About Me

I am a Registered Dietitian and RN, Anti-racism Educator/Consultant and Human Trafficking Activist

MS, RDN/LDN, RN, RYT

My Story

I had no idea when I finished my internship and graduated with my masters degree ten years ago, that I would end up in private practice with an emphasis on eating disorders and human trafficking. I started Bluff City Health to be a resource for survivors of complex trauma, the eating disorder community and communities of color. My hope is that Bluff City Health will be the bridge that connects resources to clinicians and clients.

Co-Founder of Human Trafficking Organization

Restore Corps was birthed to bridge the gap between anti-trafficking awareness, and, providing resources for victims of human trafficking. I was one was of the four co-founders of Restore Corps and previously served as a board member. While I am no longer the Board Director, I am still very much active in bringing awareness to the intersection of human trafficking and eating disorders. I currently provide anti-trafficking training to various medical disciplines.

My Mission

My mission is to create a world where every individual has equal representation and access to culturally competent and informed care.

A world where every voice matters and is heard.

Collectively together, we can achieve this.

Let’s make change together

Things I love to talk about…

Eating Disorders in the BIPOC Community

Anti racsim work must be one of the foundational principles for eating disorder/disordered eating clinicians.
We cannot continue to uphold systems and measurements that were created like the BMI (which we know was tool created and developed on white men) and hold eating disorders and disordered eating – eating disorders for clients of color.

Here’s a great article on this topic:

…”Goeree, Sovinsky, & Iorio, 2011 released a study showing that black teenageers are 50% more likely than white teenagers to exhibit bulimic behavior such as binging and purging but are less likely to receive help. Why is that? Lack of access and representation in the eating disorder community and lack of resources specifically targeted towards clients of color.”

ref: https://www.nationaleatingdisorders.org/people-color-and-eating-disorders

the intersection of human trafficking and eating disorders

I’ll never forget attending an anti-trafficking conference and asking, “Do you see eating disorders among trafficking survivors”, and the presenter saying “no”. That simply is not the case. Complex trauma can increase the likelihood of developing an eating disorder. Human trafficking victims are at risk of developing eating disorders and/or disordered eating.  

Integrating Anti-Racism Work in Nutrition Practice

I love talking about and helping clinicians acknowledge, understand and dismantel the ways in which supremacy can and does impact food and our bodies. 

Coffee... Seriously.

Coffee is life.

"It is rare to find a practitioner with such deep and varied expertise. As a nurse and dietitian who works closely with mental health therapists, Whitney is well-versed in every facet of eating disorder recovery. She is not just a fierce advocate for her clients, she is dedicated to making the world a better place for her clients with her work in social justice and body liberation. Whitney’s warmth, empathy, and humor make her a joy to work with."

– Amanda Dodson, Licensed Clinical Social Worker

This guide outlines the essential considerations you need to know when referring resources or an extended level of care for your BIPOC clients. 

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