NEED AN EATING DISORDER SPECIALIST IN PLANO?
If you're looking for a Plano therapist to help you with your food issues or body image issues, it’s likely you’re feeling a bit lost. What kind of professional even treats eating disorders? You’ve probably turned to Google to find out, but it’s hard to choose from the hundreds of therapists out there. Many of them list eating disorders on their website, but how do you know they can actually help? Should you choose a “specialist?” Keep reading for guidance in choosing the right Plano eating disorder counselor to help with disordered eating and body image issues.
WHAT DOES SPECIALIST EVEN MEAN?
First, here’s a little background. Most therapists, including myself, have a similar start. We have an undergraduate degree and a graduate degree. We all have hands-on experience practicing our therapy skills with people, as required in our graduate program. Counselors and therapists hold a special license to practice therapy in our state. We are all educated about the psychological problems faced by the majority of folks. It’s what happens AFTER formal education that allows us to call ourselves an expert at something.
A specialist is one who has extensive training and experience with a specific population (such as people with anxiety disorders or eating disorders) or a specific therapeutic approach (such as EMDR therapy). Therapists may choose to specialize in a particular area to better address the needs of certain clients. They may also choose to specialize to become better at a specific type of therapy.
THE IMPORTANCE OF A THERAPIST WHO IS AN EATING DISORDER SPECIALIST
As explained here, “Because treatment of eating disorders is often minimally covered (if at all) during higher education or even at training facilities, clinicians often genuinely feel they are qualified to treat people with eating disorders. Information necessary to provide standard of care treatment is not widely known nor is it required to be taught in educational and training settings.”
So this means that when you’re needing eating disorder treatment, you could be choosing a therapist who doesn’t have much experience treating them, and that could have devastating consequences.
You don’t want to waste your time or money on something that won’t work. You want your Plano eating disorder specialist to have education and hands-on experience in dealing with YOUR specific concerns. This ensures you get the most effective and tailored support. This means the therapy you receive will actually work!
ENTER THE CERTIFIED EATING DISORDERS SPECIALIST (CEDS)
A Certified Eating Disorders Specialist (CEDS) is a therapist who has completed high-level training and passed an exam showing an understanding of the medical and psychological foundation of eating disorders. This certification is through the International Association of Eating Disorders Professionals . The CEDS has had 2500 supervised patient care hours in the field of eating disorders. The CEDS understands the medical, nutritional, and therapeutic needs of a person with an eating disorder. They commit to ongoing learning to keep up with the latest research through continuing education hours. Most importantly, in my opinion, the CEDS knows what works and does not for those with eating disorders. They educate their clients about the research and use this to collaborate with you on a plan for recovery.
WHY CHOOSE A CEDS THERAPIST FOR EATING DISORDER TREATMENT IN PLANO TEXAS
A CEDS understands that an eating disorder is at least half genetically based. With this knowledge, they can help dispel harmful myths and reduce shame about the reasons you struggle with food or body image. They can help to educate your family members and teach ways to best support you.
A CEDS knows that most healthcare professionals DO NOT understand eating disorders. The CEDS will help build a team of professionals who DO understand. This way you get the best care possible from everyone. This is the best scenario for ensuring a full recovery.
An eating disorder therapist who is also a CEDS understands that effective therapy must address these issues:
Improving negative body image
Managing perfectionism and anxiety symptoms
Educating about social stigma related to weight and living in a larger body
Educating about trauma as an underlying factor and teaching ways to manage it
If you or a loved one are curious about Certified Eating Disorders Professionals, please call me for more information. I can help. I have over 20 years of experience helping adults improve their mental health. I specialize in anxiety and eating disorders like binge eating, emotional eating and overeating, anorexia and bulimia. I offer in-person sessions at my Plano office and online therapy in Texas. Contact me for a free 15-minute phone consultation and take the first step toward recovery. If I can't help, I can connect you to another great therapist!
