- What is your current job title? Nutrition Counseling
- What are your current educational credentials? MA, RD, LD/N, CEDRD-S
- What inspired you to become a clinician in the field of eating disorder treatment? My first and only class in nutrition counseling made me realize how much is involved in the client-nutritionist relationship that can help the individual believe in themselves and chose recovery over the ED.
- Tell us about your journey as a clinician from your first role to your current role. I graduated with a double major in Nutrition & Dietetics and Psychology from FIU in Miami, Florida, and in 2005 I got married and moved with my husband to New York City where I got my first job as a Registered Dietitian at Mount Sinai Hospital in the Cardiac Unit. In 2008, we moved to Denver Colorado and was the first dietitian hired at the first inpatient unit of the Eating Recovery Center in 2008. In 2011 I developed and ran the EIOP at ERC and became the OP dietitian. In 2012 I moved back to Miami with my husband and 2 small kids and started working at The Counseling Group, an established outpatient practice alongside a group of very talented therapists. In 2015 I worked with the Red Sox Baseball team as their registered dietitian- a very exciting break from the difficult work with eating disorder clients, however I realized my heart lies with the ED community so I refocused my practice in working at an outpatient level of care primarily with eating disorder clients. I also like to stay active in the ED professional community, I am past president of the iaedp Miami Chapter and past representative of the iaedp Board of Directors.
- What do you currently see as the greatest barriers to eating disorder treatment and recovery? Social Media. There is so much information out there that is not regulated. There are so many “influencers” that talk about what they eat or what they do to “stay fit or lose weight” and girls and women start following their ill advice because they want to look or “be” like them.
- What is your proudest moment as an eating disorder clinician? Every time I get a call from my clients saying they got back their periods! (lol), or telling me they were able to get into the college they wanted, or having the clients mom’s reach out to me and thanking me for helping them get their daughter back…its priceless.
- What do your clients love most about MyClearStep? It is amazing! It is quick and easy and not triggering at all to my clients!
- What has changed since adding MyClearStep to your practice? I am able to keep track of my clients weights with no hassle and no triggers to my clients. Getting their weights it’s just part of the session and we can still choose to discuss their weight and weight trends as they become ready to.
- What advice would you give to those considering a career in eating disorder treatment? Make sure you get the training you need to treat this difficult population. I highly recommend continuously reading the latest research and attending ED conferences to stay up to date with the latest treatment modalities.
- What are some of your passions and hobbies outside of work? I love to dance, go on hikes with my kids, play volleyball and meditate.
