The-F-Word.org

Some time before Charlynn closed the Disordered Times blog, I began to notice the writings of a new contributor there, Greta — read her archives here.  Greta is a smart, clever writer who offers both personal and clinical perspectives on issues related to mental health and eating disorders.  I hate to see great talent go untapped and so, I’ve asked her to come on board as a fellow blogger here.

A former Radio City Rockette and recovering bulimic, Greta is in her final year of a graduate social work program at NYU, specializing in addictions.  After graduation, she intends to do a two-year specialization in eating disorders at a psychoanalytic/CBT psychotherapy institute.  Apart from personal experience, I approach the F-words mostly from an historical and sociological perspective, so having someone who is actually well versed in the clinical aspect of addictions and body image issues is a great addition for the site.  Greta also has much to say about the third F-word — feminism — and aspires to be a food critic.  And whereas Charlynn and I are boring married straights, Greta can also offer a lesbian perspective on both feminist and eating disorder issues.  So, please welcome Greta!  Her bio is below:

After an eight-year hiatus, co-blogger Greta Gleissner has recently returned to her favorite place on the planet—New York City. Her first experience in the city, where she had the pleasure of dancing as a Radio City Rockette, didn’t exactly go as planned, as she was at the height of a 15-year struggle with bulimia. A couple of rehabs later, and after many sessions of psychotherapy, Greta is back for a “do-over,” determined to live life in the city the way in which she originally intended.

No longer eye-high kicking on “The Great Stage,” Greta is well on her way to fulfilling her ultimate dream—helping others with eating disorders. She is currently a graduate student at The Silver School of Social Work, at New York University. Bouncing in and out of school for nearly a decade, and outlasting all of my stepsiblings and cousins in the, “Who Can Stay in School the Longest?” contest, her family is ecstatic that she  will finally graduate with her MSW in May.

Greta had a brief stint as a co-blogger on The Disordered Times, and has her own blog, Life With Cake. Greta’s personal essay was published in Dance Spirit magazine. She’s currently under literary representation for her memoir about her experience with and the process of recovery from bulimia.

A self-proclaimed food aficionado, Greta has a secret wish to be a food critic, and, on occasion, traipses the city streets with Lisa in search of the perfect pizza slice and cupcake. Though still mildly obsessed with food, Greta considers herself lucky to be somewhat of a “normal” eater… if such a state exists in Western culture.

In her spare time, Greta plays with her golden retrievers, Jack and Emma, reads memoirs of all types, watches Law & Order SVU reruns with her partner, Lisa, and daydreams about pursuing her Ph.D.