Outpatient Eating Disorder Therapy
Weekly individual therapy and dietitian appointments
Outpatient therapy is the most flexible level of eating disorder care — weekly or bi-weekly individual therapy sessions with an eating disorder specialist, often paired with dietitian appointments. Best for individuals who are medically stable and able to manage most meals independently.
Who is this for?
Outpatient is appropriate for individuals who are medically stable, at a healthy weight (or in early recovery at a manageable weight), not engaging in daily binge/purge cycles, and have some support at home. It is also appropriate as a maintenance level of care after completing more intensive programs.
What to expect
Outpatient typically involves 1-2 therapy sessions per week and 1 dietitian appointment per week. Evidence-based approaches include CBT-E (Cognitive Behavioral Therapy — Enhanced), FBT (Family-Based Treatment for adolescents), DBT, and ACT. The gold-standard outpatient treatment for bulimia (CBT-E) typically runs 20 sessions over 20 weeks.
Outpatient Therapy Providers(12 found)
Amanda Smith, PhD, LP
Amanda Smith, PhD, LP is an eating disorder treatment specialist located in Fort Worth, TX, providing specialized care for individuals with eating disorders.
Jessica (Lora) Van Hiel, LCSW-R, CEDS is an eating disorder treatment specialist located in Merrick, NY, providing specialized care for individuals with eating disorders.
Megan Y. Bruce, LCSW
Megan Y. Bruce, LCSW is an eating disorder treatment specialist located in San Francisco, CA, providing specialized care for individuals with eating disorders.
Kamran Khan, RD, LD
Kamran Khan, RD, LD is an eating disorder treatment specialist located in Austin, TX, providing specialized care for individuals with eating disorders.
Melissa Frick, DNP, APRN, PMHNP-BC, ANP-BC is an eating disorder treatment specialist located in Evanston, IL, providing specialized care for individuals with eating disorders.
Kim A. Guarascio, Ph.D.
Kim A. Guarascio, Ph.D. is an eating disorder treatment specialist located in Whitesboro, NY, providing specialized care for individuals with eating disorders.
Houston Healing Collective
Houston Healing Collective is an eating disorder treatment specialist located in Bellaire, TX, providing specialized care for individuals with eating disorders.
Mind Belly Soul Nutrition
Mind Belly Soul Nutrition is an eating disorder treatment specialist located in Philadelphia, PA, providing specialized care for individuals with eating disorders.
Healing Stones Therapy LLC
Healing Stones Therapy LLC is an eating disorder treatment specialist located in Laramie, WY, providing specialized care for individuals with eating disorders.
Brittni Ingvaldson, MA, LPCC, LADC, CCTP is an eating disorder treatment specialist located in Eden Prairie, MN, providing specialized care for individuals with eating disorders.
Chris Soves, LCSW-C
Chris Soves, LCSW-C is an eating disorder treatment specialist located in Rockville, MD, providing specialized care for individuals with eating disorders.
Matt Lerner, PhD
Matt Lerner, PhD is an eating disorder treatment specialist located in Philadelphia, PA, providing specialized care for individuals with eating disorders.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need both a therapist and a dietitian for eating disorder outpatient treatment?
For most eating disorders, yes — a therapist-dietitian team provides the most comprehensive outpatient care. The therapist addresses the psychological and behavioral aspects; the dietitian addresses nutrition rehabilitation, meal planning, and food-related fears. Some individuals with BED work primarily with a therapist and add dietitian support as needed.
What is CBT-E for eating disorders?
CBT-E (Cognitive Behavioral Therapy — Enhanced) is the most evidence-based individual therapy for eating disorders in adults. Developed by Christopher Fairburn at Oxford, it addresses the maintaining factors of the eating disorder — overvaluation of shape/weight, dietary restriction, and other behaviors. It runs ~20 sessions for bulimia and up to 40 for complex cases of anorexia.