In this episode, host Dustin sits down with therapist Lauren Larkin to unpack the complex relationship between disordered eating, diet culture, and mental health. Together, they explore how societal pressures, personal history, and media influence body image and eating behaviors, especially in the age of social media and virtual therapy. Lauren shares her journey from a career in media to becoming a clinician, offering insights into how her background shapes her approach to treating eating disorders. The conversation also touches on the challenges of remote therapy, the importance of curiosity in the healing process, and how therapists can create safe, supportive environments for recovery. If you're navigating disordered eating, interested in the intersection of media and mental health, or curious about therapy in the digital era, this episode is for you.

Connect with Lauren Larkin:

Instagram: @leltherapy

TikTok: @leltherapy

Website: www.leltherapy.com

Connect with boy meets therapy:

Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@boymeetstherapy⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

TikTok: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@boymeetstherapy⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Website with Free Resources: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠boymeetstherapy.com

Episode Guide & Chapters

00:00 Welcome to New York: First Impressions

02:07 Journey from Media to Therapy

05:01 Understanding Eating Disorders vs. Disordered Eating

09:00 The Impact of Diet Culture on Men

12:01 The Dangers of Social Media and Body Image

14:54 Treatment Approaches and Personal Experiences

20:13 Integrating Recovery into Daily Life

21:18 Navigating the Healing Journey

24:41 Understanding Eating Disorders and Therapy

28:07 The Impact of Food Noise on Mental Health

31:50 Uncovering Deeper Issues in Therapy

35:05 Coping Mechanisms and Client Engagement

38:57 Inspiration and Personal Growth

Created and Produced by Dustin Oliver