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When Stress Changes the Way You Eat
Stress, anxiety, and depression don’t just affect our thoughts—they can also change our appetite and eating behaviors. Instead of viewing these changes as a lack of willpower, we can begin to understand them as normal nervous system responses to emotional distress. This blog explores how developing awareness and responding with curiosity rather than self-criticism can help us better understand what our body truly needs.
Alison Ross, LMFT, CEDS
Jul 22 min read


When other people's judgments become our own.
Many of the harsh beliefs we hold about our bodies, eating, and worth didn't begin with us. Over time, repeated messages from family, culture, media, and diet culture can become so familiar that they start to sound like our own thoughts. This process, known as internalized weight bias, can shape we see ourselves and care for our bodies.
Alison Ross, LMFT, CEDS
Jun 252 min read


The cookie itself wasn’t consuming her mind. The rule about the cookie was.
Just like trying not to picture a pink elephant only makes it more vivid, telling yourself a food is off-limits often gives it more power over your mind, not less. This blog post gently explores how dividing foods into "good" and "bad" can backfire, turning ordinary foods into sources of guilt, fear, and constant mental chatter.
Alison Ross, LMFT, CEDS
Jun 103 min read


A Simple Way to Shift a Thought That's Hurting
Recovery from disordered eating involves more than changing behaviors—it also means learning to work with the thoughts that fuel shame, body dissatisfaction, and food struggles. In this blog, you’ll learn a simple tool for recognizing when a thought is pulling you “upstream” toward self-criticism and getting stuck, versus “downstream” toward self-compassion, self-respect, and care. Through a brief body-based exercise, you’ll discover how to notice and shift the impact of your
Alison Ross, LMFT, CEDS
Jun 34 min read


What Penguins Can Teach People In Recovery About Their Appetites
What if your appetite isn't broken? What if you've just become disconnected from it? This post explores how our natural, body-attuned relationship with food often gets disrupted by stressful lifestyles, restrictive dieting, emotional eating patterns, and high-reward food. It offers a step toward naturalizing the relationship with food by reconnecting with your body's hunger and fullness cues.
Alison Ross, LMFT, CEDS
May 264 min read


Recovery isn't a straight line.
Eating disorder specialist Alison Ross normalizes setbacks in recovery, reframing them as vital opportunities for growth. She empowers individuals to use these challenges to deepen their insight, build practical skills, enhance self-care, and confidently take the next steps on their healing journey.
Alison Ross, LMFT, CEDS
May 192 min read


Understanding Eating Disorders Through a Family Systems Lens
Eating disorders affect the whole family, not just the individual. Through family systems theory, we can uncover the deeper patterns at play and create space for healing—not blame. Our latest blog by Lindsay Hall, AMFT, dives into how one person's struggle affects the entire family system and how understanding your family's connections can lead to lasting recovery.
Lindsay Hall, AMFT
May 3, 20253 min read


Suppressing the Appetite — A Quick Fix with Long-Term Costs?
"I’m not here to shame anyone for using appetite suppressants like Ozempic or Wegovy. Your body is your business. For some people, these...
Alison Ross, LMFT, CEDS
Feb 13, 20254 min read


Creating a Body-Positive Home Environment for Teens
Eating disorder therapist Lindsay Hall writes about how to create a body-positive home environment for teens.
Lindsay Hall, AMFT
Jul 25, 20242 min read


"I am what I am, and it's pretty good."
Neurofeedback brainwave training helps Clara recover from disordered eating and body image stress.
Alison Ross, LMFT, CEDS
Jul 3, 20242 min read


Mom, Are Calories Bad?
By: Alison Ross, LMFT, CEDS When my son was just five years old, he came home from school one day and asked, "Mom, are calories bad?" It...
Alison Ross, LMFT, CEDS
Feb 15, 20242 min read


The Problem is Not Her Body. The Problem is the Mistreatment of Female Bodies by Society.
By: Alison Ross, LMFT, CEDS Selena Gomez just bravely opened up about the pressure of living in the spotlight, constantly being judged...
Alison Ross, LMFT, CEDS
Feb 1, 20242 min read


Semaglutide Medications (Ozempic, Wegovy, etc.) Could Worsen Binge-Eating Disorder
Navigating the Ozempic Craze in Eating Disorder Recovery By: Alison Ross, LMFT, CEDS As an eating disorder specialist, I'm navigating the...
Alison Ross, LMFT, CEDS
Jan 30, 20244 min read


Weight Rebounding & Yo-Yo Dieting Cycles with Ozempic
Navigating the Ozempic Craze in Eating Disorder Recovery By: Alison Ross, LMFT, CEDS If you or someone you care about is in recovery from...
Alison Ross, LMFT, CEDS
Jan 19, 20242 min read


Your Mental Health Matters More Than Any Eating Choice Or Number on the Scale
It's the new year and I've been hearing people beat themselves up for their food choices and weight. I just want to remind my friends in...
Alison Ross, LMFT, CEDS
Jan 12, 20241 min read


How to Improve Body Image Without Focusing on Weight
By: Alison Ross, LMFT, CEDS Want to improve your body image without focusing on weight? Check out this guide to help you feel better...
Alison Ross, LMFT, CEDS
Dec 26, 20235 min read


Navigating Unsolicited Body and Food Comments this Holiday Season
By: Alison Ross, LMFT, CEDS This holiday season, will you you be gathering friends and family who just can't help themselves when it...
Alison Ross, LMFT, CEDS
Dec 17, 20236 min read


Helping Your Child Manage Body Image Stress...Without Promoting Food Restriction or Dieting
By: Alison Ross, LMFT, CEDS Is your child or teen experiencing body image stress? Here's a guide to help you help your child turn that...
Alison Ross, LMFT, CEDS
Dec 14, 20238 min read


Body Confident Unicorns & Something Toxic in the Air
By: Alison Ross, LMFT, CEDS See More Like This on IG Have you ever noticed that it's more common to meet people who dislike their bodies...
Alison Ross, LMFT, CEDS
Dec 7, 20231 min read


Please Don't Put Your Child Athlete on a Diet
By: Alison Ross, LMFT, CEDS I love watching my child play volleyball. However, I can't help but feel upset when I hear some parents from...
Alison Ross, LMFT, CEDS
Nov 28, 20232 min read
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