About Our Practitioners                       Clinical Nutrition

Holistic Weight Loss Programs            Body Composition Analysis

Exercise Consultations                         The Wellness Weigh Program

Eating Disorder Treatment                  Corporate Wellness Programs

To make an appointment                      Helpful Links
Workshops by Deborah Coulston     _______________________________________________________                                           

    Nutrition Consulting

And Holistic Weight Management

    
  

   
Nutrition Consulting is the education, discussion, and on-going support to assist individuals and their families to best utilize food to maximize health and wellness.

At The Family Wellness Center, our nutrition experts include alternative health care clinicians, naturopathic specialists, and nutrition psychotherapists who provide expert consultation and coaching to assist you in reaching your health and wellness goals.  Our clinicians will customize treatment to meet your specific needs. Individual sessions provide scientifically based recommendations for healthful eating as well as expert advice on prevention and treatment of a wide range of conditions. 

Deborah Coulston, MA, MATS, LMFT and Jessica Shoemaker, BS, ND, offer customized nutritional counseling in the following specialized areas;
   

               Clinical Nutrition

           Naturopathic Therapies

             Nutrition Psychotherapy

 

Deborah Coulston, MA, MATS, LMFT is an experienced professional psychotherapist, marital and family therapist, expressive arts therapist, and pioneer in the field of holistic weight management.  With over 25 years of experience serving in a variety of clinical positions as an alternative health care practitioner, she brings a diversified background to the application of integrative and behavioral health. Ms. Coulston is well known for her work in the treatment field of eating disorders and weight management.

Jessica Shoemaker, BS, ND holds a Doctorate of Naturopathy degree from The National College of Naturopathic Medicine, a four-year accredited post-graduate Naturopathic Medical School in Portland, Oregon where she graduated with highest honors. Naturopathic practitioners understand that what we choose to eat directly influences every outcome of our health. Without adequate nutrition, we cannot function properly. Many conditions can be treated effectively with nutrition while avoiding the complications and side effects of some drug therapies. Nutritional treatments are customized to the individuals needs and health circumstances.

                         Holistic Weight Loss Programs

Our Nutrition Team believes weight loss is a healing process in which your body strives toward optimal health in order to effectively lose weight and keep it off.  This methodology is the backbone for each of our individual and group weight loss programs.

Holistic weight loss differs from many of the popular weight loss programs and encompasses the following characteristics;

►  Attention to the whole being – mind, body, and spirit

►  Attention to all aspects of life including sleep, stress, relationships,
      and exercise

►  Emphasis on whole foods

►  Movement away from packaged, processed foods

►  More satisfying – sufficient calories from a balance of food sources

►  More nutritional – supplies significant amounts of vitamins and minerals

►  Use of nutrient therapy
►  Use of nutrient-based testing when applicable

►  Weight loss occurs slower, healthier, and is longer-lasting - 95% of
      people who lose weight gain it back within 2 years!

The Wellness Group is an educational, supportive, affordable, and fun way to create a healthier you through exercise and nutrition.  Group members enjoy interacting with new people, receiving support, learning how to set effective goals and feel good about their accomplishments, using meditation for stress relief and mindfulness while eating, trying fun, new exercises, and learning to plan healthy, satisfying meals.  Empowering you to lead a healthier, more joy-filled life.

The Taming Sugar and Fat Cravings Group is an educational support group designed for those who struggle with compulsive eating and weight management issues related to over-consumption of simple sugars as well as sugars and fat. Participants learn how to break free from unhealthy eating patterns and how to make peace with food.

Move Your Body, Love Your Body is a unique program to help you start moving in a fun way. Whether your goal is to move 10,000 steps a day or just get off the couch occasionally, we can help you take the first step toward a healthier, happier lifestyle. In a workshop or group format, or as an individual consultation, our goal is to integrate simple, easy, fun movement and healthy self-care into your life each and every day. This is movement to nurture your mind, body, and spirit. From sports-hooping and rebounding to un-dancing, you'll have fun trading in "exercise" for "play time" and discovering way to nurture and, yes, even love your body right now!

By following the principles of healthy weight loss - proper nutrition, exercise, healthy lifestyle, consistency, goals, coaching, and support - you can achieve your goals and lead a more joy-filled life!

        
                         
 

                             Exercise Consultations

Starting an exercise program and not sure what to do?  Exercising for years and bored with your routine?  Sarah Riddle, MS, CCN's background as a personal trainer allows her to help you understand the importance of exercise for weight loss, disease prevention, or maintaining optimal wellness.  Learn that working out isn’t only treadmills and weights, but also hula hoops, resistance bands, rebounders, dance, or any movement that brings you joy.  Exercise can be fun and beneficial at the same time!  Woo hoo!

Sarah offers individual and small group exercise consultations.  Learn why exercise is so important and how it can work for you at any stage of life.  Receive the guidance, coaching, and support to stick to your program!

                  Body Composition and Metabolism Analysis

Our Nutrition Team utilizes state-of-the-art equipment in order to measure your body composition and resting metabolism.

The Tanita Body Composition Analyzer utilizes bioelectrical impedance, an extremely reliable method for body composition analysis. It’s fast, consistent, accurate and easy to use.  More than simple weight or body fat % levels provided by ordinary scales or calipers, Tanita Body Composition Analyzers provide detailed body composition analysis – weight, body fat %, fat mass, fat-free mass, resting metabolism, and hydration levels - all without the inconvenience of more intrusive traditional measurement methods.

