Online Vs. In-Person Therapy for Eating Disorders
April 11, 2025 | By Dana Harron
You’ve finally decided you've had enough. The constant battle with food, the relentless self-criticism, and the endless cycle of guilt have worn you down. You've realized that this struggle isn't just about food; it's about reclaiming your life.
You've also come to grips with the fact that you can't do it alone - if you could, you would have by now. So, you get down to some googling. A lot of places seem to offer virtual therapy, and it seems like you could get in easily. But how do you know if virtual is right for you?
Convenience of Online Therapy
The most obvious thing that comes to mind when considering online therapy is convenience. You don't have to travel or worry about parking, a big consideration in Washington DC and the greater DMV. For busy people who need to fit therapy in between other things, it also offers the option of dialing in from the office. It's also likely that a tech firm can get you an appointment sooner than later. If you feel like you are in a pretty desperate situation, this might make more sense for you than waiting.
Cost Considerations for Counseling
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Therapy offered by big tech companies usually takes insurance, so that's certainly a notch in their favor. There are other ways to mitigate the cost of therapy such as participating in groups, working with a student, or pursuing a single case agreement with your insurance company (usually an option for people who are seeking eating disorders treatment). There are also treatment scholarships available like The Manna Fund.
At the same time, it takes time, effort and energy to pursue these options, and eating disorders may be wreaking havoc on your body in the meantime. If you don't have the resources to pay for expert care, just get help somewhere as soon as you possibly can.
The Importance of Expertise in Eating Disorder Treatment
At the same time, there certainly is something to be said for expertise, especially when it comes to eating disorders. I can't count the number of times a client came from a non-ED therapist and reported that they congratulated them on losing weight, or asked them what the big deal is about eating something, or ignored tremendous red flags such as amenorrhea.
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These mistakes cause real damage; the time and money wasted, the continued deterioration of the body, and the perpetuation of diet culture from a perceived authority. At times, the damage can be irreversible. For very light eating disordered behavior it may make sense to go to a generalist, but if you have restricted calories or been purging an eating disorder specialist is in order.
Therapists who offer real expertise in eating disorders can be found both in-person and online. However, you cannot trust a big tech firm to match you up with a verified specialist. If eating disorder expertise is important to you, find a therapist that has that expertise yourself. Then you can see if they work online, in-person or both.
The Role of Embodiment in Eating Disorder Treatment
The most important reason, in my view, to consider in-person therapy has to do with the concept of embodiment. Many people feel like their body is just there to carry their head around. They place value in being smart and doing things, and they do not feel connected to their body. This type of thinking goes hand-in-hand with eating disorders.
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Eating disorders are also about disconnecting from the body - not knowing when you're hungry, not knowing when you're full, not knowing what your body wants and needs. Therefore, embodiment is an essential part of eating disorders treatment.
Embodiment is the feeling that you really live inside your body. You feel it from the inside out. Many people naturally have embodiment from being around caregivers who were embodied, but many have to work for it. Sitting down with an embodied therapist is one of the best ways to do this.
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