Eating Disorder Therapist
An eating disorder therapist has taken on a focus in eating disorder treatment and diagnoses. This requires graduate school studies, training, and experience as a clinician. Eating disorder therapists are trained to look for physical cues as well as emotional ones. They work to understand the underlying causes of the disorder to help a client through a flexible mental well-being treatment plan.
Eating disorder therapists can be licensed social workers (LMSW, LCSW, etc.), licensed counselors (MHC-LP, LMHC, etc.), or even licensed art therapists (LCAT, LAAT, LPAT, etc.). These backgrounds encompass specialized clinical training to do psychotherapy work. However, it’s up to the therapist to hone their knowledge, work, and experience with an eating disorder diagnosis to fit with our team at EDRS. Many have already worked in other, more intensive eating disorder settings. For example, this includes recovery coaches or interns before deciding on the specialty as a clinician.
Becoming an eating disorder therapist requires skills in coordination with outside providers. Professionals focus on the physical nature of the disorder before any emotional healing can take place. This involves consultation with dietitians, primary care providers, and psychiatrists.
What is a CEDS Certification for an Eating Disorder Therapist?
Many eating disorder therapists seek out a Certified Eating Disorder Specialist (CEDS) certification from The International Association of Eating Disorder Professionals (IAEDP). A CEDS credential certifies that the therapist has completed training and education in the field of eating disorders over the course of several years. This gives them a deeper breadth of knowledge to provide effective treatment within one’s recovery journey.
Not all eating disorder therapists are CEDS certified. However, it’s a clinical bonus to have these supervisors and leadership on our team. They provide insight and share knowledge from their training with other providers. Many therapists at EDRS who do not already have their CEDS credential are currently in the process of acquiring one.
Who Can Benefit from Meeting with an Eating Disorder Therapist?
Anyone struggling with an eating disorder can benefit from working with a specialized therapist. This includes people experiencing anorexia, bulimia, binge eating disorder, ARFID, night eating syndrome (NES), purging disorder, OSFED, or other disordered eating patterns.
At EDRS, we’re inclusive: supporting clients of all genders, ages, races, ethnicities, sexual orientations, and backgrounds. No matter who you are, you’ll find a safe, affirming, and non-judgmental space to work on recovery.
Eating disorder therapists help people who want support addressing both the emotional and physical parts of recovery. Many clients also have co-occurring mental health concerns. This can include anxiety, depression, or trauma. and specialized therapy that helps manage these alongside disordered eating behaviors.
Even if you’ve started working with a general therapist, an eating disorder therapist can provide expert guidance, evidence-based strategies, and coordinated care with other providers. This can include working with dietitians or medical professionals to ensure your recovery is safe, comprehensive, and personalized.
At EDRS, our therapists meet clients where they’re in their journey. They provide a supportive space to explore the underlying causes of the disorder. Also, they help with building coping skills, and reclaiming life with confidence and self-compassion.
What to Expect from our Eating Disorder Therapists at EDRS:
When you work with an eating disorder therapist at EDRS, you can expect compassionate, tailored care. Our therapists address both the emotional and physical aspects of recovery. This helps you safely navigate challenges around food, body image, and self-worth.
In therapy, you can expect:
- Evidence-based approaches such as CBT, DBT, ACT, trauma-informed therapy, and other modalities tailored to your needs.
- A collaborative, coordinated team approach, working alongside dietitians, medical providers, and other clinicians to support your physical and mental health.
- Personalized goal setting, where your therapist helps you explore the underlying causes of disordered eating and develop coping strategies that fit your life.
- A flexible pace, allowing you to progress safely and confidently through recovery without feeling rushed or pressured.
- Support for co-occurring mental health concerns, including anxiety, depression, trauma, and stress management.
How Will My Therapist Collaborate and Coordinate with Other Providers?
We know that recovery from an eating disorder is most effective with coordinated care. Your therapist will work with other members of your care team including registered dietitians, primary care providers, psychiatrists, and any other clinicians for your treatment. This helps to ensure that your mental, emotional, and physical needs are supported together.
This means that your therapist and care team communicate regularly. They share insights about your progress, challenges, and adjust treatment as needed. For example, if food-related anxiety or triggers come up in therapy, your dietitian can use strategies to address those challenges in a safe and supportive way. Likewise, if your medical provider has nutrition, lab work, or physical health recommendations, your therapist can help integrate those. All the while, your treatment plan will focus on your emotional and psychological well-being.
Coordination between providers ensures that your recovery is both comprehensive and personalized. You can feel confident that each provider is aligned, supporting you in a consistent and safe way. This team-based approach allows you to focus on rebuilding your relationship with food. It helps with addressing the underlying causes of your eating disorder, and developing coping skills. That’s all within a supportive and affirming environment.
