How to Find an Eating Disorder Specialist

When it comes to eating disorders, not all treatment options are created equal. If you are struggling with an eating disorder, the right team of experts can make a big difference on the way to recovery. 

Nearly 9% of Americans will have an eating disorder in their lifetime. But it can be hard to know where to start when it comes to seeking care. Here, we’ll look at the types of treatment available for eating disorders and how to find help.

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Where to start with eating disorder treatment

There is no one-size-fits-all approach to eating disorder treatment. The path to recovery will differ based on your eating disorder as well as your individual situation. Generally, eating disorder treatment involves a team that could include: 

• Psychotherapists or psychologists 

• Physicians

• Nutritionists or dieticians 

• Psychiatrists 

“We know that eating disorders are complex,” says Elizabet Altunkara, a licensed master social worker and director of support services at the National Eating Disorders Association (NEDA). “That's why it's really important to seek help with it from a group of professionals.”

Types of eating disorder treatment 

The type of treatment you need will depend on your eating disorder. According to Altunkara, most people need a combination of mental health therapy and medical services. Here we’ll break down some of the options so have an idea what to look for.  

Therapy for eating disorders

A major component of eating disorder treatment includes psychotherapy. Working with a therapist can help you identify and manage triggers or patterns that contribute to your eating disorder. 

There are many types of therapy. The therapy that works for you best depends on your eating disorder and any other health conditions you may have. The following therapies are often the first-choice options for an eating disorder:

• Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT): CBT helps you recognize and change the thoughts and behaviors that contribute to your eating disorder. It can also help you learn new ways to cope with emotions that might trigger symptoms. 

• Interpersonal psychotherapy (IPT): IPT is a form of therapy that focuses on improving your interactions with other people. We know relationships can affect how you feel as well as impact your mental health symptoms. By strengthening your social skills, IPT may help reduce your eating disorder symptoms. 

Other therapies recommended by experts for eating disorders include: 

• Acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT)

• Dialectical behavior therapy (DBT)

• Enhanced cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT-E)

• Cognitive remediation therapy (CRT)

If your child is struggling with an eating disorder, their provider may recommend family-based treatment (FBT). This type of therapy involves the child’s relatives in recovery. You’ll all work together with your child’s therapist to address relationship stressors, mental health symptoms, and having a healthy relationship with food.

Specialist-supported clinical management is another type of treatment available to people with eating disorders. The goal is to help with your medical treatment through education and supporting your physical health goals. 

Eating disorder treatment centers

If you need more intensive treatment, you may be referred to a specialized treatment program. The levels of intensive treatment programs your provider might recommend include: 

• Intensive outpatient programs (IOP): In an IOP, you visit a treatment center a few times a week for several hours. While at the program, you receive therapy, education, and other eating disorder recovery support. According to Altunkara, most people start eating disorder treatment in this type of program.  

• Partial hospitalization program (PHP) or day treatment: Another option involves visiting a treatment center during the week for several hours each day. In most PHP programs, you’ll participate in support groups, receive nutritional counseling, and get physical and mental health monitoring. 

• Residential treatment: This type of care is for people who are doing well with their physical recovery but need extra mental health support. You live in a facility where you receive additional eating disorder recovery services through therapy and nutrition support. 

• Inpatient treatment: This is the most intense level of care for people who need 24/7 support from medical and mental health professionals. You stay at a hospital or facility for days or weeks, depending on the program. During that time you may receive services like individual therapy, group therapy, nutritional support, and regular monitoring.

If your provider recommends an intensive treatment program, they will likely have a referral for you. To find other options, you can call your insurance company to find out what programs your benefits cover. An internet search for “eating disorder treatment centers” may also pull up options in your area. 

You may need to try several different eating disorder recovery programs before finding what works. It’s also common to “step down” through different treatment programs. For example, you might start with an inpatient program before moving to day treatment. Then, when you’re feeling confident in your recovery, you might move to therapy once or twice a week.

Medications for eating disorders

Some people may need medication as part of their eating disorder recovery. Seek out a psychiatrist with experience treating eating disorders if you need medication. A psychiatrist is a medical provider trained to treat mental health conditions. 

There are only two FDA-approved medications for eating disorders specifically. Lisdexamfetamine (Vyvanse) is used to treat binge eating disorder. Fluoxetine (Prozac) is approved to treat bulimia. No medications are currently approved to treat anorexia. 

Your provider might also suggest medication if you have additional mental health symptoms. It’s common for people with eating disorders to have other mental health conditions such as clinical depression or anxiety. Antidepressants such as SSRIs and SNRIs are commonly prescribed for these concerns. 

How to find eating disorder doctors, psychiatrists, and therapists

It’s crucial to build a treatment team who specializes in eating disorders. “It’s really important to rely on your team, trust your team,” says Altunkara. This can help you get the best treatment. 

If you’re not sure where to start, look for a psychotherapist who specializes in eating disorders. “Most people start by seeing a therapist who may diagnose and really recommend the most appropriate level of care. So that's what we always recommend,” says Altunkara. 

You can use NEDA’s online treatment directory to find a provider. Other directories can also help you find eating disorder specialists in your area: 

• Good Therapy

• Therapy Den

• Psychology Today

• QPoC Therapist Directory

• Gaylesta (LGBTQ therapists)

• InnoPsych (BIPOC therapists)

• Open Path Psychotherapy Collective (low-cost therapy) 

Keep in mind not every provider or therapist knows the best way to treat eating disorders. Ask potential providers if they have specialized training in eating disorders and what methods they use. Don’t be afraid to ask questions to make sure a provider is qualified to help you. 

As you build your medical team — like adding physicians or nutritionists — look for providers who also have experience treating eating disorders. Some providers may only focus on weight and eating. This can actually worsen your eating disorder symptoms. 

Your eating disorder therapist can help you find appropriate referrals. Ask potential medical providers about their experience with eating disorders, just like you do for a therapist. You also want providers who will work together with your therapist and the rest of your team. 

Paying for eating disorder treatment

Eating disorder treatment can be costly. Each session with an individual therapist can cost $200 or more if you pay cash. A 2-week stay at an inpatient program can cost $19,400 on average. The cost will depend on the types of treatment you need as well as any health benefits you have. 

If you have health insurance, it may cover some of the costs of your treatment. Call your health insurance company and ask what your plan will pay for. Even with coverage, you may still be responsible for a deductible, copays, and coinsurance. 

If you’re having trouble affording care, Project HEAL helps people access eating disorder treatment. The organization can help you navigate your insurance policy or find resources to cover care when you aren’t insured. Project HEAL offers a free treatment program you can apply for as well as cash assistance.

Although support groups do not replace treatment, they may help as part of your recovery. NEDA has several resources available for free and low-cost peer support. Call NEDA’s helpline at 1-800-931-2237 for additional support locating treatment resources.

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Written by:

Silvia Pittman

Silvia Pittman is a freelance journalist, blogger, and mom who is obsessed with all things digital. Silvia earned her Bachelor of Arts in journalism from the University of Florida and previously worked as a TV news producer.

Edited by:

Renée Fabian, MA

Renée Fabian is the senior pet health editor at GoodRx. She’s worked for nearly 10 years as a journalist and editor across a wide range of health and well-being topics.

Reviewed by:

India B. Gomez, PhD

India B. Gomez, PhD, is a licensed clinical psychologist with a certificate in Latin American Family Therapy. She completed her doctoral education at the California School of Professional Psychology/Alliant International University.

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