Where to look for a therapist
Sometimes, finding the right mental health professional simply comes down to knowing where to look.
If you're just starting your search for an eating disorder therapist, there are a few forums which can help point you in the right direction.
Insurance directories
Most insurance companies have a directory of doctors, therapists, nutritionists, and other experts they work with, which is available for policy holders to use. And utilizing these tools can be beneficial in a number of ways.
Most online directories will not only turn up the names, websites, and contact information of these experts, but allow you to fine-tune your search, looking for professionals with specific backgrounds, locations, or specialities, among other preferences.
And most insurance directories will also only lead you to doctors that are in-network with your insurance company. This can make a huge difference in the overall cost of treatment, or the likelihood of having therapy sessions covered by your insurance.
Word of mouth or recommendations
Even in an age where algorithms and other online tools help tailor each search result, word of mouth can be a meaningful measure of quality.
For eating disorder therapy recommendations, specifically, it may be helpful to consult members of a support group, or ask for advice in an online forum dedicated to the subject.
Your primary care physician may also be able to recommend a good therapist or program, or you can get further guidance from a number of eating disorder hotlines, which often offer information and resources on available treatment.
Online searches
Online searches can be a powerful tool for finding what you need, but they can be equally tricky to navigate—or fully trust.
Searching for an eating disorder expert in your area can turn up any number of names or programs. But the results that turn up first may not necessarily be the best options.
If you utilize this route, make sure to independently research any therapist or program you're interested in. Try to find reviews of the doctor or program and evidence that the doctor or program is properly licensed. And if you're relying on insurance to help cover the cost of treatment, it's also imperative to make sure the doctor or program will accept your plan.
Types of eating disorder treatment
Another way to start your search for eating disorder therapists is by determining the type of eating disorder therapy you're most interested in.
There are a number of methods that have been shown to help with AN, BN, BED, and other eating disorders. [1] Zeroing in on a modality you like can help you zero in on the kind of therapist you may most like to work with.
Cognitive behavioral therapy
Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) has long been considered the leading treatment for many eating disorders, including bulimia nervosa and binge eating disorder.
This method centers on the idea that disordered eating behaviors are borne of disordered thoughts. Through a pre-set number of sessions, a therapist will work with you to help identify any unhelpful thoughts you may be experiencing and learn to redirect them, with the hope of eventually eliminating them, and their related behaviors, all together.
Meanwhile, the therapist will also help you learn new, healthier coping mechanisms to rely on when you're feeling stressed or triggered.
Dialectical behavior therapy
Dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) was first developed to help people with emotion regulation, but has since evolved to cater to a number of different mental health conditions, including eating disorders.
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The primary concept behind DBT is that two opposing ideas can be true at once. In the case of eating disorder treatment, it generally teaches that you can at once accept and love yourself, while also needing to change.
Generally, a course of DBT treatment will help someone move past their urges to participate in unhelpful behavior by helping them reconcile these two ideas.
Acceptance commitment therapy
Acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) goes one step further than DBT and takes the opposite tack of CBT.
Rather than asking you to purposefully change the way you think, ACT encourages you to accept your thoughts—even the unpleasant ones—as just another aspect of life. And instead of focusing energy on identifying and redirecting these thoughts, the method teaches patients to let them go.3
The commitment aspect of ACT asks patients to focus their energy instead on activities that align with their goals or morals and inspire happiness. The idea, broadly, is that what we pay attention to ultimately becomes our reality.
Family-based therapy
Family based treatment of eating disorders is a popular option for younger patients with these conditions, or those who still live at home.
The method generally involves parents, guardians, or the heads of household, and sometimes incorporates siblings or other family members. Attending therapy sessions together, the group is taught how to make the most conducive environment for healing at home.
When parents are involved, they are often empowered and educated, at first, to make the majority of food-related decisions for their child. As time goes on, the therapist will work with the group to return more autonomy to the person with the eating disorder.
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Qualities in a therapist
Once you've started to narrow down your choices, you may find a number of eating disorder specialists you're interested in working with.
To further help you determine the particular therapist you'd like to help with your eating disorder recovery, you can start considering a few other factors.
