Laura Collins Lyster-Mensh
Author, podcaster, consultant, rabble rouser
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"At once tender and gruesomely honest" |
Meet Laura Collins Lyster-Mensh, M.S.
You may know Laura already. She's been active in eating disorders advocacy for many years. She's helped found three organizations in the field, written books on the topic, organized events, and been invited to speak to audiences around the world with her message of optimism for full recovery, family support around patients, and the importance of starting with the science when it comes to treatment.
Laura continues her mission in her role as Executive Director at F.E.A.S.T., an organization she helped to found in 2007. She continues to offer her deep knowledge of the field from a parent perspective to educational and advocacy organizations and support fellow parents and caregivers as a peer supporter.
Much has changed and improved in the past decade when it comes to eating disorders. Patients are being diagnosed earlier, getting into effective care more often, and recovering faster and more lastingly. But the rapid changes have not reached most families yet. Retraining and changing the way treatment is provided takes time and courage and the challenging of long-held myths. Laura truly believes that parents and treatment providers are doing the best they know how, but that we all can do better if we know how.
Background:
Laura continues her mission in her role as Executive Director at F.E.A.S.T., an organization she helped to found in 2007. She continues to offer her deep knowledge of the field from a parent perspective to educational and advocacy organizations and support fellow parents and caregivers as a peer supporter.
Much has changed and improved in the past decade when it comes to eating disorders. Patients are being diagnosed earlier, getting into effective care more often, and recovering faster and more lastingly. But the rapid changes have not reached most families yet. Retraining and changing the way treatment is provided takes time and courage and the challenging of long-held myths. Laura truly believes that parents and treatment providers are doing the best they know how, but that we all can do better if we know how.
Background:
- Founder, Executive Director for F.E.A.S.T., the only international parent-led parent-focused eating disorder advocacy organization.
- Co-Founder of Charlotte's Helix, a UK DNA project to contribute to AN25K, a search for the genetic underpinning of eating disorders vulnerability
- Awarded Meehan/Hartley Award for Public Service and/or Advocacy by the Academy for Eating Disorders
- Experienced peer mentor alongside parents since 2003
- Academy for Eating Disorders member and volunteer
- B.S. in Chinese Language, M.S. in Wildlife Biology
- Popular international speaker: US, Australia, Canada, Austria, Czech Republic
- Author of two books for parents about eating disorder treatment
- Longstanding advocate for families
- Organizer and host of four international eating disorder conferences
- F.E.A.S.T.’s Family Guides editorial team
- Supporter of eating disorder clinicians and clinics around the world offering family-inclusive and effective treatment and saving lives
BOOKS
AWARDS
2014 Meehan/Hartley Award for Public Service and/or Advocacy, Academy for Eating Disorders * 2011 Magic Plate Award, F.E.A.S.T. * 2015 Women’s Plaza of Honor, The University of Arizona * 2017 Finalist for Podster Magazine Best Unknown Podcasts of 2016 * 2014-2016 16 Best Eating Disorder Blogs. Healthline * 2015 AED Patient Carer Travel Scholarship, The Academy for Eating Disorders * 2012 Top 25 Eating Disorder Blogs, Eating Disorder Hope * 2012 Healthline Best of the Web * 2012 Eating Disorder Hope “Top 20” Blogs * 2016 Blogger Scholarship Award for Woodhull Sexual Freedom Summit * 2012 Health Activist Hero Award Finalist at WEGO Health * 2006 1st prize for Education Writing in The Fauquier Citizen from Virginia Press Association * 2006 2nd prize Special Sections for Fauquier Times Democrat (shared) VPA * 2006 3rd prize for Combination picture and story in The Fauquier Citizen (shared) VPA * 2005 1st prize Special Projects Certificate of Merit (shared) VPA * 2001 3rd Prize Winner VPA Home & Leisure Writing competition (W3) for “Have Menorah, Will Travel”
presentations and speeches
2019: International Conference on Eating Disorders, Difficult Dialogues Session, NYC
2019: FEAST of Knowledge Organizer and Chair, NYC
