Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Haley Cox. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Haley, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today What was it like going from idea to execution? Can you share some of the backstory and some of the major steps or milestones?

Mya Wrenn, LCSWA, and I, Haley Cox, RD, were working together at a residential eating disorder treatment center for children and adolescents. We considered ourselves the dream team: we loved sharing clients together, and we’d like to say most of our clients liked working with us, too. During our time there, we realized that more ‘in the moment’ support was needed in the home and in the community. This was at the height of COVID in 2020 and 2021, so there were many (necessary) precautions in place that impacted a family’s ability to engage in treatment with their child at what we call “higher levels of care.” Parents were limited in the amount of time they could spend with their child at the treatment center: groups that they previously would have attended in person moved online, there were no longer meals shared with other children and families, and outings were non-existent. We noticed that, when a child transitioned from residential treatment to partial hospitalization (day treatment that can last anywhere from 6-8 hours per day, 6-7 days per week), we saw that families were struggling with not knowing how to fully support their child in their home environment.

As kids continued to re-admit to residential care because of a failed transition to outpatient, Mya and I realized that there needed to be more in-home support not only for children, but for every person that has struggled with an eating disorder while trying to navigate the “real world.” Together, we started Beloved Eating Disorder Coaching and Nutrition. We provide in-home support to those who are struggling with an eating disorder. Our services include meal coaching, which is where we sit down with them at a meal either at home, a restaurant, or in the community, and provide support at a meal or snack which might be challenging to them. We consider ourselves “full service,” meaning that we will do anything with a client where their eating disorder symptoms and behaviors are getting in the way of them fully experiencing life. This could be cleaning out their closet, going clothes shopping with them, sorting through their social media and pictures, grocery shopping, meal prepping, talking through an upcoming stressful event, or anything else they may need help with.

The most challenging part (so far) has been navigating affordability and accessibility. Unfortunately, eating disorder care is highly expensive, and often requires a position of great privilege to afford. Insurance companies often do not like to pay for mental health services (especially at those higher levels of care we mentioned, so folks end up being prematurely discharged), so we spend a lot of time working with families, outpatient providers, and insurance companies to try to make sure each person is getting the care they need and deserve. In outpatient eating disorder care, a client needs a therapist, dietitian, psychiatrist, general practitioner, and sometimes, a family therapist. We add a recovery coach into the mix to better support the clinical team’s goals and work they are doing with a client, as they are often unable to accompany clients to outings or provide support to those challenges they cope ahead with in therapy.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers

We are a very unique service, so far the only ones in the United States that we’ve found, that will actually will go into someone’s home and provide live-in services if needed for a short period of time, typically for less than 2 weeks, to help someone get the support they need to thrive in their eating disorder recovery journey. Another thing that sets us apart is that we employ dietitians and therapists. This is different from some of the traditional eating disorder recovery coaching you’ll find. Usually ED recovery coaches only have a certificate and often struggle to know the boundaries of recovery coaching versus providing psychotherapy or nutrition therapy. With having a licensed professional in this role, we are able to maintain appropriate boundaries and know when to refer to a client’s clinical team member. Recovery coaches help with the how-tos and in-the-moment support that is so needed outside of just 2 hours a week of traditional psychotherapy and nutrition therapy.

Ultimately, we believe that recovery is possible for everyone with an eating disorder, it just takes the right support. We base our support on what the client is needing, regardless if it’s a big or small task they are trying to work through. Traditional eating disorder treatment only works for some, with some people needing more individualized care in order to thrive in recovery. We come from a holistic approach because eating disorders affect so many people, but there is a large amount of shame that comes with this because of society’s perceptions on weight, health, and mental health.

We are Health at Every Size® and intuitive eating aligned. This means that we believe everyone can be healthy, regardless of weight, if they practice honoring their health and body. We have our foundation in the ten principles of Intuitive Eating, which includes rejecting diet culture, feeling your hunger and fullness, practicing joyful movement, and incorporating gentle nutrition knowledge into how one feeds oneself.

We often hear about learning lessons – but just as important is unlearning lessons. Have you ever had to unlearn a lesson?

This is such a great question, and hard to pinpoint just one thing. For the sake of bringing awareness and sharing our knowledge, we’ve decided to dive into the attitudes towards body weight, shape, etc.

Many people (ourselves included at one time) have many misconceptions about eating disorders and health. When people think about what a person with an eating disorder looks like, it’s common to picture a thin, white woman. This is so very far from the truth.

Eating disorders can impact all people, regardless of race, socioeconomic status, gender identity, age, etc. In fact, there are populations who are at higher risk of developing eating disorders, including BIPOC folks and members of the LGBTQIA community. Creating space for marginalized groups and bodies should be at the core of the eating disorder space, but there is still discrimination within the very system meant to help people.

As we discussed earlier, we are a Health at Every Size® aligned practice. This is not to say that every larger bodied or smaller bodied person is healthy, but that people can achieve health and wellness regardless of their body size. Weight bias is deadly, and can impact people from receiving the care that they need. Oftentimes, people in larger bodies are celebrated for losing weight or engaging in restrictive eating, when in fact, this can jeopardize their life. Some readers may find this hard to believe, and Mya refers to this process as the ‘great unlearn.’ Taking the time to deconstruct what you have been led to believe not only takes time, but a great deal of self-compassion. With an openness and willingness to invest in the work, the ‘great unlearn’ can be a reality for everyone.

How’d you meet your business partner?

As noted above, Mya and Haley met while working at a residential eating disorder treatment center. Haley started about two to three months before Mya, but it wasn’t long until they shared their first client together. This client was particularly challenging, but it was an experience they cherish deeply. While they can’t go into the nitty gritty of things due to HIPAA and confidentiality, they can confidently say that, without this client, they probably would not have formed such a close relationship.

Mya is getting married in April 2024 and Haley will be officiating her ceremony. They can’t think of a better way to honor almost four years of friendship by that time.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.belovedcn.com
• Instagram: @beloved.recovery
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BelovedEatingDisorderCoachingAndNutrition
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/beloved-eating-disorder-coaching-nutrition/

Image Credits
Photos taken by Jay Tyszka Photography