Rivka Simmons

I have struggled with food for as long as I can remember… from early childhood. I always understood HOW to lose weight, but could never actuallly do it, and ended up in a spiral of negative feelings, anger and frustration. Rivka and her kind, gentle approach to learning about WHY we eat, not WHAT we eat was very different for me – I have spent all of my life on a diet, and it is has never worked. But, to come at it from a different direction was illuminating to me. She also helped me have a realistic view of myself and strategies not only around food, but around life. Because, ultimately, I learned it isn’t about the food…
I have recommended Rivka (both in her private practice and her Class thru Cambridge Continuing Ed) to many people, and they have all thanked me for steering them to Rivka.

Taking Rivka Simmon’s class «Have Your Cake and Eat it Too» was one of the best things I have done for myself in a long time. I have so enjoyed learning this compassionate and effective approach to dealing with eating disorders. After the ten week class I went on to join one of Rivka’s support groups. I think it’s almost been three years and I feel lucky to have found Rivka. She is a gem… wise, caring, gentle, and brilliant at what she does. In a crazy world, where we are pressured to go, go, go, and do, do, do, and Rivka’s class and group has been wonderful place for me to rest, breathe, learn and look inside myself with acceptance and love.

I would highly recommend this course to anyone wanting to look into the true reasons behind her eating issues in a supportive environment. I took Rivka’s class «Have Your Cake and Eat it Too» and then continued with a support group for several years following the class. It is difficult to put into words how beneficial working with Rivka and the women in her groups has been — in essence, it has changed my life.
Rivka is a talented therapist that holds her classes and groups in a comfortable home environment. She does have a dog-​sitting business as well, but always asks clients whether or not they are comfortable with having dogs in the room. Most of the time they were a welcome addition and made many people feel more relaxed. Rivka takes time to get to know each individual and her needs, and designs the course to address both group and individual concerns.
I have found the information I was given in Rivka’s course to be helpful and applicable to daily life. She also keeps current with literature in the field and is a great resource when looking for new books to read around topics discussed in class. Most of all, Rivka truly cares about the people that she works with, and helps each one build a more solid foundation from which to grow. It was wonderful to be in such a nonjudgmental environment, and to be truly heard by Rivka and the other group members. I found her feedback to be insightful, wise, and geared towards self-​compassion.
For anyone open-​minded who is ready to look beyond the traditional diet approach, Rivka is a teacher/​therapist that you should get to know. She’s a fabulous person and professional to have on your team.

I took «Have Your Cake and Eat It Too!» course through Cambridge Continuing Adult Education. The instructor is a total flake and the course was painfully boring. More than half stopped attending by the third week. Rivka opts for meditation and 90! min of check by the group leaving little time to go through the topic for the week. In turn, she frequently went long and was totally disorganized with handouts. By 9pm people were itching to leave yet she was oblivious to schedules and frequently went way over.
Also, the course meets in her home that is filthy. She has overflowing clutter and a side dog sitting business. (Yes in the middle of meditating she’ll scream at the dogs to stop barking — ugh) The only restroom is on the second floor leaving you to meander through the home, down to witnessing the dirty dishes in the sink.
Just a very unprofessional environment and coordinator all around. I would not recommend and did not think she was qualified to conduct the course.