Today we’d like to introduce you to Kendra Gaffney.
Hi Kendra, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
I was born in Louisiana and raised in a small town in Illinois where I attended Southern Illinois University at Carbondale. After graduating with a B.S. in Food and Nutrition, specializing in Dietetics, I went on to complete my Dietetic Internship at Vanderbilt University Medical Center in Nashville, Tennessee. Following my graduation, I moved to the Emerald Coast of Florida where I started my career as a clinical dietitian.
In late 2010, my husband and I traveled the entire lower 48 searching for a place to open my dream business, a private practice called Nutritious Thoughts. The sights, sounds, and spirit of Asheville, North Carolina pulled me to the Valley of the Blue Ridge Mountains.
I am the founder of Nutritious Thoughts, LLC, a group practice of Registered Dietitians dedicated to helping clients transform their relationships with food, body, and movement. My team and I provide personalized nutrition counseling while fostering a nonjudgmental environment that celebrates all body shapes, sizes, and abilities.
As a Certified Eating Disorder Registered Dietitian (CEDRD) and Approved Consultant through the International Association of Eating Disorder Professionals (iaedp), I provide clinical supervision and mentorship for dietitians looking to expand their knowledge of eating disorders, disordered eating, and body image concerns and spearhead educational outreach efforts in my community. I also serve as an Advisory Board Member for local non-profit organization Carolina Resource Center for Eating Disorders.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Smooth road, no.
Learning experience that has made me understand myself and the world better, yes.
From starting a business in a new community, to COVID, to insurance reimbursement reductions, to medical concerns, to Hurricane Helene, there have been many moments that we had to reevaluate, pivot, and lean into the discomfort of change and impermanence AND it has made us stronger and more resilient. We value personal growth and development at Nutritious Thoughts and these moments supported that value.
Appreciate you sharing that. What should we know about Nutritious Thoughts?
Nutritious Thoughts was created to address our community’s need and pursue a passion for helping others change the conversation around food, body, and wellness. As a group of Registered Dietitians, our compassionate team offers personalized nutrition counseling that considers the physical, emotional, and psychological aspects of health. We practice under the philosophy that humans of all body sizes, shapes, and abilities are worthy of care. Through a non-diet and weight-inclusive approach, we help create sustainable goals by focusing on gentle, maintainable behavior change. We prioritize getting to know the individuals we work with as a whole person while recognizing our similarities and honoring our differences. We strive to create an authentic human experience through connection. We have a comprehensive team of dietitians specializing in Eating Concerns, Embodiment, Nutrition for Mental Health, Nutrition for Competitive & Recreational Athletes, Chronic Health Concerns, and Gestational, & Hormonal & Reproductive Nutrition. Collaboration is also central to our approach; we actively seek partnerships with medical, mental health, and other specialists to ensure comprehensive, multidisciplinary support for our clients. Nutritious Thoughts is dedicated to helping others achieve the life they want to live and committed to making positive and lasting contributions to our community. We are more than a business; it’s a home where clients and providers can feel accepted, validated, and heard.
What’s next?
We like to make changes organically, based on the needs of our communities, but our vision is to integrate across North Carolina, by identifying communities in need of our services and by cultivating connections.
Pricing:
- Insurance-based Practice
- Accepts Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna, Aetna, United Health Care, Medcost, *Medicare Part B, Veterans Affairs Community Care Network (VA-CCN), Blue Home with UNC Health Alliance EPO, and can provide the proper documentation to file a claim with any out of network insurance provider.
- We can provide you with a “super bill,” which you can submit to your insurance for possible reimbursement. If you are a self/private pay client, we ask that you keep a card on file and pay at the time of service.
- Sessions range from $35-$360
Contact Info:
- Website: Nutritious-Thoughts.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nutritiousthoughts/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/NutritiousthoughtsAVL/
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/nutritious-thoughts/
