When it comes to eating disorder treatment, one of the biggest questions people have is simple: What does it actually look like? The reality is that there’s no single answer. Every person’s story with food, body image, and recovery is unique, which means treatment has to be flexible, supportive, and tailored to the individual. Still, there are common building blocks that show up again and again, and understanding them can make the process feel a little less overwhelming.

The number one goal is eating disorder symptom reduction. That means consistent and adequate nourishment as the first and most important goal.

“No two eating disorders are going to look alike. No two people's stories are going to look alike.” - Rachelle Heinemann

“The relationship we have with our people is going to be the catalyst for change.” - Rachelle Heinemann

“Just because the numbers are good doesn’t mean there isn’t still an eating disorder.” - Rachelle Heinemann

“Even if somebody starts to show signs of decreased symptoms, it doesn't necessarily mean that the work is over.” - Rachelle Heinemann

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Ever feel like nothing in your closet feels good, no matter how many outfits you try on? Or maybe you’ve found yourself spiraling about what people will think when they see you at a reunion, a wedding, or even just in the office.

In this episode of Understanding Disordered Eating, I’m joined by my good friend and colleague, Sydney Green, MS, RD, to unpack the truth about body image: what it really means, how it shows up in daily life, and why it’s so intertwined with our relationship to food.

“If you're on outfit seven, nothing's feeling good… can we just go with comfort? Can we just go with, okay?” - Rachelle Heinemann

“Body image is the last to go… which again, I don't even know what that means, although it's true, but it doesn't really mean much without unpacking it.” - Rachelle Heinemann

“The successful woman is looking super chic, and she's really thin, and if I don't look like that, then I'm not successful. I'm not driven. I'm not motivated.” - Sydney Greene

“A huge salad… our stomach is not meant to digest that. We're not rabbits. It just sits there. We get bloated. It doesn't feel good.” - Sydney Greene

“Body image is not a symptom. It's like how we feel about ourselves… there’s so much more richness to how we feel about our body.” - Sydney Greene

“There's an actual word for some of this in research, it's called fat talk… women get together and talk about, pick apart their body, kind of like that Mean Girls scene.” - Sydney Greene

“When somebody is struggling with body image, maybe the point is not to immediately erase it. Maybe we have to see it and acknowledge it and say, you're not alone.” - Rachelle Heinemann

Connect with Sydney here: https://www.sydneygreenehealth.com/

Find her on Instagram!: @greenehealth

Bergen Mental Health Group Inc. is hiring! If you think you’d be a great fit, check it out!

Grab my Journal Prompts Here!

Looking for a speaker for an upcoming event? Let’s chat!

Now accepting new clients! Find out if we're a good fit!

LEAVE A REVIEW + help someone who may need this podcast by sharing this episode.

Be sure to sign up for my weekly newsletter here!

You can connect with me on Instagram @rachelleheinemann, through my website www.rachelleheinemann.com, or email me directly at rachelle@rachelleheinemann.com

What does it really mean to be fully recovered from an eating disorder?

For decades, the conversation has been clouded by vague definitions, conflicting philosophies, and the fear that “recovery” might not even be possible. In this powerful conversation, I sit down with Carolyn Costin, a renowned therapist, author, and pioneer in the eating disorder field, to dig into what recovery actually looks like, why she believes full recovery is possible, and how to strengthen the “healthy self” rather than fight against the eating disorder voice.

Carolyn Costin MA, MEd., MFT, CEDS, FAED, is a world renowned, highly sought-after eating disorder clinician, author, and international speaker. Recovered from anorexia in her twenties, as a young therapist Carolyn recognized her calling after successfully treating her first eating disorder client. Carolyn was first to publicly take the position that people with eating disorders can become fully recovered.

“When you are recovered, you will not compromise your health or betray your soul to look a certain way, wear a certain size, or reach a certain number on the scale.” - Carolyn Costin

“We are not born with an eating disorder. We were born with this core healthy soul self in there.” - Carolyn Costin

“Instead of getting rid of the eating disorder self, I help strengthen people’s healthy self.” - Carolyn Costin

“When someone has had an eating disorder, I want to be cautious for a while, but I know so many people now being in this for so long who are recovered and shit’s happened in their life… and not slipped back.” - Carolyn Costin

“I don’t weigh myself. It’s like a feminist statement.” - Carolyn Costin

“We have to be careful… but my experience is people who are recovered actually navigate it better because we’ve already been through all that and it’s like we have a bit of a shield up for it.” - Carolyn Costin

Visit Carolyn’s website - www.CarolynCostinInstitute.com

Bergen Mental Health Group Inc. is hiring! If you think you’d be a great fit, check it out!

Grab my Journal Prompts Here!

Looking for a speaker for an upcoming event? Let’s chat!

Now accepting new clients! Find out if we're a good fit!

LEAVE A REVIEW + help someone who may need this podcast by sharing this episode.

Be sure to sign up for my weekly newsletter here!

You can connect with me on Instagram @rachelleheinemann, through my website www.rachelleheinemann.com, or email me directly at rachelle@rachelleheinemann.com