Finding Your Way Home with Crystal Bowlby, PhD, HSP, CEDS-S

 
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Episode 28 - Finding Your Way Home with Crystal Bowlby, PhD, HSP, CEDS-S

by Karin Lewis, MA, LMFT, CEDS

IN THIS EPISODE:

In this episode, I am joined by Crystal Bowlby, Ph.D., CEDS-S, a clinical psychologist serving patients and staff for the Laureate Eating Disorders Program. She has specialized in the education and treatment of eating disorders since 2002. As an inpatient therapist at Laureate, Crystal offers direct patient care in the realm of individual, family, and group therapy within the intensive multidisciplinary program structure. As an educator, she supervises clinicians seeking eating disorder specialist certification and doctoral students selected for practicum experience at Laureate. As a recovered clinician, Crystal seeks to strengthen a client’s core relationships with self and others to build a strong, secure self-identity apart from an eating disorder identity.

SOME OF THE TOPICS DISCUSSED:

  • The importance of breathwork to get through difficult times.

  • Finding purpose and meaning in recovery.

  • It’s never too late to start the recovery process.

  • How the isolating nature of eating disorders can lead to a solitary recovery process.

  • Finding balance in your home and with your family, especially when there are children involved.

  • Learning to stay present with both suffering and with joy.

  • How suffering can act as a catalyst to positive change.

  • Crystal’s definition of recovery as “being at home with self, body, and feelings without the need to ‘flee’.”

ABOUT CRYSTAL BOWLBY:

Crystal Bowlby, PhD, CEDS-S, is a licensed clinical psychologist (Health Service Psychologist) serving patients and staff for the Laureate Eating Disorders Program in Tulsa, Oklahoma. As an adult therapist, Crystal serves patients in individual, family, and group therapy, meal support, and crisis intervention. As a supervisor, Crystal works with clinicians towards specialty certification for IAEDP as well as works with doctoral students gathering practicum and internship hours.

Crystal is passionate about inpatient care and enjoys both the relational aspect and intensity of the work--- feeling grateful for mealtimes with patients, being present for struggles in real-time, and watching dynamics unfold in a relational milieu. She sees patients through, from admission to discharge through acute/medical stabilization, RTC, and PHP.

In education. Crystal holds a B.S in biochemistry, M.S Counseling Psychology, M.A Theology/Spiritual Integration, M.A Clinical Psychology, and PhD in Clinical Psychology (loving education). Originally, Crystal sought out her 1st degree in psychology as a wish to heal herself in growing awareness of anorexia, with no intention to practice as a therapist. As life unfolded, and healing occurred, opportunities presented themselves to become a therapist and have the great privilege/honor of holding space for others going through the recovery process.

Crystal's passion and curiosity to grow, to learn, and to relate to others engenders her work. She is drawn to depth/Jungian perspectives, narrative approaches, positive psychology, and soul care. Research interests surround therapist use of self in the therapeutic process, the role of gratitude to enhance the quality of life, the theme of hope, and the process of surrender.

CONNECT WITH CRYSTAL BOWLBY:

ABOUT KARIN LEWIS:

Karin Lewis, MA, LMFT, CEDS has been recovered from Anorexia Nervosa for over 20 years and has been specializing in the prevention and treatment of eating disorders since 2005. Karin is the founder of the Karin Lewis Eating Disorder Center located in Boston, MA. You can visit Karin Lewis Eating Disorder Center online to learn more about Karin and her center’s services. You can also connect with Karin on social media by following her on Facebook and Instagram.

 

The Slower You Go, The Faster You Get There with Sarah Chipps, PsyD, CEDS-S

 
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Episode 27 - The Slower You Go, The Faster You Get There with Sarah Chipps, PsyD, CEDS-S

by Karin Lewis, MA, LMFT, CEDS

IN THIS EPISODE:

In this week’s episode, I am joined by Dr. Sarah Chipps, PsyD, CEDS-S. Sarah is the Chief Clinical Officer of Sanctuary, the Founder and Clinical Director of Well Williamsburg Psychotherapy, and a noted speaker on Intuitive Eating. Specializing in the treatment of eating disorders, substance abuse, and trauma, Sarah is also a regular presenter at conferences on topics such as diversity issues in the treatment of eating disorders, the client/therapist relationship, and the treatment of co-occurring eating disorder and substance abuse diagnoses. Sarah’s personal recovery from an eating disorder and substance dependence give her an inside perspective that helps both support and challenge clients.


