What does an eating disorder actually look like — beyond the stereotypes? And how do you know when a “complicated” relationship with food or your body might deserve support?

In this episode of MetaTherapy, host Stud sits down with Claire Poneman, a psychotherapist specializing in eating disorders, disordered eating, and body image distress. Together, they unpack the many ways food and body struggles show up, why so many people go undiagnosed, and how therapy helps people move toward flexibility, trust, and relief — without shame or diet culture.

Claire shares what clients often get wrong about recovery, the subtle signs something deeper may be going on, and what healing actually looks like in real life (spoiler: it’s not loving your body every day or deleting mirrors forever).

Whether you’re struggling yourself, supporting someone else, or simply curious about how therapists think about food and body image, this conversation offers clarity, compassion, and a much-needed reality check.

🎧 New episodes of MetaTherapy drop regularly. Learn more about working with Claire at LSP.NYC.

Why do couples lose their minds over dishes, laundry, and lights left on? Spoiler: it’s not about the dishes. It’s about the feelings hiding underneath them. In this episode, we unpack the emotional symbolism behind everyday chores, how attachment styles shape our reactions, and why small tasks can trigger big reactions.

We break down what those fights are actually about — feeling unseen, unsupported, criticized, or alone — and how couples can start communicating the real need instead of arguing about the sink.

If you’ve ever had a dish-related meltdown (or lived with someone who has), this episode will make you feel very, very normal.

Is your therapist truly neutral… or are they quietly avoiding you with clinical vocabulary?
In this episode, we explore the thin, slippery line between therapeutic neutrality and good old-fashioned emotional avoidance. We break down when neutrality helps, when it harms, and how to tell if your therapist is being steady — or just hiding behind technique.

If you’ve ever left a session thinking, “Are they being intentional… or are they dissociating?” this one’s for you.

Attachment styles have gone viral — but most of what the internet teaches us about “anxious,” “avoidant,” and “secure” is misleading. In this episode, we break down the biggest myths about attachment, why these patterns can change, and how real healing actually happens in relationships and therapy.

Whether you’ve diagnosed your ex from a meme or labeled yourself for life, this episode brings the science, the clarity, and just enough humor to keep your inner anxious part calm.

This episode explores how the humble clock quietly shapes the entire therapeutic experience, creating structure, safety, and emotional pacing within the session. It highlights research on time perception and how emotions can distort our sense of time, influencing both clients and therapists. Ultimately, the episode reveals that time isn’t a pressure—it’s the frame that allows meaningful therapeutic work to unfold.

This is a short grounding practice designed to help you arrive more fully in any therapeutic space — whether that’s a session with a therapist, journaling, or simply checking in with yourself. You don’t need any special posture or setting. Just a willingness to pause for a few minutes and reconnect with what’s true for you right now.

Episode 2 dives into the underrated green flags that reveal when you’ve actually found a solid therapist—not just someone with a comfy chair and a framed diploma. With humor and honesty, it breaks down the subtle behaviors that signal real skill, humility, and attunement. It’s basically a love letter to the therapists who actually know what they’re doing.