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How to Become a Dietitian Specialized in Eating Disorders
Treatment professionals specializing in eating disorders are fundamental as part of a comprehensive plan for recovery.
Whether treatment is sought in inpatient facilities, residential treatment, outpatient care or anything in between, there is typically a core circle of professionals that assist with care, including physicians, psychiatrists, therapists/counselors, and registered dietitians.
Understanding the Role of the Registered Dietitian
Registered dietitians (RD) play an important role in eating disorder treatment by assisting an individual through the process of normalizing a relationship with food, as well as supporting nutrition needs.
As part of a multi-disciplinary team, the RD engages in a therapeutic alliance with the client/patient in order to support behavioral changes, particularly when it comes to food and eating behaviors [1].
Typically, an individual who is struggling with an eating disorder, such as anorexia, bulimia, or binge eating disorder, will have irrational thoughts and erratic behaviors about their body, food, and weight.
As part of the treatment process, the RD will work with a client to challenge and change these abnormal behaviors, encouraging a normalized relationship with food while meeting a client’s individual needs.
The RD is also responsible for designing a meal plan that is conducive to meeting the needs of each individual, and this is true for the various levels of treatment available for eating disorders [2]. Whether inpatient treatment or outpatient care, a person in recovery leans on the support of the dietitian to meet them where they are at when it comes to eating recommendations.
A meal plan is typically based on an assessment, which includes information about one’s medical history, eating patterns, supplement use, exercise regimen, lab results, weight history and more [3].
The role of the RD in eating disorder treatment often presents many opportunities for supporting a client through their recovery, including such aspects as meal support, grocery shopping, cooking lessons, restaurant outings, meal preparation, nutrition support groups, and individual/family nutrition sessions.
This is all dependent on how the RD is functioning as part of a treatment team and in practice.
The Career Path Toward Specialty
The career path of an RD that specializes in eating disorder treatment is an exciting one that opens up the possibility of many different ventures and learning opportunities.
Like any other career opportunity, the road to becoming a specialized RD requires diligence, commitment, and time. Because there is not much exposure to specialty trainings in undergraduate education, postgraduate work will become essential in developing expertise in eating disorders.
As an undergraduate dietetic student, there are options to integrate specialized trainings in internship cycles, especially for distance interactions where there is the option to select preceptors.
In pursuing eating disorder specialty, it may be helpful to integrate a rotation with the internship that allows the opportunity to work in a treatment center and/or shadow another eating disorder dietitian who is already versed in the field.
Other possibilities are to gain exposure with one-on-one counseling sessions and motivational interviewing. Even if not necessarily in an eating disorder setting, developing this skill early on is helpful for future success.
Gaining Experience and Knowledge
Perhaps some of the most valuable training in the field occurs on the job itself.
Plugging into an eating disorder-related job as soon as possible will help give the experience and knowledge needed to work in this type of environment and with these types of patients.
Part of specializing in eating disorders is accruing active time and hours working jobs and positions that support training opportunities. This might look like a dietetic technician job in a treatment center or an entry level RD position in a hospital setting.
The importance of gaining experience and exposure cannot be overstated. Connecting with professional membership organizations, such as the International Association of Eating Disorder Professionals (iaedp) or the Academy for Eating Disorders (AED), can also help provide the resources, training, support, and community needed for eating disorder specialization.
There are many programs today, both in person and virtually, that offer a plethora of resources and training materials for advancing both knowledge and experience.
Working under a supervisor is also another important key toward specializing in the eating disorder field. Because of the complexity of these diseases, RDs need accountability and support.
This might be a veteran RD who has specialized in eating disorders, a therapist, counselor, etc. Connect with someone early to support this career advancement.
Lastly, consider the speciality certification credential under iaedp, which supports the RD. Understanding the criteria for specialization can help give you a better road map for what is required if certification as an eating disorder registered dietitian is desired. Know that you are not alone in this journey and an exciting career opportunity awaits you in this venture!
About the Author: Crystal is a Masters-level Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN) with a specialty focus in eating disorders, maternal/child health and wellness, and intuitive eating. Combining clinical experience with a love of social media and writing, Crystal serves as the Director of Content and Social Media for Eating Disorder Hope/Addiction Hope, where her passion to help others find recovery and healing is integrated into each part of her work.
As a Certified Intuitive Eating Counselor, Crystal has dedicated her career to helping others establish a healthy relationship with food and body through her work with EDH/AH and nutrition private practice.
References:
[1]: Gurze – Salucore Eating Disorders Resource Catalogue, “The Role of the Registered Dietitian/Nutritionist on the Eating Disorder Team”, https://www.edcatalogue.com/role-registered-dietitian-nutritionist-eating-disorder-team-2/ Accessed 26 April 2017[2]: Le Grange D., Eisler I. Family Interventions in adolescent anorexia nervosa. Child adolesc Psychiatric Clin A Am 2009;18”159-173
[3]: Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, “Role of the Registered Dietitian in the Treatment of Eating Disorders”, https://www.scandpg.org/local/resources/files/rd_treatment_deed.pdf Accessed 26 April 2017
The opinions and views of our guest contributors are shared to provide a broad perspective of eating disorders. These are not necessarily the views of Eating Disorder Hope, but an effort to offer discussion of various issues by different concerned individuals.
We at Eating Disorder Hope understand that eating disorders result from a combination of environmental and genetic factors. If you or a loved one are suffering from an eating disorder, please know that there is hope for you, and seek immediate professional help.
Published on May 6, 2017.
Reviewed By: Jacquelyn Ekern, MS, LPC on May 3, 2017.
Published on EatingDisorderHope.com
The EatingDisorderHope.com editorial team comprises experienced writers, editors, and medical reviewers specializing in eating disorders, treatment, and mental and behavioral health.
