My struggle with food began at a young age, trying to balance joy with nourishment in a way that didn’t involve harsh restrictions. I never felt good about my body. As early as I can remember, I placed my worth in my body size and cared too much what other people thought of me. Controlling my intake of food was my way of trying to control my discomfort.

My dieting soon turned into a full-blown eating disorder that nearly killed me, and I ended up in the hospital. I was 11 years old. The treatment I received saved my life, but it did not make me whole again. My weight and vitals may have been restored, but I still felt broken. I wondered if I would ever feel good about myself again. Deep down, I knew I had to get to the root of my problem with food and my relationship with my body.

This began a journey of self discovery that led through my young adulthood and into my post-graduate training to become a therapist. In fact, I had completed my Masters degree, graduated, was attending weekly therapy sessions, reading every dang self-help book I could get my hands on, and still struggling with my body and food!

And then I had an epiphany. A sense of clarity that I was so desperately missing emerged from deep within. Rather than seeing myself in terms of my past, feeling broken and unworthy, I began to see myself in alignment with the future self I wanted to become – and knew I could become! Holding onto this newfound vision, I focused on learning everything I needed to make it become real.

I finally broke free from the diet obsession and addictive behaviors that were causing me to feel guilty, out of control, and a failure, and started living a life of confidence, joy, and ease.

I’m not going to lie – this required hard work. There were tears. I had to delve into my darkest moments, deal with my past traumas, and look deep into my soul.

Many years later, I can honestly say that I no longer struggle with an eating disorder or addiction issues. I feel confident and know my worth. I also love and honor my body and now eat from a space of intuition rather than obsession. The battles I once fought are now behind me.

Through this experience, and my work as a Licensed Therapist and Coach, I developed a system that has successfully shown hundreds of clients how to do the same! And I can show you how to end your fight with food and your body, so that you can finally feel free to be the YOU of your dreams and your destiny.

• Master of Arts degree in Counseling Psychology, Pacifica Graduate Institute
  
  
• Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology, the University of California Santa Barbara
  
  
• Masters Thesis: Treatment of Anorexia Nervosa: Starvation of the Soul
  
  
• Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist  #96691
  
  
• Certified Integrative Wellness Coach
  
  
• Member & former Programs Chair of the California Association of Marriage & Family Therapists (CAMFT)
  
  
• Member of the International Association of Eating Disorders Professionals (IADEP)
  
  
• Mind-Body Wellness columnist at The Montecito Journal
  
  
• Nutritional Therapy Practitioner, training