The Lovely Becoming

Media often tends to focus on and center emaciated, thin, young white adolescents who are hospitalized due to medical complications of malnourishment when speaking on the topic of eating disorders. We don't often hear stories of Black girls with anorexia, Black men struggling with body image, Black families and the impact of these narrow stereotypes on limiting care and life-saving access to care. Today's episode was recorded almost half a year ago, but it still rings so important. Mimi talks with Dr. Erikka Dzirasa, MD about messages we received around mental health growing up and our work as Black healthcare providers in the eating disorder field. *The title was tricky for me to think about, I wanted to capture how Black children experience eating disorders because the narrative is lacking. I also wanted to capture that little Black girls and Black men and non-binary and trans Black people experience eating disorders. Blackness and eating disorders aren't mutually exclusive. I landed on Black Young Girls because that is the experience I can speak to the most and we need more voices. And also, one podcast episode doesn't capture the whole Black experience of eating disorders, there is so much complexity. So just narrowing in on some aspects here. I've also since read the book, It's Always Been Ours by Jessica Wilson, MS, RD, which has been absolutely incredible, I highly recommend reading! We talk about.. Black families and eating disorder care Messages prominent in many Black families around mental health The need for more representation within the field of eating disorder care How stereotypes lead to lack of early diagnosis and are life-threatening Dr. Dzirasa's leadership positions within Arise and Project HEAL, and the importance of diversity within organizations providing care Erikka Dzirasa, MD, MPH, DFAACAP is a double-board certified Child and Adult Psychiatrist who brings more than 10 years of deep expertise in eating disorders and mental health since first seeking out specialized training while in Duke University's residency and fellowship programs. She previously served as the Medical Director of an Eating Disorders specialty hospital system, leading policy and program development to deliver high-quality, effective care in their intensive outpatient (IOP) and partial hospitalization programs (PHP), residential and inpatient units for people living with eating disorders. Erikka is currently Chair of the Board of Directors of Project HEAL, a leading eating disorder nonprofit breaking down systemic barriers and providing education and supportive resources to people of all identities and background experiencing eating disorders. She is a partner in Catalyst Therapeutic Services, a private practice in Durham, NC and a Consulting Associate at Duke University Medical Center. As a mental health advocate, she also serves on the Race, Ethnicity and Equity committee for the North Carolina Psychiatric Association, and is the immediate Past President of the North Carolina Council of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry. Dr. Dzirasa earned her Bachelor of Science at Spelman College, Master of Public Health in Health Care and Leadership at UNC Chapel Hill, and her Doctor of Medicine at Duke University School of Medicine. She is also a certified yoga instructor.  Find Dr. Dzirasa at: IG: @dr.erikka Arise: www.wearearise.com/about Find Mimi at: Main IG: @the.lovelybecoming Podcast IG: @lovelybecomingpodcast Website: www.mimi-cole.com

In this episode, Mimi talks with CEO of Project HEAL, the largest nonprofit in the U.S. working to address inequities in treatment access to individuals with marginalized identities who struggle with eating disorders. We talk about her work at Project HEAL, grappling with how white and exclusive the field of eating disorders has been and paths forward. Months after our recording, it's here. It's tender; enjoy listening and check out links for more information about Project HEAL below: . https://www.theprojectheal.org/ Treatment Funding Assistance Program @projectheal on Instagram . Rebecca Eyre (she/her) is the CEO of Project HEAL, the leading national nonprofit focused on equitable access to eating disorder support. Project HEAL offers direct services to people who are unable to access treatment, providing free treatment, assessments, cash assistance, insurance navigation support, and community education. Rebecca is a licensed mental health therapist who has been treating individuals with eating disorders for over a decade, and she's a vocal advocate at the intersection of eating disorders and social justice.

In this episode, Mimi speaks with incredible therapist, Thaís Sky. We cover... feeling like too much and not enough, Thaís journey thus far exploring why humans feel unworthy and how that keeps us from connection our qualms with co-dependency and thoughts on relational healing and interdependence talking about therapist boundaries and how our interpretation of them reflects our early relationships and beliefs how social media reflects and fuels our discomfort with uncertainty and the beauty of privacy in the midst of highlighted vulnerability and more!! I may be biased, but this episode is an absolute treasure to me. I've learned a ton from Thaís and her gentle connected presence. She is amazing. About: Thaís is a psychotherapist and writer on a heart-led mission to support the seekers, the edge-dwellers, and the "why the heck do I feel so broken” of the world reclaim their sense of worth (what she calls the worthiness wound®) by learning how to explore, trust and express themselves. Through her podcast, RECLAIM, and work with individuals and groups, Thaís is guided by the belief that when we know who we are, we become more free. She holds a Master's in Clinical Psychology and helms a therapy practice in Los Angeles. You can learn more about her at IamThaisSky.com and just about everywhere on social media at @IamThaisSky.