At EDRS, your care team works together so that no part of your recovery is isolated. You’re supported, heard, and guided every step of the way. This creates a treatment experience that is holistic and inclusive to meet your unique needs. Call today to learn more.
What is a Trauma Informed Therapist and Why is that Important for Eating Disorder Treatment?
A trauma-informed therapist is a mental health professional. They understand how past traumatic experiences such as abuse, neglect, medical trauma, or other distressing life events can impact you. This dives into thoughts, emotions, behaviors, and relationship with food and your body. They approach therapy with a deep awareness of the ways trauma can show up in recovery. This can help ensure that treatment is safe, empowering, and sensitive to your history.
For people with eating disorders, trauma-informed care is important. Many eating disorders develop as a way to cope with or manage overwhelming emotions, anxiety, or experiences of trauma. An eating disorder therapist who is trauma-informed recognizes these patterns. They create a treatment environment that emphasizes trust, safety, and collaboration. This means that your recovery plan addresses the behaviors around food and also the underlying emotional and psychological factors.
Trauma-informed therapists can make you feel safe and supported in therapy sessions, without judgment or pressure. As well as seek to identify and process trauma-related triggers that influence eating behaviors or body image. In doing so, these eating disorder therapists help build coping skills and emotional regulation. This helps support long-term recovery and integrate your mental, emotional, and physical health in a personalized way.
At EDRS, trauma-informed care is an essential part of how we support clients. By recognizing the connection between trauma and disordered eating, our therapists provide a gentle yet effective approach. This addresses both the root causes of the disorder and the behaviors maintaining it. This approach allows clients to heal safely, deeply, and in a way that’s sustainable over time.
Are you interested in trauma-informed treatment? You can learn from an eating disorder therapist’s expertise. Reach out to admissions today.
Glossary of Terms
- Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT): A type of therapy that helps clients accept difficult thoughts and feelings while committing to values-driven actions.
- Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder (ARFID): An eating disorder characterized by avoidance of certain foods or restricted intake due to fear, texture issues, or lack of interest in eating.
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT): An evidence-based therapy that helps clients identify and change unhealthy thoughts and behaviors.
- Certified Eating Disorder Specialist (CEDS): A credential from IAEDP (International Association of Eating Disorder Professionals) indicating specialized training and expertise in eating disorder treatment.
- Co-occurring Mental Health Concerns: Conditions such as anxiety, depression, or trauma that may occur alongside an eating disorder.
- Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT): A therapy approach that teaches coping skills, emotional regulation, and mindfulness, often used for clients with eating disorders.
- Eating Disorder Therapist: A mental health professional who has specialized training and experience in treating eating disorders, focusing on both the emotional and physical aspects of recovery.
- Evidence-Based Approaches: Therapies and interventions supported by scientific research to be effective in treating eating disorders.
- Trauma-Informed Therapist: A therapist who understands how past trauma impacts thoughts, emotions, and behaviors and provides care in a safe, empowering, and sensitive way.
- Inclusive Care: Services provided in a way that supports clients of all genders, ages, races, ethnicities, sexual orientations, and backgrounds.
- Night Eating Syndrome (NES): An eating disorder characterized by frequent night-time eating or waking to eat, often disrupting sleep and daily functioning.
- Other Specified Feeding or Eating Disorder (OSFED): A category for disordered eating patterns that cause distress or impairment but don’t fit the exact criteria for anorexia, bulimia, or binge eating disorder.
- Purging Disorder: An eating disorder characterized by repeated purging behaviors (like vomiting or laxative use) without binge eating.
- Recovery-Oriented Care: A treatment approach that prioritizes long-term healing, self-compassion, and personal empowerment.
- Registered Dietitian (RD): A licensed nutrition professional who provides guidance on food, nutrition, and meal planning, often coordinating with therapists for eating disorder recovery.
- Therapist-Dietitian Collaboration: Coordinated communication and planning between therapists and nutritionists to ensure consistent, comprehensive care for both emotional and physical aspects of recovery.
- Trauma-Informed Care: An approach to therapy that recognizes the impact of trauma on a person’s health and behavior and prioritizes safety, trust, and empowerment in treatment.
- Weight-Inclusive / Body-Positive Approach: A perspective that supports health and well-being for all body sizes and promotes self-acceptance rather than focusing on weight or appearance.
Questions about what treatment with an eating disorder therapist can look like? Reach out today. Our eating disorder therapists are skilled and knowledgeable in creating lasting recovery from eating disorders.
Ready to start your recovery journey?
We have had tremendous success with helping clients gain control of their lives and tackling their eating disorders head-on.
Our clinical intake coordinators can confidentially learn more about your respective situation and work with you to assess your needs and the best path forward.
We look forward to helping you on your path to better health and recovery.