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Key Takeaways
Nearly one in ten Americans experience eating disorders. Several types of therapists help these individuals recover from and manage their conditions.
Professionals who treat clients with eating disorders include licensed professional counselors, licensed clinical social workers and psychologists.
Many individuals who pursue careers as eating disorder therapists begin with bachelor’s degrees in related fields like psychology, then earn a master’s degree or doctorate that aligns with their licensure goals.
Therapists who work with eating disorder patients should have a compassionate outlook, along with strong skills in communication and analysis.
Eating disorders are serious conditions that can cause detrimental long-term effects, including cardiovascular problems and organ damage. Eating disorder therapists assist people in recovering from eating disorders so they can live healthier lives.
If you enjoy listening to others and helping them through difficult situations, this career path may be a great option for you. Keep reading to learn more about how to become an eating disorder therapist, including educational requirements, licensure, certification and top skills.
What Does an Eating Disorder Therapist Do?
Eating disorders are more common than you might think. In fact, the National Association of Anorexia Nervosa and Associated Disorders reports that 9% of people in the United States experience an eating disorder at some point in their lives.
Eating disorder therapists facilitate and oversee therapy sessions for clients with eating disorders. The following are common eating disorders.
Anorexia nervosa: characterized by self-starvation
Bulimia nervosa: alternating between dieting and binge eating, along with vomiting, excessive exercise or laxative abuse
Binge eating disorder: consuming large amounts of food in a short amount of time
Avoidant restrictive food intake disorder: avoiding certain foods resulting in nutritional deficiency or significant weight loss
Pica: consuming items other than food, such as paper, string or soap
Rumination disorder: repeatedly regurgitating food and rechewing it
Depending on their education and job requirements, eating disorder therapists may work with individuals or groups and can have titles such as therapists, counselors, psychologists or psychotherapists.
An eating disorder therapist may be part of a treatment team of professionals who work together to help people recover from eating disorders. Treatment teams may include the following professionals.
Psychiatrists
Medical practitioners
Registered dietitians
Social workers
Nurses
Though the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) doesn’t offer specific data for eating disorder therapists, it provides statistical data for a broader category of therapists that includes these professionals. Therapists in this category earn a median annual salary of $63,650, according to the BLS.
What’s the Difference Between an Eating Disorder Therapist and a Counselor?
Counselors and therapists can both work in the area of eating disorders. Counselors typically help patients address specific problems or behaviors through evaluations and treatment plans, equipping patients with the skills to overcome their challenges.
Therapists work with patients in a similar manner, but they aim to reach the root of a problem to help patients understand their issues on a deeper level.
This distinction applies to counselors and therapists in different settings, not just those specializing in eating disorders.
Steps to Become an Eating Disorder Therapist
Earn a Bachelor’s Degree
Earning a bachelor’s degree in psychology, counseling, behavioral health or a related discipline helps you build a foundation of knowledge to prepare you for your career. A bachelor’s degree is also a prerequisite for applying to graduate programs. Most bachelor’s degree programs take around four years to complete, but the duration may vary depending on whether you attend full or part time.
Earn a Master’s or Doctorate
Many eating disorder therapists hold licenses as therapists, licensed clinical social workers (LCSWs) or licensed professional clinical counselors. Though licensing standards vary among states, most states require a master’s degree for therapy, counseling or social work licensure.
When pursuing a master’s degree to become an eating disorder therapist, select a program that includes coursework on behavioral disorders or those related to eating disorders and how to treat patients. Degree options vary by institution, but the following master’s degrees could provide you with the necessary knowledge and skills for this career:
It typically takes two to three years to complete a master’s degree, depending on the program. Some accelerated programs take less time to complete.
A Ph.D. in psychology or a Doctor of Psychology (Psy.D.) degree can help you become a clinical psychologist who works with patients with eating disorders. A Ph.D. includes more research components while a Psy.D. emphasizes application, but either a Ph.D. or Psy.D. with a concentration in clinical psychology can prepare you for hands-on patient experience in clinical settings.
