Health at Every Size® Healthcare Provider Listing
Alison Swiggard, MS, RDN, LD
(she/her)
Registered Dietitian Nutritionist
CV Wellbeing
Portland,
Maine,
United States
Contact Me:
Make an Appointment:
Takes Insurance
In-Network Insurance Companies:
- Anthem (Blue Cross Blue Shield)
- United Healthcare
- Aetna
- Cigna
- Harvard Pilgrim
- Maine Community Health Options
- Medicare
- Martin's Point Healthcare
Specialties & Areas of Focus:
- Eating Disorders
- Intuitive Eating
- Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS)
- Disordered Eating
- Body Image
Modalities & Theoretical Lenses:
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) Framework
- Internal Family Systems (IFS) Framework
- Intuitive Eating Framework
- Health at Every Size® (HAES®) Framework
Age Groups Served:
- Teens (13-18 years old)
- Adults (18 years old and up)
- Older Adults (65+ years old)
- Teens (13-18 years old)
- Adults (18 years old and up)
- Older Adults (65+ years old)
Additional Populations Served & Allied Groups:
- LGBTQIA+
- transgender and nonbinary folks
- BIPOC folks
- Latine folks
- folks holding trauma
- neurodiverse folks
- disabled folks
Languages Services Offered In:
- English
- English
My Philosophy of Care
As a compassionate dietitian, I believe everyone deserves to live a fulfilling and joyful life, and food can be a gateway. My philosophy of care is centered around the Health at Every Size® framework, focusing on overall health and wellbeing and expanding the traditional meaning of health to beyond just physical. I approach my work and patients with a non-judgmental and supportive attitude, working collaboratively to create individualized plans prioritizing their wellbeing.
My holistic approach to health considers the many factors that contribute to overall well-being, including nutrition, movement, stress management, and self-care. I work with patients to help them develop a positive relationship with food and their bodies and to make sustainable lifestyle changes that promote health and happiness.
As a Health at Every Size® provider, I am committed to promoting body inclusivity and helping my patients break free from the cycle of dieting and body obsession. Health at Every Size® care is essential because it accepts the naturally occurring diversity of body sizes and shapes and acknowledges that weight stigma and discrimination harm people tremendously. In my work, I apply the Health at Every Size® framework by emphasizing the importance of self-compassion, self-care, and body acceptance and by encouraging my patients to adopt health-promoting habits that are sustainable and enjoyable for them.
My holistic approach to health considers the many factors that contribute to overall well-being, including nutrition, movement, stress management, and self-care. I work with patients to help them develop a positive relationship with food and their bodies and to make sustainable lifestyle changes that promote health and happiness.
As a Health at Every Size® provider, I am committed to promoting body inclusivity and helping my patients break free from the cycle of dieting and body obsession. Health at Every Size® care is essential because it accepts the naturally occurring diversity of body sizes and shapes and acknowledges that weight stigma and discrimination harm people tremendously. In my work, I apply the Health at Every Size® framework by emphasizing the importance of self-compassion, self-care, and body acceptance and by encouraging my patients to adopt health-promoting habits that are sustainable and enjoyable for them.
About Me & My Practice
I came to this work through my education and mentorship, for which I am grateful both professionally and personally. As a dietitian, I acknowledge the harm that has been done in the past and am committed to unlearning the stigma ingrained in our curriculum. My philosophy of care is centered around the individual, and their unique needs, goals, and circumstances. I work collaboratively with my patients to promote their overall wellbeing and prioritize their autonomy in choosing how to achieve it. I believe that patients are the experts on their own bodies.
My specialization in Eating Disorders at Simmons University provided me with the training and experience to care for and treat individuals who identify as fat. During this time, I dedicated myself to dismantling my internal biases, and continue to do so actively. For the past two years, I have been practicing from a Health at Every Size® perspective, and I am committed to advocating for those most impacted by medical fatphobia. I use my social media platform to amplify the voices of fat activists and creators and strive to create a safe and inclusive environment for all my patients.
Outside of work, I enjoy spending time outdoors and exploring all that Maine has to offer. I also value spending quality time with my loved ones. As a lifelong learner, I am committed to ongoing professional development to ensure that I am providing the best possible care to my patients.
My specialization in Eating Disorders at Simmons University provided me with the training and experience to care for and treat individuals who identify as fat. During this time, I dedicated myself to dismantling my internal biases, and continue to do so actively. For the past two years, I have been practicing from a Health at Every Size® perspective, and I am committed to advocating for those most impacted by medical fatphobia. I use my social media platform to amplify the voices of fat activists and creators and strive to create a safe and inclusive environment for all my patients.
Outside of work, I enjoy spending time outdoors and exploring all that Maine has to offer. I also value spending quality time with my loved ones. As a lifelong learner, I am committed to ongoing professional development to ensure that I am providing the best possible care to my patients.
Accessibility Considerations
My office is equipped with spacious and comfortable seating options to accommodate individuals with larger bodies. While I collect weight information from my eating disorder patients who require critical monitoring due to significant weight loss, the weight is recorded confidentially and blinded. Additionally, the building where I practice has wheelchair-accessible ramps.