We talk about: Wednesdae's very own becoming, sharing the story behind their name change How Mimi's almost deleting the one time she shared specifics of her eating disorder story and how that vulnerability led to the creation of something really beautiful How trauma impacts our childhoods and how we heal Pronouns, gender identity, embodiment, and authenticity Founding of Rainbow Recovery: first LGBTQIA+ Eating Disorder IOP Healing through art and sharing of our stories Book Referenced: Your Wound, My Garden by Alok: https://alokvmenon.myshopify.com/products/your-wound-my-garden-pdf You can find Wednesdae on Instagram at: @queer.art_therapist or their website: https://rainbow-recovery.org/

In this episode, realtor Madison White and Mimi talk about... • How chickens might change your mental health (how caring for others helps us care for ourselves) • Life outside of eating disorders --> eating disorder professions; life “beyond ED”, if you will • How a Tennessee law and backyard chickens changed everything for Madison's mental health • Authenticity, honesty, and how these disarm others and invite us all to show up • Dating when your body changes after an eating disorder … plus a lot of laughs and more ♥️

In this episode, you will learn about… ‣ the origins of harm reduction and how this framework translates to eating disorder care ‣ Address common pushback to harm reduction such as the idea that it is enabling the eating disorder or giving up on recovery ‣ Discuss how purity culture, white saviorism, and colonialism play a role in resistance to harm reduction and current treatment approaches . . We will also cover… ‣ Why Gloria's new motto is “i don't care” ‣ Caring for yourself while doing work that serves others ‣ Eating disorder treatment in the BIPOC community . . Notes: ‣ 13:31: For me, the narrative of “recovered” largely exists around individuals who recover into thin bodies and hold privileges of access to high quality treatment, believability surrounding diagnosis and family validation, etc. I also believe the term 'recovered' doesn't create space for how eating disorders can help people cope with marginalized identities and access care due to proximity of body size to privilege. . . You can find Gloria at: IG: @nalgonapositivitypride Website: nalgonapositivitypride.com . . And Mimi at: IG: @the.lovelybecoming Website: www.mimi-cole.com

In this episode, you will learn about: • Co-occurring presentation of Borderline Personality Disorder and Eating Disorders • Attachment trauma and the role of a secure base in treatment • How individualistic values impact treatment approaches We also cover… • common ruptures and concerns clients with both disorders bring up • navigating boundaries as providers working with attachment trauma with the knowledge that relationships heal • perspectives on DBT and it's placement within a western, individualistic society • tips for clinicians who struggle with the co-occurring presentation of BPD and EDs You can find Fatema at: IG: @YourSouthAsianTherapist TikTok: @YourSouthAsianTherapist Website: www.fjshakir.com . And Mimi at: IG: @the.lovelybecoming Website: www.mimi-cole.com . . About: Fatema Jivanjee-Shakir, LMSW is an eating disorder therapist, writer, and speaker. She has extensive experience working with adults and adolescents in individual, group, and family therapy at the residential, partial hospitalization (PHP), intensive outpatient (IOP), and outpatient levels of care. Her work is strongly informed by the Health at Every Size perspective and intersectional approaches to healing. Fatema has a special interest in working with BIPOC clients, especially those of South Asian and Muslim backgrounds. Fatema is a therapist at Conason Psychological Services and a Board Member of the International Association of Eating Disorder Professionals New York chapter.

In this episode, you will learn about: CPTSD The differences between CPTSD and BPD How a trauma-informed approach changes everything from diagnosis to how we treat people with similar symptoms and traumatic experiences based on a label. We also cover.. the realities of stigma and labels, pathologization of trauma Aspects of NARM (the NeuroAffective Relational ModelTM) How to reframe pathologizing diagnosis of BPD from stigma to trauma and understanding Why self-compassion might feel really hard for trauma survivors How to set boundaries around your own lived experience on Instagram Expertise in the field vs openness to always learning and curiosity About Iris McAlpin: Iris McAlpin is a certified trauma coach and NARM® Practitioner specializing in self-sabotage, eating disorder recovery and complex trauma. After struggling with bulimia, C-PTSD and depression for over a decade, Iris became determined to understand what was fueling her self-destructive behaviors and troubling symptoms. This eventually led her to an in-depth study of trauma, which resulted in a radical personal transformation. She now helps people all over the world overcome similar struggles through trauma-informed education, group programs and individual coaching. Find Iris at: IG: @irismcalpin Website: www.irismcalpin.com References: Quiet BPD, Very Well Mind article Find Mimi at: Main IG: @the.lovelybecoming Podcast IG: @lovelybecomingpodcast Disclaimer: Mimi and Iris do not have specific training in or claim to be experts in treating BPD. All thoughts expressed should not be considered a substitute for advice or an individual therapeutic relationship. The hope is to open up conversations for providers and individuals alike to consider how trauma may play a role in stigmatizing diagnoses and care, and to encourage you to keep thinking compassionately and curiously.

