Do you have a client that you would like to refer? Fill out our HIPAA-compliant, secure form below.
If you would rather download our referral form as a PDF that can be faxed to us, please click here.
At Side by Side Nutrition, we prioritize a strong, collaborative care team approach to treatment. After referring a client, one of our clinicians will reach out to initiate the collaboration of care, as we believe the most effective and supportive care is done through a full, holistic team of providers.
Curious about the services we provide or if we are a good fit?
Check out our FAQ below!
Frequently Asked Questions by Referring Providers:
What is outpatient eating disorder treatment?
Outpatient eating disorder treatment encompasses therapeutic interventions and support offered to individuals dealing with eating disorders without the need for residential or inpatient care. These services support and empower individuals to undergo treatment and getting the support they need while still being able to stay at home and carry out their regular daily routines and lives while also being able to integrate recovery into real life. Though the specific elements of outpatient eating disorder treatment may differ, they typically include:
Nutritional Counseling
Individual Counseling or Psychotherapy
Group Support
Medical Monitoring
Psychiatric Evaluation and Medication Management
Education and Support
Relapse Prevention Planning
Outpatient eating disorder treatment is often considered when individuals do not require round-the-clock medical supervision. It offers a more adaptable and personalized approach to recovery while delivering crucial nutritional and therapeutic assistance. The duration and intensity of outpatient treatment can vary depending on the individual's needs and progress in recovery. In certain cases, outpatient programs may be part of a stepped-care approach, allowing for potential transitions to more intensive levels of care if required.
What does outpatient eating disorder treatment with a registered dietitian look like?
Outpatient eating disorder treatment with a registered dietitian focuses on providing specialized nutritional counseling and support to address the intricate relationship between individuals and their relationship with food, nutrition, and body image, as well as the physical and emotional aspects of the eating disorder. The registered dietitian (RD) plays a vital role in helping clients establish a healthy, balanced, trusting, and respectful approach to eating while collaborating with other members of the treatment team as well, such as therapists and medical professionals. Here's an overview of what outpatient eating disorder treatment with a registered dietitian may involve:
Initial Assessment/Evaluation: The process begins with an initial evaluation, during which the dietitian will assess and gather information about the individual's eating patterns, food preferences, behaviors, background and history with food and body image, medical history, and any specific challenges or concerns related to their disorder as well as goals they may have in their eating disorder recovery.
Individualized Meal Planning: Based on the assessment, the RD may develop an individualized meal plan with the individual tailored to the individual's nutritional needs, preferences, and goals for their recovery. The meal plan aims to provide structure, support, and to restore and/or maintain a healthy weight for that individual while addressing nutritional deficiencies.
Education and Nutrition Counseling: The RD provides education in many different areas including nutrition, weight size, recovery, and more. The dietitian may provide education aimed at helping the individual understand the role of different nutrients, the impact of the eating disorder on their body, the importance of nourishing themselves appropriately, and how body image impacts one’s relationship with food and eating disorder recovery. Nutrition counseling sessions may focus on challenging and changing disordered eating behaviors.
Meal Support and Exposure Therapy: Some outpatient programs and providers offer meal support sessions where individuals can eat supervised meals in a supportive environment with their dietitian. In addition, dietitians offer exposure therapy to various foods and textures and this may be incorporated in and outside of sessions to help individuals confront and overcome food-related fears or aversions.
Progress Monitoring and Adjustments: The RD monitors the individual's progress, behaviors, motivation, and education and adjusts the meal plan, goals, and plan accordingly. Regular check-ins and assessments ensure that the interventions align with the individual's evolving needs, desires, ability, and objectives throughout the recovery journey.
Behavioral Interventions: The RD collaborates with other members of the treatment team to address behavioral aspects of the eating disorder. This may involve working with therapists to integrate the nutrition, body image, and recovery goals made with the dietitian into the overall treatment plan, focusing on behavioral changes, coping mechanisms, and developing a healthier relationship with food.
Management of Co-occurring Conditions: If there are other medical conditions or mental health issues present, the dietitian will provide dietary support in coordination with other healthcare professionals. This may involve managing complications related to the disorder, such as digestive problems or nutritional deficiencies.
