Get to Know North San Diego County Eating Disorder Dietitian Diana Wright, MS RD CEDRD
Hello everyone! I hope you had a lovely Thanksgiving. I want you all to meet my friend and colleague Diana Wright, who is a registered dietitian in private practice in San Marcos, North San Diego County. She is incredibly gifted and very experienced with eating disorders. Diana hails from New York City, where she worked with famous eating disorder dietitian Melanie Rogers at Balance Eating Disorder Treatment Center. She and I have collaborated on numerous cases, and my clients love working with her. Diana is compassionate, empathetic, and nonjudgmental. She is also direct when she needs to be. Diana is also a Certified Eating Disorder Registered Dietitian (CEDRD), which is a highly coveted certification gained through the International Association of Eating Disorder Professionals (IAEDP) Foundation. She works from a HAES® (Health at Every Size) approach, and she is very passionate about helping her clients!
Why did you choose to become an eating disorder specialist in San Diego?
Becoming an eating disorder specialist in San Diego is really the product of many serendipitous life events, including becoming connected to amazing mentors in New York City, making a family decision to move across the country, attending important continuing education workshops, and various other experiences that led me into my San Marcos private practice. Ultimately, I chose to become an eating disorder (ED) specialist in San Diego because I thoroughly enjoy working with clients and helping to create a safe space for them to explore their relationship with food. I find the connection among food, feelings and the meaning we attach to it all, fascinating. I enjoy meeting clients where they are and gradually helping guide them towards nutritional rehabilitation and intuitive eating.
What kind of treatment do you provide?
I provide individualized, non-dieting, body positive, behavior change counselling. I often utilize motivation interviewing techniques to help clients work through their ambivalence. I think it is extremely important that treatment is client-centered, and I generally am told I have an empathetic, warm and direct approach. I highly value open communication and trust throughout the recovery process.
Do you only work with eating disorders? My practice currently consists primarily of clients struggling with disordered eating or looking to improve their relationship with food by incorporating mindful and intuitive eating practices. However, I also provide medical nutrition therapy for various other conditions.
How long have you been working with eating disorders overall, and how long have you been in San Diego?
I have been providing nutrition counseling for 11 years, working with eating disorders for seven years now and have been in San Diego for almost four years.
Who are your favorite types of clients to work with?
There are so many types of clients I enjoy working with! Although it can be challenging, I love seeing clients newly addressing their EDs because often times the sooner a person receives treatment, the more likely they can achieve a quicker, full recovery. However, I also enjoy working with clients who have been struggling for some time because I like to think outside of the box and try different techniques. I find it fulfilling to work with women throughout the life cycle as there are so many significant changes that require support and nourishment, such as postpartum as well as post-menopause. Additionally, working with marginalized populations is incredibly meaningful as we know eating disorders affect people of all sexual orientations, backgrounds, ethnicities, ages, religions, abilities and gender identity.
What happens during a first appointment with you?
In an initial consultation, I introduce myself and address any immediate client concerns, discuss the client's nutrition-related history, their motivation for recovery and we may start considering long-term and short-term behavior change plans. Because it's a longer session with a lot of information covered, I often pause and check-in with the client to see how they are feeling while discussing these issues. This approach gives me feedback regarding the appropriate rate of treatment throughout follow-up sessions.
What do you wish people knew about getting treatment for eating disorders?
I wish people knew that getting treatment for eating disorders takes a lot of time, incredible effort, bravery, and often brings challenging emotions to the surface. I've met with many clients over the years who have unrealistic expectations, such as, "In six months, I'll be abstinent from my symptoms, feel great about my body and happy with my life." Although some of those aspects may work out, the recovery process is complicated and includes lots of twists and turns. It is NOT failure when these expectations aren't met, because EVERY step of recovery is progress.
How can people learn more and contact you?
For more information and to contact me, you can:
Check out my website here.
Follow my Facebook page: Life Inspired Nutrition
Follow my Instagram account: life_inspired_nutrition
Call: 520-360-5737 (cell), 760-510-5931 (office)
Share one fun fact about you.
I've been skydiving in Australia :)
I also have two incredible, fierce, hysterical, loving kiddos that have taught me tons about self-care and nourishment.
(Well I know this is a third fun fact and you only asked for one, but....) I'm also an avid dancer! I grew up dancing and taught classes locally until the birth of my second child. Now dancing mainly takes place in the form of pajama dance parties but I will eventually get back to a studio :)
——————————
Thanks so much for reading my blog! Have a wonderful day! :)
Marianne
If you are struggling to find eating disorder treatment in San Diego give me a call for your free 15-minute phone consultation at (858) 699-3754, and I will help you get where you need to be!
You can find more information about me on Instagram @drmariannemiller or on my Facebook page.