In this episode, you can learn about: • Managed Care • Carceral and Anti-Carceral Care • How care is failing us and perpetuating blame We also cover.. • Trauma and Informed Consent in higher levels of care (HLOC) • Eating disorder treatment contracts • Provider fears of liability in ED treatment • Mimi practices discomfort and communicating through it • Community care alternative to traditional treatment • Jennie answers the time-old question: is full recovery possible for everyone? Find Jennie at: IG: @dr.jenniewh Website: https://jwhrevolution.com/ Referenced in Podcast: https://fedupcollective.org/ Related Reading: The Language of Recovery: https://wellseek.co/2021/01/05/healing-or-recovery-why-language-matters-in-mental-health-2/ Find Mimi at: Main IG: @the.lovelybecoming Podcast IG: @lovelybecomingpodcast Website: www.mimi-cole.com

In this episode, Dr. Laura Thomas and Mimi talk about some of the biggest intuitive eating questions! Laura established the London Centre for Intuitive Eating (LCIE) in 2017 to help support clients who have a difficult relationship with food and their body. She has a passion for delivering inclusive, trauma informed, and person-centred care for all bodies. She draws upon different therapeutic and counseling skills to support her clients in their recovery from disordered eating, chronic dieting, and body dissatisfaction. She also incorporates different health care frameworks into her work, such as Health and Every Size Ⓡ, Intuitive Eating, and Body Image Healing. Much of her work focusses on advocacy and reducing weight-based discrimination within the nutrition profession. Laura takes a collaborative approach to working with clients, recognising that they are the experts of their own bodies and experiences. Her advice and recommendations are not didactic, rather she helps guide and support clients to reconnect with their bodies. In January 2019, Laura published her first book with Bluebird Books: Just Eat It: How Intuitive Eating Can Help You Get Your Shit Together Around Food.

Amy Mariaskin, PhD, is a licensed clinical psychologist with fifteen years of experience treating obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), anxiety, and related disorders. She is founding director of the Nashville OCD & Anxiety Treatment Center, faculty of the International OCD Foundation's Behavior Therapy Training Institute, and adjunct professor at Vanderbilt University. Dr. Mariaskin has worked across the southeast with adults, adolescents, children, and families affected by these disorders. She strives to create a sensitive and affirming therapeutic experience for her clients and incorporates humor and creativity into evidence-based practice.

I am SOOO excited to share this episode with y'all!! Liz is absolutely wonderful and her new book, “I Want This To Work” I'd available for pre-order and releases on November 30!!! If you don't already follow Liz, you're going to want to. She talks about couples, but also relationships in general. In this episode, we talk about internal vs external boundaries, how therapists are often not saying what needs to be said and what to do about it, and if relationships are worth it if you always seem to get hurt.

* apologies for the little glitches this time — I'm not sure how that happened but, I hope you'll listen through! In this episode, Mimi talks with Dr. Veronica Eyo about motherhood and “bouncing back.” Dr. Veronica Eyo, a Bilingual Licensed Clinical Social Worker, is passionate about helping mamas, new and seasoned, navigate the challenges of parenthood. She transitioned her practice into primarily working with mothers after becoming one. Some of the experiences that Dr. Eyo navigated especially in the beginning, led her to seek specialized training in working with moms but especially with mamas of color. Supporting mamas through various walks of life is one of Dr. Eyo's guiding posts and influenced even her dissertation where she researched the factors that influence the success of student mothers in higher education institutions.

Short and sweet conversation with Katie Crenshaw. Katie is mom of three in Atlanta, Georgia. Her emotional content surrounding mental health, body image and feminism has gone viral multiple times and reached audiences all over the world by way of Good Morning America, CNN, Inside Edition, and more. In 2020 she released the bestselling body positive children's book: "Her Body Can". Katie has grown a loyal community through her authentic storytelling and vulnerability.

