Welcome to the Pursuing Private Practice podcast! Join Jennifer McGurk, CEO of Pursuing Private Practice, and Jessica Ward, registered dietitian and eating disorder specialist, for a conversation about faith-based nutrition counseling and what it can look like to bring a client's faith, spirituality, and values into the counseling process. Jennifer and Jessica discuss the nuances of faith-based nutrition counseling, especially when food, shame, morality, prayer, religious practices, and diet culture all intersect. Jessica shares how this work became part of her practice, and how she learned to incorporate faith in a way that feels supportive, ethical, and deeply human. Making Faith Part of the Assessment (03:56) Jessica explains how faith and spirituality can connect to a client's values, food choices, recovery, and overall counseling experience. Jennifer and Jessica further discuss why asking about faith or spirituality during an assessment can help clients feel more fully seen and understood in nutrition counseling. Jessica's Path Into Faith-Based Counseling (06:21) Jessica shares how working in a faith-based organization helped her learn how to incorporate faith into eating disorder counseling, even without a formal roadmap. Seeing the Body Through a Faith-Based Lens (09:23) Jessica reflects on the human body as a miraculous creation and how this perspective can bring awe, compassion, and purpose into nutrition counseling. When Faith, Shame, and Food Intersect (11:47) Jennifer and Jessica explore the pain points that clients may bring into sessions, including questions about why they are struggling, how prayer fits into healing, and how shame can become connected to food or health. Bringing Grace Into Conversations About Food (14:16) Jessica explains how faith-based counseling can help clients move away from shame around eating and toward a more compassionate, neutral relationship with food. Navigating Fasting, Religious Practices, and Scope of Practice (17:45) Jennifer and Jessica discuss the nuances of supporting clients through religious practices, including when to involve spiritual leaders and other members of the client's care team. Helping Dietitians Start This Work (25:27) Jessica shares guidance for dietitians who want to incorporate faith into their counseling, starting with curiosity, assessment questions, prayer when appropriate, supervision, and staying within scope. Clients bring their whole selves into the room, including their values, beliefs, communities, fears, questions, and lived experiences. When faith is an important part of a client's life, leaving it out of the conversation can sometimes mean missing a key part of who they are and what supports their healing. This episode is an invitation to think about what it means to take up space in your work, and gives you permission to start learning, asking questions, and finding support if this is an area of work you feel called to explore. Sponsor: ✨ Business School is designed to guide you through every stage of building a private practice: getting set up, seeing your first clients, growing until you're fully booked, hiring a team, expanding your offers—and even learning how to coast when needed. Inside, you'll follow a step-by-step curriculum with the flexibility to choose the path that fits your current stage of business and life. You'll get access to advanced toolkits, templates, and systems for business topics like marketing and finances, but also for counseling skills and client support. Beyond the curriculum, you're supported by personalized 1:1 coaching, weekly office hours, and monthly themes that address the real challenges of private practice. The program keeps you moving forward with built-in accountability that builds resilience and confidence so you feel like a legit business owner. Learn more and apply here: https://pursuingprivatepractice.com/businessschool/ Connect with Pursuing Private Practice: 🎉 Instagram: @pursuing.private.practice 📧 Email: Contact Us Free Resources For Dietitians at Any Stage of Business: 🍎 The Ultimate Checklist to Start Your Private Practice ✨ Free Training: Get Clients Now 3-Day Challenge 👯 Free Workshop: Hire Your Next Team Member 💻 The Pursuing Private Practice Blog 🎙️The Pursuing Private Practice Podcast About Jessica: Jessica Ward is the founder of Abundant Grace Nutrition. She received her Bachelor of Science in Dietetics from Gannon University and Master of Science in Wellness Management from Ball State University. She's been a Registered Dietitian for more than 25 years, with more than 17 years working in eating disorders. She's had numerous years in leadership in a variety of roles. Jessica enjoys providing one-on-one counseling, group facilitation, teaching, presenting, and mentoring other dietitians. Her passion is helping others achieve their goals and thrive. In 2024, she opened her own nutrition private practice. She's excited expand opportunities to connect with other dietitians through supervision, coaching, and creating new connection groups. Her faith is a cornerstone of her work, and she loves to help clients include their faith in their recovery process or their career. Jessica is a member of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, the Indiana Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, Nutrition Entrepreneurs and Behavioral Health Nutrition Dietetics Practice Groups, the International Federation of Eating Disorder Dietitians, the Eating Disorder Task Force of Indiana, and the International Association of Eating Disorder Professionals. Jessica is also a Certified Eating Disorder Specialist Consultant. Outside of work, she enjoys reading, yoga and being outside, even in winter. She enjoys spending time with her family and being in the forest. Supervision Resources From Jessica: Jessica's next project is launching The Thoughtful Practice Circle, a small professional growth and consultation group for eating disorder dietitians who want a steady, reflective space for connection, accountability, and thoughtful conversation about the realities of this work. Designed especially for clinicians navigating increased complexity, responsibility, or professional growth, the Circle will begin soon with limited spots available. If you're interested in learning more, connect through her website.
