I remember a particularly difficult night in my eating disorder sitting in a heap of hopelessness on my bedroom floor, literally playing with food, conflicted to eat. When suddenly it occurred, actually “came” to me that this would all make sense one day. I would use my struggles. My pain would have meaning. I must have been about eighteen years old.

Prior to this, I had struggled with eating and my body image for some years and this would continue for many more years to come. As a Swiss immigrant who moved to New York at the age of nine, I was exposed to many different cultures, languages, and ethnicities. I always had an interest in how people’s environments and belief systems affect their mental, emotional, and physical well-being. Despite the diversity of my New York environment,  I always felt different, like I did not fully belong.  

This was not unique to America. I felt this way even in Switzerland. But a lack of understanding the language and culture certainly exacerbated this sense of alienation. My parents were artists, a temperament that requires depth, complexity, and often, the genetic predisposition for mental illness. I believe I inherited all these traits. I had early bouts of depression and found respite in Anorexia Nervosa by the time I was fourteen years old. Untreated, this soon led to Bulimia Nervosa, exercise compulsion, and everything that comes along with having an ED. I despised myself. It hurts to say this now. But I did.

Fast forward several years, a leave of absence from NYU due to my ED and alcoholism, a return to junior college, graduation from Cal Poly in San Luis Obispo, successful completion of a dietetic internship and passing of the exam that I became a registered dietitian. Fate would lead me to Dr. Francie White, Ph.D, a pioneer in the field of eating disorders and her friends and colleagues Dr. Anita Johnston, author of “Eating in the Light of the Moon” and Carolyn Costin, founder of Monte Nido treatment centers and author of several books including “The 8 keys to recovery”. Francie and her then-husband Terry White offered me an opportunity I could not resist, to help develop an intensive outpatient program for the treatment of all types of EDs in San Luis Obispo. I became the program manager of Central Coast Treatment Center and developed the San Luis Obispo Partial Hospital Program. As the program director for eight years, I supervised many dietitians, therapy interns, and support staff. I wore many hats, cooked meals, did intakes, insurance reviews (the worst!), led groups, and of course, met many, many wonderful clients along the way.

I also began my private practice in 2010. This was primarily focused on providing care for the local MediCal population that did not have access to the treatment facility due to insurance restrictions. Over the span of a decade, this practice expanded into a group practice. I recognized that on my own I could not meet the needs of the overwhelming number of folks who needed help. I also began to notice that more children with a different presentation, one without body image as a component but sensory-type aversion would need more specialized care. For those struggling with ARFID, I knew I was not adequately equipped without having a pediatric occupational therapist to do slow, progressive food exposures on my team. I am thrilled today to have such a specialist as part of my nutrition practice. She, along with several nutritionists and a wonderful administrative assistant has made my dream of my own program come to fruition.

In 2012 I completed a 1-year training with Dr. Lucia Capacchione, art therapist known for her Creative Journal Expressive Arts (CJEA) methods. She is well known for bringing the nondominant hand into the therapeutic world of journaling. The CJEA certification has allowed me to take the love of art and therapy into the field of nutrition, an unusual but powerful partnership for the field of eating disorder treatment. I have found these methods particularly helpful in healing body image distress.

Finally, I have watched with disappointment how many clients receive treatment in higher level of care only to relapse after graduating. Or worse yet, to be discharged prematurely due to insurance coverage ending. These clients often find themselves back in treatment multiple times. Part of the issue is lack of connection and community following treatment. Part of the reason alcoholics stay sober for many years is because of the strength in AA fellowship. I knew we needed something more for our community. A place to discuss ongoing body image discomforts for example with others who would totally get it. That is the purpose of The Yellow House Project. To offer affordable sometimes free groups and gatherings for clients to form relationships and support systems as they continue their sometimes lengthy road to recovery.

In 2015 I received my credential as an eating disorder specialist through the international association of eating disorder professionals (iaedp). I gained the additional supervisory certification allowing me to guide other RDs and professionals officially toward their certification in this area of expertise. I feel incredibly fortunate to have had this opportunity in my lifetime, to overcome a struggle that is admittedly a difficult one, and to be able to walk beside others now, on their own road to recovery.

Today, my work as a Certified Eating Disorder Dietitian Specialist and Consultant and Certified Creative Journal Expressive Arts Counselor is dedicated to helping people overcome eating disorders so they can lead lives free from fear of food and body obsession.

On a personal note, I live on an organic farm in Cambria, CA with my farming husband, son, and animals. Harvesting and watching the hard work that goes into growing food has given me an even deeper gratitude for nutrition. I’m a dietitian who appreciates whole, natural foods—but also enjoys the balance of all foods, including my nightly ice cream. In some ways, I feel like I have come full circle since Switzerland. Now living my simple, rural California life. Now feeling absolutely connected, and “part of”. Becoming a mother has been a true “coming home to myself”. I will say, the 16-year “stop-over” in the middle of this circle, (New York) is one that continues to reside within me and guide many of my insights.

I’m honored to have the opportunity to help you find your own freedom from food and body obsession. Learn more about my services »