There is Demand for Eating Disorders Therapists

Eating disorders therapists are individuals who help people with eating disorders cope with the causes of their disorder and eventually recover from it. Disorders in eating are the following: Anorexia nervosa, Bulimia nervosa, rumination syndrome, Orthorexia nervosa, Selective Eating Disorder (SED), and compulsive overeating. Individuals suffering from eating disorders are usually females, aged between 11 and 20. There is also a small number of males more or less of the same age.

Demand

Demand for eating disorders therapists is expected to grow since there is a continuing increase in the number of adolescents and young adults with eating disorders. Eating disorder therapists, especially those who are also occupational therapists, can expect an increase in employment by 23% between 2006 and 2016 (Bureau of Labor Statistics, “Occupational Outlook Handbook,” 2008-2009 Ed.). Hospitals would need an increase in their staff of therapists to provide sessions for acutely ill patients and in their outpatient rehabilitation programs. Eating disorder clinics are also increasing their hires for therapists specializing in the field.

Qualifications

Education. Professionals in this field have studied any or a combination of the following areas: activity therapy, dietetics, expressive arts therapy, family therapy, individual and group counseling, meal therapy, occupational therapy, psychiatry, and psychology. Aspiring eating disorder therapists are required to have a Master’s degree related to the field as a minimum requirement. Accredited programs provided by universities and colleges can be a combination of a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree or can be individualized. Therapists should also have to take specific high school courses like biology, health, and social sciences. Aspirants should still check with their respective state’s educational requisites.

Licenses. All states require therapists to be licensed to practice. Requirements to partake of such exam also vary per state but most would require volunteer or paid supervised experience from a reputable facility. A certifying exam would be given before determining a therapist’s eligibility to his/her license. Once licensed, professional eating disorders therapists are expected to continue refining their craft by participating in continuing education activities like workshops, seminars, and conferences.

Other Qualifications. Those who would want to be an eating disorders therapist should have enough patience to deal with all sorts of personalities. They should have the ability to command respect and trust. They should be able to come up with creative ways to deal with their patients. Knowledge in home health care is also imperative.

Therapists should perform effectively in different appointment schedules and physical environments. In hospitals, eating disorders therapists work 40+-hour weeks. For independent practitioners, the usual schedules for providing therapeutic sessions are after-school hours. They also need to manage house-to-house sessions especially if their patient’s locations are spaced far apart.

Employment

Eating disorder therapists can work in a hospital or clinical (center) setting. Hospitals will need additional therapists to work for their eating disorders programs. Private practice clinics would also need additional staff. Numerous centers are found in every state that cater to individuals with eating disorders. There are also international organizations like the International Eating Disorders Center (IEDC). Eating disorders therapists may also opt for independent practice and set up their own clinic. They could also venture to other forms of therapeutic intervention related to their degrees.