One of the first to say, publicly, that being fully recovered is possible.
Carolyn Costin is an eating disorder clinician, author, and international speaker. In her early twenties, she recovered from anorexia nervosa, earned two master's degrees, became a teacher, and began her career as a psychotherapist. She has spent her career since helping people with eating disorders find their own way home to their healthy self, and training clinicians and now coaches to do the same.
The Beginning
In her early twenties, Carolyn recovered from anorexia nervosa. She went on to earn two master's degrees, became a teacher, and began her career as a psychotherapist.
Finding Her Calling
After treating her first eating disorder client in 1979, Carolyn recognized that this work was her calling. The results she saw with clients led her to bring her philosophy to a wider audience, through her speaking, her books, and a growing conviction that people with eating disorders can become fully recovered.
Hospitals
In the 1980’s and 90’s Carolyn opened and ran 3 hospital eating disorder units. She realized that most clients who needed 24/7 care and supervision did not need a hospital setting and could be treated in a different environment. She also realized that the hospital did not allow for the kind of exposure work and daily skills practice that clients needed to obtain and maintain real solid recovery after discharge.
Monte Nido
In 1996, Carolyn founded Monte Nido, the first licensed residential eating disorder treatment facility in a home setting. It grew from her belief that clients needed a real, home-like setting, where they could learn to practice skills like grocery shopping, portioning and cooking their own food, eating at restaurants and even exercising. After growing the company to 15 treatment programs Carolyn sold Monte Nido in 2016.
Present Day
Carolyn now runs The Carolyn Costin Institute, which offers eating disorder courses where clinicians and others can increase their eating disorder knowledge and skills, and professionals are provided continuing education credits. Carolyn also offers the first program dedicated to training, supervising, and certifying eating disorder coaches. Carolyn helped open Wandi Nerida, Australia's first residential eating disorder treatment center, where she serves as a consultant, and in March 2022 the government of Australia awarded her a Distinguished Talent visa for her work in eating disorders. Splitting her time between Malibu and Australia, she continues to write, speak, train clinicians and coaches, and consult across the field.
