Correlation Does Not Equal Causation with Harriet Brown

In this episode, Karin welcomes Harriet Brown, journalist, advocate, mother, and accomplished author of numerous books including Body of Truth and Brave Girl Eating, to the show for our newest episode, “Correlation Does Not Equal Causation.”

Join Karin and Harriet for a discussion on Harriet’s experience while chronicling her daughter’s eating disorder and recovery in Brave Girl Eating, how the education provided in school propagates food issues, the damage of “fat shaming” as a motivation to lose weight, how a starved brain does not discriminate based on body size and/or weight, how our diet obsessed culture’s body centric focus dehumanizes individuals, looking at the diet-industry’s worth to understand its lies, and much more!

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Living in this Queer Body with Asher Pandjiris, MA, LICSW

In this episode, Karin welcomes Asher Pandjiris, MA, LICSW, psychotherapist, queer-identified parent, activist, podcaster, scholar, living with chronic health issues to the show for our newest episode, “Living in this Queer Body.”

Join Karin and Asher as they discuss trauma’s effect on the body, how eating disorder behaviors can communicate trauma, how treatment exclusion heightens gender dysphoria, gender binarism’s role in body adherence, gender expression changes during the recovery process, the risk of chronic illness “quick fixes,” Asher’s podcast “Living in this Queer Body,” and much more.

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[Repost] Wasted and the Phenomenon of the Trainwreck Girl with Marya Hornbacher

As we get closer to end of our first season of Recovery Bites, we decided to share a previous episode that listeners may have missed. It is an honor to announce the re-release our twenty third episode, “Wasted and the Phenomenon of the Trainwreck Girl with Marya Hornbacher."

Join us as Marya candidly reveals the motives and controversy behind the raw, graphic nature of "Wasted: A Memoir of Anorexia and Bulimia." In addition, Marya and I discuss the invasiveness and unintentional/intentional “glamorization” of eating disorders in the media, the line between being “triggered” and being an educated consumer, how recovery is “messy,” the roles of self in the process of healing, how Marya incorporates the Twelve Step model in her recovery and current life, and much more. This is a must-listen!

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Progress Not Perfection with Lara Reaves

 
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Episode 48 - Progress Not Perfection with Lara Reaves

by Karin Lewis, MA, LMFT, CEDS

IN THIS EPISODE:

This week I welcome Lara Reaves to the show. Lara is a certified Holistic Nutrition Practitioner, specializing in eating disorders, and recovered from her own battle with an eating disorder that nearly destroyed many of her dreams for her future. Since recovery, Lara has worked in residential clinical settings, adolescent mental health facilities, and is well-versed in communicating with a treatment team. She is the Chief Operations Officer and Coach for Rebecca's Eating Disorder Foundation, and a Recovery Coach for the Karin Lewis Eating Disorder Center. Her mission became to increase awareness and educate the public about eating disorders and the journey of recovery.


SOME OF THE TOPICS DISCUSSED:

  • The ways in which the journey to recovery can be one of the greatest teachers and source of growth.

  • Using behaviors in an effort to soothe the pain form the voices in your head.

  • How eating disorder behaviors (falsely) “protect” loved ones from the severity of one’s pain.

  • Recovery requires learning how to not negotiate one’s values.

  • The idea that one can make space for courage through disallowing fear from paralyzing the process.

  • How the courage and self-esteem gained from moving through fear outlive and outlast fear itself.

  • Recovery allows one to be “a part” of life as opposed to being “apart” from it.

ABOUT LARA REAVES:

When Lara Reaves arrived at a place of meaningful recovery with an urge to help people like herself. When asked by mentor Rebecca Cooper “what do you want to do deep down inside in your gut,” Lara knew the answer was to help others with eating disorders and Lara’s training began her training shortly thereafter. The clinical expertise and decades of recovery from her mentor offered Lara a unique education that “I would have never experienced during a psychology master's program.” During this time, Lara assisted in building a virtual Disorder Eating program, seminars on Eating Disorder Treatment, workshops, and writing projects. The experience was inspiring, and watching people make peace with food and their bodies felt like witnessing miracles. Lara realized that the Recovery coaching aspect of the work was what she loved and felt the most passionate about, leading to Lara receiving her certification as an Eating Disorder Recovery Coach from The Rebecca's Foundation Institute.

