Virtual Eating Disorder Treatment
From mobility and transportation challenges to simply living in an underserved area, it's not always possible for patients to access in-person treatment for eating disorders. But now, it's also not always necessary.
Virtual eating disorder treatment can bring these programs to anyone with an internet signal, expanding access to a wide range of people and making treatment sessions more convenient for many others. The method can also connect patients to specialists who may be far away or even out of state.
Best of all, studies have shown that these programs can be just as effective as in-person care in many cases.2
Additional Louisiana Eating Disorder Resources
Eating disorder recovery doesn't have to start in the office of a Louisiana eating disorder therapist or dietitian. The state offers several programs that can also provide assistance.
Some residents will qualify for the Louisiana Medicaid Behavioral Health Services. This program provides personalized care, including therapy sessions and medical evaluations, and may also assist patients with referrals for nutrition counseling and other specialized treatments. It may also help with co-occurring mental health concerns, such as obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) or substance abuse.
If you don't qualify, you can also contact the Louisiana Department of Health. While more generalized in the type of help available, the department can still help with referrals to medical doctors and other specialists, as well as with the coordination of care and other resources.
Finding the Best Louisiana Eating Disorder Therapists & Dietitians
Dealing with the symptoms of disordered eating can already feel overwhelming. Finding the best Louisiana eating disorder therapists and dietitians on top of it can feel like too much to handle. But it's essential to have eating disorders treated by caring professionals to achieve recovery.
You deserve a treatment team that cares and is prepared to help you by using a multifaceted approach that includes psychotherapy, nutritional counseling, mindful eating, and other evidence-based types of treatment.
You may want to start by looking into each center to see if they have a multidisciplinary team that can offer these different types of care. You can also start by speaking with your insurance company to see which programs or specialists they work with. This can help streamline the process and ensure you minimize financial pressure.
The recovery journey is often long and difficult, but it ultimately leads to a happier, healthier future. And finding ongoing support in a treatment team you can trust is the first step on this journey.
Resources
- Social & Economic Cost of Eating Disorders in Louisiana. (2018). Harvard University. Accessed June 2025.
- 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.
