It depends. At least two sessions is typically minimum, but most of our clients range from 3-8 sessions depending on what you are dealing with. We often space sessions out 3-6 weeks to provide you with ample time to implement the practices and goals we have identified.

Regardless of how many sessions you start with, we also suggest a 6 month follow-up with a dietitian after discharge because, as we all know, change can be difficult and it is nice to have a dietitian in your back pocket for support.

Great question! Typically we space sessions out 2-6 weeks depending on the severity of your condition. This gives you ample time to implement changes and create new habits.

Of course! We find that it is crucial to also have caregivers involved in a child’s care.

When we work with children or teens we will follow-up with the caregiver to discuss the plan of care and needs of the child or teen.

The Health at Every Size (HAES) approach is a paradigm that focuses on promoting health and well-being regardless of body size or weight. It challenges the traditional weight-centric approach to health and emphasizes body acceptance, compassionate self-care, and overall holistic well-being.

Key principles of the Health at Every Size approach include:

• Weight inclusivity: HAES recognizes and accepts that people come in diverse body sizes and shapes, and that health and well-being can be achieved at any weight.

• Health enhancement: The focus is on adopting behaviors that support physical, emotional, and mental well-being, rather than pursuing weight loss as the primary indicator of health.

• Respectful care: Healthcare providers and professionals are encouraged to provide compassionate and non-judgmental care to individuals of all sizes, without making assumptions based on weight.

• Eating for well-being: The emphasis is on promoting a healthy relationship with food and intuitive eating, where individuals learn to listen to their body's hunger and fullness cues and choose foods that nourish and satisfy them.

• Joyful movement: The focus is on finding enjoyable and sustainable forms of physical activity that promote overall fitness and well-being, rather than prescribing specific exercise regimens for weight loss.

The HAES approach acknowledges that health is a complex and multifaceted concept influenced by various factors, including genetics, social determinants, access to healthcare, mental health, and more. It seeks to shift the narrative away from weight stigma and discrimination, promoting body acceptance, and fostering a positive and inclusive approach to health.

It's important to note that the HAES approach does not ignore the potential health risks associated with certain behaviors or medical conditions. Instead, it encourages individuals to adopt healthy habits and engage in self-care practices, focusing on overall well-being rather than weight as the sole determinant of health.

Yes! There are numerous studies that have explored the impact of a HAES approach on various health outcomes. Here are some of the findings:

• Improved psychological well-being: Research suggests that adopting a HAES approach is associated with improved body image, self-esteem, and psychological well-being, regardless of changes in weight.

• Positive health behaviors: Studies have shown that those who embrace HAES principles are more likely to engage in health-promoting behaviors such as intuitive eating, physical activity, and regular healthcare visits.

• Reduced weight stigma and discrimination: HAES has been found to reduce weight-based stigma and discrimination, which are known to have negative consequences for both physical and mental health.

• Health improvements: While weight loss is not be the primary focus of HAES, studies have found that individuals who adopt a HAES approach can experience improvements in various health markers such as blood pressure, blood lipids, and metabolic health.

• Sustainable outcomes: Unlike traditional weight-centric approaches, HAES emphasizes sustainable behaviors and long-term well-being. Research shows that HAES interventions can lead to better long-term outcomes compared to conventional weight-loss programs.

New research is being conducted on an ongoing basis, and the existing evidence supports the notion that promoting body acceptance, healthful behaviors, and well-being independent of weight can contribute to improved health and quality of life for all bodies.

Intuitive Eating is an evidenced-based approach to how we eat, think, and engage with food that has been shown to improve mental and physical health. The concept of intuitive eating dates back to the early 1970s and was popularized by two dietitians in 1995.

It is a weight-neutral model that includes principles that cultivate interoceptive awareness to rebuild trust and respect for your body. While there are 10 principles of intuitive eating, they are not intended to be “rules”, rather they are a way to integrate mind and body by focusing on regulation, self-care, body respect, and coping coping tools.

While there is no “right” way to eat intuitively, not every principle is going to be appropriate for everyone, all the time.

Our dietitians are experts in helping you better navigate food and nutrition that is specific to you without compromising your relationship with food and your body.

Dieting is a common practice and can even be glamorized in our culture. But what isn’t discussed are the negative effects of dieting on both physical and mental health. Here are a few of the reasons why our dietitians take a non-diet approach to nutrition counseling.

• Diets increase your risk of chronic illness: Weight cycling or “yo-yo dieting” where individuals experience weight loss followed by weight gain is associated with an increased risk of heart disease, high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes, and metabolic dysfunction.

• Diets slow your metabolism: When you are eating less than your body needs, your body will naturally conserve energy. This makes it difficult to sustain weight loss and can result in weight regain.

• Increased risk of disordered eating: Dieting increases the likelihood of developing a life threatening eating disorder: Studies show that 20-25% of “normal dieters” progress to pathological dieting (disordered eating) and 25% develop clinical eating disorders.

• Nutrient deficiencies: Restrictive diets do not only restrict calories, they also restricting essential nutrients that are necessary for organ function, immunity, and long-term health.

• Mental health: Dieting has been shown to increase stress, anxiety, self-esteem, and feelings of failure and guilt if weight loss goals are not achieved or sustained.

• Negative body image: Dieting reinforces the idea that your worth is tied to your body size and weight. While bodies have always been diverse in their size, shape, color, and ability dieting gives us the facade of control which when “failed’ contributes to negative emotions and feelings regarding self worth, body image, and increased body dissatisfaction.

Our dietitians are skilled at helping you identify what success feels like for you and will work alongside you to create goals and practices that are sustainable.

Our dietitians do not work in weight management. While your body weight may change while working with a dietitian, weight change is not our main focus.

Our main focus is to improve your overall health with sustainable goals and habits. Our dietitians take an additive versus subtractive approach to food and nutrition. By adding more nutrients, food, and movement to your life, we can drastically improve health and quality of life.

Weight alone is not a comprehensive or definitive indicator of a person's overall health status. It does not take into account important factors such as muscle mass, bone density, distribution of fat, and overall body composition. Bodies have always been diverse and there is no such thing as an “ideal” weight or size.

There are many factors that affect a person's health beyond weight. Some of these include: genetics, access to health care, access to food, clean air, lifestyle choices, trauma history, diet, physical activity, mental well-being, and underlying medical conditions. Two individuals with the same weight may have different levels of physical fitness, cardiovascular health, or metabolic health.

Our genetics are major determinants of the size and shape of our bodies. Our dietitians take many considerations into account when assessing health status. Some of these include: health history, gastrointestinal function, nutrient status, blood pressure, cholesterol levels, blood sugar levels, exercise and movement practices, mental well-being, and overall lifestyle habits. We place a greater focus on factors, along with your relationship to food and your body, rather than focusing on your weight.