Lara was supervised and trained directly under Rebecca Cooper, world-renowned eating disorder therapist, author, and founder of Rebecca's House residential treatment center. Lara also volunteered as a Recovery Mentor, an experience that planted the seed to pursuing work as a recovery coach. She found it deeply rewarding to be a part of someone else's transformative journey towards a deeper, more peaceful relationship with food, addiction, and themselves. Through looking at the causes, effects, and social pressures, she grew her awareness of how much needed to be done to help people with Eating Disorders and mental health. As a recovered anorexic, bulimic, and alcoholic, Lara realized her new mission was increasing awareness of multiple aspects of the problem, guiding people in steps on the journey to recovery, and educating the public about the seriousness of eating disorders.

Since recovery, Lara has worked in residential clinical settings, adolescent mental health facilities, and is well-versed in communicating with a treatment team. She is the Chief Operations Officer of The Rebecca's Eating Disorder Foundation, where they fund men and women who want to get treatment. Lara is a Certified Eating Disorder Recovery Coach from The Rebecca’s Foundation Institute, Chief Operations Officer and Coach for Rebecca’s Eating Disorder Foundation, Body Image Training for Clinicians: The Missing Piece of Whole-Body Healing with Marci Evans, CEDRD-S & Fiona Sutherland, and Certified Holistic Nutrition Practitioner from Southwest Institute of Healing Arts, Tempe AZ.

Lara continues to value and love doing the things that helped her to reach full recovery by continuing to deepen her sense of spirituality and connection with the world including attending 12 step support groups, prayer and meditation, journaling, walking in nature, and reading a mix of spiritual and self-help books. Lara resides in Southern California, where she lives with her beloved husband Amir and their two dogs Ariel and Ernest. In her free time, Lara enjoys doing what she genuinely loves. Lately, this has been a lot of writing, playing with her dogs, service work (collecting and donating food and clothes for charities), gardening, and watching “I Love Lucy.”

CONNECT WITH LARA REAVES:

ABOUT KARIN LEWIS:

Karin Lewis, MA, LMFT, CEDS has been recovered from Anorexia Nervosa for over 20 years and has been specializing in the prevention and treatment of eating disorders since 2005. Karin is the founder of the Karin Lewis Eating Disorder Center located in Boston, MA. You can visit Karin Lewis Eating Disorder Center online to learn more about Karin and her center’s services. You can also connect with Karin on social media by following her on Facebook and Instagram.

 

Out of the Pantry with Ronni Robinson

 
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Episode 36 - Out of the Pantry with Ronni Robinson

by Karin Lewis, MA, LMFT, CEDS

IN THIS EPISODE:

In this episode, I am joined by Ronni Robinson, a recovered author with a passion for helping others who are struggling with an eating disorder. Ronni’s first book, Out of the Pantry: A Disordered Eating Journey, offers a brutally honest glimpse into the trials, pervasive thoughts, and heartbreak of a compulsive overeater, and the courage and strength Ronni gained to live a life of food freedom. Ronni is also an active public speaker on the topics of eating disorders and emotionally abusive relationships.


SOME OF THE TOPICS DISCUSSED:

  • No matter how long one has struggled with an eating disorder, it is never too late to recover.

  • Turning to food as a coping mechanism in the absence of unconditional love.

  • Healing your “inner child” as a step towards healing.

  • Self-preservation at any age.

  • Missing opportunities for connection when one’s mind is consumed with food.

  • The freedom gained from listening to your body.

  • The ways in which a parent with an eating disorder can speak to their children.

  • Taking “what works” from different belief systems to create your own.

  • The process of writing Out of the Pantry: A Disordered Eating Journey.

ABOUT RONNI ROBINSON:

Ronni Robinson is a writer and indoor cycling instructor in the suburbs of Eastern Pennsylvania, where she lives with her husband in their newly minted empty nest, as both kids are off to college.

With a passion for helping others who are struggling with eating disorders, Ronni’s first book, Out of the Pantry: A Disordered Eating Journey, offers a brutally honest glimpse into the trials, pervasive thoughts, and heartbreak of a compulsive overeater, and the courage and strength Ronni gained to live a life of food freedom.

You can find Ronni on the Facebook page “Overcoming Food Nonsense,” where she serves as an administrator. She also does public speaking about eating disorders and emotionally abusive relationships.

Ronni has been freelance writing since freshman year in college (a long time ago) and has appeared in aSweatLife, Ravishly, The Temper, 50 Shades of Aging, Healthy Women, The Philadelphia Inquirer, the Courier-Post, The New Brunswick Home News, and Parents Express magazine. Ronni’s first book, Out of the Pantry: A Disordered Eating Journey, can be found on Amazon and Barnes and Noble.


