT WITH JOE SCIARRETTA:

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. You can visit Karin Lewis Eating Disorder Center online to learn more about Karin and her center’s services. You can also connect with Karin on social media by following her on Facebook and Instagram.

 

All in the Family with Anna Kowalski, MA, LMFT, CEDS

 
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Episode 19 - All in the Family with Anna Kowalski, MA, LMFT, CEDS

by Karin Lewis, MA, LMFT, CEDS

IN THIS EPISODE:

In this episode, I am joined by Anna Kowalski, MA, LMFT, CEDS. With over 18 years of experience in treating eating disorders and a true passion for family therapy, Anna has supported countless clients to successful recovery. She has provided training and mentoring in several eating disorder treatment centers across the United States and firmly holds the belief that full recovery from an eating disorder is possible. Direct, authentic, and with a big heart, Anna is a powerful match for any eating disorder. Anna’s extensive experience and knowledge of the importance of family integration allows her to help families reconnect with one another and open the lines of communication during what is often a long and difficult journey to recovery. Recovered clients report that successful family relationships were often the key ingredient for success. 

SOME OF THE TOPICS DISCUSSED:

  • Family work is necessary for recovery.

  • The "fight" between the eating disorder and the family.

  • Families are not to blame, though they can be part of the problem…and part of the solution!

  • How one family session can feel like 500 individual sessions!

  • Biological and chosen families. 

  • Talking through anger.

  • Historical narratives and perceptions.

  • The need for family members to practice self-care.


ABOUT ANNA KOWALSKI:

Anna Kowalski received her Master of Arts in Clinical Psychology from Antioch University Los Angeles. She has been licensed as a Marriage and Family Therapist since 2001. Anna was honored to have an 18-year career at Monte Nido & Affiliates: Residential Treatment for Eating Disorders, and left her position as Chief Experience Office at the end of 2017.

Anna has provided training and mentoring in several eating disorder treatment centers across the United States and firmly holds the belief that full recovery from an eating disorder is possible.

Anna is a person first, therapist second practitioner. She is a Certified Eating Disorder Specialist who also loves to work with individuals, couples, and all configurations of families. In working with families, Anna’s help to restore/teach communication skills, while working through the discord to create a sense of wholeness.

With fierce protection, uncanny humor, and insightful honesty, Anna's unique gift of bringing out each client's healthy self. Her bold authenticity and use of positive psychology have endeared her to clients through the years. Supporting clients and their families as they navigate their way from eating disordered to fully recovered, Anna's clinical expertise, strength, and insight have made her a sought after therapist in the realm of family therapy and eating disorders. She inspires clients with her zest for life, sense-of-humor, and ability to make every person that crosses her path feel special. Anna is also a dynamic, engaging speaker and has presented nationally on eating disorders and recovery.

While Anna has had a private practice in the Calabasas CA area for the past 20 years, she currently has a cherished private practice in Agoura Hills, California. 

SPECIAL LISTENER QUESTION FEATURE:

  • Submit your questions for a chance to have them answered when Anna returns to the podcast!

  • You can email questions to Karin directly, comment on the episode webpage, and/or send them via Instagram and Facebook.

  • All questions will be anonymous to protect our listeners.

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. You can visit Karin Lewis Eating Disorder Center online to learn more about Karin and her center’s services. You can also connect with Karin on social media by following her on Facebook and Instagram.

If you enjoyed the podcast, we would be so grateful if you would please take a minute to leave us a rating/review on Apple Podcasts.

Are you interested in becoming a guest on the Recovery Bites podcast? If so, please fill out our brief application form to start the process.

