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Eating disorder care that works, built by people who’ve been there.

Eating disorders affect people of all identities and backgrounds — yet up to 90% won't get care. We started Arise to challenge the harmful assumptions about eating disorders and expand access to effective care for all.

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Listen to lead

We’re not going to have all the answers. To effectively serve every person’s healing journey, we must start by humbly listening to and elevating voices from marginalized communities.

Everybody matters

We’re here for people of any age, race, size, gender identity, sexual orientation, ability, and background, because everyone deserves to be heard, understood, respected, and supported.

We’re all human

Being human means that we celebrate together and support each other through the low points. We give each other the space to rise and fall and rise again.

OUR STORY

We started Arise because we've been there, too.

Our co-founders, Joan Zhang and Amanda D'Ambra Manian, each had their own struggles with eating disorders and mental health, experiencing firsthand the harm it caused in their lives — and the power of community and connection in their own healing.

They came together with shared conviction that nonjudgmental, inclusive, and effective eating disorder care should be available to all — whatever they look like and wherever they come from.

Partnered with leading eating disorder expert and psychiatrist Dr. Erikka Dzirasa, MD, MPH, with input and support from an incredible group of care advisors, they started Arise to change the conversation around eating disorders — and bring people a new kind of care that puts them at the center.

OUR APPROACH
‍

A safe space to get real about healing through an eating disorder.

Community + clinical = better outcomes

We know that peer support and connecting to people with shared experiences is critical to healing from eating disorders — so that's part of our model from the start.

Person-centered care

Every person's voice matters — and no two experiences are exactly the same. We listen and learn from our members, working together on goals and a care plan that put them at the center.

Ongoing support for
long-term healing

Eating disorder recovery isn't linear, and healing takes time. As we move with folks out of active clinical care, they continue to have ongoing support as a part of our community.

Our leaders and advisors

We've brought together leaders and experts in community-based and clinical care for eating disorders and mental health to collectively build Arise to best support folks.

Joan Zhang

Co-Founder & CEO

she/her

Joan cofounded Arise out of her own lived experience with eating disorders and mental health conditions — and deep empathy for the diversity of mental health journeys of so many others that drives her work as a product leader in the mental health tech space. Prior to founding Arise, Joan was a senior product manager at Headspace Health where she led initiatives that empowered members to get into clinical care faster than ever. Prior to Headspace, she was a lead product manager at Click Therapeutics developing a digital treatment for major depressive disorder. Joan started her career in management consulting at Deloitte where she led projects to implement robotics process automation at a top global pharmaceutical company and EHR systems for a state-wide development disability service provider.

Identifies as an AAPI woman and child of immigrants

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Erikka Daniene Taylor MD, MPH, DFAACAP

Chief Medical Officer

(she/her)

Erikka Daniene Taylor, MD, MPH, DFAACAP is a double-board certified Child and Adult Psychiatrist who brings more than 10 years of deep expertise in eating disorders and mental health since first seeking out specialized training while in Duke University's residency and fellowship programs. She previously served as the Medical Director of an Eating Disorders specialty hospital system, leading policy and program development to deliver high-quality, effective care in their intensive outpatient (IOP) and partial hospitalization programs (PHP), residential and inpatient units for people living with eating disorders. Erikka is currently Chair of the Board of Directors of Project HEAL, a leading eating disorder nonprofit breaking down systemic barriers and providing education and supportive resources to people of all identities and background experiencing eating disorders. She is a partner in Catalyst Therapeutic Services, a private practice in Durham, NC and a Consulting Associate at Duke University Medical Center. As a mental health advocate, she also serves on the Race, Ethnicity and Equity committee for the North Carolina Psychiatric Association, and is the immediate Past President of the North Carolina Council of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry. Dr. Dzirasa earned her Bachelor of Science at Spelman College, Master of Public Health in Health Care and Leadership at UNC Chapel Hill, and her Doctor of Medicine at Duke University School of Medicine.

