Eating Disorder Dietitian and Counselor in Austin, TX
Pricing:
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Individual 50 minute: $225
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50 minute
Relationship Counseling: $275
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80 minute
Relationship Counseling: $375
Not Currently Accepting New Clients
JENNIFER PEREIRA, IEDS, LPC-S, RD, LD
Owner and Chief Clinical Director at ACN
Inclusive Eating Disorder Specialist
Licensed Professional Counselor Supervisor Registered and Licensed Dietitian
Education and Licenses
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Bachelor of Science in Nutrition Sciences from the University of Oklahoma
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Master of Arts in Professional Counseling from Amberton University
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Registered Dietitian, Licensed Dietitian in the State of Texas
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Licensed Professional Counselor Supervisor in the State of Texas
Experience
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​Outpatient/IOP Dietitian, Renfrew Center, Florida
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Outpatient Dietitian, Jessica Setnick's Understanding Nutrition, Dallas, Texas
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Owner, Nutrition Paradox, a private practice offering nutrition counseling, Arlington, Texas
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Founder of Project Bliss 501(c)3, previously a non-profit residential eating disorder treatment, Arlington, Texas
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Project Bliss 501(c)3, a non-profit organization committed to providing mental health services to individuals in marginalized communities, Austin, Texas
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Owner of a Million Dollar Group Practice: Austin Counseling and Nutrition, Austin, Texas
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Trainings and Specializations
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Inclusive Eating Disorder Specialist Certification
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EMDR trained
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Level One Imago
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Certified Hypnotherapist
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IFS-informed
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Intuitive Eating, Anti-diet
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Health at Every Size
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Body Liberation
Communities Served
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Relationship Therapy
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Couples Therapy
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Parent Coaching
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Polycules
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Disordered eating
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Eating disorders, including:
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Binge eating disorder​
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ARFID
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Anorexia nervosa
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Bulimia nervosa
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Orthorexia
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OSFED
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Chronic dieters
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Picky Eaters
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Compulsive exercisers
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LGBTQ+
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Fat-positive
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BIPOC community
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Immigrants
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People living with disabilities
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Teens and Adults, ages 10 and up
Areas of Expertise
Relationships
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Couples Counseling
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Family Therapy
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Parent and Child Therapy
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Friends
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Coworkers
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Communication
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Increase Understanding
Food and Body
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Disordered Eating
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Eating Disorders
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Anorexia
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Binge Eating
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Bulimia
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ARFID
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Body Dismorphia
Trauma
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EMDR therapy
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IFS therapy
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Negative beliefs
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Limiting beliefs
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Flashbacks
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Phobias
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Compulsions
Mental Health + Neurodiversity
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ADHD
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Autism Spectrum
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Anxiety Therapy
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Depression Therapy
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OCD Therapy
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PTSD Therapy
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Self Esteem
Fun Facts
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I love working with all ages - especially teens, adults, and older adults.
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I have lived experience with disordered eating and body dysmorphia, ADHD, neurodiversity, and trauma.
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Favorite Foods: Italian, Mexican, Desserts
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Favorite Character: Alice in Wonderland
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Favorite Colors: Pink and Chartreuse
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Hobbies: Painting, writing, reading, crochet, relaxing
Counselor ~ Dietitian ~ Supervisor ~ Owner
"I used to be a "health nut" and a compulsive exerciser. I was praised for my eating disorder behaviors because they appeared healthy to most people. Inside, I never felt like I "arrived"--- my body never seemed to get to a place where I was happy with it. There was a constant fear of my body getting bigger. I never felt content in this cycle. Food and body consumed most of my thoughts. It was a terrible way to live, and I was unable to enjoy things that most people would. My own journey through recovery truly gave me a life I enjoy. Finding freedom from food and body obsessions allowed me to feel truly alive." -Jennifer
While I currently have limited availability, I do work closely with all of the clinicians in our practice. You are in good hands with any therapist or dietitian from Austin Counseling and Nutrition.
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I am available to answer questions about the practice and help match clients with therapists and dietitians who are a good fit for them.
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Call or text (512)655-3878
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or use the contact form to email
Hello! I am Jennifer Pereira, and I am a Licensed Professional Counselor and Registered Dietitian. I have been working with people with disordered eating since 2005 at many levels of care. My amazing team and I work closely together to provide an inclusive, safe experience for our clients.
