What to Expect in Eating Disorder Therapy
Where do I begin?
Starting to get support for your Eating Disorder can feel scary! You are worth every ounce of energy it takes to get the support necessary for recovery. Once you find the right therapist, it’s time to start the healing process.
Every person’s journey is different and unique. At Stark Therapy Group, we partner with you and turn to you to help create treatment goals.
Assessing for Appropriate Level of Care
We will start our by assessing the level of support you need to keep yourself safe. Eating disorders are deadly illnesses, and we want to ensure you are receiving the best possible care for where you currently are. Sometimes this may mean you need a Higher Level of Care (HLOC) such as Inpatient, Residential, Partial Hospitalization or Intensive Outpatient. We are aware this can be intimidating and scary. However, if a HLOC is needed, we will work collaboratively with you to make sure we find you the safest and best fit possible for you and your needs.
Building an Outpatient Team
If you and our STG therapist determine that we are a good fit for outpatient eating disorder therapy, we will work with you to help you establish the other necessary team members to support you in your recovery. Every person has different needs on their recovery journey, and we take that into consideration when making recommendations. Commonly, outpatient eating disorder treatment is comprised of a team with an eating disorder therapist, a registered dietitian who specializes in eating disorders, a medical doctor and a psychiatrist. At Stark Therapy Group, we only offer the therapy component. However, our therapists are happy to offer recommendations and referrals for other team members. We are happy to collaborate with your other team members and ensure that we are collectively providing you the best care possible.
Why a registered dietitian?
We usually recommend you are also assessed by an Eating Disorder specialized Registered Dietitian (RD). Dietitians are helpful in providing guidance around the specifics of establishing regular and adequate patterns of eating. This process looks different for everyone. We recommend dietitians who operate from a Health At Every Size and Intuitive Eating lens. They can also help you troubleshoot specific questions you have about nutrition science and help you debunk the lies that diet culture has engrained in you. An RD can help you navigate specific nutritional deficiencies, allergies or specific nutritional needs you might have.
Why a medical doctor?
Eating disorders are mental illnesses that can severely compromise one’s physical health, even resulting in death. Eating disorders have the second highest mortality rate of all mental illnesses. Because of the serious connection between eating disorder behaviors and physical health, we may recommend you see your PCP or an MD who specializes in treating eating disorders. We might ask some folks to receive medical clearance for being treated at an outpatient level, and others may need on-going medical oversight.
We want to acknowledge that people of size, people of color, and trans and nonbinary folks have disproportionately been harmed in healthcare settings. If you have experienced harmful medical care and are worried about returning to the doctor, we hear you. We understand. As your eating disorder therapist, we are committed to supporting you, helping advocate for you, and empowering you to advocate for yourself as you navigate going to the doctor.
Why a psychiatrist?
As therapists, we are unable to prescribe any psychotropic medications. Psychiatrists (and sometimes primary care physicians) are able to prescribe and oversee any medications that might be necessary to help you in your recovery journey. We are happy to support you as you find and see a psychiatrist.
Reminder: You are not alone!
We are happy to help you find other team members. We are happy to collaborate with each member of your care team to help ensure you receive the best, comprehensive, and collaborative care.
Beginning treatment at STG
Once we begin treatment, you will meet with your therapist one to two times a week, depending on your specific needs. A unique offering Stark Therapy Group is we are able to have you see an individual therapist and see another therapist in our practice for family or couples therapy. From time to time, we also offer group therapy, which may be with your individual therapist or with another therapist in our practice. If you are seeing more than one STG therapist at the same time, this can be quite beneficial for your overall treatment. When you are receiving care from more than one provider under the same group practice umbrella, this can help to provide consistent and collaborative care.
You are your own best advocate!
We will never assume to know more about your experience than you do. YOU are the expert of your story, and everyone’s story and recovery journey is unique.
Our Therapists
Our team of diverse therapists work from a Health at Every Size and Fat Positive perspective, which we believe is vital to eating disorder recovery for every individual, no matter their size. We see people virtually throughout all of California, and we see people in-person in our beautiful office in Tustin, California.
We are here to answer any questions you may have and help get you started on our recovery journey! Reach out to us today to embark on your recovery journey. You’re worth it!
