About Light Minds Collective
I’m Zoë Harwood, founder of Light Minds Collective. As a certified Eating Disorder & Body Image Coach Practitioner and former ISTD qualified dance school principal with over 20 years of experience supporting emotional and physical wellbeing, I help individuals rebuild confidence, heal their relationship with food, and cultivate body acceptance.
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My approach integrates evidence-informed coaching with holistic techniques, empowering clients to develop self-trust, confidence, and a healthy relationship with their bodies. I offer sessions in Cheltenham, Gloucestershire, and online.
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I am also a researcher at the University of Gloucestershire for The Body Project: Dancers, where I encourage culture change in the dance industry surrounding body image.
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I receive regular clinical supervision and am a member of a professional body.
My Story
I grew up in Cheltenham, immersed in the dance industry. From a young age, I believed that my success, achievements and acceptance would come if I lost weight. For years, I struggled with Orthorexia and negative body image, feeling that I was failing both as a dancer and as a person.
My orthorexia went undiagnosed for seven years due to the lack of awareness around eating disorders and BMI within GP practices. Eating disorders are not a weight illness, but many don't get the support they deserve because they are measured on the BMI chart (by which time the eating disorder has usually taken hold).​
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Everyone deserves to feel confident in their body and see their worth beyond their appearance. My mission is to help people eat and exercise in a nourishing way, whilst guiding them toward self-compassion and self-respect.
My Credentials
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Regular Clinical Supervision
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Enhanced DBS Checked
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Member of the Association for Coaching - an internationally recognised professional body promoting best practice and ethical standards in coaching
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Practitioner Skills for Eating Disorders (BPS Accredited)
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Nutritional Interventions for Eating Disorders (BPS Accredited)
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Research Associate at The Body Project: Dancers
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Eating Disorder Intuitive Therapy (EDIT) Recovery Coach
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Certified in Body Image and Body Dysmorphia in Adolescence
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Life and Mindset Coach accredited by The Federation of Holistic Therapists
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Mental Health First Aider by MHFA.
Ongoing CPD -
Master Practitioner for Eating Disorder Recovery (BPS Accredited)
We contacted Zoe as our child had been diagnosed with an eating disorder, and family-based therapy was not proving effective for us. Our child found Zoe easy to connect with and liked her holistic, positive and empowering approach. Zoe is there to support the whole family and her experience, expertise, techniques and strategies offer an effective and practical framework to challenge the eating disorder and improve mental health. ~ Sarah