As a therapist, doctor, or healthcare provider, you are likely working with clients facing complex mental, emotional, and physical challenges. If you’re working with people, you are going to run into eating disorders. Yet, when it comes to treating a client with an eating disorder, there’s often a critical piece of their treatment that requires a bit of extra care: nutrition. Bringing in a registered dietitian (RD) can make a substantial difference in outcomes.

After you’ve determined that a client with an eating disorder can benefit from additional nutritional guidance, referring them to a RD can be a seamless, even transformative, part of their care. Let’s explore a few situations where collaboration with a RD can benefit your clients.

When It’s Time to Bring in an RD

In the world of disordered eating, timing is everything, so bringing a dietitian on board early can make all the difference. Here are a few signs it’s time to refer:

1. Noticeable Physical Symptoms of Nutritional Deficiencies Physical signs, like excessive fatigue, brittle nails, hair thinning, or digestive issues, can be red flags pointing to malnutrition. An eating disorder can suddenly impact a client’s health in ways that need immediate intervention, and a RD is specifically trained to treat a client’s nutrition imbalance with a compassionate and individualized approach.
2. Fear or Anxiety Around Certain Foods Is your client avoiding specific food groups or showing intense anxiety about certain foods? This kind of fear can often fuel restrictive behaviors, making it harder to heal. A dietitian who specializes in eating disorders can gently help your client re-establish rejected foods and build trust in their body again.
3. Need for Weight Restoration or Stabilization Working with a dietitian will help ensure clients’ weight changes are encouraged in a way that supports their overall well-being. Whether weight restoration or stabilization is necessary, a RD can create a plan that considers their emotional and physical needs; we all know what a delicate balance that can be.  
4. Disordered Eating Patterns Bingeing, restricting, purging; whatever the disordered behavior, a RD can compassionately guide your client as they rebalance their eating patterns in an environment that feels controllable and safe. These professionals have the experience to help clients complete a customized rehabilitation plan while respecting any emotional challenges they might face.
5. Chronic Dieting or Body Image Struggles Even if your client isn’t experiencing an eating disorder that meets DSM-5 criteria, chronic dieting or body image issues can deeply affect their relationship with food and impede their recovery. A RD can work with your client to reject the ‘dieting’ mentality and learn about more natural ‘intuitive’ eating. Intuitive eating is about paying attention to your body’s physical hunger cues and eating with intention.   Intuitive eating can help your client build healthy eating habits and find peace with their body. 
   

The Magic of Collaborative Care

Eating disorders are multifaceted, and treatment works best when it’s done as a team. By collaborating with a registered dietitian, you provide your clients with comprehensive care that addresses not just the mental and emotional aspects of recovery, but the physical ones too.

• Increased Insight  When you team up with a RD, you’ll gain insights into your client’s eating behaviors, which can provide valuable information for your ongoing therapy or healthcare sessions. For example, if a client is struggling with certain foods, this could be linked to deeper emotional struggles that you can explore in your work together.
• A Lighter Load for You  Let’s face it, eating disorders are incredibly complex. By sharing the responsibility with a dietitian, you can focus more on mental and emotional healing, knowing that nutritional healing is in expert hands.
• Unified Care for Your Client  When your client sees their healthcare team working together, it reinforces the idea that every aspect of their health matters. It builds trust, and for someone struggling with an eating disorder, that trust can be the key to recovery.
  

Making the Referral Process Comfortable

Referring a client to a RD doesn’t have to feel intimidating. You can introduce the idea in a way that feels like a natural extension of the care you’re already providing. Here’s how to make the process feel warm and inviting:

• Normalize It  Let your client know that working with a dietitian is a standard part of eating disorder recovery. You can frame it as a way to ensure their body gets all the care it needs, just like you’re helping their mind and emotions heal.
• Focus on Benefits  Highlight how a RD can take some of the stress out of eating by providing personalized guidance, helping them navigate food fears, and supporting them through any physical challenges.
• Find the Right Fit  It’s important to refer to RD’s who specialize in eating disorders. These dietitians understand the unique challenges your clients face and will work with them compassionately and non-judgmentally.
  

Building Stronger Partnerships

If you haven’t already, I encourage you to connect with local dietitians who specialize in eating disorders. Building these relationships can create a smooth and supportive referral process, making it easier for you to offer your clients the comprehensive care they deserve. At the end of the day, referring to a registered dietitian isn’t just about addressing nutritional health, it’s about giving your clients the best possible chance for a full and lasting recovery. Together, we can ensure they feel supported every step of the way.

If you have any questions or would like more guidance on when or how to refer, please reach out to us here at Meant To Eat! Specialized eating disorder care in Nashville, TN, will now be more accessible than ever, as Meant To Eat is in the credentialing process with BCBS and Aetna. Subscribe to the blog and follow on Instagram for the latest updates.

This blog was authored by Meant To Eat Nutrition Counseling’s intern, Kim Pierson.