Real Recovery and How to Get There with Carolyn Costin, MA, MEd., MFT, CEDS, FAED
What does it really mean to be fully recovered from an eating disorder?
For decades, the conversation has been clouded by vague definitions, conflicting philosophies, and the fear that “recovery” might not even be possible.
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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.
We cover everything from the nuances of defining recovery to the hope available even in severe or long-standing cases, to the controversial role of recovered clinicians in the treatment space. Carolyn shares practical tools, honest reflections, and a compassionate perspective that challenges old paradigms and brings clarity to one of the most debated topics in the field.
Carolyn Costin MA, MEd., MFT, CEDS, FAED, is a world renowned, highly sought-after eating disorder clinician, author, and international speaker. Recovered from anorexia in her twenties, as a young therapist Carolyn recognized her calling after successfully treating her first eating disorder client. Carolyn was first to publicly take the position that people with eating disorders can become fully recovered.
After 15 years in private practice and running hospital programs Carolyn was determined to improve the relapse rate and recognized a gap in the eating disorder field. She opened Monte Nido, the first residential facility in a home setting, surrounded by nature, where standard treatment was combined with meditation and yoga and clients were “retrained” to shop, prepare and cook food.
Carolyn’s contributions to the field are extensive. Her 6 books, service in every major eating disorder organization, three decades of training professionals worldwide, free study groups and the outstanding success of Monte Nido all spurred Carolyn to international acclaim.
In 2016, Carolyn left Monte Nido and created The Carolyn Costin Institute, offering Eating Disorder Coach Training and Certification, Continuing Education for clinicians, speaking, consulting and supervision. Carolyn is an active, passionate, inspiring force in the eating disorder field.
In this episode, we’re talking about:
What recovery really means — breaking down the word "recovered" vs. "recovering," and why Carolyn Costin insists that full recovery from an eating disorder is possible.
Carolyn’s definition of recovery — accepting your natural body size, no longer compromising health or betraying your soul to look a certain way, and not using eating disorder behaviors to cope with life.
The healthy self vs. the eating disorder self — how to strengthen the healthy part of the self rather than “getting rid” of the eating disorder, and moving toward integration.
Practical recovery work — using dialogues, letters, and conversations between the healthy self and the eating disorder self to uncover beliefs and promote healing.
Hope for chronic or severe cases — why it’s important to keep hope alive, even for people with long-standing eating disorders, while also acknowledging individual realities.
Body image and relapse — reframing slips, body image struggles, or diet considerations not as failure, but as opportunities for insight and self-protection.
Recovered clinicians — the role and legitimacy of clinicians with lived experience, the importance of authenticity, and Carolyn’s perspective on when it may or may not be ethical to practice while still struggling.
Carolyn’s ongoing work — her institute, coach training, supervision, and resources for both clinicians and clients.
If you’ve ever wondered what it means to be recovered, or how to support others in that journey, this episode is one you won’t want to miss.
Tweetable Quotes
“When you are recovered, you will not compromise your health or betray your soul to look a certain way, wear a certain size, or reach a certain number on the scale.” - Carolyn Costin
“We are not born with an eating disorder. We were born with this core healthy soul self in there.” - Carolyn Costin
“Instead of getting rid of the eating disorder self, I help strengthen people’s healthy self.” - Carolyn Costin
“When someone has had an eating disorder, I want to be cautious for a while, but I know so many people now being in this for so long who are recovered and shit’s happened in their life… and not slipped back.” - Carolyn Costin
“I don’t weigh myself. It’s like a feminist statement.” - Carolyn Costin
“We have to be careful… but my experience is people who are recovered actually navigate it better because we’ve already been through all that and it’s like we have a bit of a shield up for it.” - Carolyn Costin
Resources
Visit Carolyn’s website - www.CarolynCostinInstitute.com
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Related Episodes
Episode 170. The Perfectionist Paradox
Episode 167. How to Achieve Full Recovery with Ilene Fishman
Episode 137. Eating Disorder Recovery Cannot Happen Without This
Episode 115. How To Recover When Everyone Around You Is Dieting
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Hey there! I’m Rachelle, the host of the Understanding Disordered Eating Podcast. As a Licensed Mental Health Counselor, I work with clients to make sense of life’s messy emotional experiences.
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