Melinda Brett, LCPC, LMHC
Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor,
Licensed Mental Health Counselor,
My story includes a very long, protracted battle with a binge eating disorder. I began dieting as a preteen after being told numerous times by my doctor and family that I was too heavy. I remember having periods of time when I could follow the diet and then the inevitable failure of breaking the diet and regaining all the weight. An ongoing battle began between my longing to look like my family and friends against the strong cravings and desires I had to eat. Life turned into pretending to eat healthy in front of others and sneaking, hiding and hoarding food to be eaten when I was alone. I had developed a binge eating disorder by the time I was a teenager and as adolescence progressed my weight increased and my self-image and self-esteem plummeted
I decided to study nutrition in college and earned a Bachelor's of Science degree in Nutrition and became a Registered Dietitian. My hopes were that if I could learn and understand the science behind metabolism, body weight and food I could learn how to eat healthy and lose weight and be thin. It didn't work. Actually I loved many aspects of the career of dietetics, but dreaded working with people seeking weight loss. I felt like a hypocrite.
The frustration with my own progress and those of my patients led me to begin studying eating disorders. Beyond the nutrition content of food, I learned of the depth that our emotional lives play in our food choices. I learned that Binge eating has numerous layers including a disordered relationship to food, a need for coping, a longing to feel whole. It affects us physically, emotionally and spiritually..
Our recovery also has to address and heal all of the layers that created and drive the eating disorder. We know so much more than we have ever known and now we have a path to healing and recovery. Twenty years ago I opened up ReConnections for people like me. I treat disordered eating like the multifaceted emotional and physical disorders they are. I like to think I bring compassion, humor, deep listening and the occasional tough love to my work with people seeking help. I love watching people heal and grow as they step out of the pain and into the light of their lives.
Along with helping people recover from Eating disorders, i also have extensive experience and training working with people who are seeking care for trauma, relationship issues, self esteem, body image dysphoria, anxiety and depression.
I continue to be guided by the belief that we must get reconnected to who we were before we decided we weren't ok.
Lilly
"Pet Therapist"
This is Lilly..she is the People Whisperer and "Pet Therapist."
Unfortunately with Virtual Therapy you can’t pet her or have her sit next to you, but you can see her and visit with her and you may hear her bark now and then during your session..thank goodness for the “Mute” button! lol