CONNECT WITH RONNI ROBINSON:

ABOUT KARIN LEWIS:

Karin Lewis, MA, LMFT, CEDS has been recovered from Anorexia Nervosa for over 20 years and has been specializing in the prevention and treatment of eating disorders since 2005. Karin is the founder of the Karin Lewis Eating Disorder Center located in Boston, MA. You can visit Karin Lewis Eating Disorder Center online to learn more about Karin and her center’s services. You can also connect with Karin on social media by following @karinlewisedc on Facebook and Instagram.

 

Happiness is an Inside Job with Hope Hayes, MEd, RDN, LD

 
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Episode 34 - Happiness is an Inside Job with Hope Hayes, MED, RDN, LD

by Karin Lewis, MA, LMFT, CEDS

IN THIS EPISODE:

In this episode, I am joined by Hope Hayes, MEd, RDN, LD, a proud non-diet dietitian and believer in the Health at Every Size philosophy and founder of Nourishing NH, LLC. Hope believes that lived experience is incredibly valuable in this process and that each of us are our own experts about our bodies. As a nutrition therapist, Hope helps clients fight against diet culture and heal from dieting, disordered eating, and finding peace within their bodies. Hope maintains the idea that health is defined differently to each person and the work that she does with her clients respects that diversity.


SOME OF THE TOPICS DISCUSSED:

  • The body/brain disconnect that happens when someone is struggling with an eating disorder.

  • The humanness of the recovery journey.

  • Ways in which hunger shows up in the body.

  • Finding flexibility and compassion for self throughout the recovery process.

  • The use of eating disorder behaviors as a means of communication.

  • How one’s inner critic uses comparison negatively.

  • How social media can make someone “feel” a range of emotions.

  • The idea that intuitive eating is innate and exists within all of us.

ABOUT HOPE HAYES:

Hope Hayes, MEd, RDN, LD, is a proud non-diet dietitian and believer in the Health at Every Size philosophy and founder of Nourishing NH, LLC. She is dedicated to guiding her clients to understanding the truths of diet culture and helping them reconnect their body and mind.

While using a non-diet and Health at Every Size approach, Hope battles to end weight stigma, educate about disordered eating, and help people end their weight obsession. She is currently training in trauma-informed care to continue supporting clients who struggle with trauma and eating disorders.

Hope completed her Master’s degree in Health Education and Promotion at Plymouth State University, where she focused her studies in the field of eating disorders by attending the Eating Disorder Institute. Her dietetic coursework and dietetic internship were completed at Simmons College, in Boston, MA.

Nourishing NH is a private practice located in New Hampshire run by two nutrition therapists fighting against diet culture and helping people to heal from dieting, disordered eating, and finding peace within their bodies in a weight inclusive, gender-affirming space. The team at Nourishing NH believes that Health at Every Size and Intuitive Eating are fundamental to healing and creating an authentic relationship with the body. “We hold space for clients as they explore their relationship with food and body image. We believe our work with our clients is therapeutic, supportive, and full of compassion.”

CONNECT WITH HOPE HAYES:

  • Visit Nourishing NH online to learn more about their services offered

  • Information about the lens of “Health At Every Size” can be found here

  • Information regarding how Intuitive Eating is used in therapy sessions and more about IE can be found here

  • Contact Hope regarding eating disorder and nutrition services

  • Book Hope for your next speaking engagement

  • Follow Hope on Facebook and Instagram

ABOUT KARIN LEWIS:

Karin Lewis, MA, LMFT, CEDS has been recovered from Anorexia Nervosa for over 20 years and has been specializing in the prevention and treatment of eating disorders since 2005. Karin is the founder of the Karin Lewis Eating Disorder Center located in Boston, MA. You can visit Karin Lewis Eating Disorder Center online to learn more about Karin and her center’s services. You can also connect with Karin on social media by following @karinlewisedc on Facebook and Instagram.

