How to Get Help for Your Eating Disorder: A Step-by-Step Guide to Starting Recovery Today
New to eating disorder recovery? Here's your comprehensive guide to comprehensive Guide to Eating Disorder Recovery.
Recovery from an eating disorder or any struggle with food and body image is a journey toward reclaiming your health, self-worth, and joy. Whether you’re facing an eating disorder, disordered eating, or other food-related challenges, it’s important to remember: you are worthy of help, healing, and support.
Step 1: Recognize You’re Struggling – And That’s Okay
The first step is often the hardest—acknowledging that you’re struggling. Whether your challenges involve an eating disorder, disordered eating patterns, or difficult thoughts about food and body image, you are deserving of support. It’s easy to think, “It’s not bad enough” or “I’m not sick enough,” but those thoughts do not define your worthiness of care. Understanding that you’re facing a challenge and could benefit from support is an act of courage. P.s. you don't have to be ready to let go of your eating disorder to get support! It’s okay to admit that you’re struggling; it’s the first step toward healing.
Step 2: Explore Treatment Options
Once you’ve recognized the need for support, the next step is exploring treatment options. There are four main levels of care for eating disorders:
Outpatient (OP): Often suitable for those who are medically stable, motivated, and beginning their recovery journey OR stepping down from a higher level of care. This level of care usually includes weekly appointments with a therapist, dietitian and regularly scheduled appointments with a physician and psychiatrist.
Intensive Outpatient (IOP): Ideal for those who need more support than outpatient care but can still manage daily responsibilities. IOP usually involves therapy and nutrition counseling several times a week.
Partial Hospitalization (PHP): Suitable for individuals needing intensive support but not 24/7 care. PHP programs provide daily treatment while allowing you to return home in the evenings.
Residential Care: This involves 24/7 support and supervision. Residential care offers a structured environment with comprehensive treatment.
It’s important to note that this information is for educational purposes only and is not a recommendation as to which level of care is appropriate for you. Some people begin with outpatient care and, if needed, step up to a higher level of care (HLOC). Others may choose to be assessed by a facility that specializes in higher levels of care to determine the best fit.
Step 3: Reach Out for Support
When you’re ready to pursue treatment, it’s time to reach out.
Higher Levels of Care:
If you choose to explore a higher level of care (HLOC), here are some treatment facility options:
The Renfrew Center: Admissions: 1-800-736-3739
Eating Recovery Center: Admissions: 1-877-825-8584
Monte Nido: Admissions: 1-888-228-1253
Alsana: Admissions: 1-866-651-7128
Outpatient Level of Care:
If you choose outpatient care, it’s time to build your treatment team. Your team typically consists of an eating disorder-specialized therapist, dietitian, psychiatrist, and physician. Finding a therapist and dietitian who you connect with is a great place to start. They can help you build the rest of your team.
At Mind Belly Soul Nutrition, we offer eating disorder and disordered eating specialized nutrition counseling for ages 7 and up. Our team of registered dietitians is compassionate, client-centered, and empowering. We will guide you in finding peace around food, freedom from bingeing or dieting, letting go of restriction and obsessive thoughts, and embracing body neutrality and acceptance.
Eating Disorder and Disordered Eating Dietitian's
Get nutrition counseling for your eating disorder at Mind Belly Soul Nutrition.
Hannah Pfohl - Dietitian who specializes in Binge Eating, Bulimia Nervosa, Anorexia Nervosa, Intuitive Eating, and disordered eating.
Additional populations she works with: LGBTQIA+ affirming, GI disorders, EDS, chronic illness, ARFID, OSFED.
Approaches: Motivational Interviewing, empowering, mindfulness/meditation, somatic work.
CLICK HERE TO BOOK A FREE CONSULT CALL
Kate Clark - Dietitian who specializes in Anorexia Nervosa, Avoidant Restrictive Food Intake Disorder, restrictive eating, and disordered eating.
Additional populations she works with: LGBTQIA+ affirming, neurodivergence, autism, children and adolescents, all other eating disorders including Bulimia Nervosa, Binge Eating Disorder, and OSFED.
Approaches: motivational interviewing, medical nutrition therapy, client centered, compassionate, offers family based treatment when appropriate.
CLICK HERE TO BOOK A FREE CONSULT CALL
Julia Fickenscher- Dietitian who specializes in Intuitive Eating, Anorexia Nervosa, Binge Eating Disorder, and disordered eating.
Additional populations she works with: LGBTQIA+ affirming and has a lot of experience working with men.
Approaches: motivational interviewing, medical nutrition therapy, client centered, compassionate.
CLICK HERE TO BOOK A FREE CONSULT CALL
Eating Disorder and Disorder Eating Therapists we recommend:
Amber Cardemil at Collective Healing
Acacia Strez, and Caroline Stang at Everlasting Wellness
Colleen Reichman and her team at Wildflower Therapy
Ellie Herman at Step by Step Counseling Services
Here is a psychiatric NP we recommend:
Brianna Dawson, PMHNP at Behavioral Wellness for Women
Sometimes it’s helpful to meet with a few different providers or request a free consultation to find the right fit. As someone who has worked in multiple levels of care, I know that everyone’s journey is unique. It’s about finding the right approach and the right team for you.
Step 4: Start Your Recovery Journey
Even if you feel scared, that’s okay. Recovery is a journey filled with growth, healing, and freedom. By taking these steps, you’re opening the door to a life with less fear, more joy, and a healthier relationship with food and your body. You can do this, and you don’t have to do it alone.
