Meet One of Our Recovery Coaches: A Conversation with Javoni Cobb

By: Megan Samuels, MSW, LCSW-C, Eating Disorder and Trauma Therapist

I recently had the opportunity to sit down with one of our incredible recovery coaches, Javoni Cobb. One of the many things that stands out about Javoni is her deep commitment and genuine passion for walking alongside individuals on their eating disorder recovery journeys.

Javoni offers eating disorder recovery coaching and specializes in supporting children, teens, and adults navigating anorexia, bulimia, binge eating disorder, ARFID, body image concerns, and compulsive movement.

You can learn more about Javoni here!

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Megan: Can you share a little about yourself and what inspired you to work in eating disorder recovery?

Javoni: I was born and raised in Florida and grew up immersed in dance, theatre, sports, and singing. I’ve always loved trying new things—especially things that feel intimidating—which actually played a role in how I began working with clients with eating disorders. During graduate school, I completed an internship at an eating disorder treatment center. The clinical director mentored me closely and helped me learn as much as possible.
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As I began providing individual therapy and meal support, I became deeply interested in the recovery process and the resilience I saw in clients. Working with this population taught me a great deal about my own strength, as well as how much strength clients bring—even in their hardest moments. Over time, that curiosity turned into respect, and eventually, a genuine love for this work.

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Megan: What are some common myths or misunderstandings about eating disorders?

Javoni: One of the biggest misconceptions is that eating disorders “look” a certain way. I hear far too often about people delaying care—or being denied care—because they didn’t fit a stereotype of what an eating disorder is supposed to look like.

Another misconception is that certain diagnoses are seen as more serious or “worse” than others. This hierarchy is heavily influenced by diet culture and can be extremely harmful, especially when people start questioning whether they are “sick enough” to deserve help.

There’s also the belief that eating disorders are only about food. In reality, food is often just the surface. For many people, eating disorders are rooted in trauma, fear, and deeply internalized beliefs about not being good enough.

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Megan: How would you describe your coaching style?

Javoni: My approach is highly individualized. Every client has their own story, so their recovery plan should reflect that. I prioritize gradual, sustainable change and often incorporate CBT and DBT skills to help clients challenge unhelpful thoughts and behaviors.

Because of my experience in higher levels of care, I’ve seen how damaging it can be to expect someone to change everything at once. Instead, I focus on small, manageable shifts over time. This pace supports consistency, which is essential in recovery. I also work with clients to develop coping tools that are relevant to their unique lives and experiences.

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Megan: Do you align with a Health at Every Size (HAES) approach?

Javoni: Yes, I do. HAES emphasizes body diversity and challenges the idea that body size determines health, worth, or lovability. This framework helps clients understand that their bodies are not problems to be fixed. They are already enough, exactly as they are.
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HAES can be incredibly freeing and supports people in building respect and compassion for their bodies.

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Megan: What do you find most rewarding—about your work?
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Javoni: The most rewarding moments are seeing clients reclaim parts of their lives they once thought were out of reach. For example, when a client goes out to eat and orders what they want without fear—and then shares how liberating that felt—that’s incredibly meaningful.

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Megan: What advice would you give to someone who feels stuck in recovery?

Javoni: I would encourage them to choose one small, achievable change and focus on that for as long as they need to. Recovery doesn’t have to be all-or-nothing.
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I’d also suggest surrounding themselves with people and environments that support the recovery they want. Feeling supported can make a powerful difference.

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Megan: What frustrates you most about diet culture?

Javoni: Diet culture is everywhere, which makes recovery especially challenging. People in recovery are constantly exposed to triggering messages, whether they want to be or not.
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Another frustration is how little evidence supports many diet culture claims. People understandably want solutions, and desperation can cause the risks of dieting to be ignored. I hope more people begin to question these messages and seek evidence-based information that aligns with their individual experiences and needs.

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Megan: Do you have any tips for someone struggling with body image during recovery?

Javoni: I would remind them that their body belongs to them—it is not owned or defined by society. No matter what messages they’ve absorbed about their body, they have the right to redefine that relationship.
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Body acceptance may feel very far away, and that’s okay. Distance doesn’t mean it’s unattainable. In sessions, I use a variety of tools to help clients gradually improve how they relate to and care for their bodies.

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Want to learn more? Check out our blog to explore what recovery coaching is and how it can support your recovery journey.

Schedule a FREE 15-minute consultation to explore how eating disorder therapy or recovery coaching can help you to find freedom.
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🌟 Available in MD, VA, DC, PA, FL, and CA for eating disorder therapy
🌍 Offering recovery coaching worldwide

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Megan Samuels, MSW, LCSW-C (she/her), is an eating disorder and trauma therapist at The Eating Disorder Center.  She offers therapy for teens and adults, focusing on the intersection of eating disorders, including anorexia, bulimia, binge eating disorder, & ARFID, and trauma (including complex trauma and dissociative disorders). Megan uses a blend of relational therapy, EMDR therapy, ego state interventions, DBT, and ACT with clients.  She is passionate about providing compassionate and supportive care for folks struggling with an eating disorder and/or complex trauma.

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The Eating Disorder Center is a premier outpatient eating disorder therapy center founded by Jennifer Rollin. We specialize in helping children, teens, and adults struggling with anorexia, binge eating disorder, bulimia, OSFED, and body image issues. We provide eating disorder therapy in Rockville, MD, that’s easily accessible to individuals in Potomac, North Potomac, Bethesda, Olney, Silver Spring, Germantown, and Washington, D.C. We also provide eating disorder therapy in Arlington, Virginia and virtually throughout Virginia. Additionally, we offer eating disorder therapy virtually in Florida, Pennsylvania, and California. We treat issues that commonly co-occur with eating disorders, such as trauma. We provide eating disorder and EMDR trauma therapy in Rockville, Maryland and virtually throughout Maryland and Virginia. We also provide eating disorder recovery coaching via Zoom to people worldwide. Connect with us through our website at www.theeatingdisordercenter.com