Alison Ross, MA, LMFT, CEDS

Experience

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  AdValue Media

  Jan 1994 - Jan 1996

  Product Specialist
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  America Online

  Jan 1996 - Jan 1998

  Interactive Media Developer
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  Perks.com

  Jan 1998 - Jan 2001

  Project Director
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  Beit T'Shuvah Residential Alcohol/Drug Addiction Treatment Facility

  May 2002 - Jun 2003

  Counselor and Yoga Instructor

  Facilitated a weekly process group supporting clients to develop healthy eating habits and body-esteem while adjusting to a life of sobriety. Taught a weekly yoga & meditation class designed to help clients strengthen the mind-body connection and develop coping skills

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  Wright Institute Los Angeles (WILA)

  Mar 2005 - Dec 2008

  Primary Therapist

  Worked under the supervision of Dr. Susan B. Krevoy to provide psychotherapy and case management services to clients diagnosed with anorexia, bulimia, and binge eating disorder. Administered intakes and assessments with potential clients. Coordinated care with dietitians and medical professionals on the treatment team. Served as an advocate for clients with insurance companies and other payors. Assisted in the development of an Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP) to treat adolescents with eating disorders. Key Accomplishments:• Created and facilitated “Strengthening the Self”, a weekly workshop designed to engender a positive self concept and a positive body image in individuals with eating disorders• Developed and taught a weekly workshop that incorporated yoga asanas and breathing techniques to help clients strengthen the mind-body connection• Developed and presented eating disorder awareness and prevention programs in the community on behalf of the treatment centerKey Accomplishments:• Assisted in the development of an Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP) to treat adolescents with eating disorders• Developed program policies and procedures for the adolescent IOP• Trained the staff on program policies, procedures and curriculum for the adolescent IOP • Co-facilitated a weekly after-care psychotherapy group• Developed and presented an eating disorder prevention program at high schools in Los Angeles Show less

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  Monte Nido & Affiliates

  Mar 2008 - May 2010

  Primary Therapist

  Worked under the supervision of Carolyn Costin, LMFT, to provide psychotherapy and case management to clients diagnosed with eating disorders. Developed and executed treatment plans and coordinated care with other treatment professionals on the team. Served as an advocate for clients with insurance companies and other payors.

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  INTERNATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF EATING DISORDERS PROFESSIONALS

  Jan 2012 - Jan 2013

  Board Member

  Served as the Treasurer on the Executive Board of the Los Angeles Chapter

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  Wellfit Malibu

  Jan 2016 - Dec 2016

  Consultant

  Lectured on the topic of eating psychology and facilitated group workshops and private consultations at the health and fitness resort to help guests develop a mindful relationship with food and their bodies.

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  California Health & Longevity Institute, Inc

  Jan 2017 - Mar 2019

  Consultant

  Lectured on the topic of eating psychology and facilitated group workshops and private consultations with guests participating in corporate wellness programs. Supported them to manage stress and adopt healthy eating patterns.

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  EEG Info

  May 2019 - May 2019

  Public Speaker

  2019, Advanced Neurofeedback Clinical Summit, EEG Info in Woodland Hills, California Presentation: "The Importance of Core Self-Regulation in the Treatment of Eating Disorders"Presented an overview of core and conscious self-regulation difficulties experienced by people suffering from eating disorders. Described the use of top-down and bottom-up therapies, including neurofeedback, to improve emotion and eating regulation skills in this client population. Demonstrated how a novel neurofeedback protocol devised by Dr. Siegfried Othmer can be utilized to improve nervous system function in clients who struggle with eating disorders. Show less

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  EEG Info

  May 2020 - May 2020

  Public Speaker

  2020, Advanced Neurofeedback Clinical Summit, EEG Info in Woodland Hills, CaliforniaPresentation: "Applications of Alpha-Theta Neurofeedback in the Treatment of Eating Disorders"Presented a case study that illustrates how Alpha-Theta neurofeedback can be utilized to improve body image and self-concept in clients who struggle with eating disorders. Answered clinician questions about administering neurofeedback with safety protocols during the pandemic of 2020.

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  Non-Dieting Health

  Feb 2021 - now

  As the Founder and Clinical Director of Non-Dieting Health, I have the privilege of leading a dedicated team of therapists and neurofeedback practitioners whom I've trained in our unique trauma-informed approach to eating disorder and mental health recovery. My role encompasses the broad responsibilities of setting the clinical direction, overseeing patient care, and managing the day-to-day operations of our center. I am the author of the book, "How to Love Your Body and Be Healthy in Diet Culture," which serves as a practical guide for individuals navigating their recovery journey. I regularly contribute to the wider professional community by presenting at neurofeedback and eating disorder conferences and sharing insights from our practice and the latest developments in the field. Additionally, I continue to see clients myself, which is a favorite part of my job and keeps my clinical skills cutting-edge. I oversee and contribute content to our vibrant social media presence, through which we raise awareness about eating disorders, promote a body-positive perspective, and innovative treatment options we provide at our center. Furthermore, through these endeavors, I continuously strive to extend the reach of our mission to foster a body-positive, non-dieting, trauma-informed therapeutic approach that promotes genuine healing, recovery and healthy mindsets. Show less

  • Founder

    Mar 2010 - now

  • Book Author

    Feb 2021 - now
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  Psychiatry Redefined

  Sept 2021 - Sept 2021

  Public Speaker

  Webinar: Fostering Self-Regulation Skills in Clients with Eating Disorders

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  INTERNATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF EATING DISORDERS PROFESSIONALS

  Jun 2022 - Jun 2022

  Public Speaker

  International Association of Eating Disorder Professionals - Los Angeles Chapter, Presented OnlinePresentation: "Treating the Nervous System to Foster Emotional & Mental Stability in Clients with Eating Disorders"When exposed to diet culture, many people develop shame and insecurity about their natural bodies. This presentation considers how diet culture can activate a chronic stress response and lock our clients' autonomic nervous system into defense mode. Through the lens of Polyvagal Theory, participates learn how their client's autonomic responses to diet culture can perpetuate struggles with eating, body image, and weight. And how to treat the nervous system with neurofeedback brainwave training and other techniques to restore mental and emotional stability, strengthen resilience to diet culture influences, and foster recovery. Show less

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  Center for Discovery Eating Disorder Treatment

  Apr 2024 - Apr 2024

  Speaker

  This presentation explores how trauma, such as food and body stigma (e.g., diet culture), can trigger a chronic stress response, locking our patients' autonomic nervous systems into defensive states. Through the perspective of Polyvagal Theory you will discover how your patient's autonomic reactions to food and body stigma can cause eating, body image, and weight activations. We will delve into clinical methods for addressing the nervous system using neurofeedback brainwave training.