In this episode, Mimi and Dr. Laura dive deep into religious trauma and fundamentalism. Dr. Laura Anderson is a licensed psychotherapist in Nashville, TN with her private practice focusing on individuals with complex trauma and specialties in domestic violence, sexualized violence, and religious trauma. She is also the co-founder of the Religious Trauma Institute who's focus is to provide clinical training, supervision, consultation, and support to therapists, coaches, advocates and others in the helping professions who are working with individuals experiencing religious trauma and adverse religious experiences. Laura is also the founder of the Center for Trauma Resolution and Recovery—an online coaching practice who's practitioners are trauma informed and trained to work with all types of trauma but specialize and are passionate about working with religious trauma.

Lauren DeLeary is an artist and content creator based in Nashville. She co-hosts the podcast Deconstruct with her husband, Adam breaking down topics of religion, sex & spirituality. After over a decade in the christian music industry & even winning a Juno Award for best Christian Album of the year - she now writes mainstream music as a solo artist. As an indigenous person, she connects most spiritually through her ancestors, nature & embodiment. Lauren's driving force has been to truly live out the human experience as a spiritual being - by way of healing traumas, dance parties, caring for the earth & tequila shots. “Life is worth living. It can be hard, but let's have a little fun with it.”

In this episode, Mimi talks with co-author of “More Than A Body”, Dr. Lindsay Kite about body image resiliency, media literacy, favorite foods and more. Dr. Lindsay Kite is co-author of the book More Than a Body: Your Body Is an Instrument, Not an Ornament (2020, HarperCollins) and co-director of the nonprofit Beauty Redefined, alongside her identical twin sister Lexie Kite. Both received PhDs from the University of Utah in the study of female body image and have become leading experts in body image resilience and media literacy. Lindsay and Lexie help girls and women recognize and reject the harmful effects of objectification in their lives through their social media activism (on Instagram @beauty_redefined), online course and facilitator program for dieticians and therapists (at morethanabody.org), and regular speaking engagements for people of all ages.

Note: Mimi learned about supremacy culture from Andréa Ranae. In this episode, Mimi and Kayla talk about supremacy culture, power inventories and dynamics, and psychedelic assisted therapy. Kayla Felten, MSW, LICSW (she/her) is a twin cities based psychedelic assisted psychotherapist as well as the co-founder of the Reclamation Collective. She grew up in the Chicagoland suburbs in a faith context called the Plymouth Brethren. While childhood was peaceful and she had a strong sense of safety and security, Kayla felt entirely unprepared for the mental, relational, and spiritual pain that her deconstruction journey inspired in young adulthood. From identifying that her body belongs to her, to grieving the loss of ‘beloved community,' Kayla found her greatest supports on her Reclamation journey to be travel, dance, and therapy. Kayla now works as a Psychedelic Assisted Psychotherapist with the Institute for Integrative Therapies (iit-mn.com) in St. Paul, MN while also facilitating virtual support groups and workshops through the Reclamation Collective.

Christyna is a registered dietitian nutritionist based in Dallas, Texas. Her nutrition practice is rooted in intuitive eating and Health at Every Size ®. Her private practice helps people recover from disordered eating, eating disorders, and chronic dieting into a peaceful relationship with food and body. She is dedicated to nutrition justice and finding ways to bring food freedom to those facing food insecurity and living in food deserts. When she's not fighting injustice, she enjoys getting lost in a new book, trying new restaurants, and diversifying outdoors. She is the voice behind the podcast Intuitive Eating for the Culture, and the blog Encouraging Dietitian. Social Links: IG: encouragingdietitian Twitter: encouragingRD Website: https://encouragingdietitian.com Podcast: Intuitive Eating for the Culture

In this episode, Mimi talks with Nate about complex PTSD, coming out, healing through inner child work, and more. A few years ago Nate Postlethwait walked away from a highly successful, 13 year career in real estate in order to give himself a reset and find more understanding in his life. He sold his home and everything with it and traveled throughout the world for several months. During his travels, he began publicly sharing his journey of healing from childhood trauma and the battles with his mental health. Quickly, a community began to form. Other survivors began sharing their stories in the comments section. That community has quickly grown to over 115k and continues to have thousands of new friends join weekly. Nate has lead sold out webinars on inner child work and most recently, written a four week course on this work and offers multiple weekly q & a's that help share stories from within this survivor community. He describes himself as a loud introvert, but also incredibly tender hearted to those who are hurting and need help. His life mission is to help those who need trauma informed therapy, find it in a way that is accessible and affordable. He is an avid traveler but calls Denver, CO home.