 

Mountain Top Moments with Nicole Siegfried, PhD, CEDS

 
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Episode 29 - Mountain Top Moments with Nicole Siegfried, PhD, CEDS

by Karin Lewis, MA, LMFT, CEDS

IN THIS EPISODE:

In this episode, I am joined by Dr. Nicole Siegfried, a Certified Eating Disorder Specialist (CEDS) and licensed clinical psychologist, treating eating disorders for over 20 years. As a recovered clinician, Nicole is a recognized leader in the field of eating disorders and serves as the Chief Clinical Officer for Alsana Eating Recovery Communities. Nicole is an international speaker and has published research, magazine articles, and book chapters in the field of eating disorders and suicide. She is the founder and past president of the Alabama Regional Chapter of iaedp and currently a board member of the International iaedp Board. She is also a member of the Academy of Eating Disorders (AED) and former Co-Chair of the Eating Disorders and Suicide Prevention AED Special Interest Group.

SOME OF THE TOPICS DISCUSSED:

  • Deciding if the person you are in your eating disorder is the person you want to be.

  • The clinician and client healing journey.

  • The need for a “safe space” for clients to talk about suicidal thoughts.

  • Moving away from your eating disorder and into your values.

  • The importance of having self-compassion when dealing with critical thoughts.

  • Meeting clients at their "psych-ache.”

  • Growing through what you are going through.

  • The most difficult moments often result in the most beautiful moments.

  • Holding hope and trust in the recovery process.

  • The value of “Mountain Top Moments” on the path to recovery.

ABOUT NICOLE SIEGFRIED:

Dr. Nicole Siegfried, is a Certified Eating Disorder Specialist (CEDS) and a licensed clinical psychologist, treating eating disorders for over 20 years. She is a recognized leader in the field of eating disorders and serves as the Chief Clinical Officer for Alsana Eating Recovery Communities. In addition, Nicole is an Adjunct Associate Professor at University of Alabama at Birmingham and has also served as Associate Professor of Psychology at Samford University.

Nicole is an international speaker and has published research, magazine articles, and book chapters in the field of eating disorders and suicide. Nicole is the founder and past president of the Alabama Regional Chapter of IAEDP and a current member of the International Association for Eating Disorder (iaedp) Board of Directors. She is a member of the Academy of Eating Disorders (AED) and former Co-Chair of the Eating Disorders and Suicide Prevention AED Special Interest Group.

CONNECT WITH NICOLE SIEGFRIED:

ABOUT KARIN LEWIS:

Karin Lewis, MA, LMFT, CEDS has been recovered from Anorexia Nervosa for over 20 years and has been specializing in the prevention and treatment of eating disorders since 2005. Karin is the founder of the Karin Lewis Eating Disorder Center located in Boston, MA. You can visit Karin Lewis Eating Disorder Center online to learn more about Karin and her center’s services. You can also connect with Karin on social media by following @karinlewisedc on Facebook and Instagram.

 

The Slower You Go, The Faster You Get There with Sarah Chipps, PsyD, CEDS-S

 
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Episode 27 - The Slower You Go, The Faster You Get There with Sarah Chipps, PsyD, CEDS-S

by Karin Lewis, MA, LMFT, CEDS

IN THIS EPISODE:

In this week’s episode, I am joined by Dr. Sarah Chipps, PsyD, CEDS-S. Sarah is the Chief Clinical Officer of Sanctuary, the Founder and Clinical Director of Well Williamsburg Psychotherapy, and a noted speaker on Intuitive Eating. Specializing in the treatment of eating disorders, substance abuse, and trauma, Sarah is also a regular presenter at conferences on topics such as diversity issues in the treatment of eating disorders, the client/therapist relationship, and the treatment of co-occurring eating disorder and substance abuse diagnoses. Sarah’s personal recovery from an eating disorder and substance dependence give her an inside perspective that helps both support and challenge clients.


SOME OF THE TOPICS DISCUSSED:

  • The consequences of early childhood trauma and caregiver inattentiveness/absence.

  • How often trauma and eating disorders coexist, which is why dual diagnosis treatment is necessary.

  • The difference between the big “T" and the little “t" in trauma.

  • The effects of feeling “outside of the connection.”

  • How there is no “perfect” way to recover.

  • The intersection of eating disorders and substance abuse.

  • Rejection and relationship fears.

  • The importance of finding a community for multidimensional support.   

  • Recovery is not linear, you will make mistakes, and that’s ok!   

ABOUT SARAH CHIPPS:

Sarah Chipps, PsyD is the Chief Clinical Officer of Sanctuary, the Founder and Clinical Director of Well Williamsburg Psychotherapy. She is a New York State licensed psychologist (license #020206). Sarah specializes in the treatment of eating disorders, substance abuse, and trauma.

