- What is your current job title? Registered Dietitian, Nutrition Therapist
- What are your current educational credentials? BS, RDN
- What inspired you to become a clinician in the field of eating disorder treatment? I was looking to find more meaning in the career path I had chosen, and when I was generously given the opportunity to work at an eating disorder treatment center, I stumbled upon a niche in the world of nutrition that re-inspired me, and made me feel confident that this work was what I was meant to do.
- Tell us about your journey as a clinician from your first role to your current role. In my first role as a professional I worked as a per diem clinical dietitian in a large hospital that was also a trauma center. Around this time I also worked part time at a private practice, learning the basics of both clinical and outpatient nutrition therapy. I eventually got a job at an inpatient/PHP/IOP eating disorder program run out of a hospital in New Jersey, which is where I finally felt like I was able to build a stronger connection with my career as a registered dietitian. While I worked in the eating disorder treatment setting, I engulfed myself in continuing education, in order to learn as much as possible, to better support my clients. I also spent a significant amount of time listening to my clients’ experiences, and thinking about how I could support them in a way that would allow for more sustainable healing. Over time I also decided to build my own private practice, so that I could support clients throughout their entire treatment journey. I eventually transitioned entirely to work full time at my private practice, leaving the hospital setting, and fully embracing the outpatient treatment setting.
- What do you currently see as the greatest barriers to eating disorder treatment and recovery? What a loaded question. There are many barriers to eating disorder treatment, some of the greatest of which include financial barriers, geographical barriers, lack of knowledge/stigma around eating disorders, and lack of diversity when it comes to eating disorder treatment professionals.
- What is your proudest moment as an eating disorder clinician? I’m not sure that there is one moment that sticks out above all others; instead I find myself feeling proud, in awe of, and inspired by my clients on a daily basis. The strength and courage they display on a regularly is a constant reminder to me to push myself to continue to face hard and important things. I will never stop feeling overwhelmed by emotions when a client shares that they finally feel as though they are getting their life back, and that they are experiencing joy and fulfillment again.
- What do your clients love most about MyClearStep? They love the convenience and simplicity, reporting that the design helps them disconnect from the trauma/stigma that they have experienced around being weighed in the past.
- What has changed since adding MyClearStep to your practice? It has provided me with increased flexibility as a clinician that has better allowed me to meet the needs of my clients.
- What advice would you give to those considering a career in eating disorder treatment? I would look for good resources when it comes to mentors and supervisors. I have learned so much as a professional both from those that have come before me, as well as from those with lived experiences. I have found that individual and group supervision, as well as various forms of continuing education have been incredibly helpful. I also highly recommend building a strong support system for yourself, made up of both individuals who do and don’t work in the field of eating disorder treatment, as the work can be challenging.
What are some of your passions and hobbies outside of work? I love spending time with friends and family, being in nature, cooking, eating, watching good movies/shows, and travelling.
