Key Takeaways
- Online eating disorder therapy is a convenient and effective option for those who need professional support.
- A dietitian specializing in eating disorders is trained to address both the physical and behavioral aspects of food and nutrition in a safe, non-judgmental space.
- Many insurance plans cover online medical nutrition therapy, making it more accessible and affordable for those seeking treatme
It can feel hard to reach out for help for an eating disorder, but it is a brave and important step towards recovery. Working with a professional can be invaluable to your recovery and healing.
Online eating disorder therapy gives access to professional help from the comfort of your own home.
This can be especially helpful if you have a busy schedule or don’t have access to specialized treatment in your local area.
This article will help you find the best online dietitians for eating disorder therapy and provide information on costs and insurance coverage to get you the help you need.
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How Can I Find Online Eating Disorder Therapy that Accepts My Insurance?
You can find online eating disorder therapy through a variety of sources, including individual private practitioners, group therapy sessions, and virtual treatment centers.
Dietitians who specialize in eating disorders often see patients online, and many insurance plans will cover registered dietitian (RD) visits.
You can easily find out whether your plan covers a visit with a Nourish dietitian by searching for insurance coverage─94% of patients working with Nourish pay $0 out of pocket.
You can also try visiting your insurance company’s webpage or calling the customer support line to inquire about in-network dietitians.
However, you’ll want to follow up with the dietitian before making an appointment to ensure you’re covered.
How Much Does Online Eating Disorder Therapy Cost?
Online eating disorder therapy costs can depend on factors like location, length of visit, and whether you see the dietitian through a healthcare facility or private practice.
If your insurance doesn’t fully cover the cost of a visit, you may be required to pay a partial amount, called a copay.
If you are paying entirely out of pocket, you can expect visits to cost between $100 and $200, although some dietitians may offer sliding-scale fees based on income or discounted packages for multiple sessions.
Emotional Eating Therapist vs. Emotional Eating Dietitian
While there is some overlap between the two professions, emotional eating therapists and emotional eating dietitians differ significantly.
Therapists provide psychotherapy addressing the psychological factors that contribute to disordered eating behaviors.
Dietitians offer nutritional counseling, meal planning, and education about eating habits to support physical health and recovery.
Behaviors may come up as part of this work, but there is also more focus on tools to develop a healthy relationship with food and the body.
In many cases, an integrative approach involving both a therapist and a dietitian is the most effective in treating eating disorders, as it addresses the multidimensional nature of these conditions.
10 Best Dietitians for Online Eating Disorder Therapy
We've compiled a list of ten of the top registered dietitians who specialize in online eating disorder therapy:
1. Analeis Masters, RDN
Analeis is a registered dietitian with eight years of experience in eating disorders and blood sugar management.
She’s also certified in iMove to support those struggling with compulsive exercise.
With an empathetic and non-judgmental approach, Analeis helps clients find flexibility and balance with their food and lifestyle.
Specialties
Analeis’ specialties include emotional eating, intuitive eating, and eating disorders. She also works with individuals with type 2 diabetes.
2. Teresa Ramalho, MS, RD, RDN, LD, LDN
Teresa has a background in education and currently works with people with eating disorders at higher levels of care, including residential, partial hospitalization programs (PHP), and intensive outpatient programs (IOP).
Teresa advocates health at every size (HAES) principles following an anti-diet, weight-inclusive, and body-neutral approach.
Specialties
Teresa works with a range of eating disorder conditions, from anorexia and bulimia to avoidant restrictive food intake disorder (ARFID).
She also supports her patients with intuitive eating and addresses emotional eating through compassion and understanding.
3. Amy Good, RD, LD
Amy champions the "all foods fit" philosophy, advocating for nutrition to enrich life rather than be a restrictive burden.
She counters impossible-to-stick-to restrictive diets with real, sustainable changes for long-term benefits.
Specialties
Amy works with individuals from adolescents to adults to support eating disorders.
She also specializes in a wide range of conditions, from heart health to diabetes.
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4. Rachael Martin, MS, RDN, LD, CEDS
Rachael is a certified eating disorder specialist with over 30 years of experience in nutrition, focusing on eating disorders, body image, and weight management.
She practices patient-centered nutrition counseling, listening closely to patients' needs and interests to help them achieve their nutritional goals.
Specialties
Rachael works with her patients on intuitive eating and eating disorders.
