GLP-1 Therapy Rooted in Health at Every Size® in Austin, TX
Support for the complex feelings & co-occuring experiences of being on a GLP-1
Being on a GLP-1 can feel… complicated, especially if you have a history of dieting, body image challenges, medical trauma, or anti-diet work under your belt. The excitement, fear, shame, relief, doubt, and curiosity can all be present at the same time. That’s where our work together begins.
GLP-1s affect more than just your appetite.
The media is making these medications out to be like the “magic shot”. Unfortunately, it’s a lot more complicated than that. GLP-1s are the epitome of all things being true - the thrill and hope of finally feeling better, the worries of managing symptoms, unease about how your community will respond, and nervousness about undoing the years of recovery from diet culture. And at the end of the day, you deserve a space where all the feelings are welcome.
Your body may change,
Therapy addresses everything that happens behind the scenes.
- The “is this too good to be true?” thoughts
- Pressure from family and friends to achieve a certain outcome
- Body changes happening faster than your brain can process
- Being treated differently from society (for better or worse)
- The “what if I slip into old eating disorder habits?” worries
but that’s only one piece of the puzzle.
I take a HAES-aligned, anti-diet approach, which means I support your values and your lived reality. If you’re looking for someone who understands the mental, emotional, cultural, and physical impact of these meds without judgement, I’m your girl.
The therapist who *truly* understands GLP-1s
Hi, I’m Erin MacDonald - an Austin-based therapist with lived experience in GLP-1 medications, major body changes, and the emotional rollercoaster that comes with it all.
A combo of ACT and CBT with real-world context, metaphors, lived experience, and a nonjudgemental space to talk about it all.
- Navigating body changes, expectations, and identity shifts
- How to talk about medication with family & friends
- Avoiding restricting patterns
- How social treatment may change
- Values-driven choices so the medication doesn’t disconnect you from yourself
- Shame, secrecy, hope, fear, and the very normal mixed bag of emotions
This is therapy for your GLP-1 journey, while keeping the pitfalls of diet culture in mind.
Culturally, folks use “GLP-1” as a catch-all phrase to reference any of these medications. There are differences, but not to worry - I can work with all of them!
Semaglutides (like Ozempic & Wegovy) are true GLP-1 agonists.
Tirzepatide (like Mounjaro & Zepbound) are dual agonists, meaning they are GLP-1s + GIP (glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide).
Some of it is semantics, but there is a community of researchers and practitioners who are pushing for a total classification of these medications - Nutrient Stimulating Hormones (NuSH) that you may see more commonly in the coming months!
What’s the difference between all the medications, like Ozempic, Wegovy, Mounjaro, and Zepbound?
Heck no. I work with folks before, during, and after starting medication.
Do I have to already be on a GLP-1 to work with you?
Absolutely. GLP-1s can be seriously health-changing, regardless of if they impact your body size. Values and lived experience can coexist.
Can I be weight-inclusive and still take GLP-1s?
Nope, that’s not the work we do around here.
Will you hold me accountable for weight loss?
First and foremost, totally valid. Secondly, it’s why I’m so passionate about the intersection of eating disorders and GLP-1s. I work with both. We will prioritize your emotional and physical wellbeing, not numbers or outcomes.
