Navigating the journey of eating disorder recovery can be challenging, and it's essential to have the right support system in place. While therapists and mental health professionals dive deep into the root causes of your struggles and address any associated psychological issues, my role as a coach is a bit different. Think of me as your recovery companion, focusing on the present and guiding you through the practical steps of healing.

I'm not here to diagnose or delve deep into the past, but I'm trained to support the goals you've set with your therapist or treatment team. If we stumble upon deeper issues during our sessions, I'll be there to listen and suggest discussing them with your therapist.

Unlike traditional therapy sessions that are typically held in an office for an hour, our coaching sessions can be more flexible. Need help navigating a meal at a restaurant or making choices at the grocery store? I'm here to assist and be that extra layer of support in your daily life.

And here's a little something about me: I've walked the path of eating disorder recovery myself. I know the hurdles, the pain, and the triumphs firsthand. My hope is that my journey can be a beacon of hope for you, showing that full recovery is genuinely attainable. I've trained to ensure that my personal experiences are used in a way that's most beneficial to you. Together, we can work towards a brighter, healthier future.

As a coach, I am trained to be a supportive addition to a treatment team and to help you implement the goals that you are working on with your team into your daily life.

I am trained to deal with real-life situations that other team members might not want to or have the ability to perform due to time constraints or legal reasons. For example meal support sessions and between-session support by e-mail and text, as well as in-the-moment support with grocery shopping or other activities of daily life. Providing you with this type of "exposure and response prevention" work will allow your other team members to have more time to spend with you on underlying issues, larger psychological problems, or specific nutrition-related issues that are not in my scope of practice to address.

I will work with you in the here and now, dealing with your current thoughts, feelings and behaviours and with helping you to build a skill base for daily living that will help your recovery become internalised and lasting in a complementary way to what you are working on with your therapist and other team members.

As a recovered coach, I am also trained in how to use my personal experience in the best interest of each client and can provide you with a tangible role model for recovered living I hope to provide you with a source of hope and inspiration that full recovery is possible.

Sometimes, we all need a bit of extra support, don't we? Here's when having a coach by your side might just be the ticket:

● Imagine you're already seeing a therapist and dietitian. They're great, but you feel you need someone to help you put all that advice into action in your day-to-day life. Like sticking to your meal plan, facing those food fears, or just not giving in to those pesky eating disorder habits.

● Or perhaps you fancy a bit of support outside the usual settings. Maybe you'd like a hand with your weekly shop, prepping your meals, or even choosing a new wardrobe after getting back to a healthy weight. And wouldn't it be lovely to have someone to drop a message to during the week when you need a boost?

● Just come home from an eating disorder treatment? Especially if you're in a smaller community with limited services, having a coach can be like having a mate by your side, helping you settle back in.

Now, there are other times when having a coach might be just what the doctor ordered:

● Maybe you've come a long way in your recovery, but you feel there's still a bit more to go. A coach can be that friend who helps you set goals and face real-life challenges, rather than sticking with the same old routine.

● Or, if you're just starting to notice some unhealthy eating habits and you're not quite ready for the full therapy experience, why not give coaching a go? It might be just what you need to gauge where you're at.

Important Note: In any case where you want to try coaching without also working with professional treatment team members such as a therapist or dietitian, I will use my best judgment to determine if I think this is a good idea and if I think I might be able to help you in this situation. In most cases, if you have a diagnosed eating disorder I will require that you also work with a therapist and/or dietitian as eating disorders are complex illnesses and coaching is not a substitute for psychotherapy or nutritional advice.

• As my coaching is tailored to each individual, I do not have a fixed rate. I work with any budget and towards individual goals, and the final cost will depend on your unique needs. My packages start at £85 per week, based on your individual requirements. Please enquire about coaching to book a free discovery call and learn about the packages I offer!

• Although I reside in Yorkshire, United Kingdom, I provide virtual services via Zoom anywhere in the world, time zones permitting.

