ABSTRACT
After reading this chapter, the reader should be able to do the following:
Understand how the value and the role of the nutrition therapist has evolved and changed throughout the years
Identify the criteria needed for a registered dietitian (RD) to become a nutrition therapist and understand the importance for patients and treatment providers to work with an RD who specializes in eating disorders and has obtained the Certified Eating Disorder Registered Dietitian (CEDRD) certification from the International Association of Eating Disorder Professionals (IAEDP)
Understand the multidisciplinary approach and the importance of consistent, cohesive, and respectful collaboration among the treatment team members
Better understand the role of nutrition therapists and their importance in the multidisciplinary team approach in the treatment of eating disorders
Become aware of how potential coping mechanisms, including manipulation of food and weight, as symptoms of the eating disorder, are serving the client
Recognize the overlap between nutrition therapy and psychotherapy and distinguish the differences in the scope of practice
Provide an overview of the cognitive-behavioral thinking skills that nutrition therapists may employ with their clients and that may be helpful for other team members
Be familiar with the stages of change and how they may be relevant to nutrition therapy when working with eating-disorder clients
Become aware of how a variety of eating and meal support programs are developing and how these programs are being used to expose, challenge, and support clients with food and eating behaviors in their recovery process