Sarah received her master's and doctorate degrees in clinical psychology from the California School of Professional Psychology in San Francisco. Since 2008, she has had the privilege to work with people with diverse identities and histories, in a variety of settings. Prior to opening a full-time group practice, she was clinical director at Monte Nido's residential program for women with eating disorders in Irvington, NY.

Sarah is a regular presenter at conferences on topics such as ethnic diversity, the client/therapist relationship, and the treatment of eating disorders, trauma, and substance abuse. Her own recovery from an eating disorder and substance dependence give her an inside perspective that helps her both support and challenge clients.

CONNECT WITH SARAH CHIPPS:

ABOUT KARIN LEWIS:

Karin Lewis, MA, LMFT, CEDS has been recovered from Anorexia Nervosa for over 20 years and has been specializing in the prevention and treatment of eating disorders since 2005. Karin is the founder of the Karin Lewis Eating Disorder Center located in Boston, MA. You can visit Karin Lewis Eating Disorder Center online to learn more about Karin and her center’s services. You can also connect with Karin on social media by following Karin on Facebook and Instagram.

 

Igniting Something Spectacular with Greta Gleissner, LCSW

 
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Episode 25 - iGniting something spectacular with greta gleisSNer, lcsw

by Karin Lewis, MA, LMFT, CEDS

IN THIS EPISODE:

In this episode, I am joined by Greta Gleissner, LCSW. Greta is a NYC-based psychotherapist specializing in eating disorders. In recovery since 2001, Greta has firsthand knowledge of the challenges individuals face in the eating disorder recovery process, particularly during transitions. Her personal recovery and expertise in the field was the primary impetus for the co-creation of Eating Disorder Recovery Specialists and the Sanctuary Healing trauma intensive outpatient program. Greta is also the author of Something Spectacular: The True Story of a Rockette’s Battle with Bulimia, a raw, personal chronicle of the devastating effects bulimia had on her personal and professional life during her time as a Radio City Rockette.

SOME OF THE TOPICS DISCUSSED:

  • Fighting against the label of “chronic.”

  • Igniting even the tiniest flames of “hope” and setting fire to recovery.

  • How dance can support recovery.

  • How eating disorders numb out the feelings that accompany abuse and neglect/CPTSD.

  • Healing from an eating disorder in an entrenched family system.

  • The importance of finding and/or creating a sense of community and safety.

  • Managing the limitations of and creating our own “family.”

  • The multidimensional aspect of recovery may require the addition of treatment team members.


ABOUT GRETA GLEISSNER:

Greta Gleissner, LCSW (NY 083574), is a therapist who specializes in eating disorders and trauma, In 2013, Greta founded Eating Disorder Recovery Specialists (EDRS)–pioneering an in-home, on-campus, and virtual post-acute therapeutic care and recovery support model for adolescents and adults with eating disorders. EDRS utilizes over 150 recovery specialists, utilizing in-person and virtual recovery support nationwide.

Greta's most recent and exciting new project is Sanctuary, the first intensive outpatient program (IOP) in NYC that treats PTSD and related disorders, which she co-founded with Dr. Sarah Chipps. Sanctuary has a unique approach, utilizing top-down and bottom-up therapeutic modalities together to soothe the mind, body and nervous system simultaneously and expedite the path to healing.

Greta’s interest in eating disorders and trauma grew out of her recovery from eating disorders and complex PTSD, which provides her with both a personal and professional lens through which to support clients. Having been a professional dancer, she knew from the age of 16 if she could ever heal from her eating disorder it would be her life’s mission to help others. Shortly after graduate school at New York University, Greta published her first book, Something Spectacular: The True Story of a Rockette’s Battle with Bulimia, a raw, personal chronicle of the devastating effects bulimia had on her personal and professional life during her time as a Radio City Rockette.

In addition to founding Eating Disorder Recovery Specialists and Sanctuary trauma intensive outpatient program, Greta maintains a small private practice on the Upper West Side and is trained in EMDR, CBT, DBT, and Motivational Interviewing.

CONNECT WITH GRETA GLEISSNER:

ABOUT KARIN LEWIS:

Karin Lewis, MA, LMFT, CEDS has been recovered from Anorexia Nervosa for over 20 years and has been specializing in the prevention and treatment of eating disorders since 2005. Karin is the founder of the Karin Lewis Eating Disorder Center located in Boston, MA. You can visit Karin Lewis Eating Disorder Center online to learn more about Karin and her center’s services. You can also connect with Karin on social media by following her on Facebook and Instagram.