• I'm here to support adults, 18 years and older (16 with parental consent), who might be grappling with challenges like anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, orthorexia (a tricky obsession with only eating 'healthy' foods), compulsive exercise, or any other concerns related to eating or body image. Whether you've been officially diagnosed or just feel something's not quite right, I'm here to help and guide you through it.

• In most cases, especially with a diagnosed eating disorder, I will require that you also work with a therapist and/or a dietitian prior to beginning our work together.

• Regrettably, as a coach, I'm not directly covered by any insurance plans that I know of. However, if your benefits do include coaching services, I'd be more than happy to give you a receipt. You can then pop it over to your insurance company for a potential reimbursement.

I do require that you are 18 years of age or older, or over 16 with parental/guardian consent.

If you are actively struggling with an eating disorder or significant mental health concerns, I do require that you are meeting with a therapist and/or dietitian and following any recommended medical follow-ups. If you are not already, then we can discuss this during our initial communications or as our work together progresses and as I feel it is appropriate, and I will gladly make referrals and help you to coordinate this.

• I offer a free 20-minute video consultation so that we can both determine if I am a good fit for what you are looking for. To schedule this, please book a FREE 20-minute discovery call here.

• I usually meet with clients on a weekly or fortnightly basis as I’ve found this to be the most beneficial in achieving coaching goals and experiencing positive changes from the coaching work. If more support is needed or desired I am able to see clients more often, and towards the end of the coaching, work sessions may become less frequent as the client becomes more advanced in their recovery. However, all of this is flexible and tailored to what is most beneficial for each client.

• The overall length of the coaching work varies greatly based on a variety of factors specific to each client, as well as ongoing evaluation on both of our parts in terms of recovery progress and goals.

• Although I have a solo private practice, I believe that a collaborative and comprehensive approach to care is the most beneficial and is often necessary given the complex nature of eating disorders. If you have an existing treatment team, with your consent I believe in working with them so that everyone is on the same page and so I can best support the work you are doing with them.

• If you don't already have a support team, like a therapist or dietitian, and I feel it might be helpful for you during our time together, I'd be more than happy to suggest some great professionals and help you get in touch with them. Let's make sure you have all the support you need! 😊

Eating disorders, disordered eating and body image issues can affect people of any age, ethnicity, gender or background. They also affect people of any body shape or weight.

"Eating disorder" is a formal diagnosis given by a professional based on the DSM-V criteria. "Disordered eating", on the other hand, describes an unhealthy relationship with food, even if it doesn't fit a specific diagnosis. The main difference is the frequency and intensity of these behaviours. It's like comparing a light drizzle to a heavy downpour in terms of impact. But remember, even if it's not a diagnosed disorder, any problematic eating behaviour can seriously affect one's health and happiness. If you're struggling with food or body image issues, you deserve support and care.

For further information on eating disorders and disordered eating, please explore:

• Disordered Eating vs. Eating Disorders: What is the difference?

• Beat Eating Disorders

• Absolutely, many experts, including myself, believe that it's entirely possible to fully recover from an eating disorder. This isn't just about managing symptoms but truly moving past them for good.

• However, while everyone has the potential to recover, not everyone does. It's often said that those who don't fully recover might have stopped trying at some point. But let's be clear: there's no shame in that. Recovery isn't a straight path; it's filled with ups and downs. It's tough, and keeping up hope can be hard. But I've seen people from all walks of life bounce back. It's natural to feel unsure at times. Part of my role is to help you rediscover your reasons for recovery and to navigate those moments of doubt. Remember, recovery is challenging, but it's also incredibly rewarding.

• Being "fully recovered" from an eating disorder means you're free from its symptoms and have embraced your natural body shape. It's about having a healthy view on food and body image, without any harmful behaviours. It's the ultimate goal, showing you've moved past the toughest parts of the disorder.