Binge Eating Recovery: How to Break Free With Online Support

Binge eating can feel overwhelming and isolating, but you’re not alone in this experience. Binge eating is the most common eating disorder in the United States. It’s also extremely stigmatized, thanks to cultural weight biases which deter many from seeking treatment.

What’s more, more than 45 percent of people who suffer from clinical binge eating still meet the criteria for this illness five years after their initial diagnosis. While healing may feel impossible right now, we’re here to tell you it is not—you can let go of binge eating as a way to coping and reconnect with a joyful and easeful life.

Thanks to technology, it’s easier than ever to access the support you need to heal without even leaving your home. If you’re considering online eating disorder therapy or treatment for binge eating, here’s a guide to help you get started.

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There Are Many Treatment Options for Binge Eating Recovery

When you think about eating disorder treatment, hospitalization at a residential facility might come to mind. However, while some people do require this level of treatment, not everyone needs—or benefits from—an intensive program with 24/7 care.

In fact, inpatient treatment isn’t always set up to accommodate those who suffer from binge eating. The JMIR Research Protocols Journal found that only 14 percent of clinical studies on inpatient treatment outcomes include binge-eating patients. While some report a decrease in compulsive binge eating after five weeks of residential care, most of these facilities don’t offer programs to meet the specific needs or treat the unique medical concerns of binge eating patients.

So, is there an alternative? Yes, and we’ll explore the many different options below.

To be clear: There’s no shame in requiring inpatient treatment, but those who are medically stable can also benefit from a less intensive and more easily accessible therapeutic care. You might be surprised to learn that numerous treatment programs, resources, and support groups are available online.

Healing is a personal journey, but you don’t have to embark on it alone—and you can do it from the comfort of your own home.

Online Binge Eating Healing

A recent study in the Journal of Eating Disorders shows that binge eating patients who stick with multidisciplinary online treatment programs tend to report a decrease in both the severity and frequency of their behaviors.

Many also exhibit healthier emotional regulation and less chronic anxiety or depression. In other words, online binge eating treatment can be quite effective, and there are several platforms to choose from. Let’s break them down.

Support Groups and Communities

An online support group is a safe, non-judgmental community where you can connect with others who face similar challenges and want to pursue healing.

A trained professional usually moderates the conversation to ensure a respectful environment, and many support groups have online forums, so members can also communicate outside of meetings. Finally, in most cases these groups are held weekly and you can join weekly or just as needed, like after a binge episode.

Here are a few groups to check out:

Virtual Therapy

A virtual treatment platform offers access to licensed therapists or dietitians who will customize a treatment plan for you with evidence-based strategies (i.e. Enhanced Cognitive Behavioral Therapy).

You’ll schedule sessions through an online portal, then meet over the phone or video chat. Some platforms also feature more comprehensive treatment programs such as virtual partial hospitalization, where you can receive structured, multidisciplinary care from a team of professional clinicians in your own home.

Here are some resources, directories, and organizations to find the best online therapy option for you:

Kindful Body (for California residents)
Fay Nutrition
Within Health
Eating Recovery Center
Walden Rainbow Road (for LGBTQIA+ folks)
NEDA Treatment Finder
ANAD Treatment Directory
National Alliance for Eating Disorders
EDReferral Treatment Directory
TWLOHA Help Finder
Leading Eating Disorder Awareness Project (for AAPI folks)
Therapy for Black Girls (for Black women and femmes)

Smartphone Recovery Apps

Smartphone recovery apps make it simple to monitor your eating habits, log symptoms, track a specific eating pattern, and review recovery progress on a mobile device. Many platforms also offer integrated functions such as food journaling, mindful eating and general mindfulness practices, behavioral therapy techniques, coping mechanism outlets, and communication tools to keep in touch with your treatment team.

If you need to access support anywhere at a moment’s notice, these apps might be what you’re looking for:

Podcasts by Therapists, Dietitians and Experts

Good eating disorder and disordered eating recovery podcasts feature expert advice, personal healing stories, and actionable strategies from licensed mental health clinicians who specialize in treating this condition. Their insights can help you unpack the mental, emotional, and even societal factors that contribute to binge eating, so you can respond with self-compassion and learn how to manage your behaviors.

