Virtual eating disorder treatment is a growing treatment option for people suffering from disordered eating.
Virtual treatment options for eating disorders are most often conducted using:
- HIPAA secure telehealth
- Encrypted communication between patient and provider
- Blind weight and vitals measuring tools (such as clear step)
- Secure meal-tracking systems
The types of providers you might see virtually during your eating disorder recovery include:
- A Therapist
- A Dietitian
- A Physician
I can help you by serving as the eating disorder dietitian piece of this equation. Remote care can mean more accessible care.
Goals of Virtual Eating Disorder Treatment
- Reduce/eradicate eating disorder thoughts and behaviors
- Normalize meals and snacks
- Weight restore
- Meal support
- Customize an eating disorder meal plan
- Managing clinical symptoms of an eating disorder
Pros of Online Eating Disorder Treatment
Virtual treatment is a great option for people who:
- Have obligations that demand a lot of time (work, school)
- Have mobility limitations
- Don’t have access to transportation
- Have family obligations that make in-person treatment difficult
Challenges of Online Eating Disorder Treatment
It is important to take your virtual consultation as seriously as you would if you were in an in-person session.
To help you do this make sure that:
- You have a private place to conduct your session
- Reduce or eliminate distractions (pets, music, television etc)
- Do not take calls while in the car or driving
Virtual visits offer the unique challenge that you will not be sitting in a physical room with physical bodies. Exploring the thoughts and emotions that come up with different bodies (and different body sizes) existing together in a room can be an important part of the ED recovery journey. However, this can also be a benefit to virtual treatment as we are not as distracted by the bodies that are showing up. This is especially true during the initial stages of recovery.
Some video technology will automatically show your face reflected back to you. You may find it difficult to see yourself in virtual visits. If this comes up, discuss it with your provider. There may be situations where it is okay to cover the portion of your camera that shows your face. In some video portals, you are also able to turn off the option to see your own face in the video visit.
Virtual Meal Support For Eating Disorders
Did you know you and your provider can share a meal together? It can be challenging to eat meals and snacks without support during recovery. A virtual meal support session can be the perfect solution for this.
Virtual meal support lets your dietitian be the support person when:
- You do not have a support person at home
- You’re away from home and need meal support (work, school)
- Your family is needing additional guidance at mealtime
The dietitian will designate a time frame in which the meal is to be completed. They can provide encouragement, bite for bite support, and help you sit with uncomfortable feelings that come up at the meal.
Virtual Grocery Shopping Support
Did you know you can take your provider with you to the grocery store? A trip to the grocery can be a very difficult part of your eating disorder recovery journey. Take your dietitian to the grocery store by scheduling a grocery store consultation! Simply put some headphones in your phone and let them be your guide.
A dietitian can help you shop with an eating disorder virtually by:
- Helping you stick to your food choices
- Guiding you through a grocery list
- Navigating difficult emotions
- Setting time limits on grocery shopping
- Challenge food rules and restrictions
- Debunk food myths your eating disorder voice has come up with
Insurance And Online Eating Disorder Treatment
Most insurance will cover virtual visits or telehealth.
If you want to know about the specific benefits covered, call the number on the back of your card.
Good questions to ask your insurance company are:
- If your virtual eating disorder provider is in-network
- How many visits are covered
- If your specific condition is covered
- What your co-pay is
- If a referral from a medical doctor is needed