I always knew I wanted to work in a field where I could help people, but it wasn’t until I began working with adolescents with eating disorders that I found my true calling. Growing up in a society where weight, dieting, and body insecurities were so prevalent, and seeing the impact of eating disorders on people close to me, I became passionate about creating a different narrative around food and bodies. I’m passionate about helping young people develop a flexible, positive relationship with food and feel supported as they navigate the many messages they receive about food, bodies, and health.
I work with children, adolescents, and teens who are recovering from an eating disorder, experiencing feeding challenges, or looking to build a more positive relationship with food. I bring five years of experience working at the residential level of eating disorder care, along with my experience as a Certified Eating Disorder Specialist. I also have specialized experience supporting individuals with ARFID (avoidant restrictive food intake disorder) and other feeding challenges.
I believe that every young person and family deserves individualized, compassionate care. I work collaboratively with families to provide education, support, and practical tools that can help make mealtimes and nutrition feel less overwhelming.
Outside of my work as a dietitian, I’m a new mom to a beautiful baby girl, and I find the most joy in watching her discover the world around her. In my free time, I enjoy reading psychological thrillers, watching a wide variety of movies and TV shows, and experimenting with new recipes for my family.
Approach & Philosophy
My approach is grounded in a weight-inclusive, anti-diet approach. I do not believe that weight loss should be the goal of nutrition care, and I work to help families move away from diet culture messages that can contribute to food anxiety, disordered eating, and negative body image. Instead, I like to focus on supporting adequate nutrition, health, well-being, and a positive relationship with food and body.
When working with children and adolescents, I believe that family support is an important part of the process. I partner with parents and caregivers to provide education, answer questions, and develop practical strategies that support their child. I also recognize that every young person and family is different, so I tailor my approach to their individual needs, developmental stage, experiences, and goals.
Education & Training
I earned my Bachelor of Science in Nutrition from Oregon State University before completing a one-year dietetic internship at Oregon Health & Science University (OHSU). During my internship, I gained extensive clinical experience working with patients in both inpatient and outpatient settings, supporting individuals with a variety of medical conditions, including diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and eating disorders. Following my internship, I spent five years working at a residential treatment center specializing in eating disorders in adolescents. This experience provided me with extensive training in the nutritional treatment of eating disorders and allowed me to work closely with adolescents and their families throughout the recovery process. Through this work, along with specialized experience and supervision, I earned my Certified Eating Disorder Specialist (CEDS) credential.
My education and clinical experience have given me a strong foundation in nutrition care, eating disorder treatment, and adolescent health. I bring this experience into my work with each client and family, tailoring care to their individual needs and circumstances.
Certifications
- CEDS certified eating disorder specialist