SE5 - Ep3: The Impact of Trauma on Eating Disorder Behaviours with Zuzanna Gajowic

It is my intention to get Season 5 of The Nourishment Podcast out to you over the coming weeks and months as I have so many juicy conversations to share with you!This week I am speaking to Zuzanna Gajowic.Zuzanna is a Clinical Psychologist and Family Therapist, first and only Certified Eating Disorder Specialist and Consultant (CEDS-C) in Ireland with a profound dedication to supporting individuals and families on their journey towards healing and recovery. As the International Association of Eating Disorder Professionals (iaedp) Chapter Chair of Ireland, she works hard on advancing awareness and understanding of eating disorders in my community.She has over a decade of experience in the field, and worked across all levels of care, from residential treatment centres to outpatient settings and private practice. Her comprehensive approach to recovery encompasses physical healing, body image issues, and the cultivation of deep connections within families.In addition to her clinical work, she is actively involved in teaching, consulting, and supervising other therapists, sharing knowledge and expertise with the next generation of professionals. Zuzanna is also a Clinical Lead in a Residential Eating Disorder Treatment Centre and maintain a small private practice.In this episode we speak about:- What brought Zuzanna to this work.- Looking beyond behavioural changes only, and towards neurobiology as both understanding the illness and finding a wider treatment path.- The complexity of Eating Disorders.- The stigma around EDs. It is not quiet as simple as “just stop” or “just eat”.- How trauma can impact on our general behaviours and that sometimes we may not realise how a specific event did have an impact.- How healing happens in relationships that are safe and supportive.- The importance of getting support for recovery and that sometimes higher levels of care is necessary (though it can be difficult to access).You can find more about Zuzanna’s work with her colleague Deirdre Reddan and their work supporting families here: https://supportedfamilies.ie/I also interviewed Deirdre back in Season 1 and you can find this conversation here.And you can find them both on their Instagram page here.Find me over on Straightforward Nutritionhttps://straightforwardnutrition.com/My 1:1 work https://straightforwardnutrition.com/eating-disorder-support/Book in for a 30 min free initial sessionhttps://eatingfreelycallwithlinn.as.me/schedule.phpAnd sign up for my newsletter and join the Joyful + Nourishment community here Get full access to Joyful + Nourishment at linnt.substack.com/subscribe