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Have you had, or do you have loved ones who suffer from an eating disorder? What can you as the family do to fully support your loved one with an eating disorder? Do you need some extra advice on how to deal with your own eating disorder?

In this podcast episode, Joe Sanok speaks with Dr. Cristina Castagnini about her journey to Behind The Bite.

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Meet Dr. Cristina Castagnini

Cristina is a Licensed Psychologist and Certified Eating Disorder Specialist. While she may have over 20 years of clinical experience, what she also has is the experience of having been a patient who had an eating disorder as well. One thing that she never had during all of her treatment was someone who could look her in the eye and honestly say to her “hey, I’ve been there. I understand”.

Her own experience ultimately led her to specialize in treating eating disorders. She wanted to be the therapist she never had; the one who “got it”.

Visit her website, listen to her podcast, and connect Instagram.

Sign up for the free email course here.

In This Podcast

Summary

What was helpful and not helpful to Cristina during her personal recovery
From hospital to private practice
Common misinformation about eating disorders

What was helpful and not helpful to Cristina during her personal recovery

Dr. Cristina went in an out of treatment a number of times, she felt that she could not relate to her doctors and felt disconnected due to the lack of knowledge and awareness around eating disorders.

What did help her was finding a knowledgeable nutritionist who fully explained to her that food helps you instead of hurts you.

I want people to feel like when they come in, they don’t have to feel judged or they don’t have to explain a whole lot, they feel that it’s safe and they feel like they’re understood and are gonna be cared for, and that they feel hope. (Dr. Cristina Castagnini)

From hospital to private practice

Cristina made the shift from working in the hospital to opening up her own private practice because she wanted to help and treat people in different ways. The podcast, for example, is another way she can put important information out to the public on eating disorders.

Common misinformation about eating disorders

An eating disorder is not a diet. An eating disorder is not a choice, it is an illness.
You cannot look at somebody and know that they have an eating disorder and know which one.
You need help to get through your eating disorder, and that is no fault of your own.
Family members try to help their loved ones by discussing their weight with them in order to encourage them. Therefore, the family of the person should also get therapy or counseling on how to deal with their eating disorder and actually encourage and support them.

Useful Links:

Meet Joe Sanok

Joe Sanok helps counselors to create thriving practices that are the envy of other counselors. He has helped counselors to grow their businesses by 50-500% and is proud of all the private practice owners that are growing their income, influence, and impact on the world. Click here to explore consulting with Joe.

Thanks For Listening!

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