My Life as an Eating Psychology Coach: Lisa Bojarski

What made you want to become an Eating Psychology Coach?

I am an Eating Psychology and Holistic Nutrition Practitioner living and working in Auckland, New Zealand, though I am originally from the United States. Becoming an Eating Psychology Coach and starting my own practice has felt like the most natural and organic extension of who I am as a person and how I want to show up in this world in a professional capacity. With my background in psychology and a passion for food, eating, and nutrition, discovering the Institute for the Psychology of Eating was a dream come true. I had always intuited the connection between the seemingly separate fields of nutrition and psychology, and the course content resonated with me deeply.

Throughout the program I had many “aha” moments about my own relationship with food and now I consider it a privilege to support others on their unique journeys around eating and well-being. As someone who truly loves food, it’s wonderful to be able to encourage clients to experience more pleasure and nourishment around eating and less of the punishment and judgment that is so prevalent. It is my goal to help clients feel comfortable in their own skin and live their lives with more joy and ease, in alignment with their most authentic selves.

What do you love about being an Eating Psychology Coach?

I love the refreshing and positive approach that Eating Psychology brings to the nutritional table. Instead of fighting unwanted symptoms, I am able to help my clients see them as opportunities for personal growth. It is a beautiful and compassionate approach, which yields awesome results. Clients feel empowered when they are able to tune into their body’s own wisdom and make connections between the way they are living and how they are feeling.

What does your practice look like?

My practice is located in the beautiful and tranquil Seven Senses Wellness Centre in Auckland where I work alongside other holistic practitioners. Most of my clients are nutritionally savvy women who often think they know what they “should” be doing to get where they want to go, but for one reason or another are still experiencing unwanted symptoms. By going deeper into their emotional worlds, I am able to support them to uncover the meaning behind their symptoms, tune into their unique experiences and needs, gain greater compassion for themselves, and facilitate profound shifts.

I offer individual consultations, which are mostly in-person, though I am also available via Skype. I run private workshops for small groups such as new moms, a bunch of friends, or workmates. I am available for pantry makeovers, shopping assistance, and also offer cooking support, which I call my “Nourishment Sessions.” In these sessions I go into a client’s home and help them get comfortable creating dishes that are both nutritious and delicious, while suiting their personal taste, lifestyle, and dietary preferences.

How did your education at the Institute prepare you to work successfully with clients?

Studying with the Institute for the Psychology of Eating equipped me well with nutritional knowledge and prepared me to work with the wide range of physical and emotional symptoms clients present with. The case studies were especially valuable in this regard.

What was your favorite aspect of the Training?

I appreciated the well-organized modules, which were easy to navigate, along with clear expectations of what was required. The IPE staff was, and still is, super helpful and responsive.
The highlight of the Training was how entertaining and engaging Marc David is as a teacher. I thoroughly enjoyed his way of presenting material and thus absorbed it easily. It was also incredibly helpful and encouraging to interact with Emily Rosen on the social media platforms, and I appreciated the generosity with which she shared her knowledge in the Business Module. All in all, my experience with the Institute for the Psychology of Eating exceeded my expectations on many levels.

How has being an Eating Psychology Coach impacted your professional life/financial well-being?

I find my work in the field of Nutritional Psychology to be immensely fulfilling. It feels both innovative and timely as more and more people are taking responsibility for their own well-being. They are willing to look within in order to grow and evolve as individuals instead of searching outside themselves for quick fixes for symptoms.

How has being an Eating Psychology Coach impacted you personally?

There is great joy and freedom to be gained through self-exploration and using our relationship to food and eating as a framework for embarking on this personal journey.

What do you see for yourself in your future as an Eating Psychology Coach – where is your work evolving towards?

Nutritional Psychology is a rapidly developing field, so I continue to participate in professional education programs to keep up to date with the latest research and developments. I am particularly interested in using nutrition to help improve psychological symptoms such as depression, anxiety, and stress. In addition to working one-on-one with my clients, I see my work gearing toward speaking in front of larger groups and workshops in order to share this important knowledge. I expect my network of referring practitioners will keep expanding so that we can best support clients with our complementary therapies.

Why Would You Recommend the Training to Others?

I have a great deal of respect for the Institute for the Psychology of Eating for pioneering the way, and doing so with such integrity. I’m grateful for the excellent training I received and would highly recommend the Training to other like-minded professionals.

NAME: Lisa Bojarski, Eating Psychology and Holistic Nutrition Practitioner, Intuitive Therapist
BUSINESS: Four Leaves Nutritional Psychology
WEBSITE: fourleaves.co.nz

BIO: Lisa Bojarski is an Eating Psychology Practitioner and Intuitive Therapist in Auckland, New Zealand. She is passionate about the importance of showing up as our most authentic selves in order to feel truly nourished. With a compassionate approach, she encourages clients to tune into the wisdom behind physical and emotional symptoms to become more empowered around food and body.