Faith Carlson, MA, LPC, QMHP

04/13/2026

Conversations around GLP-1 medications are everywhere right now—and for many people, they can feel confusing, overwhelming, or even activating.

Over the past several months, I’ve had more and more individuals and professionals reach out asking:

(So thankful for the medical professionals reaching over with curiosity because mental health matters!)

“How do we navigate this in a way that supports mental health and a healthy relationship with food?”

This group was created in response to that need.

Body, Appetite, & Healing: A GLP-1 Discussion Group is a supportive, psychoeducational space exploring the intersection of GLP-1 medications, eating behaviors, and mental health—through a compassionate, weight-inclusive lens.

Led by a Certified Eating Disorder Specialist (CEDS), this group aims to offer a clinically informed, weight inclusive perspective on a rapidly evolving and often misunderstood topic.

This is not a weight-focused space.

It’s a space for understanding.

Together, we’ll explore:
• What GLP-1 medications do (and don’t do)
• How eating behaviors like emotional eating, grazing, or loss of control can still show up
• Why appetite changes don’t always equal healing
• How to approach these conversations in a more informed, ethical, and supportive way

This group is educational (not therapy) and is open to:
• individuals navigating these experiences
• those wondering about their relationship with food
• and professionals seeking a more nuanced perspective

No assumptions. No pressure. Just space for curiosity, learning with evidenced based resources, what current research studies show, and always from a place of care.

🗓 Saturday, May 9 or May 23
⏰ 9:00 AM – Noon
📍 Details + registration available on the flyer

If you’re navigating questions at the intersection of mental health, eating behaviors, and GLP-1 use, you deserve access to informed, compassionate guidance.

Content note: This discussion includes topics related to appetite and eating experiences. Please engage in a way that feels supportive for you.

02/28/2026

Recovery is not linear — and that does not mean you are failing. 💙💚

As 2026 National Eating Disorders Awareness Week comes to an end, one message matters most: hope does not expire when the week does.

In Sioux Falls, the iconic Falls have been illuminated in blue and green, standing as a powerful reminder that healing is possible even when it feels messy, slow, or uncertain.

Sunday is the last day to see the Falls lit in the NEDA colors here in the heart of our city.

The water doesn’t flow in a straight line. It crashes, shifts, and finds new paths forward — yet it keeps crashing forward.

Recovery often looks the same. There are setbacks. There are hard days. There are moments of doubt. But forward is still forward, even if it doesn’t feel perfect.

At Victus Counseling, we believe in walking alongside individuals and families through every phase of recovery — not just the highlight moments, but the complicated ones too. We believe in evidence-based care, compassion, and we never give up.

Awareness week may be ending, but hope continues.

Keep going. Keep reaching.

Keep believing that change is possible.

You are never alone.

- Faith 💙💚

02/23/2026

💚 Tomorrow We Kick Off National Eating Disorders Awareness Week 💚

This year’s theme is “Every BODY Belongs.”

And I really want to pause on that.

Because eating disorders do not have a look.
They do not only affect one body type.
They do not only affect teenage girls.
And they are being missed every single day.

I’ll be joining Ashley and Mitchell on KELOLAND Living tomorrow (2/23) to talk about why early screening matters — especially for atypical anorexia nervosa — and why so many young people are falling through the cracks simply because they don’t “look” sick.

We will also be lighting up Falls Park this week in recognition of Eating Disorder Awareness Week 💡

Awareness isn’t just a hashtag.
It’s earlier intervention.
It’s better training.
It’s fewer kids being told they’re “fine” when they are medically unstable.
It’s adults finally being seen.

If you watch tomorrow, share it.
If you know someone struggling, check in.
If you’re a provider — screen earlier.

Every body belongs in care.
Every body belongs in recovery.

— Faith@Victus

02/14/2026

Happy Valentines (or Galentines) day from Victus Counseling!

😉 Messages like this LIGHT UP this eating recovery mom therapist heart ♥️ we practice what we say both in and outside of the therapy clinic - nurture your body and celebrate life.

Know your celebrated and supported from the eating recovery team in Sioux Falls!

- Faith

02/12/2026

💚💙 Falls Lights Up for Eating Disorder Awareness Week 💙💚

For the 5th year, Victus Counseling has the honor of sponsoring the lighting of Falls Park in recognition of Eating Disorder Awareness Week. Seeing our city shine in green and blue is more than a visual it’s a message I want everyone to see and feel.

It’s a message that recovery matters.
It’s a message that no one should struggle in silence.
It’s a message that every BODY belongs.