Identifies as a Black Cisgender woman

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Amanda Reagan

Head of Strategy & Operations

she/her

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Giva Wilkerson

Head of Community Care

(she/her)

Giva Wilkerson, MA, MPA is a graduate of the University of Pittsburgh and Indiana University, currently residing in New York. After living with an eating disorder most of her teens and early adulthood, she experienced healing through a combination of therapy, activism and support from family and friends. Giva began her work in the field of eating disorder support with Project HEAL in 2018 managing the Communities of HEALing network of peer support services, later growing and expanding the program after its transition to ANAD (National Association of Anorexia Nervosa and Associated Disorders).Upon leaving ANAD, she completed her training with the Carolyn Costin Institute (CCI), as an Eating Disorder Coach, combining her passion for connecting with others, with her dedication to providing healing to all in need.

Identifies as a Black Cisgender woman

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Amanda D'Ambra Manian

Co-Founder & Advisor

she/her

Amanda came to found Arise out of her own lifelong experiences with eating disorders and mental health conditions — and listening to and learning from others’ stories to build accessible and inclusive support for eating disorders. As a mental health advocate, entrepreneur, and marketing leader, Amanda has spent over a decade working in mental health and suicide prevention. She has been an early team member in several fast-growing digital health startups, including as the first marketing leader at Brightline and Cityblock Health. Before getting into startups to drive innovation in the mental health space, Amanda worked on suicide prevention campaigns at a Washington, D.C.-area marketing and communications firm, including for the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs’ Veterans Crisis Line and national suicide prevention programs. Her work is deeply rooted in improving health equity, breaking down barriers and stigma, elevating voices and stories of those who have not been heard, and connecting people with accessible, inclusive, and empowering support.

Identifies as a white, cisgender woman

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Dr. Jennifer Wang-Hall, Ph.D.

Advisor

(she/her)

Dr. Jennifer Wang-Hall is a licensed psychologist in California who has treated EDs at all levels of care since 2011. Working in various treatment centers and teams with differing approaches, Dr. Wang-Hall has trained in a multitude of approaches and has witnessed the utility and futility of various modalities. These experiences have led her to an eclectic and client centered lens that facilitates empowerment and agency in ED recovery. Core to Dr. Wang-Hall’s approach is attunement to systems of oppression that manifest in both the development and treatment of eating disorders. She integrates attention to ableism, white supremacy, misogyny, cis heterosexism, capitalism, and settler colonialism in her care of individuals from all backgrounds struggling with eating disorders. She is passionate about accessible, compassionate care for all people struggling with food and body concerns.

Identifies as a cisgender, mixed race, queer, invisibly disabled person

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Mazella Fuller, Ph.D., MSW, CEDS

Advisor

(she/her)

Dr. Fuller is a clinical associate on staff at the Counseling and Psychological Services of Duke University. She is a certified member and approved supervisor (CEDS-S) of the International Association of Eating Disorder Professionals (iaedp™). She is the Co-Founder of African American Eating Disorders Professionals(iaedp). She is the Co-Editor of Treating Black Women with Eating Disorders: A Clinician Guide. She is also the Co-Founder and Principal of the Institute for Antiracism and Equity.

Identifies as a Black Cis-Woman

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Ivy Felicia

Advisor

(she/her)

Ivy is a Certified Holistic Wellness Coach and Body Image Expert with more than a decade of acclaimed service. She is dedicated to helping people make peace with their bodies so they can thrive in their lives. Her lived experience as a Fat, Black woman and passion for fat liberation inspired her to create Fat Women of Color™ in 2017 providing collective care for Black and Brown women of size. As a passionate advocate for body liberation, she provides transformative offerings to through coaching, teaching, and public speaking.

Identifies as a Fat, Black, Woman of Size

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Tracy K. Richmond, MD, MPH

Advisor

(she/her)

Tracy Richmond is a Pediatrician and researcher who is board certified in Adolescent/Young Adult Medicine. She is the Director of the Boston Children's Hospital's Eating Disorder Program. She cares for patients across the full spectrum of eating issues. In addition to being a clinician, she is a wife, a mother, an avid traveler, a design enthusiast, and a dog lover.

