What to Expect in Nutrition Counseling for an Eating Disorder

Starting nutrition counseling for an eating disorder can feel overwhelming—especially if you've had a complicated relationship with food, your body, or maybe even past providers.

Maybe you're wondering: Will I be judged? Will I have to follow a strict meal plan? Is this going to feel overwhelming?

You’re not alone in asking those questions. The good news? Nutrition counseling—when done from a non-diet, weight-inclusive approach—can be a supportive and collaborative part of your recovery journey.

At Tennessee Nutrition Counseling, my role isn’t to control your food. It’s to help you build trust with your body, reduce food anxiety, and nourish yourself in a way that supports both your physical and emotional well-being.

Here’s what you can expect when starting nutrition counseling for disordered eating or an eating disorder at Tennessee Nutrition.

1. A Judgment-Free Space

First and foremost, this is a shame-free zone. Whether you're struggling with disordered behaviors, obsessive thoughts about food, or body image distress—you will be met with compassion, not criticism.

Many clients come to their first session feeling nervous or guarded. That’s okay! Our work starts with building trust and making sure you feel emotionally safe.

2. A Collaborative Relationship

You are the expert on your body. I’m here to provide nutrition knowledge, gentle guidance, and a recovery-focused framework—but we’ll make decisions together (sometimes these may be uncomfortable because they’re unfamiliar).

This means:

• No rigid meal plans or calorie counting

• No “good” or “bad” food labels

• Plenty of space to explore your thoughts and feelings around eating

Together, we’ll work toward a place where food is less overwhelming and more connected to self-care, flexibility, and freedom.

3. Individualized Support Based on Your Needs

There’s no one-size-fits-all plan when it comes to eating disorder recovery (or nutrition in general for that matter). What we focus on depends on your goals, diagnosis, medical history, and stage of recovery.

Some common areas we may work on:

• Normalizing eating patterns

• Rebuilding hunger and fullness cues

• Challenging food rules

• Managing fear foods (often this looks like doing foods together in session)

• Addressing body image concerns

• Supporting medical and nutritional stabilization

• Reducing “interference” from food thoughts in your daily life (more on this in a previous blog post!)

We’ll go at a pace that feels supportive—not rushed.

4. Coordination With Your Treatment Team

If you're working with a therapist, physician, and/or psychiatrist, I’m happy to collaborate with them to ensure consistent, client-centered care. Nutrition counseling is just one part of a comprehensive treatment plan, and communication between providers helps support your recovery from all angles.

5. Progress, Not Perfection

Eating disorder recovery isn’t linear. There will be ups and downs—and that’s expected. My job is to help you stay curious, not critical, and to remind you that progress doesn’t mean perfection. We’ll celebrate your wins (even the small ones) and navigate setbacks without shame.

Ready to Get Started with Nutrition Counseling?

You don’t have to do this alone. Whether you’ve just begun your recovery journey or you’re returning to care, nutrition therapy can offer the support and structure you need to move forward.

At Tennessee Nutrition Counseling, I work with individuals across multiple states to heal their relationships with food and body, free from diets and weight stigma. Reach out today to learn more! https://www.tnnutritioncounseling.com/contact-8