The Importance of a Treatment Team in Eating Disorder Recovery

By Megan Samuels, MSW, LMSW, Outreach Coordinator

Eating disorders differ from other mental health disorders as they often require a multi-disciplinary approach.  What that means is that multiple specialties may be needed to monitor and reduce symptoms.

Having a multi-disciplinary team can improve and speed up recovery outcomes and treatment goals, especially if team members collaborate with one another frequently.  

Here are some people who may be a part of your eating disorder recovery treatment team:

• Therapist
  • An eating disorder therapist (that's us!) can diagnose and treat eating disorders and other mental health disorders. We have eating disorder therapists who also specialize in treating obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) and trauma. Our therapists will be able to dive into the "underlying issues" that may have manifested in eating disorder symptoms and behaviors.
• Recovery coach
  • A recovery coach (that's us!) can act as another layer of support for someone who is recovering from an eating disorder. Recovery coaching focuses on changing behaviors and building a life outside of your eating disorder. It encourages self-compassion, body positivity, and food freedom.
• Physician
  • A physician is also a crucial role in eating disorder recovery. A doctor will be able to run lab work and other tests to see if your body needs some support recovering from an eating disorder as well. A doctor can also refer you to specialists, such as a cardiologist or a gastroenterologist.
• Registered dietitian
  • An eating disorder registered dietitian can also play an important role in eating disorder recovery. They can help develop meal plans, look over meal logs, and provide information on food and nutrition. Registered dietitians can also address your relationship with exercise/movement.

• Psychiatrist
  • A psychiatrist will assess for mental health diagnoses and prescribe psychiatric medications, as needed.  Based on symptoms, a psychiatrist may increase or decrease doses and amounts of medication to better support treatment goals.  It can be helpful to work with a psychiatrist who has familiarity in working with clients with eating disorders. 
• Support Group
  • A support group can be a great way to know that you are not alone in your recovery journey.  Support groups can also offer space to process the challenges that individuals may face when struggling with an eating disorder.  To join a support group, check out Project Heal’s webpage about free support groups.

Please note that eating disorders often require specialized and unique care and treatment plans, so your team may look different than what’s outlined above!  This is just a general list of people you may consider when putting together a treatment team.

You can also download this graphic that outlines the first four treatment team components that were listed above.

Check out some of our other blogs!

• The Importance of Seeing An Eating Disorder Specialist When You Are Struggling
• What Is Recovery Coaching and How Can It Help Me?
• What to Expect When You Reach Out to Us for Help

*Disclaimer: The information is provided for educational and informational purposes only. It is not intended to be a substitute for your independent medical decision-making nor a recommendation or endorsement for any particular treatment plan, organization, provider, professional service, or product. The information may change without notice. No claims, promises, or guarantees are made about the completeness, accuracy, currency, content or quality of information linked. You assume all responsibility and risk for any use of the information.

Schedule a free 15 min consult for eating disorder therapy in MD, VA, DC, NY, FL, or recovery coaching worldwide.

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The Eating Disorder Center is a premier outpatient eating disorder therapy center founded by Jennifer Rollin. We specialize in helping teens and adults struggling with anorexia, binge eating disorder, bulimia, OSFED, and body image issues. We provide eating disorder therapy in Rockville, MD, easily accessible to individuals in Potomac, North Potomac, Bethesda, Olney, Silver Spring, Germantown, and Washington D.C. We also provide eating disorder therapy in Arlington, Virginia and virtually throughout Virginia. Additionally, we offer eating disorder therapy virtually in New York (NYC), Florida, and California. We provide eating disorder recovery coaching via Zoom to people worldwide. Connect with us through our website at www.theeatingdisordercenter.com