Andrea with her guide dog in downtown San Francisco

I thought seriously about leaving the profession. Was there space in this field for a disabled woman? I had never seen it and was struggling with my new identity as a disabled person. At this time I was doing lots of reading about disability justice, also exploring my own internalized beliefs about the worthiness of certain bodies. I was exploring my own privileges including how I benefit from being white, thin, educated, neurotypical and cis gendered to name a few. I was struggling to comprehend the violence imposed on the indigenous people who are the original residents of this land. I was trying to look honestly at everything.

Then I found the Health at Every Size movement and the Association for Size Diversity and Health. I began to understand how the personal is political, and how we relate to our bodies can be heavily influenced by oppressive systems if left unchecked. Then I began to feel passion for this field in a way I never had been before. As I worked to accept my identity as disabled, I began to understand the importance of how my experiences in my body impact my ability to support clients in healing.

I also found internal family systems therapy in 2020 and my own healing continues to deepen. I have and plan to continue to train in this model of psychotherapy as I believe in the power of healing from the inside. All of these experiences, both with the work of intuitive eating and body liberation, coupled with the healing power of internal family systems, often leaves me feeling in awe that I get to do this work. MY clients are so brave, and I am my best self when I am in session with them. I have such gratitude to all of them and to you for being here reading my story.

My name is Andrea O’Donnell. I am trained as a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist. I began practicing in 2008. I completed undergrad at Middle Tennessee State University and did my graduate work at Rutgers University. I am certified as a Intuitive Eating Counselor and Licensed Be Body Positive Facilitator. I have trained extensively in therapeutic modalities—especially Internal Family Systems, Motivational Interviewing and Mindfulness Based Practices.

On a personal note, I am the mother of a very fun preschooler, and three dogs (including my guide dog Lightyear). But Lightyear is really more of my life partner. I spend my free time reading, listening to music, enjoying great food-- hopefully made by someone else—and finding ways to be playful and have fun.

People often ask me how I got into this work. Here’s my answer.

I had been working in the hospital setting for 8 years. I worked in the neonatal intensive care unit as part of a team making recommendations for feedings that would optimize growth and nourishment for babies. I loved this time in my career. It was rewarding work. Then my life started to change significantly when my retina disease progressed, and my vision loss began to impact every aspect of my life. Because the electronic medical record most healthcare systems use is not screen-reader accessible, I was going to have to find some other work in the field of nutrition.