Her specialties include heart health, gut health, diabetes, and plant-based nutrition (vegan and vegetarian diet patterns).
5. Michelle Caravella, MS, RDN
Michelle is a registered dietitian with over seven years of experience across various settings.
She specializes in healthy weight loss, overcoming disordered eating, and improving overall health.
She adopts a holistic approach to nutrition, considering the mind, body, and soul as interconnected.
Specialties
Michelle offers many specialties, including heart health, eating disorders, women’s health, emotional eating, and diabetes.
6. Taylor Doktycz, MS, RD, LD
Taylor specializes in treating adolescents and adults with eating disorders.
She advocates for a Health at Every Size (HAES) approach and a weight-neutral framework, incorporating intuitive eating principles into her practice.
She believes that all foods can fit into a healthy diet and that full recovery from eating disorders is possible.
Specialties
Taylor specializes in eating disorders, with experience in higher levels of care.
She also works with sports and performance nutrition, healthy aging, pre or postnatal nutrition, and cardiovascular health.
7. Brianna Theus, RD
Brianna has a wide range of experience in nutrition but is most passionate about working with people who struggle with eating disorders and disordered eating.
She takes an individualized approach, honoring culture and body through food, physical activity, sleep, and stress management.
Specialties
Brianna's primary focus is working with those with eating disorders, including binge eating, ARFID, anorexia, and bulimia.
8. Kendra Thoenes, MS, RD, LDN
Kendra is dedicated to helping her clients develop a peaceful relationship with food and their bodies.
With experience in hospital, residential, and outpatient settings, she focuses on treating disordered eating/eating disorders, supporting athletes in training and performance, and enhancing mental health through nutrition.
Kendra employs a non-diet (HAES), inclusive approach in counseling, considering nutrition, movement, body image, and daily life.
Specialties
Kendra's list of specialties includes support for eating disorders like bulimia and anorexia, as well as heart health, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), and sports nutrition.
9. Sharon Millan, MS, RDN, LDN
Sharon has 20 years of experience as an RD, working primarily with children.
She empathizes with her clients and helps them discover simple tools to support their health.
Recognizing every person and family is unique, she listens, celebrates wins, and supports her patients through challenges.
Specialties
Sharon's specialties include women's health, ARFID, food allergies, pediatric nutrition, and gestational diabetes.
10. Aimee Merkle-Scotland, RDN, LD
Aimee believes in a whole-person approach, recognizing that her patients are more than what they eat.
Her approach is trauma-informed, anti-diet, weight-inclusive, and LGBTQ-friendly.
She works closely with her patients to build trust and confidence in their bodies wherever they are on their health journey.
Specialties
Aside from support for eating disorders, Aimee's specialties also include general health, intuitive eating, mental health, and diabetes.
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Can I See an Online Eating Disorder Therapist in My State?
With the expansion of telemedicine and telehealth services, it’s a lot easier to find an online eating disorder therapist.
Check the licensing regulations in your state, as not all practitioners may be licensed to practice in multiple states.
Nourish lists the states where dietitians are licensed, making it easy to verify eligibility before starting treatment.
When Should You See a Dietitian vs Therapist for Eating Disorders?
Deciding on whether to see a dietitian or a therapist for eating disorders depends on your individual situation.
A dietitian specializing in eating disorders will help you examine your relationship with food, teach you tools to help you find freedom from behaviors related to your eating disorder, and ensure you are meeting your nutrient needs.
If you need specific psychological support, a therapist is a good choice.
Ideally, as mentioned earlier, the most effective treatment often involves collaboration between a therapist and a dietitian, so it may be beneficial to see both.
How to Choose the Right Eating Disorder Dietitian
Choosing the right eating disorder dietitian depends on your needs and preferences.
Look for professionals whose philosophy resonates with your own, as this will make the journey to recovery more comfortable.
It's also important to find a dietitian with whom you feel comfortable and safe, as trust and support are crucial in treating eating disorders.
If you start working with someone who doesn’t feel like a good fit, it’s always okay to seek out someone else.
Takeaway
Working with a dietitian specializing in eating disorders can help you break free from disordered eating patterns and establish a healthy relationship with food.
Online eating disorder therapy offers convenience and accessibility for those seeking treatment.
RDs and therapists can work together to provide comprehensive care.
In many cases, insurance covers the cost of treatment for eating disorders.
Nourish makes it easy to find a dietitian who specializes in eating disorders, all from the comfort of your own home.
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