Eating Disorder Treatment in Iowa

Additional Eating Disorder Help in Iowa

It's not just the top Iowa eating disorder therapists and dietitians who can help you get started toward recovery. The state offers a few programs that offer other types of help.

The Department of Health has resources available to all residents, including educational information on mental health and referrals to specialized care, like residential treatment programs. Some residents can also utilize the Iowa Medicaid Behavioral Health Services program, which offers coverage for individual therapy sessions and resources for related issues, including depression, anxiety, and substance abuse.

Those in Iowa City may also be able to access treatment programs offered by the University of Iowa. The institution offers help with body image concerns, nutritional counseling, and more.

Virtual Eating Disorder Treatment

In-person programs are no longer the only way to treat eating disorders. Virtual eating disorder programs have become increasingly common for people in Iowa and beyond.

The method is especially helpful if you live far from registered Iowa eating disorder therapists and dietitians or have challenges around transportation or mobility. However, virtual care is an excellent option for anyone who wants a more flexible schedule and can follow a treatment plan from home.

Studies have even shown that virtual treatment is just as effective as in-person care in many cases.² Still, if you have particularly severe symptoms, a more intensive program, like partial hospitalization, may be more appropriate. It's best to check with a doctor before enrolling to find the best treatment option for you.

Finding the Best Iowa Eating Disorder Therapists & Dietitians

It's not just well-known conditions like anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, and binge eating disorder that cause complications. Disordered eating behaviors of all types can be detrimental to mental, physical, and emotional well-being.

The top Iowa eating disorder therapists and dietitians work with programs offering a multifaceted healing approach. These programs should include both individual and group therapy, nutrition counseling, and other evidence-based approaches to support well-rounded healing.

Working with a registered dietitian and starting a therapy practice may feel intimidating, but it's an important first step to recovery.

Resources

1. Social & Economic Cost of Eating Disorders in Iowa. (2018). Harvard University. Accessed April 2025.
2. Steiger H, Booij L, Crescenzi O, Oliverio S, Singer I, Thaler L, St-Hilaire A, Israel M. (2022). In-person versus virtual therapy in outpatient eating-disorder treatment: A COVID-19 inspired study. International Journal of Eating Disorders; 55(1):145-150.