CW: mention of specific numbers related to weight loss. In this episode, Tamar and I talk about why she chose to become a dietitian, about a balanced approach to nutrition, and helping clients to move towards their goals and values in a healthy way. Tamar Samuels, MS, RD, CDN, is the co-founder of Culina Health, a leading nutrition expert, and registered dietitian. Her unique and holistic approach to health integrates functional medicine, positive psychology, and behavioral change techniques pulled from her training in clinical nutrition and coaching science. She's helped countless people transform their relationship with food and their health to overcome a variety of health conditions. Tamar has her undergraduate degree in psychology from Hunter College and her master's degree in clinical nutrition from New York University. She provides science-based nutrition expertise through a variety of media outlets including online publications, speaking engagements, and video appearances. Well + Good named her one of the top holistic nutritionists in New York City.

In this episode, I chat briefly with an amazing marriage and family therapist: Whitney Goodman.

Kristina Saffran is the cofounder and CEO of Equip, a virtual program that delivers modern eating disorder treatment through family-based care that promises lasting recovery at home. Created by experts in the field and people who've been there, Equip provides each patient with a five-person dedicated care team including a therapist, dietician, physician, and peer & family mentor. At 15 years old, in her own recovery from anorexia, Kristina founded Project HEAL, now a leading grassroots eating disorder non-profit in the US with the mission to break down barriers to treatment to give everyone a shot at recovery. Kristina is an Ashoka Fellow, a Forbes 30 under 30 social entrepreneur, and a Facebook Community Leadership Fellow, and graduated from Harvard College with a bachelors degree in psychology in May 2014.

Minaa B. is a writer, wellness coach and licensed therapist based in NYC. Through speaking and workshop engagements, Minaa teaches people how to cultivate self-care through the lens of boundaries and community care. You can learn more about Minaa by visiting www.minaab.com as well as by following her popular Instagram account: @minaa_b

In this episode, Dacy and Mimi talk about ethical fashion from a body acceptance perspective, buying clothes that fit your now body, and personal styling. She is an incredible voice, and you'll definitely want to listen to this episode! As a personal stylist, Dacy Gillespie intuitively guides her clients to discover what they feel best in. She helps them let go of the external messages they've been given about what they should wear and get to the heart of what's making them uncomfortable about their clothes. Through their work building a functional wardrobe, Dacy's clients make a mindset shift from thinking they need to wear what's flattering to unapologetically taking up space in the world.  After a lifetime of jobs in high-stress careers that didn't suit her highly-sensitive, introverted personality, Dacy started mindful closet in 2013 in an attempt to create a more emotionally sustainable lifestyle. She has two boys, ages 2 and 7, and a husband she adores who is well aware of her mental load.

In this episode, Ashlee and Mimi talk about her new book, The Art of Body Acceptance — which is out now!! We also talk about body positivity vs neutrality / acceptance, a little about Ashlee's body image journey through weight stigma and more! Ashlee Bennett, AThR, is a registered art therapist who specializes in helping clients develop a positive relationship with their bodies. She presents workshops that relate to topics such as body image, embodiment and mental health. Ashlee lives in Melbourne, Australia.

In this episode, Morgan and I talk about what it's like to be diagnosed with autism later in life, her poetry, and the beauty of rhythms and grace. *note: words are hard, I was a special education major for the first part of college, and then switched majors. Popular Instagram poet and artist Morgan Harper Nichols has created her life's work around the stories of others. Morgan's popular Instagram feed (@morganharpernichols) has garnered a loyal online community, and she is the author of All Along You Were Blooming, a book of poems and art she created in response to the personal stories submitted by her friends and followers. Known for its lyrical tone and vibrant imagery, Morgan's work is an organic expression of the grace and hope we've been given in this world. Morgan has also performed as a vocalist on several GRAMMY-nominated projects and written for various artists, including a Billboard #1 single performed by her sister, Jamie-Grace. Morgan is often on the road creating, teaching, and performing, in hopes of spreading her unique inspirational message and inviting others into her creative process. Morgan currently resides in Phoenix, Arizona, with her family.

