Nutrition counseling by a Registered Dietitian intricately connects nutrition science with personalized recommendations that meet individual client needs. Individual nutrition counseling offers the space for in-depth nutrition assessment and targeted intervention while establishing and maintaining trust and rapport with clients, ultimately making lasting behavior change more accessible.

My goal is to empower my clients to explore positive and realistic strategies for nourishment while preventing restrictive eating mentalities that may contribute to guilt, shame, or all-or-nothing thinking.

I do not believe in a one-size-fits all approach and I do not assume that I know what is best for my clients. I support my clients on their journey, empowering them as the expert of their own experience and offering my knowledge and expertise as appropriate to guide their decision making.

My guiding practices and values have developed through my education and experience, and is informed by a variety of frameworks and therapeutic modalities.

Weight inclusive care respects body diversity and focuses on supportive, health-promoting behaviors and building a healthy relationship with food. It acknowledges that weight loss attempts can lead to maladaptive eating behaviors and harmful weight cycling. As a weight-inclusive nutrition provider, I emphasize nutrition and lifestyle choices that improve health markers and other factors such as physical symptoms, wound healing, energy levels, mood, digestion, etc.

I support clients interested in weight loss by listening to their experience and encouraging healthy lifestyle behaviors that reduce the harm often caused by traditional dieting and intentional weight loss attempts.

Many people understandably worry about discussing their eating habits with a provider out of fear of judgment and shaming, as a result of personal history of stigma or simply living in a world fraught with diet culture.

When time with your patient/client is limited, a simple statement of “It sounds like you have been struggling with x. Many people in your situation have benefited from working with a dietitian, would it be ok if I sent you information about?” For providers who afforded more time with their clients, consider a guided discussion of the potential benefits of nutrition counseling, especially if a client is bringing a nutrition-related concern to you that is beyond your expertise, comfort level or scope of care.

In an attempt to achieve a desired behavior or change, many of us fall into the trap of “directing” or forcefully encouraging our clients to do things we feel will help them. Listening to and validating any concerns or hesitancy someone may have can improve the likelihood of your client engaging in nutrition counseling.

If your client is hesitant due to concerns that they will be shamed or judged for their eating habits, you can assure them that my approach is positive and supportive. I recognize that healthy eating is a relative term, and means different things to people at different points in their lives. My role is to support my clients in a flexible way that addresses barriers and focuses on personalized goals.

It is also common to believe that only those who have a medical condition or want to lose weight would benefit from nutrition counseling. Nutrition counseling is for anyone that wants to learn more about the constantly-changing world of nutrition, address their own opportunities for growth, and cultivate a healthy relationship with food.

If a client consents, I send progress notes to referring providers via secure fax through my HIPAA compliant platform. I am also happy to consult on cases or answer any questions regarding a client’s care.