The Benefits of Virtual Treatment for Eating Disorders

At BeyondWell KC we have providers offering in-person as well as virtual care through easy-to-use HIPAA compliant platforms so we can meet our clients, literally and figuratively, where they are. There were clinicians were treating clients virtually for years before it became a lot more common in the mental health world during the COVID-19 pandemic, but many of us never even considered this as an ongoing option for providing treatment to those struggling with eating disorders. Although some are still hesitant and it’s certainly not for everyone or appropriate in every case, virtual treatment has been a game-changer for many clinicians and individuals struggling with eating disorders. Let’s review the benefits:

1. Accessibility – Though many providers will claim they do on their Psychology Today profiles, not just any therapist, dietitian, or healthcare practitioner can adequately treat eating disorders, illnesses whose treatment requires a great deal of training and expertise, yet for a long time, many individuals did not have access to specialized providers and settled for no care or sub-optimal care. With more and more options for virtual treatment in outpatient and in more acute settings, people living in areas without nearby access to care can now connect with expert clinicians and higher-level treatment with a few clicks of a button. More and more research is revealing that care via Telehealth platforms is as effective as in-person treatment. The limiting factor here is often insurance coverage for out-of-state providers and state-specific licensure laws, though the tides are shifting here. Many insurance companies are covering and many counseling and healthcare professions and beginning to allow more professionals to treat patients across state lines.

   
   

2. Flexibility & Convenience – Eating disorders are not a come-in-for-one-appointment kind of deal. Treatment consists of frequent, ongoing treatment often with multiple providers – usually a therapist or a psychologist, a dietitian, and a medical doctor but also often psychiatrists and additional specialized allied health practitioners – which can be difficult to manage for anyone, especially families with multiple children, with busy schedules. Care accessible via Telehealth platforms makes it easier for individuals to attend appointments without the burden of a commute and without the cost of more stops at the gas tank. Additionally, many providers only maintain availability between normal business hours. For some, scheduling appointments during work hours is more doable with the availability of virtual treatment. There is also value to having the option to shift from a session scheduled in person to a virtual session when life happens without having to miss an appointment or having to pay a late-cancellation fee (which most providers have). We have seen this come in handy when our clients' plans change last minute, when they are feeling under the weather, when their childcare falls through, or during inclement weather.

   
   

3. Privacy & Comfort – Due to pervasive stigma, seeking treatment for any mental illness can be an incredibly vulnerable experience for many. Telehealth appointments are a safer, less anxiety-provoking option for many who do not want to risk being seen by a friend or colleague in a waiting room, for individuals with poor mobility or disabilities, for those with co-occurring depression, OCD, or phobias who do not feel comfortable leaving their homes, or for those in larger bodies who struggle to be seen and perceived in general and who worry about access to fat-friendly accommodations. Many individuals who would never have sought out treatment before the advent of Telehealth platforms now feel more able to access they care they need.

   
   

4. Continuity of Care – Virtual platforms offer an opportunity for access to consistent, ongoing support from one’s trusted clinicians during travel and times of transition, which are often triggers for a rise in eating disorder behaviors. Gaps in monitoring and support and tend to interrupt progress. For someone relocating, the fear of having to establish care and build trust with a new therapist, dietitian, and eating disorder informed medical providers leads to avoidance and lengthy gaps in care.

   
   

5. Treatment Team Collaboration – Pro tip: When seeking a provider, hunt for those who pride themselves on collaboration with other members of the treatment team (like the BeyondWell KC team!). Eating disorder treatment is more effective with a multidisciplinary team approach, and virtual platforms make it easier for treatment providers to coordinate care.

   
   

6. Community – Like many mental illnesses, eating disorders, lead to and thrive in isolation. Access to Telehealth technology allows those struggling to connect not only with their treaters but also with other individuals who are struggling, offering a greater sense of community and belonging. For some, this piece of the puzzle is crucial for their healing.

   
   

Ask us about our in-person and virtual treatment options to see which is the best fit for you, and connect with one of our expert therapists and dietitians today!

Contact us!

Written by:

Jessica Thompson, MS, RD, LD, CEDS

Registered Dietitian

Certified Eating Disorders Specialist

Co-Founder and Co-Owner of BeyondWell KC