Reba Sloan

Undergraduate: B.S. in Dietetics and Institutional Management, Harding University, 1976
Graduate: Master of Public Health in Health Promotion Loma Linda University 1989
Credentials: MPH, LRD
Number of Years in Practice: 24 years
Current Position: Self-employed in private practice counseling

Describe your practice:

The majority of my practice (approximately 70%) involves one-on-one counseling for those struggling with eating disorders. Even though I am in private practice, I am usually working with these individuals in the context of a team approach involving therapists, physicians and psychiatrists. The rest of my practice is dedicated to treating overweight/obesity in children, teens and adults using a non-diet, lifestyle/behavioral emphasis and wellness and sports nutrition counseling.

What inspired you to offer the mix of services you provide?

I am passionate about helping people escape the mental bondage of eating disorders as well as trying to prevent eating disorders. Often dieting for weight loss is the first step in the process of someone's developing an eating disorder. Healthful management of body weight can be an important aspect of optimal health and disease prevention.

This mix of services allows me to best serve my clients. During the training of dietetic students, opportunities for actual hands-on experience in nutrition therapy related to eating disorders appears to be limited.

For those dietitians who want to specialize in this area, what suggestions do you have for getting started?

For dietitians desiring to specialize in this area, the first concern would be making certain that they have addressed any of their own food, weight and body image issues that could interfere with effective counseling of clients with eating disorders.

Next, I recommend further education in psychology and counseling techniques. Traditional dietetics training prepares us to be educators more than counselors. Supervision by a therapist or nutritionist specializing in the treatment of eating disorders is recommended for a period of time. Continuing education in this area can be obtained through various professional groups, including the SCAN practice group of the American Dietetic Association.

Read as much eating disorder research and treatment information written by both nutrition therapists and mental health professionals as possible. Much of one's preparation for working in this field will be self-education and should be on-going.

In terms of professional development, what skill set would you recommend for your type of practice?

Skill set for this type of practice should include the ability to work with other health care professionals outside the field of dietetics and strong counseling skills.

What are the primary resources you utilize to maintain your cutting-edge competitiveness in the marketplace?

To maintain my practice standards, I use membership in professional organizations such as Entrepreneurial Nutritionists, SCAN, the Academy for Eating Disorders and the International Association of Eating Disorder Professionals. These organizations provide Internet listserves, journals, Newsletters, networking opportunities and conferences to enhance my practice, knowledge and skill level.

I suggest the following strategies:

Maintain balance in your spiritual, physical and emotional life.
Have some fun hobbies. ( I have found dance lessons work for me!)
Even though you are in private practice, don't isolate yourself!
Take time off.
Have a mentor with whom you can consult regarding transference and counter transference issues.
Know your limits and respect them.