Building Your Safe Team: Finding Weight-Neutral Doctors & Dietitians in NC

Building Your Safe Team: Finding Weight-Neutral Doctors & Dietitians in NC

You’ve done the hard work in therapy. You’re unpacking years of diet culture, learning to trust your body, and embracing Fat Liberation or Health at Every Size® (HAES®) principles. You feel stronger mentally.

Then, you get a sinus infection. Or you twist your ankle.

Suddenly, you have to leave the safety of your weight-inclusive therapy bubble and enter the Medical Industrial Complex. For many of us in North Carolina, this feels like walking into a lion’s den. You fear the scale. You fear the lecture. You fear that no matter what is actually wrong with you, the diagnosis will be “obesity.”

Therapy doesn’t happen in a vacuum. To truly heal, you need a Care Team—a network of providers (doctors, dietitians, physical therapists) who speak the same language of safety and respect.

You need medical providers who treat pathology, not size.

This guide is your vetting tool and your directory. We have scoured the state—from the mountains of Asheville to the coast of Wilmington—to identify providers who are doing it differently.

1. The Critical Distinction: “Weight Management” vs. “Weight Inclusive”

Before we list names, we must define terms. North Carolina is home to major medical systems (Duke, UNC, Atrium, Novant) that heavily market “Weight Management” programs. It is vital to understand that these are rarely safe spaces for Fat Liberation.

The “Weight Management” Model

If you search for “obesity doctor in Charlotte,” you will find clinics led by “Obesity Medicine” specialists.

• The Goal: To shrink your body.
• The Methods: Prescribing weight-loss drugs (Wegovy, Ozempic), very-low-calorie diets (Optifast), or bariatric surgery referrals.
• The Risk: These clinics operate on the belief that your body is a disease state. For someone recovering from an eating disorder or dismantling internalized fatphobia, these environments can be triggering and re-traumatizing.

The “Weight Inclusive” (HAES) Model

This is what we are looking for. A weight-inclusive provider believes:

• The Goal: To treat your symptoms (high blood pressure, knee pain, infection) directly, using the same evidence-based methods used for thin patients.
• The Methods: Medical nutrition therapy (for nourishment, not restriction), joyful movement, stress reduction, and medication when indicated—without making weight loss a prerequisite for care.
• The Safety: They respect your right to decline being weighed. They have blood pressure cuffs that fit your arm. They do not withhold treatments (like knee surgery) based on BMI cutoffs alone.

2. How to Vet a Doctor: The Script

Before you pay a copay, you need to know if a provider is safe. Do not be afraid to call the front desk or ask these questions during a consultation.

Question 1: “Does this provider practice from a Health at Every Size® or weight-neutral perspective?”

• Green Flag: “Yes, Dr. Smith prefers to focus on metabolic markers rather than weight.”
• Red Flag: “Dr. Smith specializes in obesity management and can help you reach a healthy BMI.”

Question 2: “I am in recovery from disordered eating and do not get weighed at medical appointments. Is the nursing staff trained to respect a ‘No Weigh’ boundary?”

• Green Flag: “Absolutely. We will make a note in your chart right now so you aren’t asked.”
• Red Flag: “Well, we have to get a weight for insurance/vitals, but you can turn around.” (Note: “Blind weighing” is a compromise, but refusal should be an option).

Question 3: “Do you have large/thigh-sized blood pressure cuffs available in every exam room?”

• Why this matters: Using a “standard” cuff on a larger arm produces false high readings, leading to misdiagnosis of hypertension. A safe office has the right equipment ready, so they don’t have to go “hunt for the big cuff,” making you feel like a burden.

3. The Triangle: A Hub of Integrated Care

(Raleigh, Durham, Chapel Hill, Cary)

The Research Triangle is unique because it houses both major academic weight-loss centers and some of the most radical weight-inclusive clinics in the South.

Primary Care & Family Medicine

1. Avance Care (Chapel Hill – Dr. Louise Metz’s Team)

• The Gold Standard: Dr. Louise Metz is a national leader in weight-inclusive medicine. Formerly of Mosaic Comprehensive Care, her team (now at Avance Care Chapel Hill) explicitly practices HAES. They treat general health, eating disorders, and gender-affirming care without pathologizing weight.
• Providers to know: Dr. Louise Metz, Dr. Anna Misior.
• Why we love them: They understand that “health” looks different for everyone. They are safe for the LGBTQ+ community and those with complex medical trauma.

