eating disorder dietitian in monterey
For people tired of pretending they "don't like ice cream"
If food rules are gonna take up this much of your brain space, they better start paying rent.
I believe you deserve a life that doesn’t include staying in because your friends chose an “off-limits” restaurant, doing constant calorie math, or drowning in the shame/binge cycle because you feel out of control around food.
Because let’s face it - even if control is what you’re chasing, nothing feels *quite* as chaotic as the ever-growing piles of food rules or the emotional whiplash when you (understandably) have a hard time following them.
Hi! I’m Lisa - and I became a dietitian because I wanted to help people like you feel empowered in their health.
- but instead, the nutrition narrative seemed to focus on restricting not just food, but the joy it brings. It felt so wrong to learn about how to “help” by telling people what not to eat - and I didn’t feel good about what I was being taught.
I pushed through some of my training despite the doubt, but when a mentor handed me my first copy of the Intuitive Eating book, I actually doubted her.
Like, are you telling me it’s actually okay to eat when you’re hungry? To focus on what you can add to a plate, not subtract? To not live a life in constant battle with your body in the name of “good nutrition”?
(Yes, that’s what she was telling me - and now, it’s what I’m telling you.)
Without that simple hand-off of a book, I wouldn’t have become an eating disorder nutritionist in Monterey.
Fast forward several years of education, training, and experience later, and I’m so happy in my role as an eating disorder dietitian. I’ve worked at nearly every level of care, from private practice to residential (24/7) eating disorder treatment - and love to connect that experience with my clients’ lived experiences to create a powerful and sustainable recovery.
dietitian vs. nutritionist
Who You Really Need
If you’re looking for support with the nutrition pieces of ED recovery or healing your relationship with food, an eating disorder dietitian is who you’re looking for!
dietitian
nutritionist
Minimum 5 years’ higher education, including a Master’s degree and extensive hands-on experience
Required to stay on top of research and education to stay credentialed
Can accept insurance (and yes, I do!)
Can work in healthcare settings, leading to more experience (and therefore, creativity) when caring for clients
Fewer education requirements limits ability to zoom out and investigate how nutrition is impacting overall physical & mental health
Cannot work in formal healthcare or treatment settings providing 1:1 counseling, which means less high-intensity experience brought to the table
Typically not covered by insurance
A dietitian is a type of nutritionist, but a nutritionist is not a dietitian - and the difference makes a huge impact on your treatment.
- A Master’s of Science in Nutrition
- Registered Dietitian credentials
- 5+ years of experience treating eating disorders at the residential, partial hospitalization (PHP), and intensive outpatient (IOP) levels of care
But more than the letters behind my name, what I really want you to know is:
The only reason I’d tell you to avoid a certain food is if you’re allergic - I use an “all foods fit” philosophy and believe satisfaction is a major food group.
It’s your body, your life, and your story - I’m here to meet you where you are and provide the guidance and support you need to write it the way you want it.
“Weight inclusive” isn’t a buzzword here - I’m dedicated to thoughtfully incorporating a Heath At Every Size & body positive approach into all sessions, with all clients.
The lightning round
1. My biggest icks are:
A. Mushrooms
B. Needy plants
C. Early mornings
D. Plans on Sundays
E. All of the above
2. Most likely to comfort-watch:
A. New Girl
B. Schitt's Creek
C. Love is Blind
3. I'm literally always craving:
the spiciest food available!
4. Below my zoom camera, I'm wearing:
A. Leggings
B. Birkenstocks
C. Hard pants, AKA jeans
D. A & B
5. Biggest unpopular opinion:
I'm *obsessed* with hot weather
6. T/F: I absolutely *can't stand* Game of thrones
A. True
B. False