SOME OF THE TOPICS DISCUSSED:

  • The consequences of early childhood trauma and caregiver inattentiveness/absence.

  • How often trauma and eating disorders coexist, which is why dual diagnosis treatment is necessary.

  • The difference between the big “T" and the little “t" in trauma.

  • The effects of feeling “outside of the connection.”

  • How there is no “perfect” way to recover.

  • The intersection of eating disorders and substance abuse.

  • Rejection and relationship fears.

  • The importance of finding a community for multidimensional support.   

  • Recovery is not linear, you will make mistakes, and that’s ok!   

ABOUT SARAH CHIPPS:

Sarah Chipps, PsyD is the Chief Clinical Officer of Sanctuary, the Founder and Clinical Director of Well Williamsburg Psychotherapy. She is a New York State licensed psychologist (license #020206). Sarah specializes in the treatment of eating disorders, substance abuse, and trauma.

Sarah received her master's and doctorate degrees in clinical psychology from the California School of Professional Psychology in San Francisco. Since 2008, she has had the privilege to work with people with diverse identities and histories, in a variety of settings. Prior to opening a full-time group practice, she was clinical director at Monte Nido's residential program for women with eating disorders in Irvington, NY.

Sarah is a regular presenter at conferences on topics such as ethnic diversity, the client/therapist relationship, and the treatment of eating disorders, trauma, and substance abuse. Her own recovery from an eating disorder and substance dependence give her an inside perspective that helps her both support and challenge clients.

CONNECT WITH SARAH CHIPPS:

ABOUT KARIN LEWIS:

Karin Lewis, MA, LMFT, CEDS has been recovered from Anorexia Nervosa for over 20 years and has been specializing in the prevention and treatment of eating disorders since 2005. Karin is the founder of the Karin Lewis Eating Disorder Center located in Boston, MA. You can visit Karin Lewis Eating Disorder Center online to learn more about Karin and her center’s services. You can also connect with Karin on social media by following Karin on Facebook and Instagram.

 

Smashing the Stigma with Aaron Flores, RDN

 
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Episode 26 - Smashing the Stigma with Aaron Flores, RDN

by Karin Lewis, MA, LMFT, CEDS

IN THIS EPISODE:

In this episode, I am joined by Aaron Flores, a registered dietitian nutritionist based out of Los Angeles, California. Aaron came to this work after seeing the damage done by a focus on weight loss and diet culture. With over 10 years of experience, he has worked with eating disorders in a multitude of settings. Aaron currently works part-time at Center for Discovery and part-time in his private practice in Calabasas, CA. Aaron specializes in Intuitive Eating, Health at Every Size®, and helping clients reclaim Body Trust®. His goal is to help individuals leave behind the world of diets and body shame and instead embrace their relationship with food and their body with curiosity, self-compassion, and empathy. Along with his work with eating disorders, Aaron co-hosts the podcast, Dietitians Unplugged.


SOME OF THE TOPICS DISCUSSED:

  • How the silence of individuals of all bodies speaks volumes.

  • The harm of not being recognized, due to weight stigma.

  • The debilitating, cyclical effects of dieting.

  • The importance of accessible, weight inclusive care for all bodies, especially in treatment center settings.

  • How a lack of diagnosis and substandard medical care is harming individuals in larger bodies.

  • How transparency and open dialogue is imperative within the eating disorder community and supporting organizations.

  • The reality that individuals in larger bodies are being prescribed that which we are diagnosing in smaller bodies.


ABOUT AARON FLORES:

Aaron Flores is a registered dietitian nutritionist based out of Los Angeles, California. With over 10 years of experience, Aaron has worked with eating disorders in a variety of settings. A large part of his career was spent working at the VA Greater Los Angeles Healthcare System where he helped develop and launch one of the first Binge Eating Disorder programs to help Veterans struggling with this disorder. Since leaving the VA, Aaron has continued to work in the eating disorder community helping run groups and providing individual counseling to adolescents and adults. He currently works part-time at Center for Discovery as Senior Coordinator for Weight-Inclusive Care and part-time in his private practice in Calabasas, CA. Aaron is a Certified Body Trust® provider, and his main areas of focus are Intuitive Eating and Health at Every Size®.

