Welcome to another episode of the Understanding Disordered Eating Podcast. Today we sit down with Harriet Frew, who I met as a mutual podcaster. She is the host of the Eating Disorder Therapist podcast, and is a really experienced counselor in the UK. Besides offering individual therapy and her podcast, Harriet has online courses, trainings, and break through days, which we'll talk a little bit about in our conversation. Harriet specializes in the treatment of bulimia binge eating disorder, and OSFED (other specified category), and she really focuses on the psychology of disordered eating or eating disorders. Harriet is a BACP accredited counselor and eating disorder practitioner and has worked on adult eating disorders since 2003.

In this episode, Harriet brings a ton of experience and knowledge and I'm really excited to share our conversation. Let's dive right in!

[00:01 - 05:31] Opening Segment

• I introduce our guest for this episode
• Harriet talks about specializing in bulimia
  • Experiencing bulimia firsthand
  • Triggered by different stresses
  • Importance of having support

[05:32 - 23:55] Let's Talk About Bulimia

• What is bulimia?
  • Symptoms are usually not obvious
  • Binge eating, losing control, keeping it a secret, being ashamed
  • Binge cycles, restrictive cycles, and the purge
• Relationship of exercise and the binge
  • Feels like a compulsive thing after the binge
  • "Compensating" for the eating episode
  • No longer a joyful experience
  • Simple dieting vs. Eating disorder
• Treatment and recovery process
  • Breaking the cycle of binging and purging
  • Understanding the triggers and why it was developed
  • Part of a larger picture
• Examples of somebody with these underlying issues
  • Having a lot of inner conflict
  • A small part is genetics

[23:56 - 32:23] Closing Segment

• What is a breakthrough day
  • Giving people more time for reflection
  • Not a quick fix
• How body image plays into eating disorders
• Connect with Harriet through the links below
• Final words

Tweetable Quotes:

"Every sort of struggle, no matter how small or large or whatever it looks like, should all be taken seriously." - Rachelle Heinemann

Connect with Harriet through her Instagram and checkout her website at www.theeatingdisordertherapist.co.uk!

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You can connect with me, Rachelle Heinemann on Instagram, through my website www.rachelleheinemann.com, or email me directly at [email protected].