In this episode, I break down what treatment can look like when someone is struggling in the “middle” of the spectrum. Not in a medical crisis, but still needing real support to heal their relationship with food. We’ll explore the three core pillars of treatment (what I call the “three-legged stool”), the role each professional plays, and why collaboration across the team matters so much.

In this episode of Understanding Disordered Eating, I’m joined by my good friend and colleague, Sydney Green, MS, RD, to unpack the truth about body image: what it really means, how it shows up in daily life, and why it’s so intertwined with our relationship to food. 

For decades, the conversation has been clouded by vague definitions, conflicting philosophies, and the fear that “recovery” might not even be possible. In this powerful conversation, I sit down with Carolyn Costin, a renowned therapist, author, and pioneer in the eating disorder field, to dig into what recovery actually looks like, why she believes full recovery is possible, and how to strengthen the “healthy self” rather than fight against the eating disorder voice.

If you’ve ever found yourself saying, “No, but really, my situation is different,” we’re talking about that too. Because while yes, biology and hormones play a role, a lot of us are way too quick to jump to, “I need a drastic fix” before we’ve even tried addressing our relationship with food (or, you know, feelings).

The messages we receive about food, body image, and self-worth can be overwhelming, making it difficult to break free from the patterns that keep us stuck. But real recovery isn’t just about changing behaviors; it’s about transforming the way we relate to ourselves at the deepest level.

If you’ve ever stood on the brink of a party, heart racing, contemplating whether to take the plunge into a sea of social awkwardness, you’re in good company. I mean, who doesn’t love the thrill of risking utter humiliation over finger foods and small talk, right? Spoiler alert: I don’t.

Have you ever noticed how sometimes substance use and eating disorders are intertwined? It turns out, these issues like to hang out together more often than not, complicating treatment and recovery. So, why do we keep these so separate in our conversations? There’s this illusion that some people can juggle their substance use with such precision. Spoiler alert: it's not as glamorous as it sounds.

Here’s the thing: when you eat regularly and enough, a domino effect happens. Your food obsessions disappear, your physical health improves, and your focus, memory, and mood are back to a “normal” baseline.

Just last year, The American Academy of Pediatrics put out (terrible) guidelines, that in a nutshell, give the “go-ahead” to evaluate children for weight loss medication and/or surgery. Weight loss surgery is completely irreversible. So why is it being recommended? There are many challenges that individuals will face when deciding to undergo weight loss surgery. Not only the painful physical challenges but the mental and emotional ones as well.

Everyone seems to have an opinion, you've probably encountered unsolicited advice and opinions from well-meaning (or not-so-well-meaning) friends or family. But here's the thing – You are not on a mission to help them see the world the way that you do. You are not on a mission to help them understand intuitive eating and eating disorder recovery.

Feeling stuck isn't exclusive to one area of life; it can strike at any moment. Whether you're battling with your career, your relationships, or, as is often the case, your relationship with food, that suffocating feeling can be all too familiar. If you've ever grappled with issues related to your relationship with food or have felt trapped in various aspects of life, this discussion is going to be a game-changer for you.

The interesting thing about high functioning eating disorders is that it accounts for a large majority of eating disorders. People with high functioning eating disorders may appear to have it all together: they may be perfectionists, do well in school and at work, and may be surrounded by friends. But that doesn’t mean they’re not suffering from disordered eating. Listen to learn what high functioning eating disorders are, and when it’s time to get help. Learn more about eating disorder therapy and treatment in NYC and Brooklyn at rachelleheinemann.com.

What happens to the brain when someone is recovering from an eating disorder? What’s the science behind recovery, and can EVERYONE really recover from eating disorders? Dr. Jeffrey DeSarbo and I discuss the neurobiology of recovery from eating disorders. Find more information on disordered eating, eating disorder treatment, and deep work therapy in NYC and Brooklyn on my website.

You might not be surprised to hear that perfectionism and eating disorders do hand-in-hand, but WHY is that and HOW do we go about addressing it? Colby Golder is a Registered Dietitian who specializes in eating disorders and disordered eating. Read or listen to the podcast episode as we discuss what perfectionism looks like, how orthorexia plays a role, and questions to ask yourself to address your perfectionist tendencies. Find more information on therapy sessions and treatment in NYC and Brooklyn on my website.

Exploring your past and your relationships in deep work psychotherapy is more important than you realize — and ignoring them might actually be holding you back from recovering from your eating disorder. In this podcast episode, will discuss the affect your past has on your present (even if you don’t feel like you had any childhood trauma), why it’s important to look at your past with curiosity and not judgment, and how to get started today. Use these as your first steps toward disordered eating treatment and find more information on therapy sessions in NYC and Brooklyn on my website.

If you’re struggling with disordered eating or an eating disorder diagnosis, and even if you’re in deep work therapy or treatment, you might feel like you don’t understand WHY you do the things you do. It can be frustrating to have read all the research and know exactly what you’re supposed to do, but still feel like you’re not able to make a change. That’s where Jennifer Diaz, mindset success coach, comes in. She uses her training in psychology and neuroplasticity to help ambitious optimize their potential and feel more fulfilled in business and life.

When you’re in therapy — deep work therapy, psychoanalytic therapy, or otherwise — and hoping to find recovery from an eating disorder, it can be frustrating to feel like it’s not working out with your therapist. Take this as your guide to how to start the conversation in your next session and start finding the disordered eating treatment you need.

Taking the step toward treatment for an eating disorder, whether it’s bulimia nervosa or anorexia nervosa, can be terrifying… and that’s where Ibbits Newhall comes in. Follow our conversation about steps to recovery from eating disorders, how to approach treatment and therapy with family and loved ones, and more.

Anita Dharwadkar, RD, LDN, discusses navigating recovery from disordered eating while dealing with chronic illness. Anita defines chronic illness (such as IBS, Crohn’s Disease, etc.), discusses the connections between these illnesses and eating disorders, and talks about her strategies with her patients.

Welcome to another episode of the Understanding Disordered Eating Podcast. I am so grateful that you are here with me as together, we welcome another year. Today we will be retrospecting as we look back to our journey towards food freedom in the course of 2021 . I will also walk you through what to consider putting in your new year’s resolution, should you decide to make some. Join me, and let’s all reflect on our accomplishments, mistakes, progress, and focus on our goals for the next upcoming chapter of our food journey.