Searching for an eating disorder therapist near you can be an overwhelming endeavor, especially if you are already coping with the psychological, emotional, and physical effects of an eating disorder. Choosing the correct provider is important, whether you’re seeking support for yourself, your child, or a loved one.
Many people start with a straightforward internet search, such as “eating disorder therapist near me.” Although it can be a good place to start, proximity by itself does not indicate whether a therapist has the specific training required to treat eating disorders effectively. The information in this blog post is intended to help you understand what to look for in an eating disorder therapist, what questions to ask, and why recovery can be significantly improved by specialized, integrated care, which we provide at Best Within You Therapy & Wellness.
Why Specialized Treatment Is Needed for Eating Disorders
Eating disorders, including anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, binge eating disorder, other specified eating disorder, and ARFID are complex biopsychosocial conditions. They often involve
- Medical and nutritional instability
- Distorted body image
- Rigid thinking patterns
- Anxiety, compulsivity, or emotional dysregulation
- Trauma, perfectionism, or neurobiological vulnerability
- Elevated risk of relapse without appropriate treatment
Due to the many factors that play a role in eating disorders, clinicians with specialized training in eating disorders are most suited to provide evidence-based therapy. Even with the best of intentions, working with a general therapist who does not specialize in eating disorders can get in the way of recovery or overlook significant physical and psychological complexities.
What Qualifications Are Important for an Eating Disorder Therapist?
It is crucial to consider a provider’s training and experience in addition to their location when looking for an eating disorder therapist in Georgia or near you. There is little to no formal training in eating disorder treatment in many graduate programs. As a result, true specialization typically comes from post-graduate training, supervision, and years of focused clinical experience.
An eating disorder specialist should be able to explain thoroughly:
- Their specific training in eating disorder treatment
- Types of eating disorders they can treat
- What evidence-based treatment models they use
- How they assess medical and psychological risk
- What percentage of their caseload is clients with an eating disorder
It is also important to be aware of some red flags. Be cautious if a provider:
- Focuses on dieting on weight loss
- Does not know what HAES is (Health At Every Size)
- Does not collaborate with other providers
Is Degree Level Important For Eating Disorder Treatment?
Eating disorder specialists work at both the master’s and doctoral levels. Doctorate-level psychologists (PhD or PsyD) undergo intensive training that is beneficial in complicated or high-risk situations, such as:
- Advanced Diagnostic Evaluation
- Planning a course of treatment for co-occurring disorders (OCD, trauma, or anxiety)
- Handling severe, chronic, or treatment-resistant eating disorders
- Clinical decision-making & risk assessments
Our Atlanta and Savannah therapy team at Best Within You Therapy and Wellness consists of doctoral level therapists with specialized training and extensive expertise in treating eating disorders of all severity. This is why you will see Dr. before the names of the therapists on our team. While a doctorate may matter to some people given the additional years in school, what is the most important is specialization in eating disorders.
Evidence-Based Treatment Approaches For Eating Disorders
When searching for an eating disorder therapist near you, look for clinicians trained in established evidence-based approaches including:
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Eating Disorders
• Dialectical Behavior Therapy for binge eating and binge purge behaviors
• Somatic therapy for anorexia nervosa
• Acceptance and Commitment Therapy for body image
• Exposure based food and body image interventions
The Benefits of Multidisciplinary Care
Collaborative care is the most effective for eating disorder treatment. A multidisciplinary approach is regularly supported by research, which includes:
- A therapist with expertise in eating disorders
- A registered dietitian with a specialty in eating disorders
- A healthcare professional that keeps an eye on physical health
This approach is integrated into the treatment at Best Within You Therapy and Wellness. Within the same practice, clients can collaborate with licensed dietitians and therapists, facilitating coordinated treatment planning and clear communication.
How Integrated Care Supports Recovery
- Therapy and nutrition goals stay aligned
- Providers can address issues promptly
- Clients are not responsible for coordinating their own care
When a Higher Level of Care For An Eating Disorder Is Needed
Sometimes outpatient therapy is insufficient on its own, particularly when symptoms are getting worse or there is a medical concern. An expert eating disorder therapist should be able to identify when more assistance is required and help with next steps in getting more support.
Best Within You Therapy and Wellness works with Recovery DBT, an Atlanta-based intensive outpatient program specialized in eating disorder treatment. This program is located in Marietta, Georgia. This partnership allows clients to step up to a higher level of care when needed while maintaining continuity with their outpatient team.
Final Thoughts About Your Search For An Eating Disorder Therapist Near Me
Finding an eating disorder therapist is about finding someone with specialized training, clinical expertise, and an integrated care approach. If your search for an eating disorder therapist near me brings up many options, it is worth taking the time to evaluate which providers truly meet these criteria. Because most therapists do not receive comprehensive eating disorder training in graduate school it is essential to look carefully at education post graduate specialization and experience.
At Best Within You Therapy & Wellness, we use a collaborative approach with registered dietitians, experienced doctoral level therapists, and access to higher levels of support when necessary. We provide compassionate, evidence-based treatment for eating disorders in Atlanta, Buckhead, Savannah, Marietta, and virtually across 45+ states. Recovery is possible, and you don’t have to navigate it alone.
This blog was written by Dr. Rebecca Leslie, licensed psychologist and owner of Best Within You Therapy & Wellness, and her intern Mylka Nadeem.