2019: Society for Adolescent Health and Medicine Annual Conference, Productive Partnerships: Engaging Patients, Caregivers, and Providers Together to Enhance Outcomes (with Ashley Solomon, PsyD; Heather Dlugosz, MD; Carolyn Blair Burnett, MS), March
2019: CureTalks co-host Is Food Medicine? The Role of Nourishment in Eating Disorder Recovery February
2018: International Conference on Eating Disorders, Difficult Dialogues Session, Chicago 2018
2018: FEAST of Knowledge Organizer and Chair, Chicago 2018
2016: DAR/Virginia, SCAN/Oregon, WVU/West Virginia
2015: AHWED/Melbourne & Perth, Australia, AED ICED/Boston
2014: M.O.M. March/Washington DC, AED/New York, EDIC/London, F.E.A.S.T./Austin
2013: American Medical Association/Washington DC on Washington, AED ICED/Montreal, EDRS/California
2012: US Congress/Washington DC, F.E.A.S.T./Alexandria Virginia, AED ICED/Austin
2011: F.E.A.S.T. /Alexandria Virginia
2010: AED ICED/Salzburg Austria, Renfrew/Philadelphia, EDIC/ London
2009: NEDA/Minneapolis, The Emily Program/Minneapolis, Taylor Middle School/Warrenton, Athenry Farm/Purcellville Virginia, LFCC/Warrenton Virginia, Academy for Eating Disorders/Baltimore Maryland
2008: University of North Carolina, Fauquier Mental Health Association/Virginia
2007: AED ICED/Baltimore, NEDA/San Diego
2006: Wolfson Children’s Hospital/Florida, Ophelia’s Place/New York State
2005: Eating Disorders Coalition/Washington DC, UVA/Charlottesville, Yale Rudd Center
PUBLISHED IN
Huffington Post, Academy for Eating Disorders Forum, Pediatric Nursing, American Academy of Pediatrics Reaching Teens, DEED SCAN newsletter, F.E.A.S.T. Family Guide Series, Social Work License Map, Eating Disorders Resource Catalog, Advances in Eating Disorders, nationaleatingdisorders.org, empowher, Women's League Outlook International Magazine, iParenting.com, When Anorexia Came to Visit, In Ed says U said, Australian Practice Nurse's Association: Primary Times, Warrenton Lifestyle Magazine, Eating for Life Alliance, A collaborative approach to eating disorders, Building Block For Life, The Wild Ones, Home Education Learning Magazine, poodlepress, Writer's Lounge, Potomac Review, Skirt!, Transforming Anthropology Journal, Red River Review, Gundogs Online Magazine, Ikoya Media, Fairfax Times, Adoptive Families, NetNews, Home Education Magazine, Afro-American Historical Association, Virginia Home Educators Association Newsletter
blogger
Laura’s Soap Box/2007-present
Huffington Post/2009-2018
Healthy Place/March 2010-August 2010
podcasts
Our Better Half 2016-2017
New Plates 2017-2018
interviews
Time Magazine, The New York Times, The Washington Post, Wall Street Journal, ABC News, Laura Ingraham Show, Dom Giordano Show, Virginia Currents, PBS, Newsweek, BBC, NPR On Point, MSNBC Live Talk, NPR's 51%, Washington Post, LA Times, Toronto Sun, Chicago Tribune, Hartford Courant, The New Statesman, Open Grove Radio, CKLW Radio, Huffington Post Live, Sex Talk Tuesday, Boom Doctors podcast, Parents to Parents Documentary, Stigma of Mental Illness, A2A Alliance Spotlight, #AEDchat, Psychiatric News, Student Health University of Kansas, Philadelphia Inquirer blog, Eating Disorders in Schools Gurze blog, Raise Healthy Eaters, Daily News, UNC Podcast, Healthy Place TV, The Women's Eye, Maitland Observer, Lansing State Journal, Parents’ Perspective Radio
affiliations/memberships
Academy for Eating Disorders Associate Member 2007-present, The Virginia Writer’s Club 2015, International Society of Family History Writers and Editors 2013-2014, A2A Alliance Advocate 2013-present
public service
Stand-Up Warrenton co-producer 2018-present * Fauquier Band Organization, Secretary, 2013-2015 * Virginia Stakeholders Conference, Department of Education, April 2013 * Academy for Eating Disorders ICED Planning Committee 2012-2013 * AED Parent/Carer Task Force Member (AED Forum newsletter contributor) 2006-2011 * EDC FAC co-chair 2008-2009 * EDC Virginia delegation leader 2008, 2009, 2010 * ANAD Resource Person 2007-present * Academy for Eating Disorder * ICED Planning Committee 2008-2009 * CHADD Support Group Leader Fauquier County 2007-2008 * Quarterly news editor, Afro-American Historical Assoc. of Fauquier County Jan. 2000-June 2002 * Monthly Fauquier Jewish Community Association Newsletter 2002 * Bi-monthly Community Leadership Network NetNews May 2001-June 2002 * Board member, Virginia Native Plant Society 1996-1999 * Volunteer, People Helping People project Shining Hope 1999-2000 * Fauquier Home Educators 1999-2001
- Eating with your anorexic: How my child recovered through family-based treatment: McGraw-Hill. 2005.
