Having spend over ten years as a binge eater and a sometimes bulimic, I truly understand the angst, pain and suffering that people go through with regard to food. I have found that to reach true peace with food, i.e., to even really enjoy it and not feel frightened by it, requires support from those who truly understand and have been there.

Learning to eat consciously is one key component to finding peace with food. It is a matter of re-learning how to listen to your body that truly knows exactly what it needs. as is learning to nurture yourself. Another critical component to finding peace with food is learning to nurture yourself lovingly -- that includes changing the self talk -- would you ever speak to your children or your friends the way you speak to yourself? I bet not! It also includes making time for you and what brings you joy and pleasure in your life. Learning to enjoy moving in your body (no rules here about how you do it) and appreciating your body for all that it does for you are important too.

The key to peace with food and your body is learning to love yourself, to listen to your body, to un-learn all the rules you've created about eating and to be supported in the process. Take it from me, it really works and the process can be quite enlightening!

Most of my work is in the form of workshops, weekend retreats, support groups and teleconference courses and groups although I do provide phone coaching for individuals. Being among a group of others like you is key to feeling less alone and supported throughout the journey to finding peace with food and your body.

Feel free to email me with thoughts and questions at liz@choosingyou.org

Best, Liz

 One Day Workshops: Ending Emotional Eating; Creating Joy and Passion in Your Life

Beach Weekend Retreats: Finding Peace with Food and Your Body

Public Speaking for Groups & Organizations

Individual Coaching via Phone

Teleconference Courses and Support Groups

B.A., Yale University with Honors in Psychology

M.A. and Ph.D., University of Maryland, Organizational Psychology

George Mason University, Assistant Professor of Psychology (1985-1988)

Graduate Teaching Excellence Award, University of Maryland

Certificates: Spirit School of the Intuitive Arts Level I, Angel Alignment, Myers Briggs Type Indicator, Career Inventories, Leadership Inventories, Visioning Your Future

Dance and Exercise Instructor

Advanced Group Facilitation, Workshop Curriculum Development

20 years as President of Berney Associates, Training & Organization Development working with groups and organizations to enhance teamwork, communication and effectiveness

Upcoming Workshops and Retreats:

Creating Joy and Passion in Your Life; September 20 from 9 AM - 4 PM in Rockville, Maryland. Cost: $130 (go to www.choosingyou.org to get more information and to register)

Finding Peace with Food and Your Body; October 17 - 19 in Rehoboth Beach, Delaware. Cost varies depending on sleeping choice (go to www.choosingyou.org to get more information and to register)

I unfortunately do not accept health insurance or credit cards. I am willing to negotiate payment plans.

"The Choosing You weekend retreat was one of the best things I've done for myself in quite a while - a gathering of amazing woman who opened up under the great guidance of our fearless leader, Liz! There were little miracles all weekend and the bond was strong as we discovered a better way to live a more healthy life. By using Liz's 10 tenets, I've finally begun to lose weight. Thank you, Liz, for helping me to help myself. "

- R.L. Oncological Practice Manager

"I'm so grateful that I attended Liz Berney's "Choosing You" weekend retreat. After raising my children, I had certainly gotten into the habit of choosing everyone else first. Liz has helped me to get in touch with my needs and begin to make a conscious effort to take care of myself and enjoy life. She put together a beautiful retreat of supportive women, where she used her vast wisdom, knowledge, empathy, wit, expertise, and caring nature to give me wonderful tools and images to embark on a new path for my life, and a healthy relationship with food. "

- R.W., Recreation Program Director

"Liz's weekend workshop on Conscious Eating was awesome. I went home with a new outlook on my belief system about food and a plan on becoming more aware of what my body needs to fuel it--physically, emotionally, and spiritually. I now have hope and am inspired with my new healthy eating plan for my body, my health and my life."

- N.P., Sacred Contracts Coach

"Choosing You! was the best choice I made! I could never have dreamed that attending a day -long workshop would change my perspective on food and my self-worth in such a profound way. Liz's strategies and paradigm-shift on accepting emotions instead of "stuffing them down" has helped me tremendously! I highly recommend this course to anyone struggling with food issues."

