By Joan Zhang

Clinically Reviewed by Sehrish Ali, PhD, LPC, CEDS

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Speaking to a therapist is one of the most significant steps you can take on the path of eating disorder recovery. Therapy can also be very vulnerable which is why it’s so important to find someone that makes you feel comfortable and can provide consistent, effective long-term care.

But what qualities should you be looking for? And what questions can you ask a potential eating disorders therapist to make sure they align with you? We have everything you need to know right here.

Therapists and therapeutic approaches for eating disorders can vary greatly. As do each of our specific experiences with eating disorders. You deserve the chance to find support that matches your exact needs so that you can get the most out of it.

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The Importance of Finding the Right Therapist

Therapy is an investment. It costs time, money, and emotional energy. For it to be worth all this, you ideally need to see tangible results and be able to trust that the eating disorders therapist you’re seeing has your treatment plan under control so that you can focus on the actual healing.

Here are some of the main aspects that make finding the right therapist so crucial:

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Why Therapist Qualifications Matter

Eating disorders are a specialized field and in order to provide the best care, a therapist needs to have specialized training and experience over and above their basic license to practice. Going to a properly qualified therapist not only tends to get better results but it will give you peace of mind that the person you’re speaking to knows how to handle the nuances of your eating disorder. 

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The Role of Trust and Comfort

A strong therapist-patient relationship is foundational to any mental health approach. In eating disorder treatment, it can help you feel more comfortable to open up to your therapist and have less shame around them.

Building that sense of trust can take time. That said, paying attention to who your therapist is and the value they bring can lay the groundwork so that from the very first session, you have some assurance that this person is someone you can speak to safely.

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5 Key Qualities of an Eating Disorder Therapist to Consider

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When researching an eating disorders therapist, or even just assessing someone in early sessions, here are five major qualities to consider:

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1. Specialized Training in Eating Disorders

There are helpful online directories like FindEDHelp.com where you can find therapists who are specialized in eating disorders. Additionally, you can look out to see if the therapist has had past experiences working at eating disorder clinics or treatment centers and whether they have pursued courses or training for eating disorder care.

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2. Culturally Thoughtful and Affirming

Research has suggested that many people prefer to see a therapist that matches their race or ethnicity. For anyone from minority groups or specific cultural and religious backgrounds, it’s important that the therapist you see is comfortable engaging with those parts of your identity in an affirming and thoughtful way.

It doesn’t always mean they have to share those identity factors, but they do at least need to be interested in them and how they may have contributed to your journey.

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3. A Compassionate and Non-Judgmental Approach

Shame is so often at the core of an eating disorder. To find healing, we need compassionate, judgment-free zones to express ourselves and get help. That’s exactly what therapy should feel like.

If you find yourself being condescended to or cruelly criticized in therapy sessions, something isn’t right. Plenty of work has been done to show that a compassionate approach is highly effective in eating disorder treatment. 

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4. Strong Communication Skills

Talk therapy is ultimately a conversation between a patient and a practitioner. Unfortunately, the best way to know if a therapist’s communication style works for you is usually to do a session with them. Make sure that you feel you understand what they’re saying and that they’re open to clarifying things when requested. This shows strong communication skills and can be one of the most valuable qualities of an eating disorder therapist.

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5. Flexibility and Adaptability

No two people are the same, especially when it comes to the spectrum of eating disorders. If treatment goes well, you’re also likely to experience significant change during the therapeutic process. It’s important that your therapist is willing to be adaptive to that and can offer some flexibility when you need it.

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Questions to Ask a Potential Therapist

Don’t be afraid to ask an eating disorders therapist a few questions about who they are and how they approach their work before you commit to a treatment plan. We have some of the best questions right here to help you build trust and insight into the qualities of an eating disorder therapist and if they’re suitable for you.

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Assessing Experience and Approach

Whether you ask them over email or during an initial consult, here’s how to assess a therapist’s experience and professional background:

• What are the demographics of your patient population i.e. how many people do you treat and what diagnoses do you handle most frequently?
• How many sessions do you recommend per week?
• Do you offer virtual sessions?
• What states are you licensed to provide care in?
• What is your research background?
• Do you have any special qualifications in eating disorder treatment? If so, what are these qualifications and how have they informed how you practice?”
• How long have you been treating eating disorders?

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Understanding Their Treatment Philosophy 

Treatment philosophies are often best understood in practice but there are questions you can ask to gain clarity:

• What is your treatment philosophy? For example, is it mindfulness-based, cognitive-behavioral, etc.?
• What is your treatment style?
• Do you use an evaluation process in your treatment plan?

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Evaluating Compatibility

Compatibility is extremely personal but some factors to consider are:

• The practical: Does the therapist accept your insurance? Are they available in a way that suits your schedule (online, in-person, etc.)?
• The emotional: Do you feel comfortable speaking to the therapist? Do you feel that their treatment approach aligns with your goals and values?

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Final Considerations

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Here are a few final thoughts on how to decide if an eating disorders therapist is the right fit:

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Why Continuous Evaluation Matters

When it comes to long-term treatment especially, it’s perfectly normal for your needs to change. Make sure to check back in now and then to see that you’re happy with the dynamic of your patient-therapist relationship.

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When to Consider a Change

If you’re struggling to be honest with your eating disorders therapist, feel uncomfortable in their presence, or aren’t seeing meaningful improvement over months of treatment, it may be time to consider a change. As with anything in life, there’s huge power in admitting if a situation isn’t working for you and pursuing something more effective instead.

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Arise’s Approach to Eating Disorder Treatment

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Holistic and Individualized Care

At Arise, we offer a holistic approach to eating disorder treatment that considers your individual needs and includes both the physical and psychological aspects of what you’re dealing with. You get a completely personalized plan with us that can be adjusted as you grow and heal.

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Collaborative Treatment Plans

We feel that the best treatment plans are collaborative. We don’t tell you what to do or how to do it but instead make sure to work with our clients to create treatment plans that incorporate therapy, nutritional counseling, and support groups that foster meaningful recovery and long-term health.

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Compassionate and Supportive Environment

Compassion is at the heart of what we do at Arise. Our team takes great care to provide a safe, supportive environment so that clients feel understood and empowered throughout their recovery journey.

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If you’re interested in seeing if we have a therapist and treatment approach that matches your needs, click here to book a free consultation. We’re here to support you along every step of your healing journey.