Staff Spotlight: Kelsey Thomas, Site Director

Kelsey Thomas is the Site Director for The Emily Program’s Seattle Outpatient site. If she could change anything, she would eliminate diet culture.

TEP: Tell us about yourself!

Kelsey: I am the Site Director for the Seattle Outpatient site. I have been working here for over 6 years in various roles and absolutely love the work I get to do! Outside of work, you can find me near or in water. I love writing letters to my loved ones and sending them off via snail mail and laughing with friends – bad dad jokes and puns are my favorite!

TEP:  Why did you choose to work for The Emily Program?

Kelsey: My passion for women’s health and helping heal others from eating disorders brought me to The Emily Program. I had an eating disorder in the past and through my recovery, I became inspired to provide compassionate, individualized care to others. I’m so happy that The Emily Program is the place where I get to do that!

TEP: What is your favorite part about being a Site Director during the holidays?

Kelsey: THE COOKIES!!!! My other favorite things are being able to see all the really amazing work all the staff are doing with the clients around preparing for the holidays and different social and food-centric scenarios. One of my favorites is being able to see the clients build gingerbread houses!

TEP:  We know holidays are tough on those in eating disorder treatment and recovery, do you have any advice?

Kelsey: Breathe, use your support, and breathe!

TEP: If you could change one thing about society, what would you choose?

Kelsey: DIETING CULTURE!!! I would choose to completely upset the dieting culture that we live in – it’s exhausting and harmful to say the least! This would also include eradicating negative self-talk about our bodies, especially in social circles. We need to be helping to build each other up and support one another – not tear each other down!

TEP: What are you looking forward to about the New Year?

Kelsey: The sun! It’s around here somewhere, right?  I guess I’ll just have to wait a little longer – but I know it’ll be out in 2019!!