- Throwing starfish across the sea: (with Charlotte Bevan) CreateSpace. 2013.
- Eating with your anorexic: A mother’s memoir. Biscotti Press. 2014
- The Auldton Laughing Club. Biscotti Press. 2015.
- The Specific Scent of Snakes. Biscotti Press. 2015.
AWARDS
2014 Meehan/Hartley Award for Public Service and/or Advocacy, Academy for Eating Disorders * 2011 Magic Plate Award, F.E.A.S.T. * 2015 Women’s Plaza of Honor, The University of Arizona * 2017 Finalist for Podster Magazine Best Unknown Podcasts of 2016 * 2014-2016 16 Best Eating Disorder Blogs. Healthline * 2015 AED Patient Carer Travel Scholarship, The Academy for Eating Disorders * 2012 Top 25 Eating Disorder Blogs, Eating Disorder Hope * 2012 Healthline Best of the Web * 2012 Eating Disorder Hope “Top 20” Blogs * 2016 Blogger Scholarship Award for Woodhull Sexual Freedom Summit * 2012 Health Activist Hero Award Finalist at WEGO Health * 2006 1st prize for Education Writing in The Fauquier Citizen from Virginia Press Association * 2006 2nd prize Special Sections for Fauquier Times Democrat (shared) VPA * 2006 3rd prize for Combination picture and story in The Fauquier Citizen (shared) VPA * 2005 1st prize Special Projects Certificate of Merit (shared) VPA * 2001 3rd Prize Winner VPA Home & Leisure Writing competition (W3) for “Have Menorah, Will Travel”
presentations and speeches
2019: International Conference on Eating Disorders, Difficult Dialogues Session, NYC
2019: FEAST of Knowledge Organizer and Chair, NYC
2019: Society for Adolescent Health and Medicine Annual Conference, Productive Partnerships: Engaging Patients, Caregivers, and Providers Together to Enhance Outcomes (with Ashley Solomon, PsyD; Heather Dlugosz, MD; Carolyn Blair Burnett, MS), March
2019: CureTalks co-host Is Food Medicine? The Role of Nourishment in Eating Disorder Recovery February
2018: International Conference on Eating Disorders, Difficult Dialogues Session, Chicago 2018
2018: FEAST of Knowledge Organizer and Chair, Chicago 2018
2016: DAR/Virginia, SCAN/Oregon, WVU/West Virginia
2015: AHWED/Melbourne & Perth, Australia, AED ICED/Boston
2014: M.O.M. March/Washington DC, AED/New York, EDIC/London, F.E.A.S.T./Austin
2013: American Medical Association/Washington DC on Washington, AED ICED/Montreal, EDRS/California
2012: US Congress/Washington DC, F.E.A.S.T./Alexandria Virginia, AED ICED/Austin
2011: F.E.A.S.T. /Alexandria Virginia
2010: AED ICED/Salzburg Austria, Renfrew/Philadelphia, EDIC/ London
2009: NEDA/Minneapolis, The Emily Program/Minneapolis, Taylor Middle School/Warrenton, Athenry Farm/Purcellville Virginia, LFCC/Warrenton Virginia, Academy for Eating Disorders/Baltimore Maryland
2008: University of North Carolina, Fauquier Mental Health Association/Virginia
2007: AED ICED/Baltimore, NEDA/San Diego
2006: Wolfson Children’s Hospital/Florida, Ophelia’s Place/New York State
2005: Eating Disorders Coalition/Washington DC, UVA/Charlottesville, Yale Rudd Center
PUBLISHED IN
