Secondary Traumatic Stress (STS), Burnout, & Eating Disorders With Dr. Danielle Hiestand, LMFT

How does secondary traumatic stress (STS) affect eating disorder providers, and how can we care for ourselves without bypassing the realities of burnout, exhaustion, and systemic overwhelm? Dr. Marianne sits down with Dr. Danielle Hiestand, LMFT (@drdaniellehiestand), to unpack the intersection of STS, vicarious trauma, burnout, and disordered eating in helping professionals.

Whether you're a therapist, dietitian, coach, or caregiver working in high-empathy roles, this episode explores how chronic exposure to others’ pain can show up somatically, emotionally, and in our relationships with food and body. Dr. Hiestand shares research insights and lived-experience wisdom on setting sustainable boundaries, navigating ethical self-care, and creating healing spaces that also protect the healer.

🎧 Tune in for validating conversation, practical strategies, and a much-needed reminder: your humanity doesn’t have to be hidden to do this work well.

HEAR FROM DANIELLE ABOUT DANIELLE!

I have been passionate about learning and helping others most of my life. I am originally from Northern California and was overjoyed to study at University of California, San Diego and to live near the ocean. After receiving my Bachelors of Science in Cognitive Science, Neuroscience and Psychology I stayed in San Diego to complete my doctorate in Marital and Family Therapy at Alliant International University and become a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT #48529).

​While at college, I took a course on eating disorders and began to volunteer with a program that focused on eating disorder prevention. I knew I wanted to be a therapist and help people heal and recover from their eating disorders. I planted my roots in San Diego and began working at an eating disorder treatment program. It was clear early on that most of my clients had a trauma history. Some had never called what they went through “trauma,” but could see how their life experiences had contributed to the development of their eating disorder. Others knew they had gone through something that still bothered them in the present, but didn’t know how to talk about it or how to heal. 

​During this time I acquired extensive experience treating anorexia, bulimia, binge eating disorder, complex PTSD, dissociative disorders, depression, and anxiety. I also began my training in EMDR therapy; a treatment that has become crucial to my therapeutic approach. To help clients on their journey toward healing I also utilize systems theory, dialectical behavioral therapy (DBT), acceptance commitment therapy (ACT), and mindfulness. My overall goal is to work collaboratively with clients in order to honor their treatment goals.

In 2013 Kelly Hinds, RDN and I created Savor Podcast. For three years we recorded episodes on nutrition, body image, mindfulness, yoga, eating disorders, dieting, EMDR therapy and beyond. Past Savor podcast episodes are available here.

Before starting my family, I was an adjunct professor at University of California, San Diego, Alliant International University and San Diego State University. I taught classes on eating disorders, stress management, social psychology, and assessment. After my family started to grow, I decided to slow down and work part-time in my Mission Valley private practice in San Diego, California. 

I work toward providing a calm, safe and grounded space for you to feel comfortable sharing your successes and your struggles. A journey back to self always has ups, downs and surprises. Together we can navigate how to find tools and strategies to help you cope and make space for yourself.

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