Hey there, I'm Rachel!
"Beneath every behavior there is a feeling. And
beneath each feeling is a need.
And when we meet that need, rather than focus on the behavior, we begin to deal with the cause, not the symptom."
Philosophy & Approach
I believe that cultivating a liberated plate comes from raising awareness about all of the ways in which your lived experiences and systems of oppression are silencing the expression of your most authentic self. When we have family, friends, health care providers, social media influencers, and our own inner critic(s) telling us what we should look like, what we should eat, how our bodies should look, what parts of ourselves are acceptable and what parts of ourselves we should hide, we never get a chance to figure out who we actually are, what we want and what we need. Because of this, I believe healing is “not about the food” AND “about the food”. In sessions, we talk about and explore both through modalities such as CBT, DBT, RO-DBT, ACT, ERP, EFT, Mindfulness, Somatic Therapy, IFS/”Parts” Therapy, and Self-Compassion.
Things you should know about me
I am a triple Virgo which means I love all things related to organization, planning, and lists, but I also have a creative and spontaneous side! I tend to take things slowly when building relationships with others and I value patience, honesty, and vulnerability. I am an extroverted introvert and will always pick spending quality time with a couple people rather than be in a large group. Coffee shops, independent bookstores, and vintage-y boutiques are my go to’s when I need to spice up my routine and do some self-care. I enjoy listening to podcasts, reading mostly non-fiction books, and watching true crime documentaries while snuggling with my guinea pig, Josie.
Education, Community Involvement, & Activism
I earned a Bachelor of Science in Nutrition from Cornell University and completed my Dietetic Internship through Cornell University and University of Rochester Medical Center. I went on to earn my Bachelor of Science in Nursing and Master of Science in Nursing from University of Pennsylvania, specializing in Family Nursing Practice. I am currently a member of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, Association for Size Diversity and Health (ASDAH), American Nurses Association (ANA), American Association of Nurse Practitioners (AANP), and the International Association for Eating Disorder Professionals (IAEDP). Through IAEDP, I am a Certified Eating Disorder Specialist (CEDS). I also serve as an Advisory Council member and consultant for Medical Students for Size Inclusivity (MSSI).
We would be a good fit if...
...you are looking for a relational & empowering nutrition therapist who will challenge your beliefs and encourage you to get comfortable feeling uncomfortable. I am a trauma-aware provider who honors how trauma influences our nervous system and readiness to “do things differently”. I have a passion for teaching my clients ways of working with their nervous systems instead of against it to develop resilience and patience in the process of creating a values-driven life. I tend to work well with folks who are craving more emotional depth in nutrition therapy sessions than what only focusing on food often provides. My mission is to help my clients feel seen and cared for as we untangle the functionality of eating disorder and disordered eating behaviors. It is an honor to hold space for how well these strategies have worked to meet real & important needs while working to find alternate strategies that allow for a greater sense of self-trust and empowerment.