In this episode, Mimi talks with NC locals and sisters, Anna Lutz, RD, and Louise Metz, MD about weight inclusive care in nutrition / dietetics and medical care. Anna Lutz is in private practice in Raleigh, NC and specializes in eating disorders and pediatric/family nutrition. Anna received her Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology from Duke University and Master of Public Health in Nutrition from The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. She is a Certified Eating Disorders Registered Dietitian (CEDRD) and an Approved Supervisor, both through the International Association of Eating Disorder Professionals (iaedp).  Anna previously worked at Children's National Medical Center in Washington, DC and Duke Student Health, treating individuals with eating disorders. Anna has done extensive training through the Embodied Recovery Institute and strives to provide her clients trauma and somatically informed care. Anna is a national speaker and delivers workshops and presentations on eating disorders, weight-inclusive healthcare, and childhood feeding. She also writes and talks about nutrition and family feeding, free of diet culture, on her blog, Sunny Side Up Nutrition, and the Sunny Side Up Nutrition Podcast. Dr. Louise Metz is an Internal Medicine physician with expertise in the medical care of eating disorders. She is the owner of Mosaic Comprehensive Care, a medical practice in Chapel Hill, North Carolina offering weight-inclusive primary care for adults and adolescents of all genders. After receiving an undergraduate degree in Biology and Women's Studies at Duke University, she attended medical school at the University of North Carolina and completed her residency in Internal Medicine at the University of California at San Francisco. She has published research on heart disease in women, and has previously held academic positions at NYU's Bellevue Hospital and Duke Medical Center. Dr. Metz leads workshops and presentations on weight-inclusive medical care and eating disorders. She is committed to increasing access to inclusive and affirming medical care for all individuals.

In this episode, Ruthie and I talk about unlearning the stories we have been taught in a patriarchal society about our bodies, about Church, and about who we are. Ruthie Lindsey is the author of the memoir There I Am, The Journey From Hopelessness To Healing, speaker and coach. Ruthie shares a remarkable story of surviving an accident as a teenager where she had a five percent chance to live and a one percent chance to walk, and the surgery that simultaneously saved and destroyed her body. As a young woman, chronic pain slowly pulled Ruthie away from everything she once held dear: her marriage, her faith, her family, her body, her very self. But her message is one of strength and resilience, the faith she lost and rebuilt in herself, and the power of sharing our stories. Ruthie challenges audiences to find the healing that is inside of all of us. She has spoken alongside renowned activists and writers such as Brené Brown, Glennon Doyle, Luvvie Ajayi, and Rachel Hollis

In this episode, Mimi and Amanda talk about what it is like to open a private practice and to share your recovery stories as a therapist. We also touch on boundaries and discuss sobriety and eating disorder recovery. Amanda E. White is a licensed therapist and the creator of the popular Instagram account @therapyforwomen. She specializes in teaching women how to set boundaries, engage in real self-care and work through shame. She is the founder of "Therapy for Women Center" located in Philadelphia and serving clients across the country. She is in recovery from an addiction and eating disorder and in her clinical work, Amanda specializes in supporting clients in the overlap and intersection of both. Amanda is also an experienced registered yoga teacher and leads yoga and mental health retreats around the world.

In this episode, Mimi and Camille talk about the enneagram and how to use it as a tool in therapy. We talk about favorite foods, Camille's journey to becoming a therapist, and how she is becoming. Camille believes in the value of the therapeutic relationship and the courage it takes for a client to enter into counseling. She strives to create a space that fosters the client's ability to process, explore, question, and challenge their thought processes and behaviors. It is with this in mind that she believes change, growth, and acceptance can be achieved. Working together, Camille works with clients to identify treatment goals and a plan to meet their needs.  She genuinely loves her job, and counts it a privilege to journey through life with her clients.     Camille's counseling style is supportive, collaborative, and client focused. She feels most comfortable drawing techniques from a variety of therapy models such as Acceptance Commitment Therapy(ACT), Narrative Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Solution Focused Therapy, Motivational Interviewing, and Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT).  Camille is also trained to use experiential treatment models, by using expressive tools or activities, when words aren't enough.  In her work professionally and what she chooses to practice personally, she is passionate about mindfulness, self care, intuitively listening to the wisdom of our bodies/self, Health at Every Size (HAES), intuitive eating, social justice, the importance of diversity and equity, and the value of connection and vulnerability. Camille believes in normalizing the importance of mental health and destigmatizing counseling by engaging with the community through speaking events and podcast appearances.    She received both her undergraduate degree in Psychology and Master's degree with a focus in Counseling from the University of Florida.  Over the years of my career, Camille has practiced in numerous settings including community mental health organizations, in-home therapy, the Wake Juvenile Detention Center, and in a group private practice setting before starting The KC Collective. 

