Our Approach to Accessible Eating Disorder Therapy in Texas

Written by Tiffany Lepa, NCC, LPC-Associate

Eating disorders can affect anyone. They don’t discriminate based on region or identity, yet accessible eating disorder therapy is not readily available everywhere. Finding a therapist who specializes in eating disorders can be difficult, even when you live in a big city like Austin. 

It proves even more difficult in small towns and rural areas where treatment isn’t as accessible, is limited, or is non-existent. There might also be a lack of awareness around the impact of eating disorders or stigma surrounding mental health issues within smaller communities leading to even more barriers to seeking appropriate treatment. At Autonomy Therapy, we are dedicated to providing eating disorder therapy to clients across the state of Texas which is made possible through online counseling.

What should I do if I can’t find an eating disorder therapist in my town?

Licensed mental health professionals in the state of Texas are able to see clients throughout the whole state, not just the city in which they reside. For this reason, if you’re struggling to find an eating disorder therapist, you can open up your search parameters to include all of Texas which increases your chances of finding a provider who specializes in eating disorders. Our team has served clients in a variety of cities in Texas including, but not limited to: Lubbock, San Marcos, Abilene, Temple, New Braunfels, Belton, Marble Falls, Lampasas, Bastrop, Liberty Hill, Leander, and Houston.

What are some of the benefits of seeing an eating disorder therapist virtually?

Though online counseling has its pros and cons, most importantly, it allows you the opportunity to find a therapist who you really connect with and who is trained to work with eating disorders. General training in the mental health professions often lacks education around eating disorder treatment. Misinformation and a lack of training around eating disorders can be detrimental to the success of therapy and can cause more harm than good. Treatment success relies heavily on the relationship between you and your therapist, so it is important to match with someone who you trust and who understands the complexity of eating disorder treatment. 

Virtual therapy has been shown to have similar outcomes to traditional in-person therapy. Common treatment modalities for eating disorders such as dialectical behavior therapy (DBT), cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT), and group therapy can be provided successfully virtually. Our skilled therapists are dedicated to providing the same quality of services regardless of whether they are delivered in-person or online.

What other things should I consider when seeking online eating disorder counseling?

Collaboration with other health providers is also key to eating disorder treatment. There are many dietitians who offer services online as well as free virtual support groups that will help you build a strong treatment team. Additionally, some treatment centers and higher levels of care offer virtual treatment. We monitor your goals and progress and can make appropriate referrals when needed to ensure you’re getting the care you need. Eating disorders thrive in isolation, so it is important to prioritize building a network of support in addition to virtual therapy, and we are happy to coordinate that care. 

Finding a competent provider is essential in recovery, and our Health at Every Size and anti-diet therapists are ready to help! Book a 15-minute consultation call with a member of our team now, or fill out a contact form to get in touch with us.