Episode 77: A Collaborative Approach to Treatment with Beth Harrell

Episode description:

In this episode of Peace Meal, guest Beth Harrell, MS, RD, LD, CEDRD-S, discusses her experience in the eating disorder field, and reflects on how much eating disorder education and training has evolved since she got her start in the early 1990s. The bedrock of Beth’s career success is collaboration. She emphasizes the value of learning from clients’ lived experiences, as well as from the wisdom and vulnerability of fellow professionals. As a certified eating disorder supervisor, Beth debunks the notion that supervision is just case consultation. She guides from a place of mentorship and trauma-informed nutrition care, largely inspired by the perspective-broadening experiences she had with her own supervisors.

Beth is a collaborative and weight-inclusive nutrition professional who has worked with eating disorders, disordered eating, and chronic dieting for the past 30 years. Her work spans all levels of care, treating a full spectrum of diagnoses and ages. Beth’s passions are anything that includes learning and teaching. She has an educational podcast for eating disorder professionals (The SeasonED RD) and carries this knowledge into professional supervision, as well as a graduate elective course for dietitians each fall semester.

We cover:

• The evolution of the eating disorder field and eating disorder education 
• The value of a multidisciplinary team approach to treatment
• How supervision benefits both clients and clinicians
• The importance of self-care in the eating disorder and mental health field, as well as tips for how professionals can tend to their needs
• Words of wisdom for new clinicians about working with eating disorders

In Beth’s words:

• On learning at our own pace: “Therapy works. Nutrition, all of that, it works. It’s maybe not on the timeline that we want it to work… We learn on our own time. We can hear something today that’s maybe the exact same thing we heard five years ago, but today, we can accept it.”
• On the importance of taking time for self-care: “I take a deep breath as part of my self-care… Because I need to be there and available for whatever [clients are] going to bring to me. Nothing is too much. And so, self-care is important for me by acknowledging it in the room.” 
• On advice for new eating disorder clinicians: “Find your team to work with and keep learning. Your client is your best teacher.”

You can listen to Beth’s podcast The SeasonED RD here! Learn more about Beth’s professional services and courses at her website (bethharrell.com) and follow her on Instagram (@beth.harrell.cedss).

Learn more about The Emily Program online or by calling 1-888-364-5977. 

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About the podcast:

Peace Meal is a podcast hosted by The Emily Program and Veritas Collaborative that covers topics related to eating disorders, body image, and how society may influence our thinking.

You can find Peace Meal on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher, or Google Podcasts. If you enjoy our show, please rate, review, subscribe, and tell your friends!

Are you interested in being a guest on Peace Meal? Email podcast@emilyprogram.com for more information.