 

Invisibility of Men in the Eating Disorder Community with Mark Warren, MD

 
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Episode 9 - Invisibility of Men in the Eating Disorder Community with Mark Warren, MD

by Karin Lewis, MA, LMFT, CEDS

IN THIS EPISODE:

In this episode, I am joined by Mark Warren, MD, recovered clinician and Chief Medical Officer of The Emily Program, a multi-state Eating Disorder Treatment System focused on bringing the most advanced, evidenced based care to clients who are treated in a community of recovery. Mark Warren graduated from the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine and completed his residency at Harvard Medical School. His practice focuses on bringing the most up-to-date research into evidence-based care. Mark has published and spoken extensively on Males and Eating Disorders, Professionals and Recovery and DBT and FBT in the treatment of eating disorders. In this episode, Mark shares that he hadn’t met another recovered, male professional until he was 60 years old and that maintaining a sense of community has help keep him recovered.

SOME OF THE TOPICS DISCUSSED:

  • The underrepresentation of men and eating disorders.

  • The invisibility of men and their behaviors.

  • You are not your diagnosis, you are human being struggling with a disorder.

  • Eating disorders are a disorder of disconnection.

  • Getting off of the "treadmill" of life.

  • Men are just as exposed subjected to the diet culture and body ideals.

  • Eating disorders and drugs as traumatic experiences.

  • Things that are shameful, are painful.

ABOUT MARK WARREN:

Mark graduated from the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine and completed his residency at Harvard Medical School. His practice focuses on bringing the most up-to-date research into evidence-based care.

Mark serves on the faculty of Case Western Reserve School of Medicine and teaches at University Hospitals of Cleveland and The Cleveland Clinic Foundation. He is a Distinguished Fellow of the American Psychiatric Association and a Fellow of the Academy of Eating Disorders, where he leads the SIG in Males and Eating Disorders. Mark is a two-time recipient of the Exemplary Psychiatrist Award of the National Alliance for the Mentally Ill and a winner of the Woodruff Award.

Mark co-chairs the Academy of Eating Disorders Presidential Task Force for Medical Care and serves on the FEAST Medical Advisory Board and the London-based Succeed Foundation Medical Advisory Board. He has presented extensively at the International Conference on Eating Disorders, The Renfrew Foundation, and the Multidisciplinary Eating Disorder Association.

Mark currently holds the position of Chief Medical Officer for The Emily Program, a comprehensive treatment center that provides personalized eating disorder treatment for teens, young adults, and adults. We offer comprehensive psychological, nutritional, medical, and psychiatric care at multiple locations across the Minneapolis-St. Paul area, Duluth, MN, Spokane, WA, South Sound (Lacey), WA and Seattle, WA, Pittsburgh, PA, and Cleveland, OH.

Treatment options range from periodic outpatient appointments to residential care at our 24/7 residential facilities in Cleveland, OH, and St. Paul, MN. The Emily Program offers help with a variety of treatment for eating disorders, exercise, and body image issues, including anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, compulsive overeating, binge eating disorder, and eating disorder, and related mental health issues. You can visit The Emily Program for more information.

CONNECT WITH MARK WARREN:

ABOUT KARIN LEWIS:

Karin Lewis, MA, LMFT, CEDS has been recovered from Anorexia Nervosa for over 20 years and has been specializing in the prevention and treatment of eating disorders since 2005. Karin is the founder of the Karin Lewis Eating Disorder Center located in Boston, MA. You can visit Karin Lewis Eating Disorder Center online to learn more about Karin and her center’s services. You can also connect with Karin on social media by following her on Facebook and Instagram.

 

When Life Happens with Beth Mayer, LICSW

 
Episode 6 with Beth Mayer

Episode 8 - When Life Happens with Beth Mayer, LICSW

by Karin Lewis, MA, LMFT, CEDS

IN THIS EPISODE:

In this episode, I am joined by Beth Mayer, LICSW. Beth is a recovered Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker specializing in the treatment of eating disorders, negative body image, and trauma with over 35 years of experience. She is a nationally recognized speaker in the field of eating disorders. Beth works with people struggling with all types of eating disorders and specializes in adolescents and families.

