The Eating Disorder Therapist

Trauma, Health at Every Size and Supporting Black Women with Eating Disorders, with Dr. Carolyn Coker-Ross

Today, I’m talking to Dr. Carolyn Coker-Ross, based in the USA and a medical doctor specialising in eating disorders, trauma and addiction.  She presented a TEDxPleasantGrove talk on “The Gifts of Intergenerational Trauma'' in January, 2020.

Dr. Coker-Ross is the author of 3 books, which are recovery workbooks - including: The Food Addiction Recovery Workbook, The Emotional Eating Workbook and The Binge Eating Disorder and Compulsive Overeating Workbook.

She is a contributing author to the recently released book: “Treating Black Women with Eating Disorders: A Clinician’s Guide,” and offers anti-racism consulting work to companies and organisations.

Dr. Coker-Ross came from a family of business entrepreneurs.  When she went into medicine, she founded three women's centres in San Diego offering general medicine and office gynaecology for women. She was named “San Diego Business Woman of the Year."  She later went on to do consulting work at eating disorder treatment facilities where she then founded “The Anchor Program”. This included developing a line of supplements that were used in her consulting work.

The Anchor Program is a 12 week online non-diet approach to treating binge eating, food addiction and emotional eating. The program helps people get to the root cause of food and body image issues, enabling them to make peace with food and their body.

This conversation explores Dr. Coker-Ross’s journey in working with eating disorder patients. She discusses the need for trauma work in healing patients with eating disorders, including intergenerational trauma and race-based trauma, where relevant. Dr Coker-Ross is a strong advocate of HAES (Health at Every Size) and understanding Adverse Childhood Experiences and these are central to her ethos in treatment.

This is an incredibly inspiring conversation, appreciating how much change can be made in the world, from an individual with such passion and dedication to supporting others to heal and to change the world for the better.

To find out more about the Anchor Program, free book, Ted Talk, Podcast and lots more, please go to www.anchorprogram.com and https://carolynrossmd.com/

 

 

Can a Self-Help Book Heal Disordered Eating?

I'm sure that you've experienced the wonderful promise of a new, shiny self-help book, for life transformation. But do self-help books really work and what's the best way to make use of them? Today, I share my thoughts about how to get the best from self-help, and talk about my book recommendations for improving your relationship with food and your body. I hope that you enjoy the episode.

Healing, Recovery Tools and Finding your True Voice, with Emmy Brunner

Today I’m talking to have Emmy Brunner on the podcast. Emmy is a Psychotherapist, Hypnotherapist, Personal Empowerment and Transformation Coach, Author and Speaker with over 20 years of experience. She founded The Recover Clinic in 2005, as she wanted to build a community that offered comprehensive treatment packages for the sufferers of trauma, eating disorders, body dysmorphia, anxiety, depression, and personality disorders. She dreamt of a holistic treatment model that considered the ‘whole person’ — body, mind, and spirit — including all elements of lifestyle. The Recover Clinic now offers a program both within the clinic and via an international online service that embodies just this: it emphasises the therapeutic relationship and uses both conventional clinical treatment and alternative therapies.  Emmy also offers a 1:1 coaching service; she has a successful 8-week online program, From Lost to the River and she is author of the wonderful book - Find Your True Voice (available now from all major booksellers). In this episode, Emmy talks about her approach to recovery and holistically treating the whole person, addressing trauma and the unwell voice, whilst also supporting people with a range of skills and tools to support them in healing. I hope that you enjoy the episode. To find out more about Emmy: - https://emmybrunner.com/ https://www.therecoverclinic.co.uk/ Instagram: @emmybrunnerofficial Join the Eating Disorder Therapist Book Club HERE https://patron.podbean.com/eatingdisordertherapist  

Bulimia Recovery, Breaking Habits and Healing with Jacqueline Davis

Today I’m talking to Jacqueline Davis, the Binge Breakers Podcast Host, Bulimia Recovery Coach, artist, and loving dog mum. After recovering from bulimia by focusing on habit and mindset change, she now helps others to do the same through her ground-breaking support programmes. Prior to having bulimia, Jacqueline struggled with disordered eating for several years and food and exercise consumed her life; this later developed into bulimia, leaving Jacqueline in a very dark and lonely place. In this episode, Jacqueline openly shares some of the triggers for developing an eating disorder, her path to recovery and then later becoming a coach. This is an episode that offers deep insight into the realities of living with bulimia but also offers inspiration and hope that a full recovery is possible. I hope that you enjoy the episode.  

