Eating Disorder Therapists
If you or someone you know wishes to seek treatment for an eating disorder, finding specialized eating disorder therapists can feel like a daunting proposition. In truth, eating disorder therapists may come in many forms with many different types of training.
The word therapist is an umbrella term that encompasses a wide variety of trained and/or liscensed professionals. Eating disorder therapists may be psychoanalysts, psychiatrists, social workers, life coaches, psychologists, or counselors. Eating disorder therapists may be experts in a variety of treatment modalities including art therapy, processing feelings, cognitive-behavioral therapy, resloving trauma, psychotherapy, or more.
There are many paths for eating disorder therapists. Most will have some type of advanced degree as well as have fulfilled licensing requirements including years of supervised practice. Eating disorder therapists may be psychologists with a bachelor’s degree, master’s degree, or doctorate. They can have either a PhD or PsyD. They may also be psychiatrists which are mental health professionals who are also medical doctors and who can prescribe medications. Psychologists tend to diagnose mental health disorders as well as conduct social science research.
In general, eating disorder therapists all have the same goal in helping troubled individuals become more self-aware, process feelings, and make beneficial life choices. The method by which they accomplish this can vary greatly.
Finding eating disorder therapists may take some time and effort but it is very important to find one with whom a patient can have good trust and rapport as they work through difficult life issues.
Eating Disorder Self Test. Take the EAT-26 self test to see if you might have eating disorder symptoms that might require professional evaluation. All answers are confidential.