Today we’d like to introduce you to Cherie Miller.
Hi Cherie, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstories with our readers?
As far back as I can remember into my childhood, I was unhappy with my body. I was very aware of the fact that I was bigger than most of my friends, and that my stomach stuck out more than it “should”. I spent hours in front of the mirror scrutinizing my body, sucking in my stomach, pinching my fat, and sobbing in despair over my reflection. I even tried to use athletic tape to hold my stomach in. In college, I went on a strict diet and started running. I finally lost weight and everyone noticed. The praise so felt amazing, I became more determined to keep losing weight…
Until what started out as a diet turned into an eating disorder that took over my life. I obsessed about food, exercise, and my body 24/7. And while people’s compliments about my thinness and my “healthy” lifestyle felt good in the moment, I was mostly miserable and still very insecure. I still stood in front of the mirror and poked at my stomach and cried like I had for so many years.
Recovery from my eating disorder was not an easy journey. I wasn’t sure having a good relationship with food and my body was even possible, but it was! Through learning intuitive eating and working on body acceptance, I finally did make peace with food and myself. I was so passionate about the freedom I found compared to the bondage I’d been, I eventually left my high-paying corporate marketing career and became a licensed therapist to help others find food and body freedom too… and I’ve never looked back!
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall, and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
I knew I wanted to be a counselor after college, but I was married to someone who didn’t support me going to school to get my Master’s degree. It was a very abusive relationship, and it wasn’t until I separated from him 8 years later that I enrolled in a Master’s program. As hard as that was on many levels, I’m actually grateful that I had that time to continue growing personally and professionally before I became licensed because I am not sure I would have been a very good therapist at 23 years old!
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
Like most professionals who work with eating disorders, I am passionate about helping people call a truce with food and their bodies! But I’ve broadened my focus beyond focusing on just individual work. We, especially women, are taught from a very young age that our appearance defines us. The messages are literally everywhere in our culture that a woman’s value is dependent on how closely she meets the beauty “ideal” of being young, white, thin, and pretty. Frankly, it’s dehumanizing and I got sick of it. Now, in my counseling with clients and on my social media, I try to bring more awareness to these issues from my Christian and feminist standpoint. I believe every human being has value and worth because we are created that way by God, not because we earn it through our appearance or achievements. We look at these issues with food and our bodies as personal problems, but they’re not. They’re societal ones. The continued objectification of women and the pervasive bias against people in larger bodies are social justice issues. I’m proud to be part of the growing community talking about these things.
Any big plans?
In the last year and half, I’ve gone from being a solo clinician to having a group practice with a team of six amazing people working for me. It’s been a fun but wild ride! Now that I have not just therapists, but also dietitians and an anti-diet coach on my team, we are working on rebranding from Food Freedom Therapy to Nourished Soul Center for Healing. That name feels more encompassing of the broader, holistic services we offer now. We offer counseling, coaching, nutrition, group programs, and other unique services like an Anti-Diet Retreat!
Contact Info:
- Website: www.foodfreedomtherapy.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/foodfreedomtherapist/
- Twitter: https://www.facebook.com/foodfreedomtherapy
Image Credits
Hannah Jewel Photo