https://www.bingebreakers.com/podcast

Website: https://www.bingebreakers.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bingebreakers_bulimia/

  

16 Ways to Actually Love Yourself (When you Have No Idea Where to Begin)

Something a bit different for you this week. 16 Ways to Actually Love Yourself (When you Have No Idea Where to Begin)! I'm speaking as someone who has very much walked this path, finding self-worth after being in the very depths of the deepest well. The episode is inspired by an article by Laura Jane Williams who contributed to 'The Art of Loving Yourself', from the Stylist book - Life Lessons from Remarkable Women. I'd highly recommend it.  This is not only for females; the strategies are valuable lessons for all. It includes a whole range of inspiring tips that actually make self-love seem that little bit more accessible. I hope that you enjoy the episode.   Join the BOOK CLUB - https://patron.podbean.com/eatingdisordertherapist

Intuition, Empathy, Psychic Ability and Healing with Katie Beecher

Today, I’m talking to - Katie Beecher – Medical and Spiritual Intuitive, based in the U.S. I don’t know if you’ve heard of a medical intuitive before, but this is someone with psychic abilities, who uses these abilities for greater insight into some aspect of well-being. No one is suggesting that medical intuitives could replace consultations with doctors, psychiatrists, nutritionists, or any kind of medical professional. But if you value the role of gut instinct and following your own intuition, you probably get a sense of the incredible power in listening to this. Katie has had intuitive, empathic and medium abilities since she was a young child but was fearful of them until she entered therapy with a Jungian Psychologist for an eating disorder at the age of 16. Extraordinarily, Katie reached out for help on her own, independently from her parents., which was a brave and bold decision. Katie found that developing bulimia and depression, although taking her to a very dark place at the time, ultimately it was one of the best things that happened to her. Through healing in therapy, Katie learned how to connect to her intuition, accept and understand her intuitive and psychic gifts and find self-love and acceptance. This foundational healing work also inspired Katie for her later work with clients as both a therapist and medical intuitive.  Katie powerfully believes that connection to intuition, self-love and self-acceptance can be a channel for anything, including healing.  She has documented success with many illnesses including Lyme Disease (self-recovered), digestive issues, cancer, viruses, autoimmune diseases, depression, anxiety, eating disorders, adolescent and childhood concerns and other issues. Katie has also written a book about her work as a Medical Intuitive and how others can heal and enhance their lives using the same techniques she uses in her readings.  It is called Heal from Within: A Guidebook to Intuitive Wellness. It will be published by St. Martin’s Press in February, 2022 and is currently available for pre-sale. This is a fascinating insight into a different way of approaching healing. Katie’s story and work is inspiring and will offer reflections and encouraging perspectives that many of you will relate to. I hope that you enjoy the conversation.

To find out more about Katie:

Website: www.katiebeecher.com

Facebook: www.facebook.com/beechermedicalintuitive  

Instagram: katiebeecher_medical_intuitive

Join The Eating Disorder Therapist Book Club HERE.

It's LIVE! The Eating Disorder Therapist Book Club

I'm thrilled to announce the launch of The Eating Disorder Therapist Book Club!

If you already enjoy The Eating Disorder Therapist Podcast, joining the Book Club gives you access to 4 additional monthly podcast episodes and access to a supportive and encouraging FACEBOOK group, based around a different book.

For this first month, we are reading: 'Perfectly Imperfect: Compassionate Strategies to Cultivate a Positive Body Image', by Amy Harman.

In this first podcast, I introduce the Book Club, have a conversation with the author and do a deep dive into the topic of body image from chapter 1.

This episode is on the main podcast, but going forward will be available to members only.

To become a member, you would pay £5 or $7 per month.

It's fantastic value for this extra support!

Join HERE 

https://patron.podbean.com/eatingdisordertherapist

Request access to FACEBOOK group.

https://www.facebook.com/groups/364499771924272

This is therapeutic support, not therapy.  Please do access additional support as needed via your GP or NHS 111 Mental Health Support.

