My Life as an Eating Psychology Coach: Rachel Barach

What made you want to become an Eating Psychology Coach?

I struggled for years with health, weight and negative body image and as soon as I felt the transformation in my own relationship with food and body, I knew I wanted to help others on their paths – to let the wound become the gift.

I wanted to take a holistic approach in my work with clients and the language of Mind Body Nutrition really resonated with me. In my most desperate moments, I often felt unseen and underserved by the professionals I was trusting to help me.

When I decided to become a nutritionist, I vowed to be a different type of professional. As an Eating Psychology Coach, it is important to me that my client is always the one in the driver’s seat. I play the role of navigator based on my foundation of research, stories, experiences and questions.

What do you love about being an Eating Psychology Coach?

I love connecting with my clients and getting a privileged view into their lives. I almost always have a feeling of “yeah, I love what I do” after sessions with clients. It is very rewarding and inspiring to see others become happier and healthier through small, incremental changes.

I love that the schedule and lifestyle of being an Eating Psychology Coach allow me to be flexible day to day and support the practices that make me feel good so I can best serve others.

What does your practice look like?

My practice is called Love Food & Body and I most commonly work with individuals with digestive concerns or a desire to lose weight. About half of my clients come through the health club where I am the nutritionist, which leads to a more diverse group than what I would attract privately.

It has been a very useful experience to explore Mind Body Nutrition with those who may not have been seeking that out originally. Most of my sessions are in person, but I do some phone and skype as well, especially to help accommodate busy schedules.

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

The Training gave me a framework and a language to hone in with clients on what really matters to them. As a nutritionist, the easy thing to do is to focus on the food, but I see over and over again that often, it’s really not about the food.

The training also emphasized the importance of working with clients who are ready for the work and are a good fit with you; not just getting clients to get them. This has proven to be a very good model for growing both my skills and the business.

What was your favorite aspect of the Training?

My favorite aspect of the Training was the live event in Boulder. Never in my life have I connected with so many strangers on such a deep level so quickly. I felt united in a mission to heal the world by inspiring other people to live their lives joyfully.

It made me hopeful that with the sheer power of the individuals in that conference room, we could really make a difference. The facebook groups are also a great reminder of the people doing this work all over the world!

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

Being an Eating Psychology Coach has been a means of differentiating myself from other nutritionists. When I speak with prospective clients, I describe my Eating Psychology Coach certification as the “special sauce” in my background, the glue that brings together my training as both a nutritionist and a chef, or the study of why we do what do and how to actually take on new habits.

People are generally very curious and responsive. I find that with a few exceptions, if we get to the stage of chatting on the phone, that person usually becomes a client. The certification has strengthened my credentials and been good for my business.

How has being an Eating Psychology Coach impacted you personally?

When I compare the work I do now as a food coach to past jobs, I am enthused that everything feels like professional development. The more emotional intelligence I develop in relationships with friends and family, the more I can understand my clients and vice versa.

The more I develop my interests, the easier it is for me to help others prioritize their own. The more I try new things, the more connections and tools I can offer to my clients.

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

In the short term, I am striving to grow Love Food & Body to the point where I am consistently working at my full capacity. In the long term, I would like to be able to offer more community support to my clients. I plan to build a community around activities such as mindful eating dinner parties, cooking classes, walking groups and dance parties.

Why Would You Recommend the Training to Others?

I would recommend the Training to others because it supplements other certifications and degrees beautifully with information that is difficult to obtain anywhere else. It provides practical instruction on how to individualize your services in working with clients, with opportunities to scale up. It also asks the tough questions to push you to grow personally in your relationship with food and body.

NAME: Rachel Barach, N.C.
BUSINESS: Love Food & Body
WEBSITE: lovefoodbody.com

BIO: Rachel Barach is the founder of Love Food & Body. She is a certified Nutrition Consultant, a trained chef, a certified Eating Psychology Coach, and a graduate of Northwestern University. She has six years of professional cooking experience, including a stint in the kitchens of a Michelin-starred restaurant in Manhattan.