Why test your body composition?

►  To distinguish between body fat and lean body mass

►  To ensure optimal hydration levels

►  To determine the # of calories your body needs at rest

►  To prevent weight related health problems, including malnutrition

►  To provide measures of healthy weight loss, in addition to the scale

The Tanita shows changes when the scale doesn’t - a huge impact on your motivation during the weight loss process.

                       The Wellness Weigh Program

The Wellness Weigh Program is an Individualized Comprehensive Wellness Program utilizing integrative healthcare modalities that may include: clinical nutrition, botanical medicine, homeopathy, nutrition psychotherapy, wellness coaching, and a whole foods approach for the treatment of compulsive eating, binge eating, obesity, and holistic weight management. Dr. Shoemaker and Ms. Coulston will collaborate together to create a customized plan for each individual. Nutritional testing, functional medicine testing, and supplements are available at additional cost.

The Wellness Weigh Program includes 17 hours of expert consultation, counseling, and education with a Nutritional Psychotherapist and Doctor of Naturopathic Medicine.  Our expert clinicians will design and assist you in implementing a personal program for success.

The Wellness Weigh Program PLUS includes 22 hours of expert consultation and incorporates the Wellness Weigh Program. The Plus Program also provides a body-centered approach to assist you in reaching your goals, including stress reduction training, massage therapy, yoga therapy, yoga instruction, and deep relaxation classes. Our team will assist you in implementing a daily program to provide stress reduction, enhance body image/acceptance, and create a daily exercise program.

For a complete description, breakdown of consultations, and cost information on the Wellness Weigh and Wellness Weigh Plus Programs, click here.

                  Recovery from Eating Disorders

Our team of clinicians offers comprehensive treatment programs for individuals and families struggling to overcome eating disorders.  Our multifaceted approach includes individual, group and family therapy, as well as state of the art nutrition and nutraceutical intervention.  In our counseling, therapy, groups, workshops and unique coaching programs, we offer an alternative to chronic dieting and compulsive eating along with customized recovery programs for overcoming obesity, food, weight and dieting obsessions. Our center is highly regarded for successfully assisting numerous individuals to achieve freedom from compulsive eating/dieting disorders.

                        Clinical Nutrition

Clinical nutrition is the study of the relationship between food and the well-being of the body and mind.  This discipline applies principles derived from current biochemical and physiological scientific knowledge for the purpose of promoting optimal health while recognizing biochemical individuality – a concept which suggests that no two individuals have the same nutrient requirements and that our needs will change throughout our lifetimes.  Food is used to help heal the body at the source of the problem and also as prevention against certain chronic diseases.  Our team offers ongoing support in the development and continued success of your individualized food plan and lifestyle changes.

                     “Today you are you, that is truer than true. 

                    There is no one alive who is youer than you.”

                                                        -Dr. Seuss

Clinical Nutrition & Exercise Consulting may assist in the prevention and treatment of:
 

                       Naturopathic Therapies
  
Naturopathic practitioner, Jessica Shoemaker, understand that what we choose to eat directly influences every outcome of our health.  Without adequate nutrition, we cannot function properly.  The cells of our bodies require energy and raw materials to work at optimal levels.  The body’s biochemistry is delicately balanced and thrives on key nutrients, antioxidant rich and toxin-free foods.  Clinical nutrition is the practice of using what we eat to enhance our health, reverse disease and heal pathology.  Many conditions can be treated effectively with nutrition while avoiding the complications and side effects of drug therapies.  Nutritional treatments are customized to the individual’s needs and health circumstances.  Literally, “we are what we eat”!

                         Nutritional Psychotherapy
   
This emerging field links biochemistry, environment, emotions and addictions, recognizing the interconnectedness and impact of each on the other, and offers an innovative and successful approach to the treatment of addictions, mood disorders, and food/weight problems.  Since 75-90 % of addicts of all kinds are unable to sustain recovery or abstinence through traditional treatment programs, nutritional psychotherapy along with integrative and functional nutrient therapies offer hope and intervention where there had been little.  Deborah Coulston, MA, has extensive experience treating food and mood related disorders and addictions, integrating nutrient therapies, whole food plans, and alternative and behavioral medicine modalities along with conventional counseling and education.

Corporate Wellness Programs

Whether your goal is to improve your employees' well-being or their overall satisfaction at the workplace, we can design a workshop program designed to meet your company's specific needs. With more than 15 workshops available, you can help introduce your employees to a wealth of information on improving their health and well-being the natural way. Topics include how to reduce stress, improve mood with food, create a balanced meal, prevent and treat depression, and many more. For a complete list of available workshops, click here.

To make an appointment

Please call The Family Wellness Center at (717) 558-8500 ext 1.

Nutrition Intake Form:  Prior to your first visit, please print, complete, and return the intake form.  It can be faxed to (717) 558-8567, mailed to The Family Wellness Center 1000 Briarsdale Road, Suite A Harrisburg, PA 17109, or dropped off at the center.

What to expect during your first visit:  The initial consultation is typically 1.5 hours.  During this session we will discuss your health and lifestyle history in detail, establish long term and short term goals, and implement recommendations in terms of a food plan, exercise program, nutraceuticals, and any other approach necessary for your individual situation.

                                   Helpful Links

Protein Powder and Green Drink Samples ~ www.FirstShake.com/4409 

Spiral Path Farm ~ www.spiralpathfarm.com

Old Ways ~ www.oldwayspt.org