Entering Treatment in your 40’s, Atypical Anorexia Nervosa and Taekwondo, with Melanie Gibson

Today I’m talking to Melanie Gibson, from Texas, USA; athlete, writer, corporate employee, eating disorder survivor and creator of the blog Little Black Belt. Melanie’s healing journey has been intrinsically linked with the sport of taekwondo. She began taekwondo training at age ten, then took a 22-year break, before returning to it in her early thirties. Melanie is a second degree black belt and is a third degree black belt candidate. Melanie began having body image issues around the age of 13, this leading to restrictive eating and later over-exercise and binge eating, through her teens and into her twenties. The eating issues calmed somewhat for many years, although body image struggles remained. Melanie loved sports and being active but this was also a way to manage body image concerns. Then in February 2021, at the age of 41, Melanie returned to therapy after experiencing multiple stressors in 2020 (not only a global pandemic but an anterior cruciate ligament tear, surgery, and grueling workplace demands). Her identity as an athlete, martial artist and all-fit person came crashing down. Melanie found herself returning to restricting food and obsessively weighing again and was diagnosed with atypical anorexia nervosa.

Thankfully, today, Melanie is now doing much better and, on a journey, to overcoming her eating disorder. In this episode, she talks about her working on her mental health and eating disorder over the years, through taekwondo, therapy and other tools, moving towards a place of true recovery and healing. Melanie’s book: - Kicking and Screaming: a Memoir of Madness and Martial Arts is available wherever books are sold. Do get a copy! I hope that you enjoy this conversation.

To find out more about Melanie:

- https://littleblackbelt.com/

https://littleblackbelt.com/get-the-book/

Email: mdgwrites@gmail.com

Twitter: Melanie Gibson Author / @TaekwondoLBB

Instagram: @melaniegibsonauthor


Facebook: Melanie Gibson Author

Supporting Adolescents and Children with Eating Disorders and Post-Baby Body Image, with Dr. Chloe Bedford

Today, I’m talking to Dr Chloe Bedford – registered Counselling Psychologist, also known to many of us as @the.running.psychologist on Instagram. Chloe has over 10 year’s experience of working in the NHS with adults, children, adolescents and their families. Much of her work today involves working with teens and children with eating disorders. Her work draws on Cognitive Behaviour Therapy and psychodynamic models. She is also a strong advocate for self-compassion. You may have seen Chloe’s encouraging posts on social media, with messages about all aspects of mental health with particular emphasis on – post baby body, running after having a baby, body image and managing exercise in a healthy way. In this episode, Chloe talks about her work in eating disorders with children and teens, describing the similarities and differences between children and adult models. She also shares some fantastic tips on engaging with exercise in a constructive way to benefit mental health, boosting body image and managing activity after having a baby, when there is often much pressure to shrink back down. I hope that you enjoy this conversation. To find out more about Chloe: Instagram: @the.running.psychologist Website: https://www.marathonpsychology.com/   If you'd like to support this podcast, please do enroll in my Patron.

It's Never Too Late to Recover from an Eating Disorder, with Caroline Drummond-Smith

Today I’m talking to Caroline Drummond-Smith; business owner and coach at Zest Health Coaching and also a mother of three. Caroline helps people to have a healthy relationship with food and their body; to enjoy life; work on habits and change; take responsibility and become their fullest selves.

Caroline spent many years suffering from an eating disorder, maintaining an unhealthy weight and strictly controlling her food. Sadly, in this time, she caused damage to her body and missed out on so much. She was also terrified about who she would be without the eating disorder, as it had become so much of an integral part of her identity.

Today, Caroline has fully recovered and works as a coach, using her experience in a such a positive way to support others, having a deep understanding of people’s struggles and the battles they are facing. Caroline has done some vital recovery work on making herself a priority rather than an optional extra. She now values her body in a completely different way and acknowledges all the wonderful things it can do. She has learned to nourish her body and treat it with love and kindness, after years of abuse.

This is a story that inspires incredible hope and possibility for recovery. Caroline shares her journey through the depths of anorexia, her long recovery journey, and the path to working as a health coach today. I hope that you enjoy this conversation.

To find out more about Caroline: -

Website: https://www.zesthealthcoaching.co.uk/

Instagram: @zesthealthcoaching

 

If you'd like to support this podcast, please do enroll in my Patron.