Begin a transformative path to Eating disorder recovery and overall health and well-being. Our outpatient eating disorder treatment dietitians offer compassionate support to steer you towards lasting healing, empowering you to regain trust in food and body, and embrace life with a refreshed sense of well-being and vitality.
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.
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 dieitain 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.
The role of the dietitian and nutrition expert is crucial in addressing the nutrition and food aspect of the disorder, promoting positive body image, and enhancing overall health and well-being.
At Side By Side Nutrition, our licensed medical nutrition therapy practitioners offer individualized, one-on-one dietary guidance specifically designed for individuals dealing with eating disorders and disordered eating. Our practitioners are located in Colorado Springs and Fort Collins, Colorado, as well as Woodinville, Washington, and we serve clients virtually from across the state and beyond, offering both in-person and virtual nutrition and body image counseling.
Our approach is grounded in a holistic philosophy that prioritizes behaviors, and overall well-being, fostering a positive relationship with food and our bodies, and practicing self-compassion rather than fixating on numbers. This philosophy forms the foundation of values-aligned, intuitive, sustainable health and well-being. Our focus lies in assisting clients in cultivating a sustainable, empathetic, respectful, and trusting connection with food, body image, and self.
Eating disorders are psychological conditions that disrupt an individual's relationship with food, leading to significant changes in their normal eating habits. These changes can manifest as consuming significantly less food than usual, engaging in compulsive overeating, resorting to harmful compensatory behaviors, or developing intense preoccupations with body shape or weight. Importantly, eating disorders affect people regardless of various factors such as age, gender, socioeconomic status, job occupation, sexual orientation, ability, neurodiversity, body shape and size, race, or ethnicity—they can impact anyone. Achieving recovery often necessitates ongoing support from a full treatment team including a dietitian and therapist and, in many instances, medical intervention.
Each type of eating disorder can result in severe emotional and physical consequences. While genetic factors contribute to approximately 60% of the causes, the development of an eating disorder is not solely determined by genetics. If you suspect you may be experiencing symptoms of an eating disorder, taking the initial step to gather more information is crucial.
Common eating disorders include Anorexia Nervosa, Atypical Anorexia, Bulimia Nervosa, Binge Eating Disorder, Other Specified Feeding or Eating Disorder (OSFED), and Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder (ARFID).
Despite the challenges that may seem overwhelming at present, it is important to acknowledge that complete recovery is attainable. Our team of specialized professionals is uniquely positioned to collaborate with you and the treatment team to support you on your journey towards full recovery.
It is also very important to note that if you are not struggling with a diagnosable eating disorder, you still deserve support and care to fully heal your relationship with food and body image to lead the life that you deserve.
Eating disorders do not discriminate, and anyone, regardless of age, gender, socioeconomic status, sexual orientation, ability, neurodiversity, body shape and size, race, or ethnicity, can be at risk. The widespread occurrence of eating disorders across various demographics underscores their potential impact on individuals from all backgrounds. It's vital to understand that susceptibility to eating disorders is not confined to any particular group, underscoring the need for broad awareness, education, and support for all.
We believe people are meant to discover true nourishment through a self-compassionate, self-accepting, and holistic lens. In our practice, our clients are empowered to become their own nutrition experts. Our role is to gently lead them towards body trust and acceptance, and ultimately, open up their lives to more.
We want to work with you.
The Side by Side Nutrition team has a team of 12+ outpatient registered dietitians. We provide online nutrition counseling to patients in Colorado and around the country. We offer one-on-one and family nutrition counseling for patients either online or in person, with offices located in Colorado Springs and Fort Collins. We specialize in eating disorder recovery and body image healing.
RD - Registered Dietitian
RDN - Registered Dietitian Nutritionist
MS - Masters of Science
Strive to create a safe and nurturing space for individuals on their journey to wellness.
Understand the profound impact that eating disorders can have on one's life.
Are committed to fostering a supportive community where every client feels seen, heard, and understood.
Work from an intuitive eating, HAES (Health at Every Size) Informed Approach.
Believe everyone has the right to high-quality care – accessibility and inclusivity are at the core of our values.
Stand firm in our belief in the possibility of full recovery.
Continually invest in our education to stay at the forefront of the field.
Are committed to ongoing learning.
Channel all our resources into becoming the best eating disorder nutritionist counselors.
Are dedicated to guiding our clients toward a life of lasting health and empowerment.
Our devoted team of nutrition experts specializing in eating disorders is dedicated to guiding clients toward a journey of healing that transcends fear and shame. By addressing concerns around food and dismantling negative body image perceptions and behaviors, we empower clients to reclaim ownership of their relationships with food and body and to shift their outlook, beliefs, and behaviors towards love, respect, and acceptance. This transformation paves the way for sustainable recovery and lasting wellbeing. Together, we strive to eradicate feelings of shame related to food and body image, identify triggers that fuel self-doubt, and nurture a trusting relationship with both food and body, creating space for our authentic selves and true values to emerge and thrive.
Recognizing that each individual holds the key to their own healing journey, our diverse team of medical nutrition specialists facilitates a process of self-exploration and empowerment. Recovery from an eating disorder and disorder eating extends beyond overcoming the eating disorder; it involves cultivating a rich and empowered life through healing around food and body image.
