Orange County Eating Disorder Specialist & Intuitive Eating Counselor
Heal Your Relationship with Food and Your Body
Break free from food rules. Reconnect with your body.
Specialized nutrition therapy for eating disorder recovery, intuitive eating, and compassionate GLP-1 support.
Weight-inclusive. Gender-inclusive. No diet culture allowed.
Serving Orange County, California via Telehealth
How I Can Help
Three Paths to Healing
I offer specialized nutrition support for three distinct journeys. Not sure which is right for you? Book a free consultation and we'll figure it out together.
Eating Disorder Recovery
Specialized nutrition therapy for anorexia, bulimia, binge eating disorder, and ARFID. For children, teens, adults, and families. Expert care that makes a difference. As a Certified Eating Disorders Specialist (CEDS), I've completed rigorous advanced training beyond standard dietitian credentials. This certification requires extensive specialized education, supervised practice hours, and demonstrated expertise in eating disorder treatment.
Learn MoreFood Freedom
Diet culture stops here. Whether you're exhausted by yo-yo dieting or ready to reject food rules for good, I'll help you rebuild trust with your body through Intuitive Eating principles. I'm currently completing my certification as an Intuitive Eating Counselor, bringing together 28 years of clinical experience with this proven framework for lasting food freedom.
Learn MoreGLP-1 Nutrition Support
You deserve support without shame. If you're taking a GLP-1 medication, thinking about it, or preparing to stop, you deserve informed care that honors your body and your choices, wherever you are in your journey.
Learn MoreMy Philosophy
Body, Mind & Soul
Diet Culture Stops Here
If you're exhausted by the endless cycle of diets, food rules, and feeling like you're constantly failing—I want you to know this is not your fault.
The diet industry is a $78 billion business built on keeping you feeling like you're not enough. Diet culture has sold us the lie that we need to control, restrict, and fight our bodies—and it profits every time we believe it. It convinces us that our bodies are the problem, and that fixing our bodies will fix all our problems. You don't need another diet. You need a completely different approach.
All Bodies Are Worthy
I practice from a fierce commitment to weight-inclusivity and gender-inclusivity, grounded in Health at Every Size (HAES) principles.
All bodies—regardless of size, shape, gender identity, or background—are inherently worthy and deserving of compassionate care.
Bodies naturally come in different shapes, sizes, and forms. This diversity is normal, natural, and part of being human. Diet culture wants you to believe your body is the problem—and that fixing your body will fix all your problems. This is a lie designed to keep you spending money and feeling inadequate. Your body is not a problem to be solved. It's your partner in healing.
Beyond the Plate: Healing the Whole Person
True health isn't just about following food rules. It's about the relationship you have with food and with yourself. My holistic approach integrates body, mind, and soul:
Body
Evidence-based nutrition therapy that honors your body's wisdom
Mind
Mindfulness practices and understanding the emotional patterns driving your food choices
Soul
Reconnecting with your authentic self and what feels true for you, beyond what diet culture says you should be
Your Path to Freedom
This work isn't about gaining more control over food—it's about rebuilding trust. Trust with your body. Trust with food. Trust with yourself.
Together, we'll break down the toxic beliefs keeping you stuck, learn to listen to your body's natural signals, and approach yourself with compassion instead of judgment. True transformation happens when we address the whole person.
You deserve to enjoy food. You deserve to feel at home in your body. You deserve support that doesn't come with shame.
Credentials
About
Meet Shannon
I'm Shannon Houchin, a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist and Certified Eating Disorders Specialist (CEDS) with 28 years of clinical experience.
My practice is proudly weight-inclusive and gender-inclusive. I believe that all bodies are inherently worthy and valuable, exactly as they are. I work with people of all sizes, genders, and backgrounds, and I'm deeply committed to creating a safe, affirming space for LGBTQ+ individuals and families.
I work with children as young as 6, adolescents, adults, and families. I've worked across different levels of care throughout my career, giving me a comprehensive understanding of eating disorder treatment at all stages of recovery. I specialize in treating anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, binge eating disorder, and ARFID.
I'm currently completing my certification as an Intuitive Eating Counselor, combining decades of clinical wisdom with this evidence-based framework for lasting food freedom.
True healing extends beyond the plate. My approach honors the interconnection of body, mind, and soul. I integrate evidence-based nutrition therapy with mindfulness practices and nervous system awareness because your relationship with food runs deeper than what's on your plate—it's connected to your emotions, thoughts, stress responses, and how you experience living in your body.
This isn't about gaining more control or finding more willpower. It's about rebuilding self-trust, reconnecting with your body's wisdom, and learning to approach yourself with compassion instead of criticism. I use a weight-inclusive, Health at Every Size (HAES) framework and Intuitive Eating principles to help you discover true freedom with food.
Whether you're recovering from an eating disorder, breaking free from chronic dieting, or navigating life on a GLP-1 medication, you deserve specialized nutrition support without judgment.
I provide telehealth services throughout California, with a focus on serving clients in Orange County including Irvine, Newport Beach, Anaheim, Santa Ana, Tustin, Mission Viejo, Lake Forest, Rancho Santa Margarita, and surrounding communities.
Common Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
Do you accept insurance?
I'm an out-of-network provider and provide superbills for insurance reimbursement. Many clients receive partial or full reimbursement through their out-of-network benefits. I'm happy to discuss how this works during your free consultation.
Who do you work with?
I work with children as young as 6, adolescents, adults, and families. My practice is weight-inclusive and gender-inclusive, and I'm deeply committed to creating a safe, affirming space for LGBTQ+ individuals.
What can I expect in a first session?
During our first session, we'll explore your relationship with food and your body, discuss your goals, and create a plan that feels right for you. This is a collaborative process—you're the expert on your own experience, and I'm here to provide guidance and support.
What's the difference between Intuitive Eating and eating disorder treatment?
Intuitive Eating is designed for people who are struggling with chronic dieting, food rules, and disconnection from their body's signals—but who don't have an active eating disorder. Eating disorder treatment is more intensive and addresses the medical, psychological, and nutritional complexities of conditions like anorexia, bulimia, binge eating disorder, and ARFID. During your free consultation, we can determine which approach is right for you.
I'm taking a GLP-1 medication. Will you tell me to stop?
No. I don't prescribe or deprescribe medications—that's between you and your doctor. What I do provide is judgment-free nutritional support to help you maintain adequate nutrition, manage side effects, and protect your relationship with food, whether you're on medication, coming off it, or unsure about your next steps.
How long does treatment typically take?
This varies greatly depending on your individual needs and goals. Some people work with me for a few months, while others benefit from longer-term support. We'll discuss this during your consultation and create a plan that makes sense for you.
What if I'm not sure which service I need?
That's completely normal! That's exactly what the free consultation is for. We'll talk about what you're experiencing and together determine the best path forward.
Get Started
Ready to Take the First Step?
I'd love to hear from you. Not sure which program is right for you? No problem - let's talk.
Book a free 15-minute consultation and we'll figure out the best path forward together.
Book a Free ConsultationPhone
(908) 403-0254Location
Serving Orange County, California via Telehealth