You’ve taken the first step, and it feels big. You might be feeling the tension of being pulled in different directions: part of you desperately wants help, yet another part is terrified of taking this plunge.

You’re far from alone in feeling this way.

Many people have had similar experiences. On the one hand, food rules give you a sense of safety, even control. They may offer you a sense of belonging or esteem, given diet culture’s prevailing dominance. On the other hand, however, you may also notice the constraints these food rules have on your life and the constant stress they seem to trigger. Maybe they make the process of grocery shopping unbearable. Or perhaps they create mounting anxiety before a social gathering. Can you relate?

You may also be struggling with the constant bombardment of negative body image thoughts, which make you feel deeply uncomfortable in your body. Getting dressed, exercising, catching up with friends: these everyday acts may seem impossible as you wrestle constantly with shame and guilt.

When you’re mired in such thoughts, it can be hard to imagine another way of relating to food and your body. And yet I want to sow the seeds of hope today. Recovery is possible, as is freedom from the shame induced by diet culture. With your permission, I’d like to shine a light upon a possible path forward – one that starts with you bravely telling your story.

If you want help in healing your relationship with food and your body, I’m here to listen and support you in your recovery from an eating disorder.