In his work, Aaron helps individuals learn how to make peace with food and develop body-positive behaviors. His work has been featured during Weight Stigma Awareness Week, in blogs for the National Eating Disorder Information Centre and National Eating Disorder Association. Aaron is a frequent speaker and has presented at the 2016 and 2017 Binge Eating Disorder Awareness Annual Conference, the 2018 and 2019 International Conference on Eating Disorders, and the 2018 Association for Size Diversity and Health Conference. Along with his work with eating disorders, he also is a co-host of the podcast, Dietitians Unplugged.

CONNECT WITH AARON FLORES:

ABOUT KARIN LEWIS:

Karin Lewis, MA, LMFT, CEDS has been recovered from Anorexia Nervosa for over 20 years and has been specializing in the prevention and treatment of eating disorders since 2005. Karin is the founder of the Karin Lewis Eating Disorder Center located in Boston, MA. You can visit Karin Lewis Eating Disorder Center online to learn more about Karin and her center’s services. You can also connect with Karin on social media by following @karinlewisedc on Facebook and Instagram.

 

Igniting Something Spectacular with Greta Gleissner, LCSW

 
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Episode 25 - iGniting something spectacular with greta gleisSNer, lcsw

by Karin Lewis, MA, LMFT, CEDS

IN THIS EPISODE:

In this episode, I am joined by Greta Gleissner, LCSW. Greta is a NYC-based psychotherapist specializing in eating disorders. In recovery since 2001, Greta has firsthand knowledge of the challenges individuals face in the eating disorder recovery process, particularly during transitions. Her personal recovery and expertise in the field was the primary impetus for the co-creation of Eating Disorder Recovery Specialists and the Sanctuary Healing trauma intensive outpatient program. Greta is also the author of Something Spectacular: The True Story of a Rockette’s Battle with Bulimia, a raw, personal chronicle of the devastating effects bulimia had on her personal and professional life during her time as a Radio City Rockette.

SOME OF THE TOPICS DISCUSSED:

  • Fighting against the label of “chronic.”

  • Igniting even the tiniest flames of “hope” and setting fire to recovery.

  • How dance can support recovery.

  • How eating disorders numb out the feelings that accompany abuse and neglect/CPTSD.

  • Healing from an eating disorder in an entrenched family system.

  • The importance of finding and/or creating a sense of community and safety.

  • Managing the limitations of and creating our own “family.”

  • The multidimensional aspect of recovery may require the addition of treatment team members.


ABOUT GRETA GLEISSNER:

Greta Gleissner, LCSW (NY 083574), is a therapist who specializes in eating disorders and trauma, In 2013, Greta founded Eating Disorder Recovery Specialists (EDRS)–pioneering an in-home, on-campus, and virtual post-acute therapeutic care and recovery support model for adolescents and adults with eating disorders. EDRS utilizes over 150 recovery specialists, utilizing in-person and virtual recovery support nationwide.

Greta's most recent and exciting new project is Sanctuary, the first intensive outpatient program (IOP) in NYC that treats PTSD and related disorders, which she co-founded with Dr. Sarah Chipps. Sanctuary has a unique approach, utilizing top-down and bottom-up therapeutic modalities together to soothe the mind, body and nervous system simultaneously and expedite the path to healing.

Greta’s interest in eating disorders and trauma grew out of her recovery from eating disorders and complex PTSD, which provides her with both a personal and professional lens through which to support clients. Having been a professional dancer, she knew from the age of 16 if she could ever heal from her eating disorder it would be her life’s mission to help others. Shortly after graduate school at New York University, Greta published her first book, Something Spectacular: The True Story of a Rockette’s Battle with Bulimia, a raw, personal chronicle of the devastating effects bulimia had on her personal and professional life during her time as a Radio City Rockette.

In addition to founding Eating Disorder Recovery Specialists and Sanctuary trauma intensive outpatient program, Greta maintains a small private practice on the Upper West Side and is trained in EMDR, CBT, DBT, and Motivational Interviewing.

CONNECT WITH GRETA GLEISSNER:

ABOUT KARIN LEWIS:

Karin Lewis, MA, LMFT, CEDS has been recovered from Anorexia Nervosa for over 20 years and has been specializing in the prevention and treatment of eating disorders since 2005. Karin is the founder of the Karin Lewis Eating Disorder Center located in Boston, MA. You can visit Karin Lewis Eating Disorder Center online to learn more about Karin and her center’s services. You can also connect with Karin on social media by following her on Facebook and Instagram.