Healing Eating Disorders and Problems with Over-Exercise in Athletes, Sports-persons and in Fitness, with Brooke Carlson

Today I’m talking to Brooke Carlson, an eating disorder therapist and Licensed Professional Clinical Counsellor, working primarily with adolescents and young adults and based in Minnesota, USA. Brooke has worked for a nationwide eating disorder treatment centre for three years called The Emily Program. Brooke was an outpatient therapist and partial hospitalisation program coordinator during that time,  also whilst running a recovery support group. Prior to this, Brooke worked at a university counselling centre, where she  found her passion for working with students with eating disorders 

 

Brooke now works in private practice as an eating disorder expert and sees clients all day with the hope of creating an Intensive Outpatient Programme in the future. She is also an eating disorder ambassador for the state where she helps with social media and petitioning for congress, and legislation for more resources and care for eating disorders in the state. Brooke has never personally suffered with an eating disorder, however she has struggled with her own disordered eating and body image distress. She brings this experience with compassion and understanding to her therapy work. 

 

In this episode today, Brooke talks about over-exercise in eating disorders – looking particularly at athletes and sports persons, and also expanding this out to anyone who may be struggling with over-exercise.

 

If you’re an athlete or have a passion for sports or exercise, this can be a real risk factor for a tricky relationship with food and poor body image. It’s hard sometimes to notice when this has become disordered with the pressures to train, to improve times and ability, and to compete and perform. Brooke shares her valuable skills and tips in how to address a problematic relationship with exercise and to move towards finding a balanced place. I hope that you enjoy the conversation.

 

Contact details for Brooke: -

https://allintherapyclinic.com/team/brooke-carlson/

ALL IN Therapy Clinic 1800 Wayzata Blvd Minnetonka, MN 55305 651-271-1665 hello@allintherapyclinic.com

Book recommendations from the episode: -

‘Perfectly Imperfect,’ by Amy Harman

‘Beyond Beautiful,’ by Anoushka Reece

‘Eating in the Light of the Moon,’ by Dr. Johnston

 

This week's sponsor: Amber Romaniuk amberapproved.ca