- M.D., Project Manager

"Liz, thank you for a most wonderful and thought engaging experience. As I mentioned, this workshop is the very first time in my life ever really learning to listen to my body. When I went out to lunch with my cousin after the workshop, I practiced all the tenets of conscious eating and when we finished talking, astonished, I looked down at my plate to find that I hardly touched my second helping! Just think before Choosing You!, I could've eaten everything! I was elated to find I was satisfied and full! Now that I'm armed with concious eating information, I'm more motivated than ever. After writing in my journal today, I feel that my inner child is more peaceful and is learning to listen more than react. I appreciate and thank you for this experience! "

- D.D., Water Aerobics Instructor & Community Activist

"Liz's Conscious Eating program is the key to my weight loss success. I was finally able to understand why I was reaching for food when I wasn't hungry and more importantly, I gained the tools and the strength to choose differently. Since working with Liz, eating smart and exercising, I have lost 30 pounds, a number I had only dreamed about before. Choosing You! is the answer."

- M.D., Executive Assistant

"Choosing to participate in a weekend retreat (Choosing You! with Dr. Liz Berney) was the best decision I have made for my own personal growth in a long time. Liz organized a terrific event centered on the techniques and principles of conscious eating and created a wonderful setting to encourage reflection and sharing. Through Liz's engaging and nurturing support, I unlocked my feelings and misperceptions about food. The activities helped me realize how often I make food choices without thinking or listening to my body. I left the weekend with renewed energy and self empowerment...it was truly a life changing experience!"

- LDK, Human Resources Professional

"When i came across Choosing You! on the internet , I was very excited to try the retreat. I was really looking forward to NOT being on a diet and counting calories or points anymore, it was exhausting. I didn't know anyone who was going to be there and was worried, but as soon as we had our first meeting i knew i was in the right place. Liz is an amazing mentor and gave me great tools to take home with me. I look forward to continuing conscious eating and feeling good about myself. MG Mother, and tutor"

- M.G., Mother and Tutor

"I find that when I attend an event that is superbly designed and effortlessly executed, one gets the impression that this is an easy thing to do. Dr. Berney has that gift of the sensitive touch, the gentle facilitation and the talent to design an event that provides the participant with a life changing experience. I cannot give any other recommendation than 'excellent' for Dr. Berney's amazing programs."

- D.L., Knowledge Management Director

"The Choosing You Tele-course was a terrific opportunity! Liz's guidance and exercises were very helpful and the reassurance she offered helped me feel very much at ease. I was able to understand some of the reasons I've chosen food for comfort and am trying some of the things offered in the course rather than repeating that old destructive behavior. I found Liz to be very personable, while also maintaining professionalism. She was easily accessible and had terrific suggestions and recommendations. Some of the reading/exercises helped me think about my eating habits differently, but also led me to understand my relationship with my body in a new way. I recommend Choosing You to any and all who struggle with food/ weight management, body image and of course shame, guilt and all those other things we say to ourselves that are not helpful. "

- S.C.

"Liz's Choosing You! workshop was the best choice I ever made. In a warm, nurturing environment, Liz guided participants to conscious eating and living by tuning in to one's body, mind and soul. The workshop provides the tools and techniques necessary to help me put an end to binge eating."

- S.T., CPA

""The Eating Consciously" retreat weekend helped me reconnect with my body. Liz gave us amazing insight, tools and techniques to find serenity within ourselves, even in our busy lives! I love to eat again and am losing weight too! Thanks Dr. Liz"

- D.R., Mom to 3

"Thank you so much for leading such a powerful workshop and bringing together such a compatible group of people. The time went by so fast. Your skillful guidance and sensitivity for each person in the room made us all feel relaxed and comfortable. It was a wonderful experience that gave me many insights into the habits I've developed over the yeras that undermine enjoyable eating. I know in my heart of hearts that implementing the conscious eating approach will help me."

- J.C., Science Writer

"Liz's workshop is a life altering concept which can break the cycle of dieting and being controlled by food by getting in touch with yourself. Liz's warmth, wisdom and wealth of experience also make it fun!"

- S.P., CPA

"The experience of attending Liz' Choosing You! workshop was both nurturing and joyful. Getting away from the demands of daily life made it possible for me to focus on nothing else but my relationship with my body and with food. I have found the answers I have been searching for my whole life. I now have the tools and the ability to make choices that serve me and my body and even more amazing...I believe in my ability to be successful!"

- M.D., Executive Assistant

Articles written about Liz and Choosing You!:

(1) In the American Psychological Association's June issue of  Monitor:  http://www.apa.org/monitor/2008/06/diet.html

(2) In Washington Woman Magazine's March issue: http://www.bluetoad.com/publisher/washwoman/Washington_Woman/issue4/magazine.php?mag=Washington_Woman&page=44&type=2&logo=0&issueid=3036

For a reading list of books, workbooks and articles on conscious eating, go to: www.choosingyou.org and click the "About Choosing You!" link and then click "here" underneath the picture.