NEDA Navigator Guidebook
Not for public distribution. For exclusive use by official NEDA Navigators
www.myneda.org, for more information. They can call the Helpline, 1.800.931.2237, to speak
to a trained volunteer who can give them resources in their region.
2 Q: Is it important that my child sees a therapist specializing in eating disorders?
Yes, if at all possible. Hopefully, if someone is not specialized, they will refer them on or get
consults with specialists before treating the patient.
3. Q: How do I know the level of care is right for my child?
There are goals and markers to determine the right level of care. The American Psychiatric
Association (APA) publishes practice guidelines that are very accessible and readable online.
Click here: APA Practice Guidelines or paste this link to your web browser:
http://www.psychiatryonline.com/pracGuide/pracGuideTopic_12.aspx 4. Q: Why is it important to have so many professionals involved in the treatment (M.D.,
therapist, psychiatrist, family therapist and dietician)? This is recommended as part of the
APA (American Psychological Association) practice guidelines. ED’s are multifaceted
illnesses with multiple areas needing attention, i.e.:
• Physician – to address the physical issues
• Psychiatrist – to address any medication issues
• Nutritionist – to address dietary issues
• Clinician/Psychologist – to address individual, family or group issues
You might try thinking about this disorder in the same way that would be applied to an
individual suffering from a brain injury. Just like the brain-injured patient, the ED patient
needs a team of specialists to address the multifarious issues associated with the illness, and
each patient is unique in how the illness manifests or “shows up.” A true Eating Disorders
Specialist will have a team established.
A specialist team is perhaps particularly important for anorexics, for another reason:
anorexics sometimes have difficulty connecting with others. They should be exposed to
multiple caregivers so the chances of them connecting with at least one are higher. For
example, an anorexic may hear the same information from 4 different caregivers, but the
information doesn’t register or “click” until the 5th caregiver says it.
5. Q: What should I ask to determine whether a certain provider is of good quality, whether it
is an individual provider or treatment center? Are there any accreditation bodies for eating
disorders? The NEDA Parent Toolkit has a detailed list of questions to ask when interviewing providers
that will be helpful for this. It is located on the NEDA website. Click here: Parent Toolkit or
paste this to your web browser: http://www.nationaleatingdisorders.org/information-
resources/ parent-toolkit.php
6. Q: What do I do if there are no treatment centers/support groups in my state?
Unfortunately, this is possible depending on the location/region. The contact may need to
travel. You can help them by directing them to a list of reputable providers that are as close
as possible. Call NEDA’s Helpline: 1.800.931.2237. They have an up to date list of support
groups across the country. You can ask for a referral listing of those in your area/region.
Frequently Asked Questions ▪ Page 6
©2012 National Eating Disorders Association. All Rights Reserved.
Reproduction or other use of this outline without the express written consent of the National Eating Disorders
Association is prohibited.
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