02 Jul Member Journey: Kyle Woodson – Finding Purpose Through Connection

For Kyle Woodson, stepping into the world of eating disorders treatment was never just a career move. It was a calling shaped by identity, lived experiences, and a deeply rooted desire to help others find healing. As a Black gay clinician, Kyle brings a unique and needed perspective to a field that has long struggled with inclusivity. Now a clinical manager at the Eating Recovery Center, he oversees virtual Intensive Outpatient Programs across the western U.S., serving both adults and adolescents.

Kyle’s professional roots were influenced early on by his passion for psychology and a background in sports. Having played soccer since he was four, he naturally gravitated toward roles of support and healing, both in and out of the clinical space. His graduate studies at the University of Colorado Denver, with a strong focus on multiculturalism, gave him the framework to center diversity and inclusion in his counseling work.

“I’ve always been drawn to being the support character,” Kyle shares. “Even in video games, I’d play the healer. It’s who I am.”

Kyle began working in the eating disorder field in 2015 at Children’s Hospital Colorado. There, he saw firsthand how sports and body image intersect and how athletes, often overlooked, silently battle disordered eating. This connection helped him engage young clients in meaningful ways, combining his knowledge of psychology with real-life empathy and experience.

“You never know who you’ll meet,
what you’ll learn, or how you’ll grow
just by showing up.”

But Kyle’s journey isn’t just about clinical care; it’s also about representation. “Mental illness shows up differently in different communities,” he explains. “And for communities of color, especially, there are unique cultural dynamics at play. Just being in the room matters.”

That philosophy of presence, visibility, and belonging led Kyle to iaedp, where he found community among clinicians just as committed to inclusive, person-centered care. His first in-person experience at the iaedp Symposium was nothing short of transformative. From engaging presentations to critical conversations about DEI and virtual care, Kyle found peers and a community to grow.

“I walked away inspired,” he says. “Being around others with the same passion helped reinforce why I do what I do.”

Through his membership, Kyle has connected with subgroups and specialty communities, including those focused on diversity and emerging professionals. He’s also working toward his CEDS certification, a designation that reflects his deep commitment to the field.

Asked what advice he’d give to those entering the field, Kyle doesn’t hesitate: “Take the risk. Show up. Ask the questions. And when you walk through the door, hold it open for someone else.”

Looking ahead, Kyle hopes to see even greater accessibility in the eating disorders space, both within iaedp and across the field. Whether through more virtual programming, expanded DEI initiatives, or simply amplifying underrepresented voices, he believes change is not only necessary but possible.

“Leave room for magic,” he says with a smile. “You never know who you’ll meet, what you’ll learn, or how you’ll grow just by showing up.”

Kyle’s story is more than a professional journey; it’s a reminder that shared purpose and authentic connection can build bridges, shift systems, and ultimately bring healing to those who need it most.