Melissa Walden is a psychotherapist in private practice in Madison, WI, and is the co-founder of the Eating Disorder Support Network. She has a master’s degree in mental health counseling, is a licensed professional counselor through the state of Wisconsin, and is a Certified Eating Disorder Specialist through the International Association of Eating Disorder Professionals. Ms. Walden has worked at the inpatient, residential, partial, and now outpatient levels of care. These experiences have given her the opportunities to treat some of the most challenging and enduring eating disorders throughout all stages of the recovery process. Balanced eating, fostering a positive body image, promoting a culture that appreciates all body types, and finding one’s identity outside of their appearance and/or abilities are just a few of the topics she works on with patients and families in her practice.

Ms. Walden has always enjoyed and has been motivated by sports and competition. She was a swimmer, gymnast and competitive cheerleader in high school and college. She has experienced the highs and lows of competing at elite levels and believes that athletic goals are only reached when one is physically and emotionally healthy. When she is not treating eating disorders, she is the number one fan of her three children who are active in synchronized and individual figure skating, football, downhill skiing, and baseball.