Eating disorder support is possible
Meeting with a Dietitian
Overcoming any eating disorder, disordered eating, and/or negative body image is no small feat. Eating disorders serve us in some way, shape, or form, which is why we pick them up in the first place. Often times, they are picked up as a way to cope or to survive. A great analogy would be as if you were drowning in a river (life) and suddenly a log (the eating disorder) comes floating along and it seems that it can keep you from sinking. You grab ahold of the log, and for a while it does keep you a float. However, soon enough it becomes the very thing that hinders you from swimming to shore (a life full of meaning and purpose).
Working with a professional who understands the nature of eating disorders can help you unpack the why’s behind the dysfunction and equip you with knowledge and new tools to move forward in life without using the eating disorder.
Challenging the eating disorder “voice” and “rules” and learning new behaviors is best done with the compassionate care and understanding of a team. This team is usually comprised of a medical doctor, a therapist/psychiatrist, and a registered dietitian. You do not have to have a diagnosed eating disorder to start getting help today. If you believe that food, exercise, or body image are dominating your life, you may benefit from working with a registered dietitian as part of a treatment team.
"One of the biggest lies we can listen to is, it isn't that bad..."
You don’t have to be free of fear to start your recovery journey or to get back on your recovery journey. If you have a desire to have more freedom in your life with food, eating behaviors and habits, body image, and movement, allow that desire to be the catalyst that moves you forward towards change.
The best recovery is YOUR recovery. The healing journey is an inward journey and requires a willingness to explore questions, examine life circumstances, challenge belief systems, and receive healing and truth.
Taking the first step is courageous and yet often hard!.
Healing your relationship with food, body, and self, can bring more freedom, balance, and enjoyment to your life. Imagine what you could have space for.
Does this represent your life?
Where else would you like to focus?
Joyce Oliverira, RD, RDN
Registered dietitian
Companioning you on the journey
Joyce Oliveira has been a Registered Dietitian since 2009. She earned her Bachelor’s degree of Dietetics from the University of Northern Colorado and went on to California to complete her dietetic internship in the UCLA teaching hospitals, serving a diverse population. After working for several years with those who have diabetes, Joyce transitioned into the mental health side of nutrition and soon found herself pursuing work within the eating disorder population. Having recovered from an eating disorder herself, Joyce is passionate about bringing hope and cultivating an environment for healing to those struggling with chronic dieting, disordered eating, eating disorders, and negative body image. She is a recovery advocate and a strong supporter of community being part of the recovery process. She believes in an all foods fit, non-diet approach, and fosters a Health at Every Size® perspective; meaning there is no one “right or better” body shape or size, and embraces body diversity as being uniquely created. Joyce uses nutrition therapy to work with clients to empower them to have a healed relationship with food, body, and self, and formational prayer as an invitation to see and experience God in the journey of recovery.