Therapy is a crucial part of recovering from an eating disorder. A therapist is someone we can trust to listen to and provide expert advice, encourage us after setbacks, and help us discover how to love and accept ourselves.
Still, even if we know therapy is good for us, that doesn’t mean we’re always motivated or able to go to a session. Perhaps you’ve had a long day and just want to stay home, maybe there’s stressful traffic to drive through, maybe the therapist lives too far away, or maybe we just don’t feel like it—there are so many reasons why seeing a counselor can become complicated or stressful.
That’s why online counseling might be a good option to consider for eating disorder recovery.
This guide will give you the things to consider, the questions to ask, and the tools to find an online counselor for eating disorder recovery.
Online counseling means the session can take place anywhere—yes, even from the comfort of your own bed! This opens up possibilities for someone who otherwise finds it difficult to schedule therapy. Having a session online takes away the stress of things that might stand in someone’s way—like limited availability, transportation, or finding childcare. Therapy shouldn’t cause us more stress, after all. It should be a safe place where we can heal and grow, and the easier it is for us to access, the higher our chance of having a successful recovery.
What are the benefits of online counseling?
Whether you are a busy working mom, a student, or an athlete, almost anyone can benefit from online counseling. Meeting online can save you time and effort and make your recovery process that much easier.
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No commute: For many of us, the cost and time of commuting or driving is the most difficult part of making it to therapy consistently. With online counseling, the main thing to worry about is a decent internet connection.
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Flexible schedule: Not having to arrange a time to meet in an office and take time to travel means both sides have more availability in their schedule.
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More communication options: Having the option to meet on a video conference or phone call, also means there are different methods available to suit different personalities. Some people actually find it easier to open up on video session or over the phone. Either way, online counseling provides options that may suit your needs.
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More frequent check-ins: Not having to schedule time to meet in person means you might be able to check-in more frequently with a counselor. This is especially helpful when recovering from an eating disorder, as certain parts of the day (mealtimes) might be more difficult than others.
What kinds of online therapy exist?
Most online counselors offer sessions over HIPAA-compliant telemental health video platforms. It’s important to think about what method might work best for you. If you find it easy to talk on FaceTime or other video conferencing systems, then online counseling might be a good option for you.
Ultimately, it’s important to consider what level of support and accountability you need to make progress in your recovery.
What to look for in an online counselor for eating disorders:
While many expectations are the same for both online or in-person counseling, there are a few other aspects to keep in mind when searching for an online counselor.
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License and background: If you or a loved one are struggling with food, it is extremely important to find someone who is well trained and licensed. You don’t want to waste your time, energy, or money with someone who doesn’t have the skills to help you. If certifications are important to you, find out what kind of license or training the counselor has. Do they have a background in eating disorder therapy? Do they work with all kinds of eating disorders or do they have a focus area?
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Location: Although the location might not seem to matter since you’ll be meeting online, if the counselor lives in another state, it might be important to find out if the counselor is licensed to practice in your state. Therapists are traditionally only licensed in one state, and if you work with someone unlicensed in your state, you may have limited recourse if something goes wrong.
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Availability: If you’re trying out online counseling because you have a busy schedule, then it’s important to find out if the counselor would offer sessions at times that would work for you (such as in the morning, evening, lunchtime, or on the weekend). How far in advance do you have to schedule or cancel a session? Are they available for short check-ins?
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Privacy: Just like a therapist has to protect any notes or files they make for an in-person session, they should take the same precautions with your data and privacy when meeting online. Whatever platform is used for the session, make sure it is HIPAA-compliant. You should feel like your privacy is taken seriously.
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A sense of safety: Most importantly, you should feel comfortable talking to this counselor online. They should make you feel as welcome and comfortable as they would for an in-person session and maintain professionalism when working with you.
Why try online counseling for eating disorder recovery?
Recovery from an eating disorder takes time and patience. Frequent check-ins are imperative to success. Meeting online means there are fewer excuses to skip or miss a session. It’s much harder to come up with an excuse not to open a laptop and just sit on a couch than to drive through heavy traffic after a long day. In other words, online counseling can help us create the consistency we need to stay strong in our recovery by reducing the stress that usually prevents a session from happening.
The great thing about online counseling is its flexibility and the fact that it can be tailored to meet your needs. If you’re interested in trying an online session, Kindful Body offers online counseling, too. We’d be happy to chat with you about what our sessions look like and how we can support you in your recovery from afar.
And remember, part of being kind to ourselves is not making things harder than they have to be. For many of us, online counseling can be the answer to prioritizing our health and recovery without adding more stress to an already chaotic life.
Comment below with questions you have about finding an online counselor for eating disorders. Or, contact us to schedule a free private 15-minute phone consultation to answer your questions about online counseling and treatment in California for eating disorders.
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