Frequently Asked Questions
Answers to common questions about nutrition therapy and eating disorder recovery — whether you’re working with Kate in person in Charlottesville, VA or virtually from anywhere in Virginia.
About Nutrition Therapy
What is nutrition therapy?
The connection between mind and body is too significant to treat one part independent of the other. In making important life changes, I will help you work on both the physiological and psychological aspects of health and wellness in conjunction with one another. The key is to detach emotions from food and body in order to regain trust and intuition in your eating and exercise patterns. Once that is done, you are able to develop effective, healthy, and lasting coping skills.
How do you re-integrate exercise in recovery from an eating disorder?
Very slowly. It’s important first to establish a healthy weight and metabolic function. Then, if desired, I work to keep the client accountable for slowly integrating moderate amounts of exercise through monitored personal training sessions or specific guidelines. The goal is to get to a place where exercise is not an addiction physically or emotionally — it just takes place because it feels good to move, be in touch with the body, and nurture the body’s needs. It’s not about needing to exercise or depending on it to handle anxiety or distress.
What is the typical age of onset for an eating disorder?
This ranges from 14 to 20 years old, but recent studies suggest a significant rise in even younger adolescents, as well as middle-aged women.
What are some of the medical consequences of eating disorders?
There are too many to list, but some of the major ones include bone loss, amenorrhea (and fertility problems), heart or esophageal damage or rupture, metabolic damage, damage to brain & neurological function, anemia, gastrointestinal disorders, joint pain, dehydration and electrolyte imbalances, and hypokalemia (low potassium).
What is the rate of recovery from eating disorders?
While the numbers range significantly, some recent studies show that 76% of those with even severe eating disorders remained fully recovered (free from any signs or symptoms) after a 10-year follow-up.
Insurance & Fees
Does health insurance cover my sessions?
In many cases, yes. To find out details, you should call your individual company — every policy is different.
Do you process insurance claims?
No, the client is responsible for processing claims; however, I will provide detailed billing statements with all the appropriate codes needed for filing with insurance. If your company offers coverage, it will reimburse you for payments you make to me.
Can I bring a friend to my initial nutrition consult & split the cost?
Yes! The hourly rate is yours to use in whichever way best suits your situation — you and a friend can both come to the initial session and receive the tools and education you need to succeed. The session may be less personalized so each of you may want to have independent follow-ups or meal planning sessions, but you will still both walk away with a wealth of knowledge, materials, and tools to make important changes in your lifestyle — and at half the cost!
For Parents & Loved Ones
How should parents & friends offer support?
The most important part of support is to try and be non-judgmental, patient, and loving. Acknowledge that although you may not fully understand what they are going through, you are open to listening and won’t pass judgment if they share things with you. Usually someone with an eating disorder will only make progress in recovery if they are willing to seek help on their own terms (as opposed to being forced into it). Try to convey your concern & lend support, but encourage your loved one to take ownership over their illness and the recovery process. It’s especially important to prioritize your own physical and emotional health even though you may tend to sacrifice those things in your efforts to help loved ones.
How can parents help prevent eating disorders & what are some signs to look for in their child?
It’s important to teach children at a young age that they are special and unique for WHO they are (not what they do or what they look like). Try to minimize association with pop culture and “dieting” behaviors. Some signs of a potential struggle with disordered eating include poor body image, losing interest in things which once brought pleasure, saying “I’m full from before… or I just ate with friends…or I have a stomach ache” as an excuse to miss a meal with the family, trips to the bathroom shortly after eating, exercising secretly or behind closed doors, disruption in sleep patterns, and anxiety or pickiness around food. It’s also important for parents to recognize that there are many “Pro-Anorexia” websites out there which can be horribly influential. Please be sure to monitor internet use and check for visits to these sites.