One contributor to this disparity is a lack of access to the right care. Many people with eating disorders need inpatient treatment, which can cost an average of $20,000. And many insurance providers don’t cover that cost.
Another barrier to care is the lack of facilities and staff trained to treat eating disorders in the United States, says Cynthia Bulik, PhD, founding director of the University of North Carolina Center of Excellence for Eating Disorders in Chapel Hill. “Many regions are eating disorders treatment deserts, [with] no specialist treatment facilities in the area,” she says.
Despite these barriers, there are organizations designed to help support people with eating disorders, as well as their loved ones.
National Association of Anorexia Nervosa and Associated Disorders
They offer support groups for those recovering from eating disorders, as well as for their loved ones, and host live events for people who would like in-person or virtual support. You can also call their eating disorders helpline at 888-375-7767 Monday through Friday, from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Central Time, to get referrals for care, support, and more.
The ANAD Recovery Mentorship Program can connect you with a support person who has successfully recovered from an eating disorder and can offer you empathy, hope, and wisdom as you embark on your own recovery journey.
Project HEAL
People with eating disorders often do not receive the care they need to make a full recovery. The mission of Project HEAL (Help to Eat, Accept & Live) is to break down barriers that prevent this healing and offer both emotional and tangible support.
The Project HEAL Cash Assistance Program offers grants to help individuals with demonstrated financial need access treatment. Covered expenses include copays, deductibles, groceries, medications, and more.
Fighting Eating Disorders in Underrepresented Populations
Fighting Eating Disorders in Underrepresented Populations (FEDUP) is a trans, intersex, and gender-diverse collective. Their mission is to raise awareness about and reduce the high rate of eating disorders among trans and gender-diverse people, as well as make eating disorder treatment more accessible to people in marginalized communities.
FEDUP has a number of resources for transgender, intersex, and gender-diverse people with eating disorders, including educational information about eating disorders, Facebook groups, support groups, and a directory of affirming therapists, counselors, registered dietitians, and recovery coaches.
The National Eating Disorders Association (NEDA) is a leading nonprofit organization that provides education and resources and champions early intervention for people with eating disorders.
The organization offers a screening tool for people ages 13 and up, as well as a treatment directory of dietitians, medical doctors, psychiatrists, therapists, and treatment centers near you. They also lead and participate in campaigns throughout the year to spread awareness about eating disorders and related issues.
Multi-Service Eating Disorders Association
The Multi-Service Eating Disorders Association (MEDA) is the leading eating disorder nonprofit in the New England area. Their mission is to educate the public about eating disorders and their causes, as well as support people on their healing journey.
Eating Disorder Hope is an online community founded by licensed therapist Jacquelyn Ekern that offers support to both individuals with eating disorders and their loved ones.
They offer myriad resources and support, including educational resources about eating disorders written by mental health professionals, such as psychiatrists and therapists. They also provide an eating disorder treatment center finder to help you locate a treatment facility that specializes in eating disorder care near you.
You can also find blogs featuring personal stories from people who have recovered from an eating disorder that inspire healing and hope.
Families Empowered and Supporting the Treatment of Eating Disorders
The organization takes a “family approach” to caring for a loved one with an eating disorder, offering a wealth of information about eating disorders and treatment options. Their free FEAST 30 Days Program delivers a lesson to your inbox daily for 30 days, each focused on a different topic related to eating disorders and how they’re treated.
Rock Recovery believes that faith can play a role in helping people recover from disordered eating, and the support groups integrate both clinical expertise and the Christian faith into the recovery process. Although it is Christianity based, all are welcome to join, regardless of race, religion, or sexual identity.
The Eating Disorder Foundation
The Eating Disorder Foundation is a nonprofit organization that offers education and no-cost support to people with eating disorders and their family and friends. In-person support groups are available to those in the Denver area, and virtual support groups are available to people living anywhere in the world.
The Foundation also offers a mentorship program, where people in recovery can be matched with a person who understands the recovery process firsthand. The program runs for 10 weeks and provides one-on-one support, either virtually or in person.
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Penwell TE et al. Eating Disorder Treatment Access in the United States: Perceived Inequities Among Treatment Seekers. Psychiatric Services. October 2024.
Stephanie Albers, PhD, is an eating disorder clinical assessment program manager for Project Heal and a size-inclusive therapist for Libra Virtual Care. She maintains clinical licenses in Nebraska, Iowa, and Idaho.
Dr. Albers is passionate about providing access to healing for all individuals who experience problematic relationships with food and their bodies. She has worked in inpatient and day-program treatment settings for eating disorders.
She has a doctorate in developmental psychology and spent the majority of her program studying peer relationships and disordered eating.
Shelby House, RN, BSN, has been a registered nurse for almost 10 years. She currently serves as a nursing director for a program that provides healthcare services to underserved Missourians, specifically aiding those with mental health disorders in achieving their best state of physical health.
She received her bachelor's degree in nursing from Maryville University in Missouri. She has worked in the specialty areas of medical-surgical nursing, cardiopulmonary rehabilitation nursing, mental health nursing, and nursing leadership.
Outside of the office, Shelby enjoys spending time with her husband and two young children, volunteering in her local community, and soaking up the countryside scenery of rural America where she lives.
