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Health at Every Size® Healthcare Provider Listing

Emily Edelson, MS, RD

(she/her)

Registered Dietitian

Food Ease Nutrition Counseling
Santa Cruz,
California,
United States

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Takes Insurance
Sliding Scale Available
In-Network Insurance Companies:
- Aetna
- Anthem
- Blue Cross Blue Shield
- Cigna
- United Healthcare
Specialties & Areas of Focus:
- Eating Disorders
- Individual Nutrition Counseling
- Digestive Disorders
- Chronic Condition Nutrition Support
Modalities & Theoretical Lenses:
- Weight Inclusive Care
Age Groups Served:
- Teens (13-18 years old)
- Adults (18 years old and up)
- Older Adults (65+ years old)
Languages Services Offered In:
- English

My Philosophy of Care

As a dietitian, aligning with the Health at Every Size® (HAES®) framework is essential to my approach to healthcare. My professional experience, particularly in eating disorder care, has deepened my understanding of what it means to practice from a HAES® perspective. I support clients in navigating the healthcare system and connecting with providers who align with their values and needs, recognizing the importance of access to supportive, weight-inclusive care. Prior to entering nutrition, I struggled with traditional concepts such as BMI as a marker of health, and over time, I’ve come to understand the harm in using stigmatizing language and labels.

In my work with clients, I prioritize their body stories and approach care with a client-centered mindset. I see myself as a guide, helping clients reframe self-talk and release judgments tied to health and food. I emphasize the importance of body image work within nutrition counseling, acknowledging the complex relationship between the two. Within my practice, I hold monthly supervision sessions for my team of registered dietitians to collaboratively discuss client cases, share insights, and explore approaches to treating chronic conditions and promoting health from a weight-inclusive lens. The HAES® framework is central to our work, and it’s vital that we approach all aspects of health with inclusivity and compassion.

About Me & My Practice

I’m a mid-size dietitian based in Santa Cruz, CA, with roots in Texas and life experiences shaped by time spent in New Orleans and Boston. These places have deeply influenced my relationship with food and fostered a deep appreciation for community connections through food. I grew up in a thin body but struggled with an eating disorder and body image issues, without the language or understanding to address it. My eating disorder peaked during graduate school, when I sought help, but as a non-fat person, I never received proper treatment despite clear signs like hair loss, hormonal imbalances, and emotional distress. I identify as mid-size because I wear some XL clothing but also fit into straight sizes, recognizing the privileges of not living in a fat body. This intersection between straight size and fatness allows me to connect with clients on body image and queerness. I also identify as neurodivergent and queer, which I find essential to share with clients, offering them the opportunity to connect with a provider who shares similar lived experiences. Much of my personal work around body image and self-esteem, especially after coming out as queer, influences how I guide clients through their own healing. I’m passionate about practicing weight-inclusive care and advocating for those impacted by medical weight stigma. I believe in creating a space for every body and promoting health without shame. Outside of work, I enjoy thrifting + road trips with my pups Bubbie + Siggy!

Accessibility Considerations

Currently, all of our individual and group sessions are virtual, allowing clients to turn off their cameras or modify the session to suit their individual needs. For in-person community events, we ensure the location is ADA accessible and note this information in the event details. We also provide virtual options, such as for our book club, to ensure everyone can participate. We strive to make all our services flexible and accessible to accommodate the unique needs of each client.

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