Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Denise Skinner . We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Denise, we’ve been so fortunate to work with so many incredible folks and one common thread we have seen is that those who have built amazing lives for themselves are also often the folks who are most generous. Where do you think your group’s generosity comes from?
Our group at Finding Balance Wellness Center (FBWC), consists of likeminded therapists and dietitians that understand the emotional, financial, and physical impacts of eating disorders. Because of that, we work hard to help our clients navigate eating disorder treatment. This is a long-term illness to treat and that makes generosity an important component of our practice. Eating disorders have the highest mortality rate of any mental illness, second only to opioid overdose. They impact nearly 10 million Americans, yet they are not taken seriously, or they are unknowingly validated. Eating disorders are often under diagnosed in minorities, cis straight men, food insecure populations, and the LGTBQIA community. Furthermore, unless a person ‘looks like’ they have an eating disorder, most do not get the help they need. While all of us at FBWC chose to work with eating disorders for different reasons, our purpose is the same, to provide equitable and affordable care to those who need it. Advocating and educating anyone who will listen.
Let’s take a small detour – maybe you can share a bit about group before we dive back into some of the other questions we had?
In both Kansas and Missouri, we saw a lack of eating disorder providers willing to accept insurance, specifically for those on Medicare, Medicaid, and Tricare. To make things more challenging, insurance providers don’t widely cover general nutrition services and overwhelmingly they do not cover nutrition services for eating disorders. Those on disability and those with limited financial resources have been overlooked in getting diagnosed and finding appropriate care. Since we are faced with insurance companies that don’t want to adequately cover eating disorders, it makes advocating for the medically necessary nutritional and mental health components a constant battle. Providing nutrition education for coaches, healthcare providers, loved ones, and educators takes persistence. We live in a society obsessed with thinness and so much misinformation surrounding food, weight loss, BMI misinformation, and shame for living in a larger body. We at FBWC are determined to create a safe space for brain and body-based recovery.
The most current challenge for those treating eating disorders is the widely prescribed weight loss medications. It is a rapidly growing trend that is undermining the work of eating disorder professionals. While it is a personal decision made between a patient and their doctor, these medications are being offered with little to no regard to people with eating disorders, both diagnosed and undiagnosed. Not only does this pose a significant risk for those already struggling with eating, it also creates an opportunity for the development of new or additional disordered eating patterns. Let’s take a step back for a moment and think about the bigger picture. Our weight is merely information. Our weight can help indicate if we are properly taking care of ourselves, just like any other physical symptom we experience. It is not meant to be the driving force of all medical interventions. With this off-label use, they are only treating a symptom, thus perpetuating the cycle of dieting. Every day we at FBWC work to convince our clients that their health is more than a number on the scale and that ultimately, there is nothing more dangerous to your health than starving.
There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?
The first would be self-compassion. It’s important. It is a challenge to remember to be as kind to yourself as you are your clients.
Next is having proper boundaries. The name of our practice is Finding Balance. It is difficult for us to say “no” to taking on new clients when there’s always someone in need of support. But at times we must.
Lastly, it is persistence. We must be diligent as misinformation, social media, & diet culture are relentless. We are constantly reminding clients they are human beings not human doings.
Any advice for folks feeling overwhelmed?
Ground yourself. Getting yourself in the right headspace before interacting with others will be more effective. Two anxious people don’t create a calm person. Give yourself a couple minutes to take a short walk outside or listen to a 5-minute guided meditation and focus on breathing. Then when you are ready, engage in whatever conversation or task is needed.
Contact Info:
