Eating disorders are complicated and hard to live with, but sometimes it can feel like finding the right support is even harder. So many people I’ve worked with have told me that they spent years thinking about reaching out to an eating disorder therapist or dietitian for help. They’d fire up a Google search every few months, then feel so overwhelmed by the pages of results that they just gave up.

At Ruby Oak Nutrition, one of our goals is to make it easier to start eating disorder treatment.

We’re a group of North Carolina eating disorder dietitians able to work with patients virtually or in-person at our Raleigh and Durham offices. We use an online scheduling platform that makes it easy to book an initial appointment, and we have a full-time administrative team to help clients with billing, rescheduling, and referrals.

Because we’re a small, local group practice, we have strong relationships with hundreds of other eating disorder specialists in North Carolina, too. That means we can help you find the right therapist and other medical specialists if needed, no extra Googling required.

Finding the right treatment team for your recovery can be tough at first. Let’s explore the unique challenges of finding the perfect ally in your recovery journey and shed light on what to look for in an eating disorder dietitian in North Carolina.

Why is it helpful to find a local North Carolina eating disorder dietitian?

Simply put: Working with providers who live in the same state as you can improve the quality of your eating disorder treatment. Our North Carolina dietitians have spent years building relationships with other North Carolina eating disorder therapists, doctors, and treatment centers, which means that once we get to know you, we can make very tailored recommendations for specific providers that we think you’ll click with.

We’ve also found that working with a dietitian who lives in your state can be helpful when talking about meal planning, grocery shopping, eating out, and navigating exercise (if that’s appropriate for your recovery). Our North Carolina dietitians know what’s available at local grocery stores like Food Lion, Harris Teeter, and Lowe’s Foods. We know the restaurant scene in Raleigh and Durham and we can make specific recommendations based on your needs. We also have relationships with certain fitness studios, like Current Wellness, that cater to folks in eating disorder recovery who don’t always feel comfortable in traditional fitness spaces.

Why is it important to work with a dietitian who specializes in eating disorders?

Think about it like this: If you were having digestive issues and wanted to see a doctor, would you book an appointment with a knee surgeon? No, because even though all doctors have a medical degree and medical license, each one has a unique specialization that they’ve been trained in.

Similarly, you shouldn’t go to just any dietitian for eating disorder treatment. Because eating disorders are so physically and mentally complex, not all dietitians are able to treat them properly. Our dietitians get eating disorder-specific training and shadowing experience before they start working with their own clients, and many come to us with years of eating disorder experience already under their belt.

Can you use your health insurance to work with a North Carolina eating disorder dietitian?

Because eating disorder treatment is intensive, it can get expensive pretty quickly. First, find out if your health insurance covers visits with a therapist and dietitian — many plans in North Carolina do.

Next, find a dietitian who’s in-network with your health insurance company. At Ruby Oak Nutrition, we’re in-network with Blue Cross Blue Shield, Aetna, Cigna, Medcost, and the State Employee Health Plan. Most often, we’re able to see our clients at no cost to them. If you’re in recovery, this is a huge financial weight off your shoulders!

How do you find the right eating disorder dietitian in North Carolina?

Choosing the right eating disorder dietitian can feel like a big decision, but you shouldn’t put too much pressure on yourself to find the “perfect” fit. First of all, no provider is perfect. Second, it’s OK to work with one dietitian for a while, then decide to move on to someone else if you don’t quite click or if you feel like they’ve taken you as far as they can in your recovery. At Ruby Oak, we’re honest with our clients about whether or not we think we’re a good fit for them, and we’re never offended if a client decides they’d rather work with someone else.

When you’re looking for a North Carolina eating disorder dietitian, first think about whether you want to do in-person or virtual appointments. If you prefer in-person visits, I recommend looking for a dietitian with an office within 30 minutes of your home or your office. Since you’ll probably be meeting weekly, you want to minimize commute time. If you prefer telehealth appointments, you can expand your search a bit. Keep in mind, though, that the dietitian you choose will probably have connections with other providers near them.

Recovery from an eating disorder is a unique and personal journey, and finding the right support in North Carolina is a crucial step. Whether you’re in a city or a smaller community, a specialized eating disorder dietitian can be your beacon of hope. By navigating local resources, considering success stories, and making an informed choice, you can embark on a transformative path towards healing. If you’re ready to take that step, trust that the right eating disorder dietitian in North Carolina is here to empower your recovery journey.

We’re a group of anti-diet dietitians who specialize in eating disorders, disordered eating, perinatal nutrition, intuitive eating, and general health concerns. We pride ourselves in our collaborative, compassionate approach to nutrition counseling. Our clients feel heard and validated by our work together, and they get the support they need to make lasting changes to their habits and their relationship with food. Go here to learn more about nutrition counseling for kids, teenagers, and adults, in-network with most major insurance companies and offered virtually to clients in North Carolina and over a dozen other states.

Ready to book an appointment? Click here to book online.

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You might also like:

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What is Family-Based Treatment for Eating Disorders?

What Is Anorexia Nervosa? How Can a Dietitian Help?

What Is Disordered Eating? How Do I Know if I Have It?

What Is Binge Eating Disorder? A Guide to Binge Eating Recovery.