Eating disorders thrive in isolation, shame, and secrecy. Healing happens in connection, compassion, and community.

I am deeply grateful for the collaboration and support within Sioux Falls. It takes a community that is open to learning, growing, and working together to better serve our residents in eating disorder recovery. I truly appreciate the providers, families, organizations, and leaders who continue to show up and prioritize this work year after year. I am so grateful for those national providers helping us out from other states knowing we have so few resources - special thanks to my Indiana professionals, mentors, and friends - I could not do this work without your amazing support from day 1.

To anyone who is struggling right now: please don’t give up. Recovery is not linear, and it’s not easy — but it is possible. Even when resources feel limited or overwhelming, you are not alone. There are people in this community who care deeply and want to help you find the next right step forward.

May these lights be a reminder:
✨ Your body deserves care.
✨ Your story matters.
✨ Recovery is possible.
✨ You are never alone.

If you or someone you love needs support, please reach out. We are here, and we are committed to walking alongside you.

With hope and gratitude,
Faith 💚
Victus Counseling

01/29/2026

Sometimes the most important thing we can do is stop for what everyone else walks past.
I was out of state visiting my daughter while she looked for an emotional support animal. Like most people, we were drawn to the small puppies—the “easy” ones.
But then I noticed a big 12-week-old pup being ignored by everyone.
When I asked to meet her, the staff warned me:
“You don’t want her. She’s wild.”
I said, “That’s exactly why I want to see her.”
And wow… they were right. She came in bouncing off the walls—biting, jumping, total Turner & H***h energy.
But I picked her up, held her close, and said softly:
“Hey buddy… you’ve got to calm down to get adopted.”
She didn’t listen with her ears—she listened with her nervous system.
She could feel someone anchoring her. Holding space. Not flinching.
And it reminded me: that’s what therapy is.
Presence. Patience. Connection. Sitting with the “wild” without turning away.
Things feel pretty wild right now in the world.
Don’t forget to slow down, breathe, and find the spaces (and people) that can hold you when life feels like too much.
And when you can… be that space for someone else.
🐾

01/19/2026

Rough flight out of cold South Dakota and fun to see all Hoosier fans out here! Visiting friends and family in Florida and the Indiana fan base is definitely representing here in south Florida! I am totally an adopted fan and always sending lots of love to the amazing Clincians mentors and clinics out of Indy. We appreciate your support and help in South Dakota specializing in eating disorder recovery work. We couldn’t do it without our Indiana community encouraging our work!

Go Hoosiers!

01/01/2026

Love my job on January 1st ♥️ a little multi tasking football-admin. - sessions.

I hope everyone had a safe New Years and Christmas!

Go Hoosiers!

- Victus Counseling

PS don’t forget your snacks and dinner tonight 😉

12/18/2025

I have to share the hardest part of my job trying to grow the only stand alone eating disorder clinic with on-site dietitians and CEDS providers is not the 14 hour days, not the waitlist or critical needs our communities have trying to get help for an eating disorder, no…the hardest part is the insurance industry.

Transparency and accountability is needed - Parity Enforcement is needed.

Never let another company, or organization, or the broken insurance system take your joy out of what you do serving others - even when it looks hopeless. I think in my personal not professional opinion- insurance companies wait for providers to give up trying - I practice the long game though 😊🗑️🏀

Enjoy my coping skills after a day of utilization review calls and more evidence to support what is not working in the broken system.

12/16/2025

It might be - negative weather out and we only show up positive with a therapist and two of South Dakota’s BEST dietitians combined Italian Cuisine.

It’s very special to celebrate this holiday with Meggie Holden, RD CEDS-C and Molly Cozad, RD of Compassionate Nutrition

South Dakota is VERY lucky to have such amazing providers who show up real both in and out of “work”. Recovery work is not a paycheck it’s an ethos, it’s a reality, it’s a culture we believe in.

So many more exciting things to come in 2026!!

Merry Christmas from Victus Counseling! Believing 2026 brings new levels of recovery for all doing the work. ♥️

12/10/2025

https://theconversation.com/how-to-host-a-meal-if-one-of-your-guests-has-an-eating-disorder-or-is-anxious-around-food-267967?utm_medium=article_clipboard_share&utm_source=theconversation.com

With a little thought, you can host a meal with family and friends that’s supports everyone.

12/07/2025

Game day!! The battle #1 and #2 🏈
Let’s go Hoosiers! 🔥
Rooting you all on from SoDak! We appreciate Indianas help in eating recovery work - it’s fun to watch your state on the football field!

Indy some cool people (sorry my Ohio friends your cool too! Your both great teams). 😉