Meet Jenna: A Call to Rock Recovery's Mission

I am so excited I joined the Rock Recovery team as a Social Work Intern!

When I was searching for a field placement in the middle of a pandemic, I wanted to intern at an agency that was adapting to the changing landscape of mental health. I also wanted to make a difference in my community. I felt called to Rock’s Recovery's mission because I know firsthand how frustrating it can be to get the proper treatment and that freedom from disordered eating is possible.

Rock isn’t just adapting. Rock is thriving and expanding into my area: Maryland.

My journey began in 1999 when I developed all of the signs and symptoms of an eating disorder. For years, I masked my condition through competitive figure skating and long-distance running. I was not formally diagnosed until 2006. Had my coaches, teachers, friends, and family been equipped to identify disordered eating and overexercising, I may have received help much sooner. It took medically withdrawing from college to signal that something was terribly wrong.

When seeking treatment, I quickly discovered that eating disorders are outside many clinicians’ scope of practice. When I did not meet the weight criteria for an eating disorder, I was told that I was not "sick enough". Like so many others, I was denied access to treatment by my insurance company in spite of unstable vital signs and abnormal labs.

Throughout my recovery process, I had to become my own advocate.

While the landscape of treatment is changing, the barriers of stigma and cost still exist. For many, it takes specialized treatment to fully recover and access to care is limited.

Through advocating for myself, I learned to be resourceful, persistent, and effective in advocating on behalf of others who struggle when they are unable to do so for themselves. I first heard of Rock through the DMV eating disorder world. I immediately felt called to the Rock Recovery mission to bridge gaps in eating disorder treatment by offering hope and access to clinical and community care.

I found full freedom from disordered eating and body image in 2014 when I took a stand against diet culture and discovered the joys of intuitive eating and mindful body movement. Like Rock, I believe in an “all foods fit” and health-at-every-size approach to recovery. I also believe that there can be a spiritual component to recovery for clients. Rock offers nationwide faith support services, in addition to clinical treatment, to care for those seeking spiritual support. I think it is fantastic that Rock offers this type of holistic care to the community.

I chose to pursue a Master of Social Work (MSW) because I believe eating disorders are, in part, a social justice issue. I am driven, personally and professionally, to break down barriers to treatment and dismantle diet culture. I am excited to work with Rock and take advantage of the robust opportunities to support my learning and growth as a social worker. What I'm most looking forward to at Rock is learning more about nonprofit management and assisting with the organization's expansion to Maryland.

Earning an MSW will enable me to further leverage my mental health advocacy efforts and practice as a psychotherapist. My goal is to become certified in eating disorders though the International Association of Eating Disorders Professionals (IAEDP), and gain clinical competency in related mental health conditions such as trauma and addictions.

My dream is to open a private practice and deliver strengths-based compassionate care that is both client-centered and trauma-informed.

Jenna Line joined the Rock Recovery team as a Social Work Intern in the fall of 2020. She is passionate about promoting health-at-every-size and helping individuals find freedom from disordered eating, as she herself is fully recovered. Jenna is currently working toward her Master of Social Work at Walden University. She aspires to become an eating disorder specialist and help more people find freedom.