I’ve seen dietitians before and found it unhelpful, how will this be different?

• If you’re attending for support with your eating disorder, it may have been that the previous dietitian was inexperienced. If you are seeing a dietitian for nutritional counselling for your eating disorder, you should make sure they have adequate training and experience to support you with both the physical as well as psychological aspects of the eating disorder. 
• Our sessions go beyond nutrition education, meal plans and requirements. Your consultations will also involve exploring beliefs around food, your body and health, accepting and normalising all foods and staying strong throughout recovery to prevent relapse.

 

The last dietitian I saw shamed me for my weight and encouraged me to watch my food intake more closely. I found this triggering and am too afraid to see another dietitian!

• It may be helpful to search for a non-diet/weight inclusive dietitian. We focus on providing you with support and treatment irrespective of body size, as there is an abundance of research highlighting the negitive impact that weight stigma and body shaming can have on your health. You can feel safe that in attending, you will not be ‘shamed’ into changing your eating! You will never be told that you are eating ‘too much’, or that you need to lose weight. No exceptions. No client will ever be asked to cut back on their intake.

 

I’ve been told I need to lose weight for my health, but you don’t offer weight loss services. How can you help me?

• As a non-diet dietitian, I work from a weight-neutral perspective and follow evidence-based practises to improve health. The recommendations provided are the same for all clients, regardless of weight. I have seen the positive impact that moving away from weight as a health indicator has had on the overall health and well-being of my clients. Providing non-diet and weight neutral consultations have allowed my clients to feel heard and respected, which in itself is a health-improving outcome. Creating fear and deprivation around food is not aligned with improved health.

 

I don’t want to diet anymore, but I don’t think it’s ‘healthy’ to stay at this weight.

•  It sounds like you are really fed up with dieting and probably have experienced that it just doesn’t work. I understand that moving away from controlling your body size can be really scary. Together we can work through the cultural messaging around ‘health’ and what ‘health’ means to you. It is absolutely possible to work on different aspects of health, such as improving fitness levels and nutrient intake without intentionally losing weight.

 

Do I still need to see a psychologist as well?

• Although I have a Graduate Diploma in Psychology, I am not a psychologist. Therefore it’s highly recommended that you are also seeing a psychologist, however, if you are in recovery from an eating disorder it is a requirement of our sessions. My education assists in understanding the mental health aspects of the eating and body work we do, which allows me to dive a little deeper, however, it is not within my scope to provide psychotherapy.

 

I don’t have an eating disorder but I really want to change how I eat, can you help?

• Absolutely! You don’t need to have a diagnosed eating disorder in order to start receiving guidance and support around your eating. Your experience is valid and worthy of receiving care. In some instances I may suggest you speak to your GP or psychologist if there are any concerns that your eating may be more disordered than originally thought. Many people are unaware they have an eating disorder as their presentation doesn’t match the media stereotype that’s portrayed. An experienced health provider understands that ALL bodies, all ages and abilities, can be diagnosed with an eating disorder. Eating disorders don’t discriminate, and it is more common to NOT fit the stereotype! This stigma and stereotypical portrayal of eating disorders may have made it difficult in the past for you to seek help, but there are health providers who do 'get it'. There is no way to tell that someone has an eating disorder simply by their appearance. ALL eating disorders impact people of all sizes, ages and ethnicities regardless of what is portrayed by the media. If you have experienced stigma from medical practitioners before, if you’ve been made to feel that your eating disorder is not valid, I am truly sorry. The medical field needs to do better.