The Eating Disorder Therapist

Today I talk about 3 factors that can influence the development of an eating disorder looking at ‘feeling that you don’t fit in’, life stressors and time at school. Remember – an eating disorder is about food but it’s also not about food too. It can often be an unconscious strategy in response to life stressors. Everyone’s experience is unique but this will hopefully support you in reflecting on y...

Today I'm talking to Katrina Smale, recovery warrior, mental health advocate and English teacher in training. Katrina was diagnosed with atypical anorexia in 2012 and went on to have three hospital admissions, with varying approaches. Katrina’s experience of anorexia was one not dominated by concerns around weight or shape, rather linked to low mood and then decreased appetite. Frustratingly, Katr...

Something a bit different today on the podcast. A mental health focus rather than specifically talking about eating disorders, but one I think you’ll find valuable. My guest, Simon Drew talks about his journey from anxiety and low self-esteem to finding a place of self-love and acceptance, largely impacted by using the breath, and story process work. He shares early life experiences that shaped hi...

Today I'm talking to Melissa Riccardi (Women's Empowerment Coach)  and owner of Life by Design. Melissa is from Melbourne, Australia and supports clients in their personal development, from all over the world. She helps women fall in love with themselves, get turned on by life and unleash their full femine power. In this episode, Melissa talks about her personal recovery from bulimia and binge eat...

Today I'm interviewing the Binge Eating Dietitian, Jo Moscalu. Originally from Ireland, Jo was living in Suffolk and has recently moved to Boston, USA. Jo is a Registered Dietitian, being a Specialist in Type 2 Diabetes and Binge Eating. Jo is also a Certified Intuitive Eating Counsellor and is Health-At-Every-Size aligned in her work. Jo is absolutely passionate about promoting an anti-diet messa...

It’s the time of year, when we’re feeling stuffed full of mince pies and Quality Street, whilst being inundated with adverts about detoxes, wellness plans and diets. Jumping head first into the January 'body blitz' can feel incredibly seductive and appealing. So why is it so challenging to resist, when rationally, you might have lots of evidence of diets failing? How can you choose a different pat...

Today I’m talking to Nutritional Therapist, Anne Richardson. Anne has been a previous guest on this podcast and is back today to talk about ‘healthy week’ in schools. ‘Healthy Week’ takes place in primary schools in the UK and has admirable intentions. However, the focus on health is often misguided with a low fat and demonizing sugar approach, and where ‘obesity’ is the big bad wolf, to be feared...

Today I'm talking to Joyfull Joy, a mental health advocate and eating disorder survivor. Joy uses her 13 year battle with anorexia, depression, anxiety and BPD to help others overcome their eating disorder, support their mental health and learn to love their body. Joyfull Joy also has a podcast called JOYFULL which is focused on mental health, eating disorder recovery and generally bringing JOY to...

In this episode, I share 3 main recovery stages for me in overcoming an eating disorder and truly experiencing food freedom, as an intuitive eater. I talk about the realities of the journey and the messiness and imperfection of this process. Your journey will be different from mine but I want to inspire motivation and hope for what’s possible over time. I’m also excited to talk about my new online...

Christmas can be such a difficult time, when you have an eating disorder. It’s stressful with food, changes in routine and relationships. There’s also an intense pressure to have a perfect and lovely time, which is often completely unrealistic. Here I share my 3 tips for coping with Christmas. Hope you enjoy!

Having an eating disorder can be a huge barrier to forming meaningful friendships. Isolation, anxiety, shame, secrecy and rigid routines can all get in the way. However, friendship can be such a motivator and a source of huge encouragement and joy, in supporting recovery. If you’re feeling lonely and isolated right now, I share my 6 tips to finding friendship and feeling more connected.

Today, I’m talking to Charlotte Sidaway, Yoga Teacher at Soul Sanctuary Studios. She is a passionate advocate of yoga for mental wellbeing and in eating disorder recovery. Charlotte’s passion was ignited through yoga being an integral part of her recovery from anorexia nervosa. She found that yoga not only improved body image, but also helped untangle eating disorder thoughts, deepen self-understa...