Identifies as a white, cisgender female

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Francis Iacobucci, LCSW, LICSW

Advisor

(he/him)

Francis Iacobucci is a licensed clinical social worker and psychotherapist who specializes in the treatment of eating disorders, body image dissatisfaction, and disordered eating. Having his own lived experience, he is an advocate for those experiencing disordered eating, and co-hosts a podcast dedicated to creating space to hear diverse perspectives about eating disorder treatment, recovery, and healing.

Identifies as a white, cishetro, fat, male

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Whitney Trotter, MS, RDN/LD, RN, RYT

Advisor

(she/her)

Whitney Trotter: (she/her) is dually licensed as a Registered Dietitian, Nurse, and yoga instructor. Whitney has over ten years of experience working as a registered dietitian serving the HIV/AIDS community as well as working in the eating disorder field. Whitney also previously worked at a Level 1 Pediatric Trauma Center as a Pediatric emergency room nurse. In addition to working as an RDN and RN, Whitney has served as a member of her county's Rape Crisis Center. Her work at the Rape Crisis Center equipped her to co-found an anti-trafficking organization Restore Corps, where she now provides medical training to the community focusing on human trafficking response. Whitney's career in the Eating Disorder field includes being a former Nutrition and Nursing director of a Residential, PHP, and IOP center. Whitney is also the owner/founder of Bluff City Health, a private practice specializing in bridging the gap in the eating disorder field of equitable care and social justice.

Identifies as a Black Biracial Woman of color

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Marcella Raimondo, PhD, MPH

Advisor‍

(she/her)

Marcella Raimondo, PhD, MPH is a passionate and spirited clinical trainer speaking from her heart on social justice and eating disorders since 1995. In 1997, Marcella worked with About-Face, a nonprofit organization that addresses media impact on body image serving as the Director of Media Literacy until 2005. Today she is on the About-Face Board of Founders and a consultant. She was also on the Advisory Board for the Association of Size Health and Diversity (ASDAH), on the Advisory Board of Eating Disorder Recovery Support (EDRS) as Past President and served as Co-Chair of the Academy of Eating Disorders Diversity Equity and Inclusion committee. Marcella received her B.A. from UC Berkeley, and Master’s Degree in Public Health from the University of Michigan. Marcella’s desire to address eating disorders drove her to pursue her doctorate in clinical psychology, receiving her PhD in 2012. She completed her post- doc internships at an eating disorder outpatient program and an eating disorder residential program for adolescents. Marcella currently serves as a Licensed Clinical Psychologist (PSY # 27037) in Kaiser Permanente’s eating disorder clinic in Oakland and runs a private practice. Marcella herself recovered from anorexia nervosa over 20 years ago. Marcella trains in Kajukenbo at Hand to Hand Kajukenbo Self Defense Center in Oakland. She holds a second degree black belt and enjoys the exploratory path her training gives her. Her eating disorder recovery and her martial arts training inspire her dedication to multicultural body nurturance and community celebration. For more information about Marcella's trainings, go to marcellaedtraining.com.

Identifies as a queer, cisgender, woman of color, polyamorous

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"As someone who has faced barriers identifying as an immigrant, Queer, gender non-conforming person-of-color, finding folks who uplift, celebrate, and support you on your journey feels like an absolute privilege. Being part of Arise is being a part of a community. It feels like you can finally be human at work. "
— IZZY, PRODUCT DESIGNER
"Diversity, equity, accessibility, and inclusion is often displayed in a company’s values, and unfortunately not represented within its day-to-day workplace and culture. Working in an environment like Arise, where the representation of all employees is seen and celebrated, allows our commitment for serving our members of all backgrounds and identities to happen in truly a natural and integrated way.”
— AIMS, CARE ADVOCATE

Hear what people have to say

Testimonial

“The first time I met with Joan and Amanda, it was clear they got it. They not only understood what it was like to live with an eating disorder; but how important it was to be supported by those that not only cared about you, but respected you as well. That is what Arise stands for - increasing access to care, while supporting the empowerment of those receiving care."

