The Eating Disorder Therapist

Today, I’m talking with Alexandra Lederman, an art therapist working in Melbourne, Australia. After working as a fine artist and discovering the benefits and value of the creative process, Alex knew that she wanted to help others learn how to express and communicate through art. Alex’s experience lies in therapeutic support for diverse population groups, including young children and their families...

Eating disorder recovery is often a murky, dark and difficult road with sporadic glimmers of hope along the way. It’s digging around in the depths of your psyche to work through traumas and abandonment wounds. It’s about interrupting disordered cycles with food, which have long protected and kept you safe. It’s profoundly challenging work. You might feel distinctly worse before you feel better. Th...

Restrictive eating, under the guise of wellness is very normalised. As we live in a society that continues to validate thinness on the pedestal of achievement. The impact of undereating on the body can be profound. It’s not something that just skinny people do. If you’re a serial dieter or you struggle with eating disorders or disordered eating, then you probably relate to hunger and food preoccup...

Today I’m talking to Michelle Rosko, who is a holistic health & fitness coach, certified personal trainer, & nutrition coach. Michelle has been on her own eating disorder recovery journey and now comes to the health and fitness space with a compassionate, sustainable, & holistic approach. She is host of the podcast Fitness Freedom. Michelle has an online programme, the 4H method, which...

Eating disorders are on the rise. The onset of the pandemic accelerated this already increasing trend. In 2022, the Royal College of Psychiatrists reported that hospital admissions for eating disorders increased by 84% in the last five years. During the pandemic, BEAT (National Eating Disorders Association, UK) saw an 81% increase in contact across all Helpline channels. This included a 162% rise...

I worked as a therapist in an NHS adult eating disorder service on and off between house moves, babies and life between 2004 and 2023. Working in the NHS had never been my strategic career plan. At 23 years old, I knew that I wanted to work in eating disorders, but the chaos of my early twenties meant that I was running on ideas and dreams, rather than having any concrete plan. Initially, my decis...

Today, I’m talking to Becky Grace Irwing, a BABCP Accredited CBT & EMDR qualified Therapist and qualified Mental Health Nurse. Becky spent 8 years as a Mental Health Nurse and 3 years as a CBT Therapist. She has worked across many mental health services for 14 years including acute, forensic and CAMHS services as well as University Mental Health and Disability Services and a London talking the...

When I was struggling with bulimia, I desperately wanted to be free of the eating disorder. Not just experiencing freedom from the soul punishing habits but freedom from the restrictions and ground hog day of living a half-life. To act and achieve change, you need a direction. You need some specificity. Not some generalised ‘One day I hope that I might, maybe, possibly recover’. Your daily mindset...

Today I have a returning guest to the podcast and I am talking to Marcelle Rose, founder of Marcelle Rose Nutrition. Marcelle specialises in helping women beat binge eating, bulimia, emotional eating and yo-yo dieting so they can make peace with their body and heal their relationship with food. She acknowledges that for many people that this is a transformational experience, so they can reclaim th...

If you have an eating disorder, you’re probably sensitive and hugely empathic. You’re the wonderful caretaker and often the listener in conversations. When you’re not isolating yourself, you know the minutiae of your friends’ lives and have been a sounding board for many difficult conversations. Sometimes, you may feel that your personality is multi-faceted. You’re fantastic at screening the perso...

In this episode, I explore the New Maudsley Animal Model, which provides a framework and set of skills for parents and carers in supporting their loved one in eating disorder recovery. I hope that you find it helpful.   This week's sponsor: - Jane Reagan's Parents Roadmap PARENTSROADMAP.COM   Harriet's Substack:  https://substack.com/@theeatingdisordertherapist   Harriet Frew's current offers: - O...

Chewing and Spitting (C and S) is a shameful secret sadly suffered by many people with eating disorders. It’s a potentially triggering and tricky topic to talk about, but it’s a subject that needs a conversation and raised awareness. It’s often overlooked in regular eating disorder assessments, as not recognised as an official disorder under mental health classifications. You can struggle with C a...

Today, I’m talking to Prue – an eating disorder recovery warrior and mother, who has type one diabetes and has recovered from anorexia nervosa. Prue has been very generous today in sharing her recovery story. Prue experienced extremely challenging times as a child, having what she calls a ‘text book’ narcissistic father. She was then sent to boarding school and separated from her siblings and supp...