Our holistic approach begins with an in-depth initial evaluation, delving into your individual needs by exploring your history with food, body image, and overall health. With your consent, we engage in a collaborative process to grasp your objectives and hopes for our collaboration and your journey toward full recovery.
Our approach is centered on breaking free from the constant thoughts and behaviors associated with the eating disorder that keep individuals stuck in a cycle of distress. Together, we embark on a transformative journey to build trust in the body's natural cues and become intuitive and trusting eaters, allowing for a renewed sense of freedom and openness in life.
Our focus goes beyond merely managing symptoms; we aim to facilitate a profound transformation in how body image is perceived, fostering self-acceptance and a genuine appreciation for one's unique self. By breaking down the mental and emotional barriers imposed by the eating disorder, we empower our clients to embrace a life free from never-ending negative food and body image thoughts, nurturing a newfound sense of joy, purpose, and opportunity. Follow-up sessions are central to our collaborative efforts. We thoroughly explore your connection with food and body, addressing obstacles and co-creating personalized strategies. We delve into body image examination, dismantling external pressures of food and body negativity, and establishing supportive frameworks as necessary. Our objective is to assist you in broadening the spectrum and adaptability of your eating habits, learning to nuture and tend to your body's signals of hunger and satisfaction, and cultivating a joyful relationship with both food and body.
Throughout your journey, we offer unwavering support, navigating the inevitable ups and downs. We celebrate your progress and stand by you as you cross the finish line. Our mission is not only eating disorder recovery but also the cultivation of a life that is rich, meaningful, and fully aligned with your values. We believe in the importance of this journey and the therapeutic relationship, and our dedicated dietitians are here to guide you every step of the way.
TESTIMONIALS
Our team of Expert Dietitian Nutritionists Have Been Featured In:
We are committed to ensuring that our clients have access to healthcare, and we make every effort to facilitate this. We accept insurance plans such as BlueCross Blue Shield (Anthem/Regence), United HealthCare (Optum), Aetna, and Cigna.
An outpatient team consists of a dietitian, therapist, and primary care physician at minimum. Sessions are highly individualized and change from week to week depending on the needs, goals, behaviors, and journey of each client. Our dietitians are constantly assessing the needs, progress, safety, and next steps with their client’s short and long term goals in mind.
An outpatient team works collaboratively to ensure clients get the best care for their recovery while staying in their day to day life. Clients in eating disorder recovery being treated on the outpatient level will typically visit with their dietitians 1-2x/week, therapist 1-2x/week, PCP monthly, and psychiatrist as needed.
Absolutely! We are passionate about making care accessible for you and offer telehealth services and online nutrition therapy when appropriate. We will meet via a HIPAA-compliant video conference platform and communicate between sessions using email.
We provide nutrition counseling to clients from all around the county.
Side By Side Nutrition session rates for private pay clients are:
$225 for the initial session and $170 for follow up sessions.
Insurance rates may vary from private pay rates depending on the insurance provider and your individual plan. We accept credit cards, debit cards, HSA, and FSA cards.
We offer sliding scale spots open for those who qualify and are experiencing financial hardship.
Dietitians at Side By Side Nutrition work with teens and adolescents ages around 9+ and up. With treating adolescents for an eating disorder, we typically use a modified family based treatment approach which involves treating the entire family. You can learn more about Family Based Treatment for eating disorders here.
In summary, all Registered Dietitians (RD or RDN) are qualified nutritionists, but not all nutritionists hold the Registered Dietitian Nutritionist credential. The term "nutritionist" is not regulated, allowing anyone to use it, which complicates distinguishing individuals with comprehensive nutrition education (e.g., CN or CNS) from those with minimal training such as weekend courses or self-study.
The Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RD or RDN) designation is nationally recognized and provides certain assurances. It indicates that the individual has met specific criteria, including obtaining at least a bachelor's degree in nutrition science, completing a supervised practice program of over 1200 hours, passing a national registration exam, and fulfilling extensive continuing education requirements for license renewal. Our dietitian nutritionists are also licensed in states where licensure is mandatory.
Other practitioners who may identify as nutritionists, such as health coaches, holistic nutritionists, nutrition therapy practitioners, and personal trainers with "nutrition certifications," may lack formal nutrition training. Consequently, their services are ineligible for insurance reimbursement nationwide because they are not recognized as nutrition experts.
Recent “graduate” from Side by Side Nutrition. I started working with SBSN to figure out how food worked after having an eating disorder for years. And I’m so happy I got so much more than that! SBSN introduced me to Self-Compassion and met me with an approach that never included shaming me. I looked forward to our sessions every week, even if I hadn’t done any of my work, because I knew she’d be understanding and work with me to figure out what I needed to make it happen. And none of that compassion and presence was lost when we had to switch to telehealth. When I started, I didn’t think healing from an eating disorder was possible. And I never in my wildest dreams imagined that I’d come out of it with an unshakable love for my body (certainly not a plus size body with chronic illness)! I’m so glad circumstances sent me here because I know I wouldn’t have gotten to this place with my previous dietician! I am STRONG, I am CONFIDENT, and I am in LOVE with myself! Thank you so much for helping me on my journey here! It wasn’t easy, but it was so worth it!
— Michaela Myers