My name is Courtney Walker and I am a region 4 intern based just outside of Philadelphia. While I initially planned on beginning my food service rotation at Doylestown Hospital in September, COVID-19 rerouted my journey. Initially upset about the change in plans, I decided to accept it and use it as a time to seek out some opportunities for things that really interested me in my community!
Right now, the community for me is through online space and virtual options. I was connected with a Sodexo intern graduate, Eva Haldis, and her private practice Eva Haldis Nutrition. She practices using a Health at Every Size approach, which is something that I have been interested in since undergrad. I have begun my time with Eva doing my own research on HAES and Intuitive Eating, so that I can be up to speed when I shadow her in virtual client meetings. Between getting to write blog posts about these growing topics in our field and creating infographics that help her clients understand their body better, I have already gotten to learn so much from Eva.
As working from home and telehealth options are expanding quickly through the COVID-19 times, I feel lucky that I am able to observe how this is occurring in a private practice setting. It is giving me a perspective into private practice that I would have not otherwise considered. My projects will not only give me experience in helping others understand this revolutionary approach, but also give Eva’s clients the tools that they need to improve their relationship with food and their body. So far, I have gotten to shadow client calls related to body image issues and chronic dieting. Eva has demonstrated motivational interviewing for me in these meetings, and this experience is invaluable to my future as an RD. Handling body image is a sensitive subject, as some of these clients have a history of eating disorders or disordered eating. I have gotten to do readings on what this means and how we approach it differently than traditional nutrition therapy.
Since I am unsure what my future holds in the realm of dietetics, getting to personally tailor my community rotation allows me to pursue some unique experiences. Approaching nutrition from a perspective of weight inclusivity and minimal judgement around food is something that we have limited coursework on in undergraduate nutrition programs, so I feel very fortunate to be able to work with Eva. As I continue to learn more about private practice from a weight neutral approach, I hope to be able to navigate these conversations effectively and empathetically.
Right now, the community for me is through online space and virtual options. I was connected with a Sodexo intern graduate, Eva Haldis, and her private practice Eva Haldis Nutrition. She practices using a Health at Every Size approach, which is something that I have been interested in since undergrad. I have begun my time with Eva doing my own research on HAES and Intuitive Eating, so that I can be up to speed when I shadow her in virtual client meetings. Between getting to write blog posts about these growing topics in our field and creating infographics that help her clients understand their body better, I have already gotten to learn so much from Eva.
As working from home and telehealth options are expanding quickly through the COVID-19 times, I feel lucky that I am able to observe how this is occurring in a private practice setting. It is giving me a perspective into private practice that I would have not otherwise considered. My projects will not only give me experience in helping others understand this revolutionary approach, but also give Eva’s clients the tools that they need to improve their relationship with food and their body. So far, I have gotten to shadow client calls related to body image issues and chronic dieting. Eva has demonstrated motivational interviewing for me in these meetings, and this experience is invaluable to my future as an RD. Handling body image is a sensitive subject, as some of these clients have a history of eating disorders or disordered eating. I have gotten to do readings on what this means and how we approach it differently than traditional nutrition therapy.
Since I am unsure what my future holds in the realm of dietetics, getting to personally tailor my community rotation allows me to pursue some unique experiences. Approaching nutrition from a perspective of weight inclusivity and minimal judgement around food is something that we have limited coursework on in undergraduate nutrition programs, so I feel very fortunate to be able to work with Eva. As I continue to learn more about private practice from a weight neutral approach, I hope to be able to navigate these conversations effectively and empathetically.
