How to Find the Best Philadelphia Eating Disorder Therapist for Your Needs
Written by Dr. Colleen Reichmann-Owner and clinical director of Wildflower Therapy
Searching for an eating disorder therapist can feel overwhelming-especially when you’re already exhausted, unsure about if you need help, or dealing with a lot of mixed feelings about if you even *want* help. One thing I KNOW to be true, as someone who once sought out treatment for an eating disorder herself, and is now a psychologist who specializes in this area- if you are googling “how to find an eating disorder therapist near me” you are not just looking for credentials. You’re looking for someone who will see you. You are looking for someone who gets it- and who can create a safe, warm relationship while also helping you create changes (when you are ready).
Philadelphia (and, since the advent of virtual therapy, Pennsylvania at large) has many talented therapists, but the best eating disorder therapist for you depends on your specific needs, history, and values. This blog post will walk you through what to look for, and which questions to ask once you call, so you can make an informed choice that actually supports your mental health.
Why Specialized Eating Disorder Therapy Matters
Eating disorders are complex mental health conditions that affect both the body and the mind. While many therapists are compassionate and well-trained, please know that not all therapists are trained to treat eating disorders specifically.
A trained eating disorder therapist understands the medical and psychological risks of restriction, purging, bingeing, and compulsive exercise. They also will know how trauma, anxiety, perfectionism, identity, and control intersect with food and body image. They will have experience with supporting recovery without reinforcing shame or weight stigma- and also with knowing how deeply conflicted so many feel about recovery in general.
I think the main takeaway I want anyone reading this to know is this: when searching for eating disorder therapy in Philadelphia, specialization isn’t a bonus. It’s absolutely essential.
Step 1: Look for Eating Disorder-Specific Training (And Make Sure This is Highlighted Heavily on the Website)
When reviewing therapist profiles, look for language that clearly and explicitly states experience with:
• Anorexia nervosa
• Bulimia nervosa
• Binge eating disorder
• ARFID
• Chronic dieting or disordered eating
Helpful modalities may include:
• CBT-E (Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Eating Disorders)
• Feminist-Relational Therapy
• Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT)
• ACT (Acceptance and Commitment Therapy)
• Trauma-informed therapy
• HAES®-aligned or weight-inclusive approaches
And if a therapist lists eating disorders as simply one of many unrelated specialties without detail, it’s okay to ask for clarification during the consultation call. (I would also suggest asking if they have experience working in higher levels of care for eating disorder treatment, as this can be a strong indicator of specialty-pursuit.)
Step 2: Consider Your Relationship With Food and Your Body
Some therapists focus heavily on behaviors, while others center body image, trauma, or emotional regulation. Neither approach is “better,” but one may be better for you, or more in line with what you are hoping for.
You might want to ask:
• Do they take a weight-inclusive or anti-diet approach?
• How do they include body image work in the therapy space?
• Do they work collaboratively or are they more directive?
• Are they comfortable discussing ambivalence about recovery?
• Do they provide skills and steps for change, or is their style more passive?
A good eating disorder therapist won’t rush you or shame you for not being “ready.” But they also won’t sit quietly and let you actively engage in eating disordered behaviors. At Wildflower, our approach is very much a mix of centering the therapeutic relationship (creating safety and connection, holding hope, making sure that clients know how much we deeply care about them)-while also providing a space to talk about body image, childhood, your environment growing up, social factors like stigma and marginalization, and trauma-while ALSO providing suggestions for behavior changes, different lenses to try, and skills to use between sessions. We consider a good eating disorder therapist to be someone who understands the art and science of holding all three tiers that I just mentioned there all at once.
Step 3: Think About Level of Care and Collaboration
Outpatient eating disorder therapy can be incredibly effective, but only when the therapist understands when additional support is needed. I would suggest asking whether the therapist coordinates care with dietitians, physicians, or psychiatrists. (You might want to word that like this: “How do you incorporate the multidisciplinary team model of care into your work?”) you also might want to ask if they have experience supporting clients stepping down from higher levels of care. This matters, especially if you’ve had prior treatment experiences that felt invalidating or overwhelming.
Step 4: Pay Attention to How You Feel During the First Contact
The initial email, consultation call, or intake session tells you a lot.
Notice:
• Do you feel heard or rushed?
• Are your questions welcomed?
• Does the therapist explain their approach clearly?
• Do you feel respected and cared about, even if you’re unsure about recovery?
The best eating disorder therapists will make the process feel less scary, not more.
Step 5: Think About Location, Accessibility, and Fit
Philadelphia has providers with several options for eating disorder therapy, including in-person outpatient sessions, virtual outpatient sessions, or inpatient or partial hospitalization treatment. Consider how and if a commute matters to you, if insurance is necessary or if private pay feels doable. Check in with your insurance to see if they offer out of network reimbursement for behavioral health services (call and use this exact phrasing, and also ask what percentage of the session fee they do cover if so). Often the therapists who are the most intensely specialized in this area do work outside of insurance, for the ease this offers, but also due to privacy concerns and the limitations that insurance can place on the length and type of treatment that is allowed.
Other consideration when choosing who might be the best fit: scheduling flexibility, whether you prefer an individual therapist or a group practice, if there is a waitlist, if the practice offers the same slot weekly or schedules week to week, and if they allow every other week scheduling. You might also want to ask about the ages that they specialize in if you are seeking help for your child.
Trust Yourself (Even If You’re Not Sure Yet)
Many people worry about choosing “wrong.” The truth is: therapy is a relationship. It’s okay to try a few sessions and reassess. A skilled eating disorder therapist will support that process- they will not-I repeat-WILL NOT take it personally if you decide that they are not the right fit.
If you’re looking for eating disorder therapy in Philadelphia, you deserve care that is compassionate, informed, and aligned with your values-not just someone with availability.
Looking for Eating Disorder Therapy in Philadelphia?
Working with a therapist who truly understands eating disorders can make recovery feel more possible, and less lonely. Whether you’re early in the process, returning to therapy, or just gathering information, reaching out is a meaningful first step.
If you’d like support from a Philadelphia-based eating disorder therapy practice that values nuance, collaboration, and real-life recovery-and who can see children, adolescents, and adults-we would love to help!
At Wildflower Therapy, we specialize in working with children, teens, adults struggling with body image and eating disorders (as well as parents and caregivers navigating children or teens who are struggling with eating disorders, body image concerns, and the emotional toll of caring for a struggling child).
Our therapists also support children, teens, adults, and families who are navigating things like eating disorders, disordered eating, ADHD, body image concerns, anxiety, depression, infertility, and maternal mental health/infertility.
We provide therapy in Philadelphia (and virtually for anyone in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Delaware, Florida, South Carolina, Vermont, Virginia, Ohio, and Massechusetts.) We work with children, adolescents, and adults. We are neurodivergent-affirming, queer-celebratory, and feminist-relational in our work.
If you’re looking for therapy for your child or yourself in one of the states mentioned above, or are seeking virtual parent coaching or consultation anywhere in the world, we invite you to reach out for your free consultation call.