S2 · E5 · 67 min
In this episode, I discuss reclaiming the body with Whitney Trotter, CEO of Project HEAL, who is also a psychiatric nurse practitioner, and registered dietitian with over 15 years of experience in the eating disorder field. We discuss the often-overlooked connection between trauma, eating disorders, and our relationship with our bodies.
Whitney’s introduction to eating disorders came through her work with survivors of sex trafficking and people living with HIV, where she witnessed firsthand the profound ways trauma can affect a person’s relationship with their body, safety, food, and sense of self.
Together, we explore an important parallel: people who have experienced significant trauma and people struggling with eating disorders both experience a disconnection from their bodies.
We talk about the importance of safety and trust and what it means to reconnect, to become more present in our bodies, and to learn to listen to and care for the body rather than fight against it.
This episode touches on a kind of “body recovery” that goes beyond food and weight to finding our way home to ourselves and learning that our bodies can once again become a place of safety, connection, and care.
Project HEAL is working to break barriers in access to care for individuals with eating disorders. Please consider donating to Project HEAL to help them with this important mission.
www.theprojectheal.org
Dr. WHITNEY TROTTER is a healthcare professional committed to advancing trauma-informed, inclusive approaches to mental health and well-being. As both a Registered Dietitian and Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner, she integrates expertise in nutrition, psychiatry, eating disorders, and trauma to deliver comprehensive, patient-centered care. She recently was
named as CEO of Project HEAL. Dr. Trotter brings over 15 years of experience as a registered dietitian, having worked across
diverse settings and communities, including individuals impacted by HIV/AIDS, human trafficking, and eating disorders. She currently practices primarily as a psychiatric nurse practitioner, specializing in anxiety, mood disorders, eating disorders, and women’s mental
health. She is a national leader in education and advocacy, co-leading the BIPOC Eating Disorders Conference alongside Angela Goens. Over the past four years, their work has trained more than 1,000 clinicians through conferences and consultation services. Dr. Trotter’s expertise has been featured in major media outlets including Essence, The Skimm, and CNN. She has contributed to national policy efforts, including a policy brief in Washington, DC for the National Black Caucus. Additionally, she has served as a clinical expert and is mentioned in books such as Food Positivity, Sick Enough (2nd ed.), and Fat Talk. In 2026, she was recognized as a New and Emerging Voice in Psychiatry by Psych Congress Elevate.
Follow: @whitneytrotter.rd @projectheal
Website: www.theprojectheal.org
Carolyn Costin is a world-renowned eating disorder clinician, author, and speaker. Recovered from anorexia, she pioneered the belief that full recovery is possible. Founder of Monte Nido, she transformed treatment with a holistic, home-based model. She later founded the Carolyn Costin Institute, training coaches and clinicians worldwide. She has authored six books, including 8 Keys to Recovery From an Eating Disorder.
Receive 20% off the 8 Keys to Recovering from an Eating Disorder book: wwnorton.com/promo/costin
Become a Carolyn Costin Certified Recovery Coach →
Follow the Carolyn Costin Institute on Instagram →
The National Eating Disorders Association (NEDA) →
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