Health at Every Size® Healthcare Provider Listing
Lauren Costello, MS, RD, LDN
(she/her)
Dietitian Nutritionist
Embark Nutrition Counseling, LLC
virtual,
Maine,
United States
Contact Me:
Make an Appointment:
Special Instructions: Please reach out via the contact form on my website. If you prefer, you may also call the main business number.
Takes Insurance
Additional information about where I can practice: I am currently licensed in MA, ME, NH & VT, however I am happy to look into if a different state license is required for the location of prospective clients (some states have flexibility) and will obtain a license if feasible.
In-Network Insurance Companies:
- Anthem/Blue Cross Blue Shield
- Aetna
- Cigna
- Harvard Pilgrim Healthcare
- Maine Community Health Options
- United Healthcare
Specialties & Areas of Focus:
- Eating disorders
- Disordered eating
- Chronic dieting
- Compulsive eating
- Binge eating disorder (BED)
- Anorexia Nervosa (AN)
- Bulimia Nervosa (BN)
- Compulsive exercise
- Avoidant Restrictive Food Intake Disorder (ARFID)
- Other Specified Feeding or Eating Disorders (OSFED)
- Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)
- Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD, i.e. Crohn's disease, Ulcerative Colitis)
- Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth (SIBO)
- Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD)
- Dyslipidemia (i.e. elevated cholesterol)
- Diabetes
- Orthorexia
- Emotional Eating
- Laxative use
- Body Dysmorphic Disorder
- Night Eating Syndrome
- Rumination Syndrome
Modalities & Theoretical Lenses:
- Motivational Interviewing
- Intuitive Eating
- Maudsley (i.e. Family-based therapy (FBT))
- Non-Diet Approach
- Mindfulness-based Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
- Harm Reduction
- Exposure and Response Prevention
- Somatic Experiencing
- Coaching
- Health at Every Size® (HAES®)
- Individual Therapy
- Family Therapy
- Group Therapy
- Couples Therapy
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
- activists
- perfectionists/people pleasers
- people with religious trauma
- People identifying as in a larger body or fat
Languages Services Offered In:
- English
- English
My Philosophy of Care
My philosophy of care is rooted in the belief that we are all born intuitive eaters. Over time, diet culture and weight-focused healthcare teach us to disconnect from our bodies, often replacing internal cues with external rules and judgment. My work centers on gently helping clients heal from these messages and rebuild trust in their own bodies, instincts, and lived experiences.
I practice from Intuitive Eating® and Health at Every Size® (HAES®) frameworks, which guide my approach to health as holistic, individualized, and not defined by weight. As a HAES® provider, I am committed to offering weight-inclusive, stigma-free care that prioritizes well-being, safety, and access to sustainable health-supportive behaviors rather than body size or weight loss.
I approach my work collaboratively, recognizing clients as experts in their own lives. I value taking the time to truly get to know each person and to create a space that feels safe, supportive, and nonjudgmental. Together, we develop evidence-based nutrition goals that align with each client’s values, needs, and the realities of their day-to-day life.
My approach emphasizes self-compassion, curiosity, and flexibility. I believe in celebrating small victories, honoring progress that may not be visible or measurable, and supporting clients as they build comfort, trust, and respect for their bodies. Ultimately, my goal is to help clients cultivate a more peaceful and sustainable relationship with food and their bodies.
I practice from Intuitive Eating® and Health at Every Size® (HAES®) frameworks, which guide my approach to health as holistic, individualized, and not defined by weight. As a HAES® provider, I am committed to offering weight-inclusive, stigma-free care that prioritizes well-being, safety, and access to sustainable health-supportive behaviors rather than body size or weight loss.
I approach my work collaboratively, recognizing clients as experts in their own lives. I value taking the time to truly get to know each person and to create a space that feels safe, supportive, and nonjudgmental. Together, we develop evidence-based nutrition goals that align with each client’s values, needs, and the realities of their day-to-day life.
My approach emphasizes self-compassion, curiosity, and flexibility. I believe in celebrating small victories, honoring progress that may not be visible or measurable, and supporting clients as they build comfort, trust, and respect for their bodies. Ultimately, my goal is to help clients cultivate a more peaceful and sustainable relationship with food and their bodies.
About Me & My Practice
This work truly feels like it found me. Early in my career, I became increasingly aware of how deeply fat bias is embedded in nearly every aspect of healthcare. In my first workplace, I witnessed how weight-centric approaches often overshadowed compassionate, effective care—particularly for fat and superfat+ individuals. Ultimately, I chose to leave that setting in search of a practice environment that aligned with my values, where equity, curiosity, and respect could be centered. That experience solidified my commitment to practicing from a Health at Every Size® (HAES®) and Intuitive Eating® lens.
I have been practicing from a HAES® framework for several years and continue to pursue training focused on weight-inclusive care, trauma-informed practice, and the needs of fat and superfat+ folks. My advocacy shows up in naming medical fatphobia, creating affirming and accessible care spaces, and supporting clients as they navigate healthcare systems that have often caused harm or exclusion.
Outside of work, I value peace, connection, and restoration. I enjoy quiet activities like nature walks and time outdoors with my dog, which help me stay grounded. Spending quality time with family is deeply important to me and informs the way I approach my work—with presence, compassion, and a respect for each person’s lived experience.
I have been practicing from a HAES® framework for several years and continue to pursue training focused on weight-inclusive care, trauma-informed practice, and the needs of fat and superfat+ folks. My advocacy shows up in naming medical fatphobia, creating affirming and accessible care spaces, and supporting clients as they navigate healthcare systems that have often caused harm or exclusion.
Outside of work, I value peace, connection, and restoration. I enjoy quiet activities like nature walks and time outdoors with my dog, which help me stay grounded. Spending quality time with family is deeply important to me and informs the way I approach my work—with presence, compassion, and a respect for each person’s lived experience.
Accessibility Considerations
I am a solo-practitioner and help with each aspect of care. This begins with initial communications including scheduling/inquiries prospective/established clients and extends throughout treatment provided in sessions. I strive to provide an open, safe, non-judgmental environment for each person, from the moment we have contact. This includes asking about needs and feedback as treatment continues so that adjustments can be made as needed.
My practice values inclusivity as a standard of care. For example, my HIPPA-secure EMR platform contains a place for clients to disclose their preferred pronouns, and I also support gender-affirming practices in sessions (by confirming these and other preferences).
My practice is virtual at this time, and I am regularly checking in with both established and prospective clients about their technology, and I provide support with questions and challenges as able.