The following podcasts focus on nurturing body acceptance and a healthier relationship with food overall. If you’re a fan of podcasts, here are some with credible hosts and guests, covering topics that are relevant to you:

How to Find Online Binge Eating Support and What to Look For

Binge eating disorder recovery, as with any eating disorder recovery, is not a one-size-fits all process. Before you commit to a particular course of action, evaluate your own unique needs or priorities and what you hope to gain from treatment.

As you sort through all the available resources, the following considerations will help you make an informed decision.

Search for Credible Organizations

Ensure the resource is created by (or at least affiliated with) licensed professionals in the field such as therapists, dietitians, psychiatrists, or medical experts. Look for platforms backed by a reputable, established mental health organization. You can also check out the National Eating Disorders Association’s list of partner resources.

Focus on Evidence-Based Therapies

Choose resources that emphasize reliable, science-backed recovery methods like Enhanced Cognitive Behavior Therapy (CBT-E), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing Therapy (EMDR) and or Internal Family Systems (IFS).

Don’t forget to check with the person or organizations connection with binge eating specifically, which requires a unique approach specific to the characteristics of that particular disorder.

Confirm Privacy and Confidentiality

Before you commit to an online treatment program, join a support group, or access any other virtual resources, confirm the platform offers robust, secure data protection. This will ensure your personal information remains safe and confidential. Here are a few red flags to make note of as you check their privacy policy, compliance with laws like HIPAA and more:

No or vague privacy policy.
Unclear or overly broad data-sharing practices.
Lack of encryption or security assurances.
Mixed or negative reviews regarding data protection.

Ensure It’s Financially Accessible for You

Confirm if the resource is within your budget. Many online therapies are out of network with insurance providers, but provide you with a superbill to help you get reimbursement and some offer sliding scale rates. If you run into financial barriers, there are some programs that are free, low-cost, or covered by insurance.

Some organizations will also provide cash assistance. You can also ask for referrals to other providers or programs that are more within your price range if you find someone you do like who is outside of it.

Prioritize Inclusion and Sensitivity

Whether you’re meeting with a therapist, working with a treatment team, or connecting with a virtual support group, the environment should feel inclusive and comfortable for everyone. Look for spaces that welcome diverse experiences, avoid stigmas or biases, use trauma-informed techniques, and are sensitive to all cultures and identities.

Check out this blog post from ProjectHEAL to find more diverse healing resources: 20+ Bipoc Mental Health Resources for Culturally-Sensitive Support.

Questions to Ask

Of course, you want to ask questions, outside of doing your own research, to make sure the organization, therapist, or program is the best possible fit for you. Here are a few questions to start with.

Does this platform align with my treatment goals or needs?

Consider if the treatment program can assist with your specific challenges and the areas you want to heal in, such as learning to process uncomfortable emotions or nurturing more balanced eating habits. Also, take into account whether the program can be tailored to suit your personal goals with room to adjust as you reach new milestones in the healing journey.

Does the time commitment work for me?

Be realistic about whether the treatment program fits your current time constraints—or whether you can make room for the right program. Whether it’s daily treatment or weekly sessions, you’ll need to clear space in your schedule to make this a priority.

What kind of community support does this platform offer?

Research shows that positive social connections can increase mental resilience and emotional regulation in those with all types of eating disorders. On the flip side, isolation can exacerbate harmful behaviors, so it’s important to surround yourself with a supportive community.

Find out if the treatment option you choose offers online forums, chats, or groups to connect with peers who are also in recovery. Make sure this environment is inclusive, respectful, and judgment-free, so everyone can feel safe sharing their progress and setbacks.

Are You Ready to Experience Freedom from Binge Eating?

If you want to break the cycle of binge eating and restore a nourishing, balanced relationship with food, our team of expert clinicians at Kindful Body can help. We’ll match you with the right therapist or dietitian, who will customize a treatment plan for wherever you’re at in the healing journey. Book a free 15-minute consultation with us to get started.

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