Regardless of which graduate degree you choose, ensure that it includes opportunities to study eating disorders and their treatments while completing your program. Some programs offer eating disorder treatment as a concentration, while others may include it as an elective.
Complete Experience Hours
Depending on the program and institution, you can expect to complete preprofessional experience as part of your graduate program. This may include an internship, a practicum, or a postdoctoral fellowship or residency. The number of hours required varies by program.
For more information on internships, you can refer to the Association of Psychology Postdoctoral and Internship Centers. The American Psychological Association provides further information on fellowships.
In addition to the experience required by your educational program, you must complete supervised experience hours to qualify for licensure. The number of supervised experience hours required varies depending on your state and the type of licensure you earn.
Apply for Licensure
Your path to licensure depends on your state and the type of license you wish to pursue. Licensed therapists, clinical counselors, clinical social workers and psychologists all practice psychotherapy and can offer eating disorder therapy. Check with your state’s respective board for your discipline for specific information on how to earn licensure. You can also check out our following guides:
If you plan to become a licensed clinical psychologist and have completed a doctoral program, you can ean board certification through the American Board of Professional Psychology. The Association of State and Provincial Psychology Boards provides an online directory for state board certification.
Additional Professional Certifications
In addition to state licensing, certifications specific to eating disorder treatment are available. While these are not mandatory, they can help you develop a deeper understanding of various eating disorders and how to treat people experiencing them.
The International Association of Eating Disorders Professionals (IAEDP) is one example of an organization offering eating disorder certification. The Certified Eating Disorder Specialist certification is available for eating disorder treatment professionals. To obtain this certification, you must complete 2,500 hours of supervised experience working with patients with eating disorders under an IAEDP-approved supervisor.
Other organizations also offer various certificates and certification programs online.
Top Skills for an Eating Disorder Therapist
Eating disorder therapists need specific skills to communicate and build trust with their patients. Below are some of the most common skills needed for an eating disorder therapist.
Analytical Thinking
Eating disorder therapists must understand how to identify factors that contribute to their patients’ eating disorders so they can help them determine the appropriate treatments. Analytical thinking skills aid the problem solving process that eating disorder therapists must use to work with patients.
Communication
People with eating disorders may have trouble setting boundaries and understanding misconceptions about their disorder. Effective communication skills are crucial for eating disorder therapists to identify problem areas and develop appropriate treatment plans for their patients.
Compassion
People with eating disorders may have difficulty regulating their emotions, which can lead to harmful behaviors. Eating disorder therapists must approach their patients with compassion to treat them objectively and without judgment. Compassion is essential in understanding and supporting those battling eating disorders.
Active Listening
When eating disorder therapists practice active listening skills, they demonstrate their effort to understand their patients’ concerns and problems. By practicing active listening, therapists can show their patients that they want to understand them. Active listening involves listening to patients without judgment, restating and summarizing what is said, and validating feelings and experiences.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Becoming an Eating Disorder Therapist
What profession helps people with eating disorders?
Several types of professionals help people with eating disorders. These include psychiatrists, social workers, medical practitioners and registered dietitians. Each profession serves a different purpose, but many work as part of larger teams of professionals to help those with eating disorders.
How long does it take to become an eating disorder therapist?
The time it takes to become an eating disorder therapist varies depending on your degree path. If you spend four years earning a bachelor’s degree and three years earning a master’s degree, which includes pre-professional experience, it would take at least seven years plus the additional time you would need to study for your exam and earn your license. Pursuing a Psy.D. could require another four to six years.
Can you study eating disorders?
Yes, you can study eating disorders at various stages in your educational path. At the bachelor’s level, you may find courses that deal with eating disorders as part of psychology, counseling, behavioral health, and nutrition and dietetics majors, for example. You can also study these topics at the graduate level.
