Today we’d like to introduce you to Natalie Grun.
Thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, how did you get started?
My career started at a mental health agency where I practiced as a registered dietitian. I did not expect to jump into the world of treating eating disorders, but working at the mental health agency truly opened my eyes to this population. I decided to start my private practice, a solo practice, in 2019. In 2022, I expanded into group private practice, and today, I have a group of dietitians on my team, along with a virtual assistant. Our group is committed to providing compassionate and ethical care to those who struggle with disordered eating and body image issues.
Would it have been a smooth road, and if not, what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Entrepreneurship is always going to have its bumps along the way. One of the biggest was COVID and the unknown of how that would impact my practice and access to care. Being an insurance-based provider also has its challenges. While it allows us the opportunity to be accessible, it also has its downfalls in limiting how much care can be provided to an individual. Inflation has also impacted the practice in different ways, and as a small business owner, you have to consistently check on the next best action step for the business.
As you know, we’re big fans of Empathy Nutrition Therapy. What can you tell our readers who might need to be more familiar with the brand?
We are a group of dietitians in the greater Austin area. At Empathy Nutrition Therapy, we believe everyone deserves peace in their relationship with food and body. We live in a culture that can make it challenging to feel confident in our abilities, such as eating or treating our bodies. Together, we will find what works best for you and move towards a life without restriction, fear, or chaos around food. We value being a teammate and walking alongside your path to peace as you discover the tools to meet your needs physically, mentally, and emotionally. Our mission is to support people in all bodies in healing their relationship with food by creating more flexibility, making food take up less brain space, and redefining what health looks like to the individual. At Empathy Nutrition Therapy, we believe in a non-diet and weight-inclusive approach to support our clients. We believe in meeting our clients where they are. Rapport building and trust with a provider are vital in producing change and healing one’s relationship with food and body. We strive to promote an inclusive environment for all and want our clients to feel heard. You will find sessions valuable in meeting your needs.
Can you talk to us about how you think about risk?
As an entrepreneur, it is necessary to be a risk-taker to succeed. One example of a risk our practice has taken is contracting with certain insurance companies. Insurance can sometimes deny or claw back claims, which could impact the business financially. The flip side is we are accessible to many clients due to being an insurance provider, and some would not have this care if we weren’t on insurance.
Pricing:
- $170 initial
- $140 follow up
Contact Info:
- Website: empathynutritiontherapy.com
- Instagram: empathy_nutrition_therapy