 

Challenging the Narrative of Weight Stigma with Chevese Turner

 
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Episode 17 - Challenging the Narrative of Weight Stigma with Chevese Turner

by Karin Lewis, MA, LMFT, CEDS

IN THIS EPISODE:

In this episode, I am joined by Chevese Turner, leader in the Binge Eating Disorder (BED) and Health at Every Size® communities and co-author of Binge Eating Disorder: Recovery and Beyond. Chevese is the founder and former CEO of the Binge Eating Disorder Association (BEDA), and currently holds the position of Chief Policy & Strategy Officer at the National Eating Disorders Association (NEDA), after the 2018 merger of the two organizations. Chevese is a nationally recognized activist who passionately shares her journey with an eating disorder, body dissatisfaction, and the insidious effects of bullying & weight stigma on those living in larger bodies. With extensive experience in the field of eating disorders, Turner’s areas of advocacy include higher weight eating disorders, BED, weight bias and stigma, body image, Health at Every Size®, and body-based bullying.

SOME OF THE TOPICS DISCUSSED:

  • Dealing with personal weight biases.

  • The cycle of restriction in binge eating disorder.

  • Medical harm created by the “lose weight” mentality.

  • Access and barriers to treatment for those in larger bodies.

  • Finding community for those who are typically “unseen.”

  • The steps to provide informed care for people struggling with BED.


ABOUT CHEVESE TURNER:

Chevese Turner is the founder and former CEO of the Binge Eating Disorder Association (BEDA), which merged with the National Eating Disorders Association (NEDA) in 2018. As part of NEDA’s executive leadership team, she develops the organization’s key policy initiatives and strategy and directs its partnerships, programming, and communications programs.

Turner has extensive experience in the eating disorders community as an advocate for those with binge eating disorder (BED) and issues around higher weight eating disorders. She is passionate about changing the conversation around weight and body size and is dedicated to moving beyond the current dominant weight-focused paradigm to one that is weight inclusive and promotes well-being free from weight stigma and body discrimination. Turner carries these messages to audiences around the US and abroad in schools, healthcare settings, trade organizations, associations, professional conferences, corporations, and governmental agencies. She is the co-author of the recently published book: Binge Eating Disorder: The Journey to Recovery & Beyond and contributes regularly to podcasts and the media.

Turner attended Temple University in Philadelphia where she received a BA in Political Science. Her professional background includes public policy and government relations, non-profit management, programming, strategy, and communications.

Binge Eating Disorder: The Journey to Recovery and Beyond, co-written by a clinician and an advocate who have personally struggled with BED, illuminates the experience of BED from the patient perspective while also exploring the disorder’s etiological roots and addressing the components of treatment that are necessary for long-term recovery. Accessible for both treatment providers and patients alike, this unique volume aims to explore BED treatment and recovery from both sides of the process while also providing a resource for structuring treatment and building effective interventions. This practical roadmap to understanding, resilience, and lasting change will be useful for anyone working clinically with or close to individuals suffering from BED, as well as those on the recovery journey.

CONNECT WITH CHEVESE TURNER:

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. You can visit Karin Lewis Eating Disorder Center online to learn more about Karin and her center’s services. You can also connect with Karin on social media by following her on Facebook and Instagram.

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Living in Your Element with Michele Gardiner, MC, CCC

 
Michele Gardiner Podcast Cover Art KLEDC.jpg

Episode 16 - Living in Your Element with Michele Gardiner, MC, CCC

by Karin Lewis, MA, LMFT, CEDS

IN THIS EPISODE:

In this episode, I am joined by Michele Gardiner MC, CCC, a Registered Canadian Certified Counsellor (CCC) and Psychotherapist and the founder of ELEMENTAL Psychotherapy & Support Services. A passion born of both personal and professional experience, Michele has dedicated twenty years to supporting people and communities on the prevention and treatment of eating disorders and mental health issues. Recovered for more than 21 years, Michele’s personal recovery from anorexia and compulsive over-exercise has provided her with a greater understanding, compassion, and coping skills to uniquely support and promote healthy, sustainable recovery.

SOME OF THE TOPICS DISCUSSED:

  • The benefits of grounding oneself.

  • Ecotherapy and healing in nature.

  • The impact of changing our relationship to our stressors.

  • Decreasing impulsivity of behaviors and opening up options for recovery

  • Embracing the feeling of your body.

  • How the eating disorder serves as an umbrella over other issues and feeling states.