In this episode, Mimi talks with poet, creative, author, speaker, writer (and so much more), Arielle Estoria. We talk about what body kindness and grief look like for her, managing negative conflicts and setting boundaries, and her writing. Born and raised in foggy Northern California and now residing in Los Angeles CA, Arielle ​Estoria is a Spoken Word Poet, gifted Writer and Author, captivating and authentic Emcee and Speaker. Through various aspects of storytelling, Arielle creates environments and spaces where audiences have the permission to be vulnerable and seen. Her motto, "Words not for the ears but for the soul" stems from her dedication to remind anyone who encounters her and her work that words are meant to be felt and experienced not just heard. With a specific heart in empowering, encouraging and making space for audiences of womxn to feel at home in their own bodies. Arielle has shared her work through spoken word and themed keynote talks with companies such as Google, Sofar Sounds, Lululemon, Dressember, Tedx, the SKIMS campaign by Kim Kardashian, and the Rise Conference by Rachel Hollis and more. She has consecutively emceed annual conferences such as, Yellow Conference for creative and entrepreneurial women, Hair Camp a conference for Hairstylists in the industry and Anchored in Love, for teenage girls featuring surfer Bethany Hamilton. Arielle has lead writing, social media and self-acceptance workshops in various settings ranging from students to professional development spaces. Arielle is the Co-Author of two self-published collections of poetry: Vagabonds and Zealots (2014), Write Bloody Spill Pretty (2017) which can both be found on Amazon.com and in 2016, released her EP of poetry and music titled Symphony of a Lioness. When she's not on stage or on the road, you can also find Arielle being interviewed and featured on various well known podcasts such as: the GoalDigger Podcast by Jenna Kutcher, The Birds Papaya Podcast with Sarah Nicole Landry, Striptd Down with Ali Levine, Raw Beauty Talks by Erin Treloar, and Let's Talk About It Podcast with TV personality Taylor Nolan.

In this episode, Hatty and I talk about how trauma is passed down both relationally through patterns of attachment and genetics. We also laugh about our favorite foods and talk about what authenticity is. Hatty (she/her) is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist and Brainspotting practitioner who has been practicing for over a decade. As the founder of a group practice in Los Angeles, California, she supports people to deepen connection with themselves and the most important people in their lives. She is the co-creator of @indwell_co (a guidebook on navigating your mental health) and also writes about various mental health topics on her Instagram account @hattyjlee. Her work has been featured in multiple editorials, including Women's Health Magazine and Reader's Digest.

In this episode, Jordan and Mimi talk about what boundaries and trauma really are, parent-child relationships, and incorporating vulnerability and self-compassion into our lives. Jordan Pickell is a Registered Clinical Counsellor and relationship and trauma therapist in private practice in Vancouver, Canada. She has a background in community mental health and anti-violence working with survivors of childhood sexual abuse and sexual assault. Jordan is also a writer, offering insights about boundaries, self-compassion, trauma, and relationships.

Lauren and Mimi talk about common myths about diabetes (esp type 2), intuitive eating, and the comorbidities between eating disorders and diabetes beyond diabulimia. Lauren Newman is a registered dietitian passionate about helping individuals with diabetes make peace with food and their bodies. Lauren practices from a Health At Every Size® and weight inclusive approach to help clients connect with their body's needs, and learn to respond without rigidity, restriction, or shame. Lauren received her degree in nutrition and dietetics & completed her dietetic internship all at The University of Texas at Austin. Lauren has experience supporting clients with eating disorders at all levels of care, and currently works with clients through her own private practice specialized in diabetes management. 

In this episode, Mimi and Dr. Gaudiani talk about medical aspects of eating disorders and weight inclusive care for all. Jennifer L. Gaudiani, MD, CEDS-S, FAED, is the Founder and Medical Director of the Gaudiani Clinic. Board Certified in Internal Medicine, she completed her undergraduate degree at Harvard, medical school at Boston University School of Medicine, and her internal medicine residency and chief residency at Yale. Dr. Gaudiani has been a leader in the eating disorders field since 2008 and served as the Medical Director at the ACUTE Center for Eating Disorders prior to founding the Gaudiani Clinic, which is a Denver-based outpatient medical clinic dedicated to people with eating disorders and disordered eating. The Gaudiani Clinic is a HAES- (Health At Every Size®) informed provider and embraces treating and offering weight stigma- free primary care to people of all sizes. The Gaudiani Clinic is licensed to practice in over 35 US states via telemedicine and offers worldwide professional consultation, education, and supervision. Dr. Gaudiani has lectured nationally and internationally, and she is widely published in the scientific literature as well as on blogs. She is a current member of the editorial board of the International Journal of Eating Disorders, the Academy for Eating Disorders Medical Care Standards Committee, and the Residential Eating Disorders Consortium Ethics Committee. Additionally, Dr. Gaudiani is a former board member of iaedp and is one of a very small number of internal medicine physicians who is certified as an eating disorders expert. She is also a Fellow of the Academy for Eating Disorders. Dr. Gaudiani's first book, Sick Enough: A Guide to the Medical Complications of Eating Disorders, was released by Routledge in October 2018 and is available on Amazon. Gaudiani Family Ricotta Filling From a recipe for Cassata alla Siciliana from Meem 1 large or two small containers whole milk ricotta 3 oz cream cheese ½ cup confectioner's sugar ½ cup granulated sugar 1 tsp vanilla extract ¼ tsp almond extract Whir together until smooth (Cuisinart or mixer) Add plenty of cinnamon to taste ½-1 cup mini semi-sweet morsels hand-stirred in Eat immediately, or chill and eat, or stuff into cannoli shells and eat Great with biscotti and clementines and coffee

