Aetna Dietitian for Eating Disorders in NYC

Before starting with Nourishing NY, I struggled with disordered eating and poor body image for my entire teenage and adult life. It was so bad that it was affecting my ability to live a normal and happy life. I found myself saying no to social gatherings and parties because I wanted to avoid food all together and I felt insecure around other people. I was constantly planning my days around food and what I was going to eat that day to make sure my day was “perfect”. Meanwhile I felt isolated and alone with this preoccupation with food and would turn to binge eating. From my first intro phone call with Mia, I immediately felt understood and hopeful for the first time in my life. I didn’t feel like I was being judged or looked down upon for these behaviors I saw as failures; instead, I felt comfortable and safe talking about my struggles. Mia helped come up with a plan that worked best for me. Not only coming up with nutritious meals and snacks that I enjoyed but also providing me with strategies and coping mechanisms to deal with my fear around foods. I am so happy to say that I feel like I have just started a new chapter in my life that doesn’t revolve around food, but actually living my life. I am able to go to social events and hang out with friends without fearing what food is going to be there or what my body is going to look like. I am able to eat foods I always ruled out as “bad” and I’m able to listen to my body cues in a healthy way. I cannot recommend Nourishing NY enough!

-AL

Working with Alexa has been so positive for my relationship to food and overall wellness—mental, physical, emotional. After a period of restriction, then excess, then happy normalization, I found myself newly struggling with food due to new life circumstances. I reached out to Alexa and she scheduled a 15-minute intro call right away. I liked her approach and we started meeting every week, where I share how my relationship with food has been going, when/what I am eating, and how my week as in general. She is a wonderful listener, active and present, clearly focused on about what you have to say. She takes notes and then asks questions and we work out strategies to improve my nourishment and relationship with food. In addition to being very present and attentive in meetings, she is extremely prompt, responsive, and flexible in her communication. After every meeting, she sends a brief recap of the meeting and a few incremental goals to work on in the next week. Alexa clearly cares immensely about helping others find peace with food, and I HIGHLY recommend her to anyone looking to find food freedom! I am confident that I will find and sustain mine now that I am working with her.

-ML

I have seen many dietitians over the years I’ve struggled with an eating disorder, and none of them compare to Courtney. Passionate, kind, and understanding, Courtney finds the balance between meeting me where I’m at and pushing me in the ways I need. Inspired by Courtney’s own recovery, I know that I am in the best hands I could possibly be, and for the first time in many years, I feel hopeful.

-BB

Courtney has helped me out tremendously in overcoming body dysmorphia and stress-eating. With her guidance, I have transitioned from being too calorie-focused to go to restaurants with friends/family, towards eating a more relaxed diet of mostly whole foods. I can now recognize my cycles of negative self-talk for what they are, and instead of blindly following them, I have learned coping skills to stay grounded. While the main focus of our discussions were related to diet and exercise, I believe Courtney’s guidance has also benefited me in unrelated areas of my life.

-LG

Working with Alexa has not only helped me understand my nutritional needs, but has also helped me start the internal work on healing my relationship with food. Her goal-oriented approach, her responsiveness and availability has helped me meet some of my challenges. Her scientific and gentle approach has invited and motivated me to listen and recognize what we call my “healthy voice.”

-DK

Over the last couple of years I have been really struggling with an eating disorder and although I had an amazing support system, I oftentimes felt misunderstood. It wasn’t until I began meeting with Courtney that I started to see true progress and hope in my recovery! She has helped me understand balance and intuitive eating, and never invalidates any of my thoughts or feelings. I could not be more secure in my decision to work with her as my dietitian because she played such a key role in mending my relationship with food, exercise, and my body image.

-BP

Courtney has not only changed my relationship with food, but also my life. I began seeing Courtney when I was at my lowest. Even when I could not see a healthy relationship with food in my future she saw it for the both of us. She has worked with me step by step, through highs and lows and has never given up on me and my recovery. Courtney has been a constant support for me through my recovery and I am so thankful to have her as a part of my team. She has truly gone above and beyond for me. For one, Courtney has been so accommodating regarding scheduling weekly appointments and meal supports. She even found the time and energy to extend herself to meet with me three times a week because I needed the support. In each session I feel comfortable sharing everything with her thanks to her kindness and understanding. Courtney is always there to listen, validate my feelings, and push me to achieve my goals. Courtney is a major reason why I am now working a job I love, returning to school in the spring, and thriving. Because of her I believe that food freedom is in my future and I am so grateful that I get to work with Courtney!

-AL