ABOUT MICHELE GARDINER:

​​Michele Gardiner is a humanistic, client-centered therapist who works from an attachment and trauma-informed lens and focuses on working collaboratively to create a therapy experience that feels safe and inclusive, builds on your personal strengths and capacities, and allows you to develop new meanings, resources and an awareness that fosters healthier coping, connection and confidence in your ability to manage problems in ways that align with your values and achieve your therapy goals.

Michele’s perspective comes from 15-years' of direct experience counseling individuals, couples, families, and groups within the public, private and not-for-profit sectors around general and complex mental health including behavioral and substance addictions, eating disorders, personality disorders, domestic violence/abuse, suicide and trauma in children, youth, adults.

Michele’s experience is further informed through her own personal recovery from anorexia and compulsive over-exercise, which resulted from the collision of two traumatizing events in her 20s, as a way of coping with intense emotions of loss, anger, and fear - pains that she was unable to express at the time. Recovery gave Michele tools for self-expression and compassion and coping skills and with these more empowering and freeing perspectives in life.

Recovery led Michele to volunteer experiences with organizations dedicated to promoting awareness and prevention around eating disorders and mental health and fueled a desire to give back by taking on community roles around the education, prevention, and treatment of these lonely, generally misunderstood and sometimes deadly issues. These valued volunteer roles include acting as a peer counselor with the BCEDA, community prevention educator with ANAD, as a member of the Board of Directors with ANAD and Jessie's Hope, a consultancy role with MCFD's eating disorder team, as an external editor with the Canadian Mental Health Association’s esteemed BC Mental Health Journal, Visions, as a member of the National Review Committee for the Canadian Counseling and Psychotherapy Association, and as a public speaker and community educator on the topic of eating disorders, disordered eating and body image for more since 2005.

In addition to volunteer roles, Michele’s education includes a Masters Degree in counseling, and a Bachelor of Arts Degree in (SS) psychology from the University of Victoria with a focus on Behavioral Neuroscience and Para-Linguistics, with post-graduate training and certifications directed to her areas of professional practice (you can view her training and education here).

Michele’s training in the assessment and treatment of Eating Disorders extends to working with children, youth, adults, families and athletes and encompasses completion of the Eating Disorder Intuitive Therapy Certification (EDIT)™ and the CEDS Curriculum (2015 and 2017) with the International Association of Eating Disorder Professionals (iaedp)™.

As a Certified Therapist (CCC), Michele participates in on-going Consultation and Professional Supervision and hold Professional Certifications and Memberships in "good standing" with: The Canadian Counseling and Psychotherapy Association (CCPA), the American Psychological Association (APA), the International Association of Eating Disorder Professionals (iaedp™), the Academy of Eating Disorders (AED), the Eating Disorders Association of Canada (EDAC), the International Association of Trauma Professionals (IATP), and the Association for Size Diversity and Health (ASDAH).

Michele is the founder of ELEMENTAL Psychotherapy & Support Services , a private practice located in Summerland, BC, Canada. Honoring each client as a unique and capable individual is a core principle reflected in Michele’s work at ELEMENTAL through the perspective that, as human beings, their unique thoughts, feelings, beliefs and life experiences provide them with a wisdom that is empowering and elemental ​to their process of creating new hopes and change.

Michele’s love of counseling and psychology is enhanced by the belief that a solid foundation of education, training, and supervision provides the knowledge and skills to guide safe, informed practices and promote healthy, sustainable recovery for each individual, couple, and family that she works with.

Outside of counseling, Michele enjoys reading, photography, and being in the beautiful outdoors. Wind, rain, snow, and shine, she feels most inspired, centered, and authentic when she is in Nature and takes it in by hiking, skiing, snow-shoeing, and paddling with her family and Canine Co-therapist, Ash. Whenever possible, Michele encourages clients to develop a relationship with nature to improve coping, confidence and to develop a healthier, more holistic connection to their bodies and sense of self.
​

CONNECT WITH MICHELE GARDINER:

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. You can visit Karin Lewis Eating Disorder Center online to learn more about Karin and her center’s services. You can also connect with Karin on social media by following her on Facebook and Instagram.