About
HOLLY PAULSEN RD, CEDS-S, LD
Holly Paulsen is a Registered Dietitian and Certified Eating Disorder Specialist residing in rural Iowa. Early on in her career as a dietitian she realized that the traditional approach to nutrition —specifically the ‘good foods’ vs ‘bad foods’ message—doesn’t always work. In fact, for many of us it can actually make eating more confusing and contribute to disordered eating. Holly believes that what we eat isn’t as important as why or how we eat, and that healthy eating is much more than just food. Discovering a passion for helping clients untangle food worries and rediscover the pleasure in eating led her to specialize in eating disorders treatment.
As a Certified Intuitive Eating Counselor she utilizes principles of Intuitive Eating and Health at Every Size (HAES) in individualized nutrition therapy. Her work with her clients begins with communicating the message that full recovery and making peace with food are possible.
With limited access to eating disorder treatment in many areas either due to lack of trained professionals or distance needed to travel, Holly is committed to expanding opportunities for eating disorders nutrition therapy to those who need it and to providing training for other clinicians working in the field.
“When we take the joy out of eating, nutrition suffers.”
—Ellyn Satter
Professional Affiliations
» Eating Disorders Coalition of Iowa
» Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics
» Iowa Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics
» International Federation of Eating Disorder Dietitians
» International Association of Eating Disorder Professionals
PROFESSIONAL BACKGROUND
Holly has concentrated her professional work in the field of outpatient eating disorders treatment. In addition, she has extensive experience providing diabetes education in a hospital clinic setting and is well-versed in the co-occurring diagnoses of eating disorders and diabetes. As a Certified Intuitive Eating Counselor she uses this approach in guiding clients when appropriate.
Holly received her degree in Dietetics from the University of Iowa and completed her dietetic internship at Iowa State University. She is a Registered Dietitian, credentialed by the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics and is licensed by the State of Iowa. She is a credentialed Certified Eating Disorder Specialist (CEDS) by the International Association of Eating Disorder Professionals (iaedp) and is also an iadep- Approved Supervisor (CEDS-S) for other professionals seeking certification.
Certification as a Certified Eating Disorder Specialist (CEDS) exemplifies this commitment, and is bestowed upon professionals who have demonstrated clinical expertise through education, experience and a rigorous examination process. Some of the qualifications for meeting CEDS certification requirements include:
» Over 2,500 hours of supervised patient care in the field of eating disorders.
» Supervision from a certified specialist in the field of eating disorders.
» A rigorous education and examination process.
To learn more about the CEDS, visit iaedp.com.