Your First Session with a Non-Diet Dietitian: What to Expect

Starting nutrition counseling can feel like a big step. If you’ve been curious about what a first session with a non-diet dietitian might really look like, this post is for you.

Maybe you’ve had providers in the past who made assumptions about your body. Maybe you’ve been told to “just eat more” or “try harder” or “you’re healthy, nothing’s wrong” and it left you feeling misunderstood and ignored.

Or maybe this is your very first time reaching out—and you’re not even sure what you’re hoping to get out of it yet.

Wherever you’re coming from, here’s what I want you to know:
There’s no “right” way to show up.

You don’t need to be ready, articulate, or even certain that this is what you need. I just invite you to be curious—and I’ll meet you there.

Let me walk you through what that actually looks like.

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What Happens in the First Session

Our first session is 90 minutes long and totally focused on you — your needs, desires, struggles, etc. We take our time getting to know each other—and there’s no pressure to share more than you feel comfortable with.

Here are some of the things I often say or ask during that first call:

• “I’d love to hear some things about you—related to food or not!”
• “How were the intake forms? I know they can sometimes feel like a lot…”
• “If I ask something and you feel your body feeling hesitant, I want to honor that. Please let me know, and we can skip it.”
• “‘I don’t know’ is always an answer here—and honestly, it’s often an insightful one.”
• “What would you like to get out of our work together?”
• “Is there anything you’d like to know about me?”
• “Do you have any worries or concerns about working together?”

These questions are an invitation—not an expectation. You’re always in charge of how deep we go.

My Approach: Relational, Somatic, and Person-Centered

Weight-Inclusive, Non-Diet Care

I don’t follow a one-size-fits-all protocol. My practice is grounded in weight inclusivity, which means I reject the idea that a smaller body is automatically healthier or more worthy.

I believe all bodies deserve respectful, evidence-based care. Alongside sharing helpful nutrition info, I also support clients in unlearning the harmful messages we’ve absorbed from diet culture and a world that often struggles to accept body diversity.

Care That Honors Your Identities

Nutrition doesn’t exist in a vacuum—it’s shaped by lived experience, culture, and systems of power. Things like oppression, discrimination, or lack of access can all make it harder to feel at peace with food and your body.

I’m committed to offering care that’s inclusive and respectful of all sizes, abilities, genders, religions, races, and identities.

Faith and Spirituality—If It Feels Supportive

If your faith or spirituality is part of your healing journey, we can absolutely make space for that in our work. I’m always happy to hold those parts of your story with care and curiosity—only if it feels supportive to you.

Affirming Care for LGBTQIA+ Clients

I also work affirmingly with LGBTQIA+ clients, including those navigating gender transitions, dysphoria, or queer-specific body image challenges.

My goal is to create a space that feels inclusive, affirming, and free from assumptions—where all parts of you are welcome.

Somatic Awareness and Nervous System Support

As a trauma-informed dietitian, I also bring somatic awareness into our work together. If you’re open to it, we may gently check in with what your nervous system is telling us—through sensations, energy shifts, or emotional cues.

This helps us stay connected to your body’s needs, not just your thoughts about food.

I don’t come into sessions with an agenda. If you have something on your mind, we go there. If you don’t, I’ll offer some prompts and we can explore together.

Whether you’re navigating disordered eating, anorexia nervosa, OSFED, bulimia, binge eating disorder, ARFID, chronic illness, neurodivergence, trauma, or something you haven’t quite named yet, I’m here to support you.

What You Won’t Get From Me

• Diets
• Meal plans you didn’t ask for
• Food rules
• Goals rooted in weight loss or body control
• Rigid expectations (like always eating 3 meals or avoiding distractions)

Instead, we’ll look at what feels possible and supportive for you—even on the low-capacity days.

What You Will Get From Me

• Support that respects your sensory needs and lived experience
• Flexible ideas for nourishing yourself (like smoothies, snacks, or frozen meals) –> recipes here
• Tools for navigating body image and emotional eating with compassion
• Guidance around supplements, energy, and mental health (if that’s something you’re interested in)
• A space to be yourself—even when you feel messy, unsure, or stuck

A Few Common Client Questions (and My Answers)

“How do I know if I actually need to see a dietitian, I don’t want to waste your time if I’m not “sick enough”

There’s no “minimum disordered-ness” required to work with me. I’d actually challenge the idea that you need to be struggling more in order to deserve support.

If you’re reading this post, that already tells me something’s up—and that’s more than enough.

Regardless of the severity of your symptoms, you’re not taking resources away from someone else and you’re definitely not wasting my time. If you’re feeling stuck, overwhelmed, or just wanting more clarity around your relationship with food, there’s no harm in reaching out.

“Are you okay working with someone who doesn’t want to lose weight or pursue conventional ‘health’ goals?”

Absolutely. I’m a fat-positive, weight-inclusive dietitian. I will never encourage weight loss or push goals that aren’t aligned with your values.

“What if I still want to lose weight or feel conflicted about my body?”

You are absolutely welcome here—whatever you’re feeling. It’s normal to desire weight loss in a world that tells us thinner is better. I never shame clients for having those thoughts or hopes.

That said, I won’t give you weight loss advice. Instead, we’ll explore your experiences and feelings with care and curiosity.

“Can I still work with you if I’m on GLP-1 medications like Ozempic or Wegovy?”

Yes, of course. I work with many clients who are taking GLP-1 medications for various reasons—including diabetes, PCOS, or simply because they want to. I value my client’s autonomy and the right to make decisions about what they do with their body.

My role is to support your nourishment, wellbeing and relationship with food and body.

We’ll work together to make sure your nutrient needs are being met in a way that feels attainable and realistic for you. My focus is always on helping you feel supported, informed, and empowered in your body.

“Do you work with neurodivergent clients, including those with ARFID or sensory challenges?”

Yes! My approach is especially attuned to sensory needs and nervous system capacity. I never push for “normal” eating patterns or food exposures unless you explicitly say that’s a goal. Smoothies, juices, and supplements count as nourishment.

“Do you help with low-budget, low-energy meal ideas?”

Definitely. I love meeting people in the reality of their lives—whether that means low spoons, limited funds, executive dysfunction, or just needing something easy.

“Can you help me figure out which supplements are best for me?”

Yes. I take a gentle, individualized approach to supplements and can help you troubleshoot any reactions or explore options for energy and mental health.

“What’s the structure of working with you?”

• First session: 90 minutes
• Follow-ups: 60 minutes
• Frequency: Typically weekly to start, but we adjust based on your needs
• Format: Virtual sessions via secure video (Simple Practice)
• Between sessions: You’re welcome to message me in the client portal or via email with questions or notes for next time.

In Closing

I know how vulnerable it can feel to reach out for nutrition support—especially if your body has been misunderstood, pathologized, or ignored in the past.

My job is not to tell you what to do. My job is to walk with you as you explore what feels nourishing, empowering, and truly supportive for you.

If that sounds like what you’ve been looking for, I’d love to work with you.
Click here to schedule your first session or a free consult

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