Today we’d like to introduce you to Kate Ringwood.
Kate, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
I started my journey of becoming an eating disorder therapist for athletes because of my own battle with an eating disorder as a runner. I have been running since age 10 and it was such a big piece of my eating disorder in both positive and negative ways. I became burnt out and dreaded practices. In college, despite feeling like I healed my relationship with food, I couldn’t get back into the enjoyment of running anymore. This led me to the big decision to take a year off running in college. It probably was one of the toughest but best decisions of my life. I was able to come back my senior year stronger than ever and most importantly, have longevity in the sport.
Originally, I went to school for nutrition, thinking I would become a registered dietitian and help folks heal their relationship with food through nutritional support. This turned into me wanting to learn more about the mental health side and going to grad school at John Hopkins University for my Master’s in Mental Health Counseling. Combining my passions in Serendipity Counseling, of running, mental health and food is the ultimate dream.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
It has absolutely not been a smooth ride. I always tell people that I would never ever wish an eating disorder on anyone. However, it brought me to this place now, that I wouldn’t take it back for the world. Working in eating disorders is not just a job to me, it is something that allows me to live up to my values and sustain recovery.
As far as the business side of things go, nobody tells you how to be a business owner in college or grad school. In the beginning of the pandemic, it was relatively “easy” because so many people needed help and quickly. Once that settled, the reality of figuring out how to market myself, came into play. I have managed to find ways that feel fun and authentic to me, such as finding ways to educate others and talk about the stigma behind eating disorders and relative energy deficiency in sport (REDs). This helps keeps me going through the inevitable ups and downs of owning a private practice.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about Serendipity Counseling Services?
Serendipity Counseling Services provides eating disorder therapy for athletes. I help athletes stop obsessing about food and gain trust back with their body. What really sets me apart from other therapists is the professional knowledge in both sports and eating disorders, along side my own personal experience. My ultimate goal is to keep you in your sport (if medically appropriate) and help you stop the ruminating thoughts about food. I am incredibly proud of my passion in this field. I always wanted to find a job that I loved, but never thought it would be possible for me, personally. Yet, here I am, years later owning my own business and surrounded by my passions.
We would work well together if you are an athlete that can’t stop constantly thinking about food, has an irregular period, feels low on energy during workouts, struggles with negative thoughts about your body, or feels burnt out in your sport. If this sounds like you, I am here to help! I have limited in-person therapy spots available on Wednesdays in Audubon, NJ and offer virtual eating disorder therapy in PA, MD, FL, VT, AZ and of course throughout New Jersey. I accept Aetna insurance and am out of network to all other insurances.
What makes you happy?
Outside of my practice, things that make me happy are running, hikes with my pup, Monti, finding really good coffee shops, new restaurants and cooking for others. If you live nearby, you will often see me out there in the morning on the track or local roads because recovery has provided me longevity in sport and I could never be more proud.
Pricing:
- $225 for 50 minutes
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.serendipitycounseling.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/serendipity.counseling/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/serendipity.counseling.services/
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kate-ringwood-5754052b/
- Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@serendipitycounseling