Relapse Prevention and Future Planning: The RD assists the individual in developing a plan to prevent relapse, working with the client to build and maintain a healthy relationship with food and body image in the long term. This may involve identifying triggers, getting to the roots, working through body image, building full body trust, teaching intuitive eating, managing stressors, and adopting sustainable and respectful practices.
Body Image Work: Registered Dietitians play a crucial role in promoting a positive body image by addressing distorted perceptions of body size and shape, diving into body image education, and helping the client to build body trust, acceptance, and compassion. They help individuals challenge negative thoughts and attitudes toward their bodies, help in fostering self-acceptance and understanding that worth is not determined by body weight, and help the client to create a new relationship with body image.
Medical Monitoring: Dietitians actively participate in medical monitoring, collaborating with medical professionals to assess and monitor the individual's physical health. This includes tracking weight changes, addressing any nutritional deficiencies, and managing medical complications related to the eating disorder.
Do you take insurance?
Yes! All of our clinicians are currently in network with Aetna, Cigna, and United Healthcare insurance. We also have a limited number of Blue Cross Blue Shield spots available. Every insurance plan is different, so we encourage clients to call in advance to determine what there specific nutrition therapy coverage will be.
Do you see clients in person or virtually?
We are able to see clients in person in Colorado at our Fort Collins and Colorado Springs offices as well as our Woodinville, WA location. We are also able to see clients virtually in the following states: CO, VA, NY, MA, TX, MI, AZ, CA, FL, KY, NC, IL, UT, WA, WY, GA, OK, AK, DC
Why refer to a dietitian?
Seeing support from a dietitian is extremely beneficial for many different reasons:
Eating Disorders and Disordered Eating: Especially in cases of eating disorders and disordered eating, a specialized dietitian plays a crucial role on the treatment team and in recovery through nutritional therapy, behavior support, and body image healing.
Medical Conditions: For conditions including diabetes, heart issues, gastrointestinal problems, or food sensitivities, a dietitian provides tailored, evidence-based advice and guidance to help you reach a place to feel confident in your food choices.
Sports Nutrition: Athletes aiming for optimal performance, recovery, and a healthy relationship with food and exercise can gain valuable insights and support from a sports dietitian on nutrition for training, competitions, recovery, and an overall healthy and balanced relationship with food and body image in sport.
Digestive Problems: If you're dealing with issues like IBS or celiac disease, a dietitian can help identify trigger foods, help create individualized eating plans, reduce symptoms, and help you gain more trust in food and your body.
Pregnancy and Postpartum: Nutritional guidance from a registered dietitian during pregnancy and postpartum helps in maintaining a healthy and adequate diet, in meeting specific nutritional needs, and in creating and maintaining a healthy relationship with food and body image.
Chronic Diseases: Individuals with conditions like high blood pressure or kidney disease benefit from a dietitian's expertise in managing these conditions through dietary and lifestyle adjustments.
General Nutrition Education: Whether you aim to enhance overall diet quality, learn about balanced nutrition, or adopt a healthier lifestyle, a dietitian offers valuable education and practical advice to help you to create an empowered relationship with food and nutrition.
Vegetarian or Vegan Diets: Whether you're already following or considering a vegetarian or vegan diet, a dietitian ensures you meet your nutritional requirements without any deficiencies.
Allergies and Intolerances: For those with food allergies or intolerances, a dietitian assists in creating a safe and balanced diet that accommodates dietary restrictions.
Ditching Diets and Becoming an Intuitive Eater: If you are on the chronic dieting hamster wheel, working with a dietitian can help you ditch restrictive diets once and for all and become an intuitive and empowered eater.
Healing Body Image: Dietitians can help to support a better relationship with body image, help to heal body image distress, and to have a more confident relationship with your body.
What is your treatment philosophy?
At Side By Side Nutrition, we believe in a weight-inclusive, holistic approach that focuses on behaviors, not weight or numbers, as the key to lasting health. We’re here to help clients discover their value & worth beyond food, body, and the scale, so they can find health and wellness from a place of intuition versus external validation. We offer one-on-one in-person and virtual nutrition counseling as well as facilitate virtual support groups, provide meal support, and offer family-based therapy with the singular goal of helping our clients experience lasting healing and recovery.