Dietitians and Nutritionists for Children
Children face their own set of challenges around nutrition. Unfortunately, children are impacted by the devastating grips of an eating disorder.
Treating a child with an eating disorder requires specialized care. Children face their own challenges during the recovery process that often differ from older adolescents, and adults. Ensuring your child is getting proper nutrition to continue their natural growth trajectory and protect bone health and growth, is key. The team at Courage to Nourish understands the nuances of eating disorders and children. Early intervention is key, and full recovery for your child is possible!
How Do We Help Children?
At Courage to Nourish, our dietitians work one on one with our clients and their treatment team. We value trusting and compassionate relationships between our dietitians and clients. We value safety and a non-judgmental space so our clients are able to process their relationship with food and body in a way that is met with understanding and empathy. Not only do we work with you and your child, but we also collaborate with various members of the treatment team. We also provide text and email support and keep our caseloads small. This can assure you are getting the highest quality of care.
Finding the right support for your child with an eating disorder can be overwhelming to say the least. The good news is, you don’t have to do it alone! The team at Courage to Nourish understands the challenges children face in recovery from an eating disorder. Our individual sessions will include but are not limited to, challenging food rules and busting nutrition myths, learning how to navigate the dining hall and dining out with friends, and how to prioritize your recovery and nutrition needs even when peers and friends are struggling to do the same.
Depending on the age, and specific needs of your child, we can work through a Family Based Treatment (FBT) approach. FBT is one of the most successful treatment modalities for eating disorders in children and all our dietitians are highly informed on FBT. Additionally, we can support parents with emotion coaching and behavior coaching.
Nutrition Services We Offer for Children
One on One Nutrition Counseling Sessions
Consistent, specialized care is paramount when treating an eating disorder. Courage to Nourish provides individualized care specific to each person. We will explore your child’s relationship with food, provide accurate, gentle nutrition education, evaluate growth charts as needed, and provide personalized meal planning guidance.
Virtual Support Group
for Family and Loved Ones
Supporting your child in their recovery can often leave you feeling exhausted and hopeless. We offer a monthly free support group to allow family and loved ones to discuss the ups and downs of being in a supportive, caregiving role, learning how to take care of yourself along the way, and find comfort that you are not alone.
FAQs About Our Services
How do I know if my child needs support?
Below are some signs that your child may be struggling with an eating disorder and would benefit from nutrition counseling sessions:
- Are they exhibiting rigidity in their routines, especially around food?
- Have you noticed drastic changes in how they are eating, what and when they are willing to eat?
- Do they feel their self-worth and self-esteem is dependent on body size, eating/not eating certain foods, or how much physical activity they do in a day?
- Are they socially withdrawing, showing decreased interest in activities, irritable or having mood swings out of the ordinary?
- Is your college student reporting concern around their weight, shape or size?
- Use your gut as a parent! If you believe something is amiss, we’d be happy to set up a call to discuss how we can support you and your child.
How long will it take for my child to recover from their eating disorder?
What are typical individual sessions with the dietitian like for my child?
- Eliminating shame and guilt surrounding eating
- Spending less time thinking about food and body image
- Managing nutrition concerns through a weight-inclusive approach
- Re-learning intuitive eating
- Discovering a more body positive body image through body trust and appreciation
We Offer In-Person and Online Services
for Children at These Locations
About Courage to Nourish
Courage to Nourish is a group of eating disorder specialized dietitians. We have in person locations in Alexandria, Virginia, Columbia, Maryland, and College Park, Maryland. We offer virtual services across the state of Maryland. Virginia, Washington DC, Pennsylvania, and Colorado. We offer individual nutrition therapy. As well as support groups. We would love to guide you in building a better relationship with food.
Interested in finding out more?
Tell us more about how we can help you.