SOME OF THE TOPICS DISCUSSED:

• Access to care.
• Working with an advocate.
• Single Case Agreements (insurance SCA).
• Everyone deserves help.
• Learning how to be gentle with relapse and recovery.
• Different responses to disclosing to loved ones.
• How “life” happens as you let go of ED thoughts & behaviors. 

ABOUT BETH MAYER:

Beth is a Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker specializing in the treatment of eating disorders, negative body image, and trauma with over 35 years of experience. She is a nationally recognized speaker in the field of eating disorders. Beth works with people struggling with all types of eating disorders and specializes in adolescents and families.

Beth’s areas of expertise include eating disorders, body image, trauma, and adolescent and family therapy. Her therapeutic work focuses on the whole person including their cultural, emotional, physical, familial, spiritual, and financial background.

Beth believes that a tremendous amount of change is possible through therapy, and she strongly believes that people can heal and have a better life. Her beliefs are grounded in her own experiences and her faith in the process of healing. Beth truly believes in an individual’s capacity for change, and holds this hope for all her clients.

Beth’s approach is present and non-judgmental as she helps clients navigate their way through their life experiences. She takes a strengths-based approach as she recognizes the strengths in her clients and their families and steers away from pathologizing people and their situation. Beth does this work because she truly loves it, and holds a lot of energy and patience with her clients.

Beth is a Level-One trained in Internal Family Systems (IFS) and is also trained in Family Based Therapy (FBT). She utilizes DBT, CBT, IFS, and ACT in all her work. She classifies herself as an eclectic therapist who uses different treatment approaches based on the needs of the individual, couple, and/or family.

Although a very serious clinician, Beth firmly believes in laughter as a critical element of the healing process and laughs with her clients while helping them to find the humor in their lives.

Beth received her MSW from Boston College School of Social Work and her undergraduate degree from Quinnipiac College. Beth is trained in DBT, IFS, and CBT. She served the Executive Director of the Multi-Service Eating Disorder Association (MEDA). Her other professional experience includes employment at Riverside Community Care, a non-profit health and human service organization. Beth managed three of their adolescent treatment programs. Beth also served as Executive Director of Travelers Aid Society of Boston, an organization that works with homeless people needing emergency assistance. She has also maintained an active private clinical practice since 1987. Beth currently co-chairs the NEDA network and recently received an award form NEDA for her volunteer work.

“My eating disorder did not really protect me from my emotions. It kept me distanced from people who could love and support me. NOTHING in my life has been harder than my recovery and I am grateful every day to have my life, my family, and to be able to truly be present in the world.” - Beth Mayer

CONNECT WITH BETH MAYER:

ABOUT KARIN LEWIS:

Karin Lewis, MA, LMFT, CEDS has been recovered from Anorexia Nervosa for over 20 years and has been specializing in the prevention and treatment of eating disorders since 2005. Karin is the founder of the Karin Lewis Eating Disorder Center located in Boston, MA. You can visit Karin Lewis Eating Disorder Center online to learn more about Karin and her center’s services. You can also connect with Karin on social media by following her on Facebook and Instagram.

 

Messages of Hope with Shari Botwin, LCSW

 
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Episode 7 - Messages of Hope with Shari Botwin, LCSW

by Karin Lewis, MA, LMFT, CEDS

IN THIS EPISODE:

In this episode, I am joined by author, speaker, and clinician, Shari Botwin, LCSW. Shari is a licensed clinical social worker, psychotherapist, author, and on-air expert. Shari has been counseling survivors of trauma, abuse, sexual assault, and eating disorders in private practice for over 20 years. At the age of 27, Shari decided to open her own practice after working a few years in a nationally known eating disorder center. Shari published her first book, Free At Last: The Power of Relationships in Overcoming Trauma, Abuse and Eating Disorders, and Thriving After Trauma: Stories of Living and Healing in 2019.

SOME OF THE TOPICS DISCUSSED:

• As a trauma survivor, you are not alone.
• Messages of hope.
• Reclaiming parts of yourself and your life.
• Exploring the eating disorder voice as information.
• Living in your values as opposed to living in your eating disorder.
• In order to say goodbye to your eating disorder you need to except you have one.


ABOUT SHARI BOTWIN:

Shari Botwin, LCSW  opened her Cherry Hill private practice in 1996. Prior to starting her own practice, Shari worked at the Renfrew  Center in Philadelphia. She provides individual, group, and family therapy with a  specialization in treating trauma, abuse, eating disorders, anxiety, and depression.  Shari holds a Masters Degree in Social Work from Rutgers University. 

