Untangling the intricacies of eating disorders for midlife and older women: clinical and lived experiences.

Arden Greenspan-Goldberg is a New York State licensed Clinical Social Worker and a nationally recognized Marriage, Child, and Family Psychotherapist, Psychoanalyst, and Certified Eating Disorder Specialist. Arden uses an integrated approach that includes psychodynamic psychotherapy, psychoanalysis, feminist relational-cultural and attachment frameworks, somatic experiencing, mindfulness, nutritional counseling, and meal support. She is a Parenting, Teen, Eating Disorder, and Body Image expert. Arden received her MSW from Hunter College School of Social Work. Her post-master’s training was completed at the National Institute for the Psychotherapies in Manhattan, where she earned two certificates: one in Comprehensive Psychotherapy and Psychoanalysis, and another in the Supervision of Psychotherapy and Psychoanalysis. One of Arden’s greatest passions is working with teens and their families. She is the author of What Do You Expect? She’s A Teenager!, inspired by her daughter Samara. Arden also loves working with dancers, athletes, LGBTQ youth, and couples. She is a Certified Eating Disorder Specialist and Consultant with extensive clinical experience working with individuals and long-term trauma based recovery groups for midlife and older women struggling with binge eating disorder, anorexia, bulimia, and body dysmorphia. Arden has served on the Rockland Jewish Family Service’s Eating Disorder Task Force and is a member of NEDA and IAEDP New York. As a former adjunct professor at St. Thomas Aquinas College in Sparkill, NY, Arden conceived and taught Introduction to Eating Disorders, The Treatment of Eating Disorders, and The Psychology of Women. She also taught the IAEDP certification course Treatment of Eating Disorders, one of the four core courses required for certification. Arden is a former President of the New York State Society of Clinical Social Workers (Rockland Chapter), a Fellow of NASW, a Board-Certified Diplomate in Clinical Social Work, and a member of SAG-AFTRA and the School of American Ballet. She has appeared on national and local television, radio, cable, digital media, and in print for over 30 years, with features in Family Circle, Better Homes and Gardens, and Ladies’ Home Journal. Arden maintained her 45-year private practice formerly on Manhattan’s West Side and in New City, NY. She now sees her treasured patients virtually and resides with her husband, Larry, in San Diego, California. She has two married children and two precious, smart granddaughters. Arden is an avid nature walker, mindful meditator, and stays active through Pilates, yoga, and dance.

Betsy Brenner is an author, recovery speaker, and peer support mentor. In her 2021 memoir The Longest Match: Rallying to Defeat an Eating Disorder in Midlife, Betsy details her life—one filled with blessings and privilege, but also with emotional trauma, profound grief, anxiety, depression, and ultimately a diagnosis of anorexia in midlife. Her eating disorder became the catalyst for healing. Her inspiring message is that "it is never too late to be a work in progress." Betsy’s recovery journey shows that it is possible to heal from past trauma and become healthier in mind, body, and spirit. A former hospital attorney and longtime high school tennis coach, Betsy has also been a hospice volunteer and speaker on grief, loss, and end-of-life decision-making. For the past decade, she has led a bereavement group in her community. Her primary focus is now on speaking, mentoring, and leading support groups in the eating disorder field. Betsy has shared her story at treatment centers, conferences, and through numerous webinars and podcasts. She is passionate about giving hope and support to those struggling with eating disorders, especially those in midlife. Betsy received her bachelor’s degree in psychology from Brown University and her Juris Doctor from American University Law School. Originally from Rochester, NY, Betsy and her husband Jeff have lived in Barrington, Rhode Island, for over 30 years and are the proud parents of three grown children.