Huffington Post, Academy for Eating Disorders Forum, Pediatric Nursing, American Academy of Pediatrics Reaching Teens, DEED SCAN newsletter, F.E.A.S.T. Family Guide Series, Social Work License Map, Eating Disorders Resource Catalog, Advances in Eating Disorders, nationaleatingdisorders.org, empowher, Women's League Outlook International Magazine, iParenting.com, When Anorexia Came to Visit, In Ed says U said, Australian Practice Nurse's Association: Primary Times, Warrenton Lifestyle Magazine, Eating for Life Alliance, A collaborative approach to eating disorders, Building Block For Life, The Wild Ones, Home Education Learning Magazine, poodlepress, Writer's Lounge, Potomac Review, Skirt!, Transforming Anthropology Journal, Red River Review, Gundogs Online Magazine, Ikoya Media, Fairfax Times, Adoptive Families, NetNews, Home Education Magazine, Afro-American Historical Association, Virginia Home Educators Association Newsletter
blogger
Laura’s Soap Box/2007-present
Huffington Post/2009-2018
Healthy Place/March 2010-August 2010
podcasts
Our Better Half 2016-2017
New Plates 2017-2018
interviews
Time Magazine, The New York Times, The Washington Post, Wall Street Journal, ABC News, Laura Ingraham Show, Dom Giordano Show, Virginia Currents, PBS, Newsweek, BBC, NPR On Point, MSNBC Live Talk, NPR's 51%, Washington Post, LA Times, Toronto Sun, Chicago Tribune, Hartford Courant, The New Statesman, Open Grove Radio, CKLW Radio, Huffington Post Live, Sex Talk Tuesday, Boom Doctors podcast, Parents to Parents Documentary, Stigma of Mental Illness, A2A Alliance Spotlight, #AEDchat, Psychiatric News, Student Health University of Kansas, Philadelphia Inquirer blog, Eating Disorders in Schools Gurze blog, Raise Healthy Eaters, Daily News, UNC Podcast, Healthy Place TV, The Women's Eye, Maitland Observer, Lansing State Journal, Parents’ Perspective Radio
affiliations/memberships
Academy for Eating Disorders Associate Member 2007-present, The Virginia Writer’s Club 2015, International Society of Family History Writers and Editors 2013-2014, A2A Alliance Advocate 2013-present
public service
Stand-Up Warrenton co-producer 2018-present * Fauquier Band Organization, Secretary, 2013-2015 * Virginia Stakeholders Conference, Department of Education, April 2013 * Academy for Eating Disorders ICED Planning Committee 2012-2013 * AED Parent/Carer Task Force Member (AED Forum newsletter contributor) 2006-2011 * EDC FAC co-chair 2008-2009 * EDC Virginia delegation leader 2008, 2009, 2010 * ANAD Resource Person 2007-present * Academy for Eating Disorder * ICED Planning Committee 2008-2009 * CHADD Support Group Leader Fauquier County 2007-2008 * Quarterly news editor, Afro-American Historical Assoc. of Fauquier County Jan. 2000-June 2002 * Monthly Fauquier Jewish Community Association Newsletter 2002 * Bi-monthly Community Leadership Network NetNews May 2001-June 2002 * Board member, Virginia Native Plant Society 1996-1999 * Volunteer, People Helping People project Shining Hope 1999-2000 * Fauquier Home Educators 1999-2001