2. Radical Healing (Durham)

• The Model: Integrated Primary Care + Therapy.
• Why it works: Located in an explicitly anti-racist, queer-affirming campus, their primary care providers work alongside therapists who specialize in racial trauma and body liberation. They accept Medicaid, making them a vital resource for accessible care.
• Services: Primary care, physical therapy, and medication management.

3. Community Love Direct Primary Care (Durham)

• The Vibe: Dr. Destry Taylor (DNP) offers a “Direct Primary Care” model. This means you pay a monthly membership fee instead of using insurance for visits.
• The Benefit: DPC doctors work for you, not insurance companies. They don’t have to check your BMI to get paid. Community Love is explicitly HAES-aligned and specializes in queer/trans health.

Physical Therapy

Basecamp Physiotherapy (Durham)

• Specialty: Pelvic floor and orthopedic PT.
• Safety Signal: They explicitly state they are “HAES-aligned” and queer-owned. Physical therapy is often a site of shame for fat folks (“your back hurts because you’re heavy”); Basecamp focuses on biomechanics and strengthening without the shame.

Dietitians (RDs)

Lutz, Alexander & Associates (Raleigh/Durham/Cary)

• Focus: One of the largest weight-inclusive nutrition practices in NC. They specialize in eating disorders, PCOS, and diabetes management without weight loss as the primary metric.
• Stepping Stones Nutrition (Bryn Boyer): Another excellent Triangle-based group focusing on neurodivergent eating (ADHD/Autism) and family feeding dynamics from a non-diet lens.

4. Western North Carolina: Somatic & Holistic Healing

(Asheville, Boone, Hendersonville)

The mountains have a strong culture of alternative health, which can sometimes veer into “wellness diet culture.” However, there is a strong network of providers grounded in true liberation.

Primary Care & Medical Support

1. MAHEC (Mountain Area Health Education Center)

• Ob/Gyn Care: Susanne Feste (CNM) and other providers at MAHEC Ob/Gyn have been noted by the local community as size-friendly. Midwifery often aligns well with weight-inclusive care because it views the body as capable rather than broken.
• Note: As a large teaching hospital system, experiences can vary by resident/provider. Always use your vetting script.

2. Dr. Joshua Corn (Naturopathic Medicine)

• Location: Stowe Family Wellness (Belmont/Gastonia area) or Northwest Integrative Medicine (consulting). Correction: While Dr. Corn has roots in WNC, verify current practice location.
• Approach: Naturopathic doctors (NDs) often spend more time (60+ minutes) with patients, allowing for a “whole person” view that isn’t reliant on a 5-minute BMI check.

Mental Health & Dietetics

Nutritious Thoughts (Asheville)

• The Hub: This practice is a pillar of the Asheville recovery community. They offer “Embodied Recovery,” hiking groups, and nutrition counseling that integrates movement and nature.
• Insurance: They are in-network with BCBS and Aetna, making specialized RD care accessible.

Resilient Mind Counseling (Asheville)

• Referral Network: While a therapy practice, they maintain a rigorous internal list of safe doctors in Buncombe County. If you become a client, ask for their “Safe Provider List.”

5. Charlotte & The Metrolina Region

(Charlotte, Concord, Gastonia)

Charlotte’s banking/corporate culture often emphasizes appearance, making “anti-diet” providers harder to find. However, the eating disorder recovery community here is strong.

Primary Care & Specialists

1. Dr. Savannah Pena (Novant Health)

• Specialty: OB/GYN.
• Community Vetted: Cited by the child-free and plus-size communities as a respectful provider who listens to patients regarding sterilization and reproductive health without BMI gatekeeping.

2. Tryon Medical Partners

• The Practice: A large independent practice formed by doctors who left the hospital systems to have more autonomy.
• Why look here: Independent doctors are often less pressured by hospital administrators to meet “weight counseling” quotas. Look for younger providers (DOs and MDs) who have trained more recently, as medical schools are slowly beginning to address weight bias.