Today, I'm talking to Sarah Dosanjh, psychotherapist and author of the book - 'I Can't Stop Eating'. After suffering with binge eating disorder and bulimia for nearly a decade, Sarah found freedom, studied to become a therapist and now specialises in helping others who are struggling with disordered eating and body image issues. Sarah shares her own eating disorder recovery journey along with her...

Clients often ask me, ‘How can I avoid bingeing when the urge feels so incredibly strong?’ It can seem like a driving force that cannot be ignored and rationalised away. Like an itch that needs to be scratched. A desire that can only be satisfied fully through food alone. It completely takes over! You may find that conversations with others blur gently into the background; work becomes a mindless...

In this episode, I share my 7 favourite tips to boost your body image today. If you need a body image boost, do have a listen. Hope you enjoy and feel inspired.

Today, I’m talking to J.L. Keez – mother, teacher, writer, Reality Therapy Certified Counsellor and Director of Anorexia Unlocked. J.L. has been on a journey in recovering from anorexia nervosa, along with suicidal depression, chronic fatigue, debilitating migraines, OCD and depersonalisation. J.L. openly shares her story and her journey in healing, and the many roadblocks along this route. Today,...

Intense emotions can knock your relationship with food off track. This can feel frustrating and overwhelming to deal with, particularly when you’ve been making some progress. Developing good self-awareness is key in changing this. In this episode, I share a personal experience of rejection and how historically, this would have derailed recovery progress, whereas today, it is a minor blip that is r...

Today I'm talking to Dr. Rachel Evans,  psychologist and hypnotherapist who specialises in eating disorder recovery. She has a private practice in Derbyshire and also works with clients online.  Rachel treats anorexia, bulimia, binge eating and orthorexia through her holistic recovery programme, called Nourish. It’s an empowering combination of talking therapy (coaching), Rapid Transformational Th...

Today I'm talking to Christophe Garon, author, I.T. analyst and researcher. Christophe has always loved sports and been keen on health and fitness, but a few years ago, when chasing aesthetic fitness goals, this unintentionally led to disordered eating. Christophe experienced constant food cravings, poor digestion, hormone imbalances and a myriad of other symptoms associated with chronic dieting a...

 How can family members, friends and loved ones support someone with an eating disorder? You might feel incredibly anxious, upset, alone, frustrated as a carer. You might not know what to do. You may feel despairing about change. In this episode, I talk about the New Maudsley Animal Model - created by the Maudsley Hospital Eating Disorder Service in London (for adult sufferers rather than childre...

Today, I’m sharing 3 more personal recovery secrets. Your path will be different but I hope this can inspire you and offer hope. Enjoy!

Today, I’m thrilled to have Victoria Stockwell back on the podcast. Victoria is an academic researcher, former pro bikini competitor and podcaster (The Hungry Girl Podcast). Victoria talks today about the changing female body ideal through the ages: how it’s changed; why it’s so influential and the damage it does to self-esteem and mental health. Victoria also shares openly about her own struggles...

Today, I am talking to Stefanie Bonastia (Binge Eating and Diet Culture Recovery Coach). Stefanie helps women stop the binge/restrict cycle, feel more at home in their bodies and live authentic lives, free from diet culture. Stefanie experienced 20 years of eating disorders, with restriction, binge eating, over-exercise and a deep dive into wellness culture and orthorexia, before she finally found...

In this episode, I share 5 secrets that were game-changers in my own recovery from an eating disorder. Your’s may well be very different but I hope that this episode offers hope and inspiration.

Today I'm talking to Amy Harman: a licensed marriage and family therapist and Certified Eating Disorders Specialist.  Amy talks about her work in eating disorders involving clients and their families, and shares her passion for helping people create positive body image. Amy shares her wisdom and tips to achieve better body image and introduces her brand, new book, which delivers the strategies to...