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FAQ About Treatment

What is the first session like?

Your first session is a chance for us to get to know you better! Our team values rapport and trust. We genuinely feel like this is something that sets us apart from many other providers. We are fully invested in your care and providing you with the best treatment possible. The first session will be about 90 minutes. We will be asking you questions to better understand your current relationship with food, as well as how food was like for you growing up. We will discuss treatment goals you have for yourself, and talk a bit about the first steps we will take together in your healing journey.

Why do I need an eating disorder dietitian?

The dietitians at Courage to Nourish play a pivotal role in the recovery process. Helping our clients cultivate a healthier relationship with food is at the heart of what we do, and what we love! We explore our client’s emotions and lived experiences with food, body image, eating disorder origins, as well as your belief systems around food. We are well-versed in the medical complications of eating disorders and frequently work with medical doctors to monitor various health aspects such as vitals, labs, and growth charts to ensure the safety of our clients. We work closely with other members of your team, such as therapists, psychiatrists, and other specialists. Most importantly, the Courage to Nourish dietitians do not correlate our client’s body size with their health. Instead we practice from a weight-inclusive framework to protect our client’s mental and physical health.

How can you help me?

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.  We also value a sense of community, and know the importance of feeling understood and heard.  We offer a free community support group, as well as a family and loved ones group.  Click here for information about both of our groups!

How often do we need to see you? How long does recovery take?

Treating an eating disorder takes a long time! Most likely, we will start off meeting with your loved one weekly, at a minimum for 6 months, however everyone’s journey is different. It is crucial you get help for your teen right away. Keep in mind that recovery is not a linear process. There will be ups and downs along the way, which is why it is so important to have a specialized team.

Do you accept insurance?

Because we value confidentiality and building long term relationships with our clients, we are out-of-network with insurance companies. This allows us to provide nutrition counseling based on your individual needs and goals – not dictated by the insurance company. Read more here about financial FAQ’s at Courage to Nourish.

Do you offer virtual options?

Yes! We offer both virtual as well as in-person services.

What is intuitive eating?

Intuitive eating is a weight inclusive, evidence-based framework that revolves around trusting your body to know what it needs, and wants, aside from self-criticism, judgment, and diet culture. We use an intuitive eating approach because we value food peace and individual empowerment. Intuitive eating allows an individual to take ownership over their food intake and body – instead of following external food rules. We find with eating disorder recovery, intuitive eating provides a flexible framework for clients to improve their relationship with food, body and exercise.

It is important to note that if you are in eating disorder recovery, we recommend receiving guidance from a dietitian about when and how to introduce intuitive eating. Some principles can be readily incorporated throughout recovery, whereas other principles may only be appropriate during certain stages. The RDs at Courage to Nourish will work with you side by side to integrate various intuitive eating phases.

What is Health at Every Size?

Health At Every Size is a weight inclusive approach to health based on 5 principles: weight inclusivity, health enhancement, eating for well-being, respectful care, and life-enhancing movement. The HAES principles promote health equity, support ending weight discrimination, and improve access to quality healthcare regardless of size. Read more about what a HAES dietitian is as well as myths about HAES.

What approach do you take?

We believe every individual deserves compassionate and adequate care. Not only do we work through a weight inclusive framework, but we also promote anti–racism, gender inclusivity and aim to make our nutrition counseling a safe and non-judgmental space for ALL humans. If health is something you’d like to work toward, we focus on health promoting behaviors instead of changing body shape and size. We do not provide diet or weight loss services. We welcome and encourage conversations about how various identities our clients hold impact their relationship with food, body and movement. Our team is committed to learning, growing and taking action when it comes to advocating for our clients’ wellbeing.

Can you collaborate with other members of my treatment team?

Absolutely! This is a crucial part of the treatment process, and something we take very seriously. We often touch base with most members of your team on a weekly or biweekly basis, although the frequency changes depending on what your individual needs are.

Do you work with children?

Absolutely. Our team is specialized to work with individuals of all ages. Eating disorders affect people across their lifespan. We are here to help at whatever age you are reaching out for support at!

Do you take an FBT approach?

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. However, we understand that FBT might not be the best approach for everyone, and we’re happy to talk about this. Additionally, we can support parents with emotion coaching and behavior coaching.

What do we talk about in sessions?

Care at Courage to Nourish is very individualized, and therefore different for each client. However, our work together will include:

  • 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

How will you keep me accountable?

There are a variety of ways that we help our clients feel supported in between sessions. We do offer email and text support, as well as the use of Recovery Record, an evidence based, HIPAA compliant, eating disorder recovery app that allows you and your team to stay in touch between sessions, set goals together, and have accountability and support along the way.

Is there homework outside of sessions?

Typically, yes! We try to set realistic goals in between each session to help compliment the work we do together. Homework is by no means required, but many of our clients find goal setting, journal prompts and other activities throughout the week helpful to further expand on topics covered in sessions together with your RD.

Interested in finding out more?

Tell us more about how we can help you.

Let us know if you prefer to be seen at one of our locations or virtually!

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