About Karen David - MS, RDN
About
Throughout my career, I have dedicated myself to enhancing the quality of life for my clients. By integrating my experiences, training, and knowledge, I guide them towards freedom from unproductive choices, empowering them to make balanced lifestyle decisions.
EXPERIENCE
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Director of Nutrition Services — 2000 - February 2019, The Bella Vita
Work in a multi-faceted program focused on treating the eating disordered population. My primary focus is spent creating a supportive environment to enhance behavioral changes that will provide a safe space for recovery. I also oversaw the dietary staff (RDs, DTs) and set the tone for our philosophy of empowering people toward self-care and healthy interdependence.
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Private Practice Nutritional Counseling — 2000 - present
Work in private practice both individually and in a group setting, providing education and counseling for clients with eating disorders, diabetes, hypertension, autoimmune diseases and other clinical concerns.
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Mindful Eating Teacher — 2007 - present
I began using mindful eating techniques with clients in 2007 to help people make peace with their relationship with food and, in turn, make peace with themselves and others. I currently teach mindful eating workshops for children, adolescents and adults in the Seattle area, and have taught at Insight LA and USC (University of Southern California) and in a private practice group setting.
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IFS Practitioner - 2018 - present
Completed IFS levels 1 & 2 in 2018. I have found this model to be life changing personally and professionally. Using the parts model, i.e. - “a part of me wants to eat whatever I want and I part of me hates it when I lose control” or “a part of me wants to get better but I don't want to gain weight” has helped my clients resolve inner conflicts and be able to take action in a way they hadn’t been able to do so previously. The progress I’ve seen has been astounding and it brings freedom and confidence to the people I am working with in private practice.
EDUCATION
California State University, Northridge - MS, Family & Consumer Sciences, Dietetics 2000
The College at Brockport, State University of New York - BA in Psychology & Health Sciences 1985
SKILLS
Certified Mindful Eating, Conscious Living Program teacher through UCSD.
Member of the American Dietetic Association, Sports and Cardiovascular Wellness Nutritionists (SCAN).
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Trained in IFS, Internal Family Systems, a parts model that helps people resolve inner and outer conflict.
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I Founded and was the chairperson of LATFED, the Los Angeles Task Force on Eating Disorders. Current treatment modalities that I use include IFS, CBT, motivational interviewing, DBT and others.
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Meditation practice since 1991. Deeply rooted in Vipassana (awareness) meditation since 2007.