What is it like working with a weight inclusive intuitive eating counsellor?
Why work with me?
It’s exhausting worrying about the food you eat and your weight all the time, isn’t it?
We are given so many conflicting messages when it comes to what we should and shouldn’t eat, how we should and shouldn’t move, and how we should and shouldn’t feel, that the simple message of tuning in to your body again and learning to trust it again gets lost and drowned out by all this external noise.
I hear you when you desire weight loss, I hear you when you are worried about your health. But instead of giving you yet another meal plan or set of rules to follow, I support you in reawakening the inner wisdom you have about what you and your body need and through a weight inclusive approach that supports your health and well-being.
In session we can explore your concerns and work together to find strategies and coping tools that work for you! I will meet you where you are at and honour your individual needs and goals.
You need a safe space to discuss your concerns and worries, and I can provide that for you, whether in person (based in Sevenoaks, Kent) or online. Whilst I can relate to many everyday issues we all face, when it comes to health, nutrition and weight, I also acknowledge that I am not the expert of your personal lived experience. If I haven't lived it myself, I won't pretend I know what it's like. But I will be able to meet you with compassion and apply my knowledge and expertise to support you in your unique circumstances.
There are many intersections when it comes to our physical and mental health, and social determinants of health (including your upbringing, your economic situation, your job, your environment, race, neurodiversity), stress, and genetic factors are key players when it comes to our health outcomes. Food and movement can support your wellbeing, but are not the ‘holy grail’ they are made out to be. That is why I approach health from weight inclusive and holistic point of view, incorporating my knowledge on social issues, neurodiversity, trauma and mindfulness practices into my sessions. You can read more about my approach below
Intuitive eating is a gentle way of getting back in tune with yourself and your body
My approach…
I use a weight inclusive non-diet approach in all my consultations to promote intuitive eating.
This means I will work with you on rejecting diet culture messages, making peace with food and getting to know what your body needs and what makes you feel great. You won’t get any diet rules and food plans from me, instead, I invite you to ‘park’ any weight loss goals you may have while you explore intuitive eating with me.
Based on the framework of Intuitive Eating I guide my clients away from the pitfalls of diet culture and help them develop a new understanding of their bodies and their individual needs. To do this work, I have trained with Evelyn Tribole and Elyse Resch (Certified Intuitive Eating Counsellor training), Laura Thomas from the London Centre for Intuitive Eating, Christy Harrison (who wrote a must-read book called Anti-Diet), Marci Evans and Fiona Sullivan (Food and Body Image Healers certification), NEDDE (Neurodiversity, eating disorders and disordered eating) and several CPD courses on polyvagal therory, trauma, Emotional Freedom Technique, and parts therapy, which all inform my practice and counselling support techniques.
I believe that to be engaged you must feel included and valued for who you are, your perspectives and thoughts need to be respected and your lived experience must be honoured. My commitment to inclusion across neurotype, race, gender, age, religion, identity and experience informs my work and allows you to be YOU.
There is lots more information about intuitive eating in my FAQ section. And for anything I haven't answered on this site you can always get in touch with me or check out my social media accounts for regular posts on my views about nutrition, feeding and looking after yourself.
What makes me qualified?
I have a BSc (Hons) in Psychology, an MSc in Public Health Nutrition, am registered with the Association for Nutrition (ANutr) and a Certified Intuitive Eating Counsellor (trained by the original Intuitive Eating Pros, Evelyn Tribole and Elyse Resch). I am a great believer in continuing professional development and have completed courses to further my understanding in body image healing, neurodiversity and disordered eating, polyvagal theory, trauma, working with parts, and mindfulness. In addition, since I started my private practice I have organised and attended regular peer supervision sessions.
Having worked within a weight-centric framework for several years prior to becoming a Certified Intuitive Eating Counsellor, I know how harmful weight-loss messages can be and have witnessed that intentional weight-loss programmes just don't work long term for the vast majority of people and can, in fact, cause a lot of damage. A weight inclusive approach acknowledges the science-backed notion that weight does not equal health and that supporting your wellbeing does not have to include weight-loss.
My babyled weaning courses and family sessions are also informed by the intuitive eating framework; babyled weaning is the first stepping-stone in teaching babies (and their parents!) that they can trust their internal signals and that eating should be fun, sociable and satisfying.
In my personal life, I like to read, eat delicious food, paddleboard, do yoga, walk my dog and be outside in nature (I love a cold dip in a lake or my little ice barrel). I am also partial to a relaxing evening with a good TV series!
I have two children and live with my family in Sevenoaks, Kent.
I offer online consultations, workshops and group courses.
I can also see you for face-to-face intuitive eating counselling sessions at 7Oaks Counselling Rooms in Sevenoaks, Kent, or am happy to travel locally for talks and workshops.
I am in regular collaboration with some fabulous organisations and individual practitioners and have done work with and for:
If you are feeling the call to work together, please view my services by clicking the button below.
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