In-Person & Virtual Eating Disorder Treatment for Adults

Frequently Asked Questions 

Is virtual eating disorder nutrition counseling effective for eating disorder treatment?

Yes, in many cases. Virtual eating disorder nutrition counseling can be just as effective as in-person care for many people who are in treatment for an eating disorder, although not for every one. The pros of virtual nutrition counseling is that it can be easier to stay consistent with sessions, choose the best dietitian for your needs, and integrate support into your daily life when you don’t have to worry about traveling to and from appointments. Many clients choose virtual sessions even if they’re local to Raleigh because of busy work and home schedules, while others connect with us from across North Carolina and beyond. We use secure, HIPAA-compliant platforms to make sure your care is both effective and private. If you try virtual appointments and don’t like them, there’s always the option to come into our Downtown Raleigh office and work with your dietitian in person.

What’s the difference between an eating disorder dietitian and a therapist?

This is a question we hear all the time from prospective clients, and it’s a good one. A therapist focuses on the emotional, psychological, and behavioral aspects of an eating disorder, while an eating disorder dietitian helps you rebuild consistent eating patterns, challenge food rules, and meet your body’s nutritional needs. That said, there’s a whole lot of overlap between those two things, because food is emotional. It’s not uncommon to talk about certain things with both your eating disorder therapist and your dietitian. To make sure everyone is on the same page, we coordinate with each client’s therapist as needed.

Can a dietitian diagnose an eating disorder?

As dietitians, we can screen for and identify eating disorder behaviors, but we can’t legally diagnose an eating disorder (or any other medical or mental health conditions). A formal diagnosis must be made by a medical provider (a physician, nurse practitioner, or physician’s assistant) or a licensed therapist. That said, you don’t need a diagnosis to start working with an eating disorder dietitian. If you’re in Raleigh, NC or anywhere we serve virtually, we can begin supporting you right away based on your current needs and experiences. If your insurance plan requires a diagnosis for coverage, we’re happy to speak with your therapist and medical provider to share our assessment and recommend a certain diagnosis (although we can’t guarantee that they’ll diagnose you).

Do you work with kids and teenagers who have eating disorders?

Yup! We have dietitians on our team that work with kids and teenagers of all ages and specialize in eating disorders. You can learn more about what adolescent eating disorder treatment looks like here. 

Do I need a referral to see an eating disorder dietitian?

In North Carolina, you don’t need a referral to see a dietitian. You can schedule directly with an eating disorder dietitian without a referral. Somtimes, your insurance plan might require that you have a certain diagnosis in order to receive coverage for nutrition counseling. If that’s the case, getting a referral from your doctor is helpful, and your dietitian can walk you through how to do that.

How do I find an eating disorder dietitian in Raleigh, NC?

Start by looking for a registered dietitian who specializes in eating disorders, not just general nutrition. Eating disorder care requires a specific skill set, including experience with patterns like restriction, binge eating, and purging, as well as a non-diet, weight-neutral approach.

If you’re in Raleigh, NC, you can look for a local practice that offers both in-person and virtual options, so you can choose what feels most accessible. It’s also worth checking whether they accept your insurance, have experience with your specific concerns, and collaborate with therapists or other providers when needed.

At Ruby Oak Nutrition, our team of eating disorder dietitians provides both in-person care in Raleigh and virtual sessions across North Carolina. If you’re not sure where to start, we can help match you with a dietitian who fits your needs.

Will my insurance cover nutrition counseling for an eating disorder?

In many cases, yes. Even if your plan doesn’t cover nutrition counseling as a preventive care benefit (which most do), you likely have coverage for eating disorder nutrition counseling. We’re in-network with several major insurance plans, and many of our clients are able to access nutrition counseling at little to no cost. Head to our Insurance & FAQs page to see the insurance providers we’re currently in-network with, as well as general coverage guidelines for each insurance provider.