WHAT YOU NEED TO DO TO WORK IN THE EATING DISORDER RECOVERY FIELD (PART 2)

Karen Kay via Etsy.com

Due
to popular demand, today we are looking at the positions on an eating disorder
treatment team and the necessary certificates and schooling that go with each.
Last week we covered the rewarding and challenging aspects of working in the
field. If you haven’t already read that post check it out HERE. If you have,
then you already understand the emotional toll it takes to work in the recovery
field. Now, we will cover the different roles:

SUPPORT STAFF – The role of Support Staff
is to support clients in their day to day living skills. The following goes
into the position:

• Observe
  the preparation of meals
• Eat
  meals with clients, processing emotions and thoughts during meals
• Work
  with clients during moments of anxiety and frustration
• Assist
  in conflict resolution between clients
• Attend
  recovery meetings with clients
• Remind
  clients of chores, obligations and appointments
• Dispense
  medication
• Drive
  client to appointments and meetings
• Attend
  treatment team meetings

Education:

• B.A.
  in Psychology
• California
  Association of Alcohol and Drug Addiction Counselors, Certificate
• Eating
  Disorder Treatment Certificate

Shifts:

• Days:
  7 am to 3 pm
• Evenings:
  3 pm to 11 pm
• Overnight:
  11pm to 7am

ART THERAPIST – An Art Therapist uses art
as a tool to do therapy with a group of clients.  The following goes into the position:

• Create
  art lesson plans for clients
• Encourage
  clients to express themselves creatively
• Talk with clients about their created art and what it reveals about their recovery
• Track
  progress of clients
• Work
  with clients during moments of anxiety and frustration
• Assist
  in conflict resolution between clients
• Attend
  treatment team meetings
• Shopping
  for art materials

Education:

• B.A.
  in Psychology
• M.A.
  in Marriage and Family Therapy
• Art
  Therapy certification

*These
are the most common requirements, but vary by treatment facility.

Shifts:

• Days:  9am to 6 pm

YOGA TEACHER – A yoga teacher visits the
treatment facility and teaches yoga to a group clients.  The following goes into the position:

• Creating
  yoga lesson plans
• Assuring
  clients are safe during class
• Adjusting
  clients posture and poses during classes

Education:

• Certified
  yoga teachers training
• Knowledge
  of eating disorders and addictions

Shifts:

• 1
  to 2 hour classes

*Vary
by treatment facility

NUTRITIONIST – A Nutritionist works with
each client to reach her nutritional goals.
The following goes into the position:

• Assess
  the clients nutrition and exercise needs
• Create
  a meal plan for clients
• Create
  an exercise plan for clients
• Work
  with the treatment team to create grocery lists and menus for the house
• Work
  with clients during moments of anxiety and frustration
• Observe
  the preparation of meals
• Eat
  meals with clients
•  Remind
  clients of goals
• Attend
  treatment team meetings

Education:

• Registered dietitian

Shifts:

• Days:  9am to 6 pm
• Some
  evenings to assist at dinner outings and meals with clients

CASE MANAGER – A Case Manager over sees
the client’s entire treatment plan from admit to discharge. The Case Manager is
a liaison between the client and parents, spouses, therapists, doctors, nurses
and schools. .  The following goes into
the position:

• Determine
  clients recovery goals (i.e. return to school, career, family)
• Create
  a weekly schedule with clients
• Assist
  client with finding a volunteer opportunity and/or job
• Assist
  client with returning to school
• Work
  with clients during moments of anxiety and frustration
• Follow
  up with clients family with  recovery
  progress
• Remind
  clients of goals
• Attend
  treatment team meetings

Education:

• B.A.
  in Psychology
• California
  Association of Alcohol and Drug Addiction Counselors, Certificate
• Eating
  Disorder Treatment Certificate

Shifts:

• Days:  9am to 6 pm

THERAPIST – A therapist works with a client
to reveal the underlying themes and behaviors that have triggered disordered
eating.  Then they work on how to
cognitively change these harmful themes and behaviors. The following goes into
the position:

• Determine
  clients family themes
• Determine
  clients triggers
• Determine
  clients possible co-occurring disorders
• Assist
  client with finding their true self
• Assist
  clients in distinguishing between the ED voice and their true voice
• Work
  with clients during moments of anxiety and frustration
• Remind
  clients of goals
• Attend
  treatment team meetings

Education:

• M.A.
  in Marriage, Family and Child Therapy  and/or
• Doctorate
  in Psychology
• California
  Association of Alcohol and Drug Addiction Counselors, Certificate

Shifts:

• Days:  9am to 6 pm
• On
  call 24 hours via cell phone for emergency’s

CLINICAL DIRECTOR– A Clinical Director over
sees the clinical treatment being done by the facility staff. The following
goes into the position:

• Creating
  and implementing treatment methods for the facility
• Meeting
  one on one with clients and tracking their progress
• Leading
  treatment therapy groups
• Facilitating
  groups and lectures for clients and families
• Work
  with clients during moments of anxiety and frustration
• Remind
  clients of goals
• Attend
  treatment team meetings

Education:

• M.A.
  Social Work and/or
• M.A.
  Psychology and/or
• Doctorate
  in Psychology

Shifts:

• Days:  9am to 6 pm
• On
  call 24 hours via cell phone for emergency’s

PROGRAM DIRECTOR – A Program Director over sees
the entire treatment staff and works directly with the Clinical Director to
ensure that the treatment methods are being implemented throughout the program.
The following goes into the position:

• Hiring
  of staff and interns
• Training
  staff
• Overseeing
  interns
• Managing
  facility budget
• Ensuring
  staff is implementing the proper treatment methods with the clients
• Meeting
  one on one with clients and parents
• Leading
  groups
• Work
  with clients during moments of anxiety and frustration
• Attend
  treatment team meetings

Education:

• M.A.
  Social Work and/or
• M.A.
  Psychology and/or
• Doctorate
  in Psychology

Shifts:

• Days:  9am to 6 pm
• On
  call 24 hours via cell phone for emergency’s

Hopefully
you now have a better idea of what it looks like to have a career in the eating
disorder treatment field. It is an equally challenging and rewarding field to
work in!