Giva, Head of Community Care

Press

“For Amanda D’Ambra and Joan Zhang, the idea of starting and co-founding an eating disorder care startup was personal: Both struggled with an eating disorder, along with other mental health issues, and received treatment — a treatment they hope more people will be able to access."

Testimonial

“I was drawn to Arise because of the mission and vision for folks like me that come from marginalized groups to access equitable health care for their eating disorder. I love working with our members because it gives them the opportunity to see someone like them that is on a similar journey of healing and recovery."

Carol, Care Advocate

Testimonial

“Eating disorders are not just a brain disorder. They're also psychosocial, and so looking at all of those factors is a really important piece of care."

Press

“Diversity, equity, accessibility, and inclusion is often displayed in a company’s values, and unfortunately not represented within its day-to-day workplace and culture. Working in an environment like Arise, where the representation of all employees is seen and celebrated, allows our commitment for serving our members of all backgrounds and identities to happen in truly a natural and integrated way.”

Aims, Care Advocate

Let's blog about it

See all posts

How to Identify Eating Disorders in Teens

Perhaps you’re here because you already suspect there’s a problem. Perhaps you’ve simply been stuck in the media wormhole of distressing articles about the growing mental health crisis among teenagers and the negative impact social media is having on their body image. Either way, you’re in the right place.‍Read on for all the major signs to watch out for when identifying eating disorders in teens, common risk factors, and how parents and guardians can approach recovery. 

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Top Qualities to Look for in Your Eating Disorder Therapist

Speaking to a therapist is one of the most significant steps you can take on the path of eating disorder recovery. Therapy can also be very vulnerable which is why it’s so important to find someone that makes you feel comfortable and can provide consistent, effective long-term care.But what qualities should you be looking for? And what questions can you ask a potential eating disorders therapist to make sure they align with you? We have everything you need to know right here.Therapists and therapeutic approaches for eating disorders can vary greatly. As do each of our specific experiences with eating disorders. You deserve the chance to find support that matches your exact needs so that you can get the most out of it.

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Eating Disorders and the “Back to School” Dynamic 

‍Heading back to school is a time of transition that may bring up a variety of feelings, including stress, anxiety, uncertainty, excitement, and dread. For students experiencing eating disorders or disordered eating, this can be an especially challenging period to navigate, and it is completely normal to encounter intense and complex emotions during this time. Understanding and preparing for the unique stressors, changes, and pressures of returning to school is important as we care for our emotional well-being and prioritize our healing (or look to support loved ones who are heading back to school). 

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The 5 Most Common Signs You May Have Orthorexia

Do you find yourself constantly worrying about how “healthy” your food is? Orthorexia, an eating disorder marked by an obsession with healthy eating, can take over your life in ways you might not expect. According to research conducted in the United States, this condition affects about 7% of the general population. It's not just about eating well; it often crosses the line in a way that can affect your physical health, mental well-being, and social life. Here are the five most common signs that you may have orthorexia.

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Navigating and Healing from Orthorexia: My Experience as a Chinese American Teen

Food has always been central to my family. Coming home from college, I am lucky to be greeted with my dad’s handmade dumplings. The night of a family member’s birthday, we convene at the kitchen table and enjoy a feast of tofu and bok choy (a symbol of prosperity), bean sprouts, fish, and noodles (a symbol of longevity). Thinking of my childhood, I fondly remember the delightfully savory beef noodle soup at a local Chinese restaurant (that unfortunately closed down during the pandemic) that my family would visit to celebrate small milestones in my adolescence—a piano recital, a soccer tournament, the end of a long school year. 

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Key Signs That You May Have Binge Eating Disorder (BED)

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