Physical Therapy

Healthy Phit (Dr. Lisa Folden)

• The Unicorn: Dr. Lisa Folden is a Physical Therapist and a Health/Body Image Coach.
• The Approach: She is an outspoken advocate for weight-inclusive PT. If you have back pain, knee pain, or need post-surgical rehab in Charlotte, this is your safe haven. She understands that telling a patient to “lose weight” for back pain is not a treatment plan.

Mental Health & Dietetics

Pearl Counseling (Marketa Winfield)

• Focus: A Black-owned practice specializing in the intersection of race, body image, and eating disorders.
• Full Bloom Counseling: While primarily virtual, they are based in the region and offer robust HAES-aligned therapy.

6. Coastal & Eastern North Carolina

(Wilmington, Greenville, Jacksonville)

Access is often the biggest barrier in Eastern NC. However, Wilmington is growing as a hub for safe care.

Primary Care

1. Promina Health (Wilmington)

• Model: Direct Primary Care (Membership).
• Why: Dr. Brian Lanier runs a relational practice. Because he doesn’t bill insurance per visit, he has time to listen to your actual symptoms rather than just checking boxes. This model is often the safest for fat folks because it removes the “insurance incentive” to code obesity for reimbursement.

2. Med North Health Center

• Access: A Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC) that serves everyone regardless of ability to pay. Community reports suggest a higher level of cultural competency here regarding diverse bodies and backgrounds.

Dietetics

Kati Joyner (Wilmington)

• Credentials: MA, RDN, LDN, CEDS-C.
• The Vibe: Kati is a Certified Eating Disorder Specialist who offers a non-diet approach. She is crucial for patients in New Hanover County who need medical nutrition therapy without the side of shame.

7. The “Direct Primary Care” (DPC) Hack

You may have noticed a pattern: many safe doctors listed above (Community Love, Promina) use the Direct Primary Care (DPC) model.

What is DPC? Instead of using insurance for every visit, you pay a monthly membership fee (usually $60–$100/month). This covers all your visits, texts with the doctor, and often wholesale prices on labs and meds.

Why is DPC safer for Fat Liberation?

1. No Insurance Codes: They don’t have to diagnose you with “Obesity” (E66.9) to get paid for a sore throat visit.
2. Time: Visits are usually 30–60 minutes, not 15. This allows the doctor to hear your full story (“I eat vegetables and hike”) rather than assuming your lifestyle based on your size.
3. Relationship: You usually have the doctor’s cell phone number. It builds trust.

If you can afford the monthly fee (which is often less than the cost of insurance premiums + copays), DPC is often the fastest route to weight-neutral care in NC.

8. When You Can’t Find a Specialist: Advocacy Tips

Sometimes, you are stuck. You live in a rural county, or your insurance only covers one specific endocrinologist. If you must see a provider who is not explicitly HAES-aligned, use these strategies:

1. Bring a “Bodyguard”: Bring a partner, friend, or doula. Ask them to intervene if the doctor starts fat-shaming. “We are here to discuss her ear infection, not her weight. Can we get back to that?”
2. The “Evidence-Based” Pivot: If a doctor suggests weight loss for a condition (like joint pain), ask: “What is the evidence-based treatment you offer thin patients with this same condition? I would like to try that intervention first.”
3. Refusal of Services: You have the right to refuse the scale. You have the right to refuse a lecture. You can simply say, “I am not discussing my weight today. I consent to discussing my blood pressure and blood work.”

Conclusion: You Deserve a Team

Building a safe medical team is labor-intensive. It shouldn’t be your job to educate your doctor, but in the current system, it often is.

By using this network—leaning on the vetted providers at Avance Care, Radical Healing, and independent DPC practices—you can piece together a healthcare experience that affirms your humanity.

Next Steps:

• Call and Vet: Use the script in Section 2 to call one of the providers listed above.
• Get a Referral: If you are already working with a HAES therapist (like us!), ask us to write a letter of coordination to your new doctor explaining your need for weight-neutral care. We can advocate for you, doctor-to-doctor.

Disclaimer: This directory is based on current public information, professional networks, and community feedback. Provider policies can change. Always verify a provider’s current stance during your initial consultation.