  7 secrets to improving your body image this January. I hope that you enjoy the episode. This is also available as a written article on Substack.   Harriet's Substack: https://substack.com/@theeatingdisordertherapist   Harriet Frew's current offers: - Online 10 Steps to Intuitive Eating Course  https://www.theeatingdisordertherapist.co.uk/online-courses.html Online Breaking Free from Bulimia  htt...

Happy New Year to you all! This is an episode where I talk about dopamine dressing, as a way to enhance your mood and feel better in eating disorder recovery. This is from my Substack. If you would like to subscribe to receive two new, valuable articles a week, please go to the link below.  The regular podcast will be returning next week. Hope that you enjoy the episode.   Harriet's Substack:  htt...

A short episode to support you in prioritising mental wellbeing and relationship with food, as you make your New Year's resolutions. I hope that you find it helpful.   Harriet's Substack:  https://substack.com/@theeatingdisordertherapist   Harriet Frew's current offers: - Online 10 Steps to Intuitive Eating Course  https://www.theeatingdisordertherapist.co.uk/online-courses.html Online Breaking Fr...

In this episode, I share my 7 tips to support you in making eating disorder recovery goals in 2025. Of course, you don't have to set goals just because it's the New Year, as recovery is an ongoing process and you can absolutely be inspired for change at any point. But for those of you who are seeking to prioritise change around eating and body image in 2025, this one is for you. I hope that you en...

A bonus episode shared from my Substack. I talk about how I navigate eating at Christmas post eating disorder recovery. I hope that you find it helpful.   Harriet's Substack:  https://substack.com/@theeatingdisordertherapist   Harriet Frew's current offers: - Online 10 Steps to Intuitive Eating Course  https://www.theeatingdisordertherapist.co.uk/online-courses.html Online Breaking Free from Bulim...

A bonus audio from my Substack. 20 ways to support yourself in eating disorder recovery at Christmas.  Wishing you all a peaceful and relaxing Christmas period. Remember, that this too shall pass.   Harriet's Substack:  https://substack.com/@theeatingdisordertherapist   Harriet Frew's current offers: - Online 10 Steps to Intuitive Eating Course  https://www.theeatingdisordertherapist.co.uk/online-...

Today, I’m talking to Mindy Gorman-Plutzer, Certified Functional Nutrition and Lifestyle Practitioner and Eating Psychology Coach.   Mindy’s life experience and training inspired her to create a framework that combines functional nutrition, positive psychology, and mind/body science. Mindy is passionate about helping others recover from eating disorders and create a healthier lifestyle. Her approa...

Today I’m talking to Livia Sara, aka Liv Label Free, who is an autism eating disorder recovery coach, best-selling author, content creator and more. She helps neurodivergent individuals and their loved ones find freedom. 'Liv Label Free' is the idea that no one needs a label to live a life in which they feel fulfilled; everyone has their own specific needs and no label can ever house the complexit...

Today, I’m talking to Toni Rudd - The Binge Dietitian, a UK Registered Dietitian, who is based in Peru, and working with women all over the world who have binge eating behaviours. Previously, Toni worked within the UK National Health Service and has a range of experience with diabetes, weight management, learning disabilities and mental health. She now works online and is a weight inclusive and no...

Today I have a guest on the show and I am talking to Lauren Spokes. Lauren is a passionate food advocate, product sourcing consultant, and mental health advocate, with a personal journey in eating disorder recovery that deeply informs her work. Originally from South Africa, Lauren moved to the UK at 18, where she built a successful career in food sourcing, consulting for leading retailers and bran...

Today I’m talking to Jessica Francis from Sooma Nutrition in Montreal, who is a registered dietitian and yoga instructor with a specialisation in eating disorders among adults and adolescents. Using a holistic and trauma-informed approach, she believes in addressing the complex relationship between food, body image, and mental health. Drawing on her extensive knowledge of nutrition and the nuances...

In this episode, I talk all about atypical anorexia nervosa. A condition that is often misunderstood and not acknowledged. I hope that you find it helpful.   This week's sponsor: - Amber Romaniuk http://amberapproved.ca/ Podcast: https://amberapproved.ca/podcast   Harriet's Substack:  https://substack.com/@theeatingdisordertherapist   Harriet Frew's current offers: - Online 10 Steps to Intuitive E...