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I first began working in the field of eating disorders at The Renfrew Center in Florida, leading Intensive Outpatient groups and seeing individual clients for nutrition counseling. It was at that time that I really evaluated my own relationship with food, and realized it was pretty disordered. I am so grateful to have been able to normalize my own relationship with food and my body---it has been one of the most liberating experiences of my life.
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In 2006, my partner, Roger Pereira, my first born and I moved to Texas to be closer to my grandmother. I was fortunate enough to work alongside Jessica Setnick in her practice in Dallas. The following year I opened my own practice, Nutrition Paradox. During this time I was devastated by how many of my clients could not get access to higher levels of treatment because of insurance or out-of-pocket costs.
In 2012, I felt compelled to open Project Bliss, a non-profit home for the treatment of eating disorders. We were lucky enough to get it off the ground and provide full and partial scholarships for many clients who otherwise would not have been able to access residential treatment. Sadly, we had to close Project Bliss in 2015 due to lack of funding---we are grateful it made a difference while it lasted.
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In 2015, my family moved to Austin, where we have wanted to live for years. Since then we have been providing outpatient counseling and nutrition services for individuals in the Austin, Cedar Park, and Lakeway, and virtually throughout Texas at Austin Counseling and Nutrition.
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In 2020, due to the high demand for eating disorder treatment, we expanded into a group practice when we hired Najeeha Khan. Since then we have added another 13 clinicians, and a handful of interns, to our team. We are a mix of counselors and dietitians, all able to help people with eating disorders and body image issues.
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In 2023, Roger and I celebrated our 20th wedding anniversary. Our oldest child also turned 18 years old. We have the lived experience of being parents, partners, business owners, and more. It's a rollercoaster, for sure, and we can help you move through the difficult parts. We are both trained in Imago relationship therapy and offer couples therapy and coaching. We continue to grow and learn so that we can bring this knowledge and experience to our clients.
Relationship Counseling ~ Couples Counseling, Marriage Counseling
Couples counseling is an important part of relationship counseling. It can help couples to identify and address underlying issues in their relationship and better understand each other's perspectives. Through couples counseling, couples can develop improved communication, problem-solving, and conflict resolution skills. By gaining insight and understanding of each other, couples can learn how to maintain a healthy and fulfilling relationship. Couples counseling also helps couples to recognize and celebrate the strengths of their relationship and build on those to create a stronger bond.
Couples counseling offers a safe space for couples to communicate more effectively, identify underlying issues, learn more about themselves and their partner, and develop strategies for dealing with challenges. Couples counseling can help to break down barriers, create a greater understanding of each other's perspectives, and develop communication and problem-solving skills. With the guidance of a professional counselor, couples can work together to strengthen their relationship and resolve conflicts in a healthy, respectful way.
Our relationship counseling services include couples therapy, couples counseling, marriage counseling, and premarital counseling. Several of our counselors have years of experience helping couples to strengthen their relationship and work through any issues that arise.
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Roger Pereira (for coaching)
We offer supportive and nonjudgmental guidance to help couples navigate the complexities of their relationship. Our counseling sessions are tailored to each couple’s individual needs, and we strive to create a safe and comfortable space for open conversation. We look forward to helping you and your partner build a stronger, healthier relationship.
Max and Nina
My therapy dogs
Relationship Counseling
I am trained in Imago Relationship Therapy, which is a dynamic method of counseling that can provide deeper connection with our partners. Romantic relationships are challenging and they are also capable of being the most fulfilling relationship of our lives.
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Most of us are raised with relationship models (our parents) who may not have had healthy skills in communication and compassion. We also have our own relationships with our parents, as well as with others, that shape our current way of being in intimate partnerships.
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It is important to understand ourselves and our partner's history, patterns, and unresolved attachment issues. This allows us to better navigate the relationship. It also provides a chance to heal ourselves and our partners through the relationship.
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No matter what stage of relationship you are in, even if actively separating or divorcing, counseling can help it be more productive, safe, and effective.
If you are a clinician who wants to work with eating disorder clients, or are doing this work now and want a credential to demonstrate your skills, the Inclusive Eating Disorder Specialist Training is for you.
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With a diverse group of over a dozen contributors, we have developed the most comprehensive eating disorder training (we are aware of) on the market.
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This eating disorder training is social justice oriented, anti-racist, and fat positive. We hope to help clinicians be a safe person for these clients.
