MEET JESSICA THOMSPON
Registered Dietitian & Certified Eating Disorder Specialist
Co-Founder and Co-Owner of BeyondWell KC
Hey, I'm Jessica! MS, RD, LD, CEDS (she/her)
I am passionate about guiding you toward peace from the war with your body; toward a relationship with food, your body, and movement that is driven by knowledge and intuition rather than rules and fear.
Training & Experience
I struggled with my own eating disorder in high school & into college and have been in recovery for almost 20 years, so I understand my clients’ struggles on a deep level. My own recovery and my amazing dietitian motivated me to walk alongside others in their recovery journeys.
I completed my undergraduate degree in Nutrition & Dietetics at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln and my Dietetic Internship & Master’s Degree at the University of Kansas Medical Center. Now, I am a master's level certified Certified Eating Disorder Specialist (CEDS) with 12+ years of experience treating eating disorders in the outpatient setting and various levels of care. I am licensed to treat clients in Kansas, Missouri, and Florida.
I have also been involved in community-based eating disorder education and advocacy for over 18 years. I was formerly the Program Director for REbeL, Inc., a non-profit organization specializing in eating disorder prevention in teens and I currently serve on the Board of Directors for the International Association for Eating Disorders Professionals (iaedp)-KC chapter and the Body Balance Coalition, organizations focused on educating professionals in how to treat eating disorders.
Approach
I am an anti-diet dietitian and I teach my clients the real science and how to appropriately and confidently fuel their body with all foods without guilt and eventually to use their own body's wisdom to guide them.
Using experimentation and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) techniques, I work with clients to recalibrate their thoughts & beliefs about food, movement, and their bodies.
During sessions, my approach can vary from lighthearted with a touch of humor and playfulness to direct and firm when this is appropriate. I always assess & meet my clients where they are. One of the biggest strengths in my approach is the strong relationships and trust I build with my clients. I believe this is one of the most powerful ingredients in their recovery.
Specialization(s)
I work with all diagnoses, genders, and ages, but because of my own experiences struggling with my own eating disorder growing up, I especially love working with adolescents and young women. I work closely with families who are so often in need of guidance in navigating this complex mental illness and their teens’ treatment. As a mother of two young daughters, I also enjoy working with mothers during their perinatal years and beyond. I am a Health at Every Size (HAES) practitioner and am passionate about using a weight-neutral approach in my work with clients.
A few
fun facts
Favorite TV show: The Office
I love true crime, a good pun, 90s jams, and playing card &
board games.
​
Favorite animal: Elephants
I used to watch Dumbo over and over as a child, so they symbolize a part of me. I also have a lot of respect for elephants because they are intelligent, loyal, and compassionate.
