Today we’d like to introduce you to Liza Williams.
Hi Liza, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
When I was younger, I was always intrigued by the medical field and the human body. As I got older and became more aware of my health and body, I found nutrition to be a foundational component that impacted my body’s functionality on a day-to-day basis and for the longer term. I, too, was passionate about serving my community and those around it in ways that promoted and enhanced mental and physical health. Thus, I decided to pursue my Master’s in Public Health and Registered Dietitian Degrees at UNC-CH Gillings School of Global Public Health. After graduate school, I worked for two years in an eating disorders hospital that provided all levels of care (inpatient to outpatient). I collaborated with patients and their families, working through their eating disorders alongside a multidisciplinary team. This experience allowed me to apply my knowledge and learn how to provide high-level and consistent care for those struggling with these physical and psychological disorders.
When then starting to think about next steps in my professional career, I wanted to do something where I had more choice in my daily work and future along with greater flexibility around work/life balance. I have an entrepreneurial spirit and starting Balance Health Consulting came as an opportunity to be creative in my nutrition philosophy and professional development as an eating disorder-informed dietitian while learning what entrepreneurship is all about. Through that process, I have had the chance to get to know a wider network of professionals and resources in a variety of fields to help build community and greater awareness around the link between nutrition and mental health. Too, the outpatient setting felt like a space where I could be a greater advocate for those struggling with eating disorders and their loved ones as well as implement public health approaches. Overall, starting this business has allowed me to choose how I invest my time, to spread awareness around mental health and nutrition, to pursue different business-oriented avenues, and to live more presently in my personal and professional life.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Overall, starting Balance Health Consulting has been one of the best personal and professional decisions as it has offered a wonderful work/life balance that allows me to be present, engaged and excited about working with my clients. There certainly have been challenges along the way such as learning to build a website and marketing resources, taxes/admin work, and time management, but I have taken those as opportunities to grow as both a dietitian and entrepreneur. The network of other providers in the eating disorders field has been immensely supportive, and I have gotten over the humps with and because of them. I feel grateful to be a part of a collaborative group who strives to enhance care of those struggling with an eating disorder/disordered eating and their caregivers. I too appreciate that this network continues to support and work with me throughout my own life transitions such as moving to South Carolina from Atlanta, GA.
My grandad gave me a painting when I was little that said, “Attitude is everything. Pick a good one.” I came back to that saying many times throughout the development of Balance Health Consulting as it has helped me stay in a positive and growth-oriented mindset, which certainly impacts how some of the challenges become successes.
Appreciate you sharing that. What should we know about Balance Health Consulting?
I personally own and manage Balance Health Consulting as a non-diet, eating disorder informed registered dietitian. I work alongside those of all genders ages 5+ who may be struggling with an eating disorder (including ARFID), disordered eating habits, child-feeding competency, and/or those seeking more balance in their relationship with food, movement and/or body image. I use a weight-inclusive, HAES-aligned approach with an inclusive, all foods fit nutrition philosophy to promote a client’s opportunity to connect with their mind and body without rigidity, restriction, and judgment and to learn positive perspectives around food and their body. You can read more about my background, approaches, and services on the About page of the website, https://
The name is Balance Health Consulting, and I truly promote balance in my work with clients around food, wellness, and coping skills. As a healthcare provider, I aim to help balance the prevention of possible future adverse health outcomes with the treatment of current difficulties. My public health background influences my use of a holistic lens that focuses on prevention and viewing the client as an expert of their own body and lived experience. I provide comprehensive support of mind and body and strive to work within the context of clients’ physical environment, social environment, genetics, biology, the current state of health and desired state of overall well-being. I am looking at many aspects of a person’s life and use a multidisciplinary team-based approach to provide individualized balanced care.
If you are seeking support around nutrition, I’d love to help you. You can complete the brief contact form on my website to let me know the type of support you are seeking. I will reach out to get you scheduled for an assessment and answer any questions. Providing access to high-quality, evidence-based care is a top priority and I am here for you and your loved ones as needed.
In terms of your work and the industry, what are some of the changes you are expecting to see over the next five to ten years?
I am hopeful for the future of both the nutrition and mental health fields as awareness of how the two are highly connected increases. The Covid-19 Pandemic unfortunately led to a significant rise in eating disorder diagnoses and relapses as well as greater risks for disordered eating habits across all age groups, especially in adolescents and teens, which led to increased demand for eating disorder/disordered eating informed professionals. We also saw a significant increase in anxiety, depression and other mental health concerns throughout the past few years due to the Covid-19 protocols and impact on lifestyles. I feel that because of this increase in nutrition and mental health concerns over a short period of time, individuals have been more likely to voice their struggles and seek support for them because these concerns impacted so many physically near and far from one’s immediate environment. My hope is that the openness around talking about and getting professional support for one’s physical and mental health will continue, be normalized and the stigma around such will be decreased.
I am thankful to my own and the greater network of non-diet, eating disorder/disordered eating informed registered dietitians, mental health/psychiatric providers, medical providers, social workers, treatment centers, and resources (NEDA, The Alliance for Eating Disorders, etc.) who to raise awareness and provide resources for nutrition and mental health. I look forward to continue collaborating with these individuals and groups to enhance the access to and quality of care of eating disorders, disordered eating and mental health concerns and to provide support to those who are in need.
Pricing:
- Initial Nutrition Assessment: $235.00 (Liza)
- 60 Minute Follow Up: $180.00 (Liza)
- 30 Minute Follow Up: $95.00 (Liza)
- Limited reduced rate spots available upon request.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://balancehealthconsulting.com/
- Instagram: @balancehealthconsulting
- Email: liza@balancehealthconsulting.
com - Phone: 470-480-3665