In October of 2018, Shari was featured on the nationally known podcast, One Tough Muther with Gloria Allred. She is a freelance writer​ for Medium and The Authority Magazine. Moments after the Cosby Retrial verdict came in Shari gave commentary on NBC, ABC, CBS, CTV Canada, MSNBC, and CP24 Canada. On March 9, 2018, Shari presented a Keynote Presentation to a sold-out house for Monte Nido on the connection between eating disorders and abuse. In 2017 Shari conducted a Keynote workshop for The International Association of Eating Disorder Professionals​ on the role of an eating disorder in staying stuck in trauma.  
     
​A variety of national media outlets; such as The New York Times, NBC News, Prevention Magazine, The Daily Beast, Huffington Post, The Associated Press, ABC News has quoted Shari breaking stories related to trauma and abuse.

Shari's first book, Free At Last! The Power of Relationships in Overcoming Trauma, Abuse and Eating Disorders (Daybreak Publishing, January 2004) focused on the power of healing and supportive relationships in the recovery process. The book is comprised of patient stories who overcame significant obstacles to recover from their trauma, move beyond using self-destructive coping mechanisms to living a full life.   

Shari’s second book, Thriving After Trauma: Stories of Living and Healing, released worldwide on November 4, 2019. In the coming months, Shari will be speaking with Judge Rosemarie Aquilina and award-winning journalist, Abigail Pesta at The Wing in NYC. She will also be featured on the internationally known podcast, The Trauma Therapist and she will be featured on CNN for a segment on dogs in the workplace and PTSD.


CONNECT WITH SHARI BOTWIN:

ABOUT KARIN LEWIS:

Karin Lewis, MA, LMFT, CEDS has been recovered from Anorexia Nervosa for over 20 years and has been specializing in the prevention and treatment of eating disorders since 2005. Karin is the founder of the Karin Lewis Eating Disorder Center located in Boston, MA. To learn more about Karin and her center’s services, please visit Karin Lewis Eating Disorder Center. You can connect with Karin on social media by following her on Facebook and Instagram.

 

Headspace and Heartspace with Taryn Cagnina, MA, LMHC

 
Taryn Cagnina

Episode 2 - Headspace and Heartspace with Taryn Cagnina, MA, LMHC

by Karin Lewis, MA, LMFT, CEDS

IN THIS EPISODE:

In this episode, I am joined by Taryn Cagnina, MA, LMHC. I have known Taryn for years, both professionally and personally. Not only do we know each other from working together in a residential treatment center for eating disorders, we know the ways we each work with clients clinically speaking, and are dear friends who share a passion for sharing our personal recovery stories in the service of others.

SOME OF THE TOPICS DISCUSSED:

  • Integrating total sense of self to become whole again.

  • Being in headspace versus heart space.

  • Realizing that living in your values don't match up with your eating disorder.

  • Examples of healthy coping skills.

  • Body types do not determine whether or not someone has an eating disorder.

  • Eating disorders and working in the theatre arts.

  • Most influential role in her recovery.

ABOUT TARYN CAGNINA:

Taryn Cagnina, MA, LMHC is an eating disorder and trauma therapist based out of Boston, MA working in the field of mental health for 10 years. After recovering from her own eating disorder, Taryn wanted to help others manage their pain and suffering, and show them there is something better waiting for them on the other side.

Taryn believes that, while recovery from an eating disorder and/or managing depression, anxiety, and PTSD is hard work, it can also be a beautiful journey that leads you to something greater than you ever thought possible. Taryn has a professional history working in higher levels of care focusing on substance abuse and eating disorders and is also trained to treat PTSD with EMDR. She balances a realistic, no fluff approach with warmth and empathy. Taryn believes that healing can be inspired by the little things (which eventually become the big things).

“With the right emotional support, we can honor and make friends with our suffering, accept it, and find joy in choosing how we move through it. No one does it alone.”

CONNECT WITH TARYN CAGNINA:

ABOUT KARIN LEWIS:

Karin Lewis, MA, LMFT, CEDS has been recovered from Anorexia Nervosa for over 20 years and has been specializing in the prevention and treatment of eating disorders since 2005. Karin is the founder of the Karin Lewis Eating Disorder Center located in Boston, MA. To learn more about Karin and her center’s services, you can visit Karin Lewis Eating Disorder Center. You can connect with Karin on social media by following her on Facebook and Instagram.