In this episode, Mimi and Alegra talk about the basics of obsessive compulsive disorder, what it looks like to treat the very disorder she suffered from, and social justice from a therapist's perspective. Alegra is an Associate Marriage & Family Therapist who received my Master's degree in Clinical Psychology from Pepperdine University.  She currently practices in Los Angeles, CA, specializing in the treatment of Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, Anxiety Disorders, Body-Focused Repetitive Behaviors, Body Dysmorphic Disorder, and Eating Disorders. Her clinical work focuses on Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Exposure & Response Prevention, Acceptance & Commitment Therapy, and mindfulness skills training for adults, adolescents, and children. Prior to her work in private practice, Alegra worked as a psychotherapist at The OCD Center of Los Angeles specializing in the treatment of OCD, BRFB's and anxiety disorders across the life span. She also trained extensively in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, with an emphasis on Exposure & Response Prevention, at the UCLA Adult OCD Intensive Outpatient Program, where she assisted in providing hands-on ERP with clients experiencing moderate to severe OCD. Additional clinical experience includes Alegra's work as a counselor at The Maple Counseling Center in Beverly Hills, where she provided individual therapy and couples therapy for clients struggling with anxiety disorders, depression, grief, and complex trauma. In addition to clinical experience, Alegra has a lifetime of experience as a human being.  Her passion for OCD treatment, education, and advocacy comes from her own personal experience with the disorder.  She understands firsthand the relentlessness of the disorder and how painfully it holds one's life captive.  Alegra also understands that relief and recovery are real with a large dose of evidence-based treatment and an equally large dose of willingness.

In this episode, I talk with practicing therapist, Rachel Sellers. Rachel most recently completed her master's degree in Counseling and is working towards her professional license. She works as a private practice therapist based in Nashville, TN. Rachel also holds a master's degree in Education and uses her teaching skills to educate people about trauma, The Polyvagal Theory, and eating disorders. She is a mental health blogger, a coffee enthusiast, and a lover of pajamas and sleeping in. In this episode, Rachel helps the listeners to break down and understand trauma through the lens of the popular polyvagal theory. We tie it to body acceptance work, safety seeking, and eating disorders, as well.

In this episode, I talk with registered dietitian, Emily Murray. We discuss what recovery from an eating disorder looks like and the importance of friendships in that process. We also talk about ways to access recovery when treatment is too expensive and much more! Emily is a registered dietitian and founder of Murray Nutrition, PLLC, located just outside of Nashville, TN. Emily specializes in eating disorder recovery, chronic dieting + disordered eating, compulsive exercise, and weight + body image concerns. Emily has experience treating children, adolescents, and adults with eating disorders + other co-occurring disorders in a variety of practice settings, including inpatient hospitalization, partial hospitalization (PHP), intensive outpatient (IOP) and outpatient (OP) levels of care, most notably at Vanderbilt Children's Hospital and The Renfrew Center of Nashville. In her private practice, Emily utilizes evidence based, non-diet treatment modalities help her clients make peace with food. Emily is currently in the process of attaining her certified eating disorder registered dietitian certification (CEDRD) through the International Association of Eating Disorders Professionals (IAEDP). You can find Emily on Instagram at @murraynutrition or on her website: www.murraynutritionco.com

On this episode, I speak with dietitian, Emma D'Arpino about what it means to be fat positive, if someone can have thin privilege and still experience weight stigma, and much more. Note: use of the word *ob*sity* to help debunk myths.

In this episode, I talk with Kent Thomas about eating disorder recovery as a gay man, body liberation advocacy work, amplifying marginalized voices in the organization Young Life, and faith transitions “leaving the fold” of Christianity. I hope you enjoy listening! Kent is a social worker and Body Liberation Coach in Tacoma, Washington. He currently works as a Milieu Therapist at Opal Food and Body Wisdom. You can find Kent on Instagram at @kentthomasmsw