Experience/Specializations
It's essential that any mental health professional you work with is properly licensed and credentialed. It's often possible to check on these qualifications online, by calling the practice directly, or by checking with the appropriate state agencies.
Aside from that, you may want to do a bit more research on someone's professional background or specializations. How long someone has been practicing, the kinds of patients they usually work with, and their time spent specifically on helping patients with eating disorders or on facilitating the type of therapy sessions you're interested in can help draw distinctions between otherwise similarly-qualified therapists.
Inclusivity and sensitivity
One of the most fundamental aspects of a successful relationship with a therapist is trust. You will likely find yourself opening up to this person about sensitive, upsetting, and private thoughts, and receiving guidance from them about important matters.
That's why it's important to find a therapist who will treat you with dignity and respect, regardless of your race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, cultural background, age, disability status, or weight.
If there's an aspect of your identity or background that's particularly important to you, you may even want to look for a therapist who shares that identifying characteristic, outlook, or experience.
Treatment philosophy
Similar to the different methods for treating eating disorders are different guiding philosophies that a therapist may adhere to when treating a patient.
These perspectives can make a large impact on the therapy experience, influencing everything from the general attitude a therapist embodies during sessions to the types of treatment they may or may not endorse, teach, or recommend.
Many therapists will include a summary of their overall outlook and philosophy on their website, but you can also ask a therapist to elaborate on their thoughts about treatment outcomes, communication, and treatment methods during your intake session.
Learn about Within's treatment program and philosophy
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Rapport
The rapport, or general relationship and ability to communicate, you share with a mental health professional is perhaps the most important measure of a good therapist. Unfortunately, it's also one of the most difficult qualities to predict.
In this case, the best option may simply be trial and error. But there are a few feelings or details you can pay attention to during sessions which may help you assess this factor.
If your therapist continually interrupts you, rather than listens to what you have to say, that may be a sign of a bad relationship. The same goes for invalidating or otherwise ignoring any concerns you may raise and disrespecting your time by showing up late to appointments or leaving early.
Overall, you should feel seen, heard, and respected during these sessions, if not completely understood. If you continually feel otherwise, it may be time to consider changing therapists.
Other considerations
Other than the professional qualities of a therapist and the type of therapy they specialize in, there are a number of broader factors which should be kept in mind when choosing members of your eating disorder treatment team.
Location
An old adage in the medical world states that the best treatment is the one a patient will take. And when it comes to therapy, location can make a big difference in your desire or ability to attend regular sessions.
A clinic that's either close by or convenient to get to will likely make it easier for you to continue treatment. And if you have challenges around transportation or mobility or live far from in-person practices, you may also want to explore online therapy options, which can be just as effective as in-person treatment in many cases. [5]
Insurance coverage
Treatment for eating disorders is frequently lengthy and, unfortunately, also often expensive. Because of this, a majority of people rely on their health insurance policies to help them cover costs.
If you also need or want this type of financial assistance, it's essential to ensure your therapist accepts your health care plan before you start attending sessions. Clearing up this question ahead of time may feel like an extra step, but it can help prevent future frustrations or complications.
Evidence-based practices
As mental health and eating disorders in particular continue to be studied, more therapies and treatments have been developed to help. But not all of these treatments are received the same way by healthcare practitioners or insurance companies.
Evidence-based practices describe those therapies, such as CBT, which have been clinically tested and analyzed over the years, to the point where the medical community generally considers them to be a safe and effective treatment. And along with their historical success rate, these methods are also usually favored by insurance companies for covered treatment.
That's not to say that more experimental or newer therapies can't be effective. But if you're considering one of these options, it's important to do your due diligence in researching both the therapy and the practitioner administering it, and to understand that it's highly unlikely your insurance will help pay for these treatments.
Remote treatment for more flexibility and personalized care
If you or a loved one are struggling with an eating disorder, it's important to seek out help.
Finding a therapist that not only aligns with your needs but aligns with your values and recovery goals is an important aspect of your recovery journey. And taking the time to choose the best therapist for you can ultimately make a positive difference in your experience.
At Within, we want to help ensure you get the help you need, no matter what you're going through. Overcoming an eating disorder can be difficult, but with the right kind of help, a healthier and happier future is always possible.
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