FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Schedule a free phone consultation with me through emailing chelsea@chelsealevynutrition.com

Nutrition counseling is a collaborative process between a registered dietitian (or other qualified nutrition professional) and a client to help improve their relationship with food, movement, and body image to support health goals, and address medical or lifestyle needs. It’s different from “dieting” because it’s not about quick fixes. It’s about long-term, sustainable change that supports both physical and mental health. At Chelsea Levy Nutrition, nutrition counseling is:

• Personalized: We start by getting to know you and your health history, daily routines, food preferences, and goals so our work is tailored to you.

• Educational: You’ll learn about nutrition in a clear, practical way so you can make confident choices without confusion or fear.

• Flexible: Together, we create strategies that fit your lifestyle, culture, and medical needs.

• Supportive: Our sessions provide space to explore your thoughts and feelings about food, body image, and nourishment in a non-judgmental environment.

• Sustainable: The focus is on long-term well-being and self-care, not quick fixes or fad diets.

Think of nutrition counseling as time set aside to slow down, tune into your body’s needs, and get professional support to make lasting, meaningful changes.

Weight-inclusive care is an evidenced based health model that provides equitable, patient-centered care for people of all body sizes by focusing on health-promoting behaviors and well-being rather than a specific weight. It recognizes that health is complex and multifactorial, involving factors beyond body size, and aims to reduce weight stigma, prejudice, and discrimination within healthcare settings. A weight-inclusive approach means that weight will not be used as a marker of your health status, weight loss will not be a prescription, weight will not be blamed for other health conditions.  We work together to make a plan for your health goals that you can implement in your current body. Your body will not be seen as a problem, but it will be seen as your teammate that you are working alongside in pursuit of the life you want, in accordance with your values.

Intuitive Eating is a compassionate, evidence-based approach to nourishing your body and mind. Instead of following strict food rules or diets, intuitive eating helps you reconnect with your body’s natural hunger, fullness, and satisfaction cues. It’s about learning to trust yourself with food, honor your cravings without guilt, and meet your body’s needs with flexibility and care.

This approach goes beyond food; it can also include exploring your relationship with movement and body image. Intuitive eating encourages joyful movement that feels good (rather than punishing exercise) and supports developing a kinder, more respectful relationship with your body at any size. At its core, intuitive eating helps you create a sustainable, shame-free relationship with food so that eating can feel nourishing, satisfying, and stress-free.

Nutrition counseling can be helpful for anyone who wants to feel more confident, at peace, and supported in their relationship with food and body. It’s not just for people with medical conditions, it's for anyone who wants guidance on navigating nourishment, health goals, or body image without shame or strict rules.

You may benefit from nutrition counseling if you:

• Feel confused about what, when, or how much to eat

• Are tired of dieting or yo-yo weight changes

• Want to work on healing from disordered eating or an eating disorder

• Have a health condition (like diabetes, PCOS, or GI concerns) and want support that’s realistic and compassionate

• Are exploring intuitive eating, body image work, or a weight-inclusive approach to health

• Want to find a way of eating and moving that feels sustainable and enjoyable

Working with a weight-inclusive dietitian can give you a safe, supportive space to talk about food and health goals, get clear information, and create strategies that work for your unique life.

Individuals – Adolescents and adults who want to improve their relationship with food, body, and health.

Couples – Partners who want to navigate shared meals, support one another’s goals, or address food- and body-related concerns together.

Families – Parents and caregivers looking for guidance to support their child or teen, create a positive food environment, and reduce mealtime stress.

Whether you are seeking care for yourself, your teen, or your whole family system, we create a supportive, collaborative space where everyone feels heard and respected.

Yes! Currently all appointments are virtual.

The initial assessment is 1 hour long, and follow-up sessions are 45 minutes long.

Yes, I often work with therapists, endocrinologists, gastroenterologists, psychiatrists, and other members of the healthcare team. For many clients, nutrition care is just one piece of the puzzle. Your mental health, medical needs, movement preferences, and daily routines all interact. A coordinated team can:

• Share updates (with your permission)

• Catch concerns early and prevent gaps in care

• Support you with consistent messaging, which is especially important in eating disorder recovery

• Create a sense of stability and reduce the burden of managing communication yourself

The goal of coordinated care is to make your treatment smoother, more effective, and less stressful for you helping all providers work toward the same outcome: your well-being.

I’ve found that meeting weekly at the start helps create a strong foundation for our work together. During your initial assessment, we’ll talk about what meeting frequency feels sustainable for you taking into account your schedule, goals, and budget so we can set you up for success.

Yes, we can absolutely work together, even if weight loss is on your mind. Many of my clients come to me wanting to lose weight, and it makes sense we live in a culture that often equates weight with health.

At Chelsea Levy Nutrition a weight-inclusive approach is utilized, which means our work won’t focus on intentional weight loss as the primary goal. Instead, we’ll explore what’s underneath the desire to lose weight, support you in caring for your body in sustainable ways, and focus on health-promoting behaviors such as balanced nourishment, stress support, and joyful movement. This approach allows us to shift away from the dieting cycle and toward long-term well-being. If your weight changes as a natural result of these habits, that’s okay.

A 60-minute initial assessment appointment is $250.

Follow Up 45-minute follow up appointments are $200.

Our services are considered out-of-network with insurance. If your plan includes out-of-network benefits, we can provide an itemized superbill (receipt) for you to submit to your insurance company for possible reimbursement of paid sessions.

Reimbursement amounts vary depending on your specific plan. If you’re not sure about your coverage, here are some helpful questions to ask your insurance provider:

• Does my plan include out-of-network benefits?

• What nutrition services and how many visits are covered under CPT codes 97802 (initial visit) and 97803 (follow-up visits)?

• Are there any specific diagnostic codes that are required or excluded for coverage under CPT 97802/97803?

• What is my deductible, co-pay, and/or co-insurance for out-of-network services?

Submitting Claims

At the end of each month, you will be given a superbill that includes all sessions for the month, and you can submit this to your insurance for reimbursement if you have out-of-network coverage.

 Reimbursement

After your insurance has processed the claim, you will receive reimbursement for the amount your insurance covers.

I require 48 hours’ notice for cancellations to avoid being charged the full session fee.

Yes, I reserve a limited number of reduced-fee spots that are offered based on financial need. Please contact Chelsea@chelsealevynurtition.com to learn more.