Eating Disorders in College Students: A Comprehensive Resource Guide
Pressures of academic life contribute to many college students experiencing unhealthy thoughts about weight, body image, relationships with food and other behavioral health conditions. College students face significant risk of disordered eating and the development of eating disorders, and college counseling centers play a critical role in supporting students with behavioral health conditions.
Our team serves college professionals and students to support a culture of acceptance, destigmatization and mental wellness on university campuses. Our programming and initiatives foster collaboration, provide education and increase access to care.
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Campus Professional Resources
In addition to our evidence-based treatment for students needing a higher level of care, we provide college counseling centers, student health centers, athletic departments and more with customized resources, support and screening tools. From our very first touchpoint, we collaborate closely with campus personnel to ensure that students who require additional care receive the guidance, support and education they need.
Continuing Education and Training
Please reach out to Caitlyn Lange, our Collegiate Outreach Manager, at [email protected] to learn more and access the following opportunities.
Continuing Education Library
Join us for free, on-demand courses to continue your education and earn CE hours. We offer a range of complimentary continuing education programs to support campus staff. Topics include addressing treatment ambivalence, motivational interviewing, and understanding medical consequences of eating disorders.
College Provider Symposium
Earn up to 12 continuing education credits as we discuss critical and current topics to help you meet the growing mental health needs of students on your campus. While we will offer a new symposium each January, previous presentations are always available on-demand to watch at your convenience.
Customized Trainings
We provide customized trainings to campus counseling and health centers, athletic departments, student affairs, and other departments on campus. If you feel you, your staff or departmental peers could benefit from additional training and education, contact us to learn more about these supportive services.
ED Treatment Teams on Campus
This comprehensive guide outlines the importance of providing treatment for eating disorders at educational institutions, as well as best practices for developing eating disorders treatment teams, implementing treatment guidelines, identifying barriers, collaborating with community providers and referral procedures on campus.
Eating Disorder Informed Professional (EDIP) Designation
Eating Recovery Center offers an eating disorder educational program to support campus professionals, providers, educators and administrators in learning, identifying, assessing and providing early intervention surrounding eating disorders.*
*Continuing education credits are available for professionals with clinical licensure.
“This was extremely helpful in my search for how to approach therapy specifically with an athlete who has an eating D/O. I cannot tell you how many places I looked and could not find information. Amazing presentation.”
EDIP Presentation Attendee
Consultation Hours for Collegiate Professionals
Our collegiate consultation hours offer a space for campus providers to seek support and guidance in navigating the rising mental health needs on campus. Join your colleagues and our collegiate and clinical teams to discuss your challenges and successes treating students with eating disorders and mood and anxiety disorders on campus.
Eating Disorder Resources for Your College Students
- College Student Support Groups
- Say It Brave On Campus Event Series
Eating Disorder Treatment for College Students
Virtual Intensive Outpatient Program
Do you have students who aren’t progressing in outpatient care and need more support? With Eating Recovery At Home, our virtual Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP), students can remain in school while receiving the treatment they need.
As effective as in-person IOP, our online program is covered by most major commercial insurers.
Our virtual IOP features over 10 hours of programming per week, all with the same team of licensed therapists, registered dietitians, and milieu. Weekly programming includes group sessions, individual or family therapy sessions, and nutrition therapy.
Why our virtual IOP is ideal for students:
- Convenience allows students to receive intensive treatment without leaving campus.
- Collaboration with outpatient providers allows students to learn, practice, and maintain new skills.
- Spending 10 hours a week with the same treatment team and peers creates a safe, cohesive environment in which students can be vulnerable to learn and grow.
- Students can practice recovery skills as they experience everyday triggers and roadblocks with the support of their treatment team and peers.
Continuum of Care
Though Eating Recovery At Home is a great option for many students, some of your students may need a higher level of care than IOP. At ERC, we offer a continuum of care for effective eating disorder recovery that meets them exactly where they are.
From initial outreach to any point throughout the process, we coordinate with you to ensure a seamless transition throughout our programming and back to your care.
Blogs for Collegiate Professionals
Interested in learning more about how to best support your students? Browse our blogs and clinical articles that range from current, pressing topics to specific strategies you can implement.
Eating Disorders in College Athletes
Athletes face unique challenges when it comes to eating disorder recovery, as exercise is not only a component of their sport but also a significant part of their identity and daily routine. The same temperament components that facilitate becoming an elite athlete can make someone more likely to develop an eating disorder.
College Student Resources
Recovery is never a solo effort, and our team is here every step of the way. From our expert-led, evidence-based treatment for eating disorders, to our unique Say It Brave on Campus program and virtual support groups, we're committed to providing you the very best support when you need it the most and helping you navigate the challenges of academic life and recovery. We work with your campus to ensure you get the support and community you need and deserve.
Eating Disorder Recovery Support at Your College: Join Say it Brave on Campus
Say It Brave on Campus is a free, stigma-ending storytelling series that tackles the uncertainties and complexities of mental health with real conversations and resources for students and campus professionals.
Join us to:
- Share and hear lived experiences on loneliness, anxiety, depression and eating disorders
- Learn how to host watch parties, panel discussions and awareness activities at your school using our free Say It Brave Event Kits
- Gain invaluable resources for yourself, teammates and friends – from leading national nonprofit organizations and mental health advocates
"Say It Brave On Campus was a life-changing event. I believe every collegiate student-athlete, coach, administrator, parent, and friend should attend this presentation in the future."
Carly Ellman, LCSW
"The Say It Brave event was an incredibly powerful experience. I learned that our struggles are not something to push to the side until it's too late. We have to work to destigmatize mental health, showing ourselves the same compassion we have for others."
Lindsay R., Student Athlete
Join Us for the Say It Brave on Campus Launch!
On September 21st at 7 p.m. EST, join us for our kick-off event for Say It Brave on Campus 23’ – 24’: Alone in a Crowd: Exploring Loneliness and Its Impact on Student Well-Being. Be a part of a powerful conversation on student mental health with clinical experts and students from Only7Seconds, Black Mental Wellness, Morgan's Message and Robbie's Hope.
Photo Credit: Morgan's Message
Say It Brave Super Watch Parties
We’re surprising one lucky group with a Super Say It Brave Watch Party! You’ll receive $200 towards food and refreshments from a local restaurant for your Watch Party and a shoutout during the event! Please email [email protected] to notify us about your Watch Party (which can take place on September 21st or at a later date with the event recording). The Super Say It Brave Watch Party School will be notified by September 14th.
Thank you to the many campuses hosting Say It Brave Watch Parties across the country! Together, we can end mental health stigma.
- Gardner-Webb University
- Methodist University
- University of Richmond
- Ashland University
- Lander University
- Westfield State University
- Montreat College
- Catholic University of America
- Manhattan College
- King's College
- Wagner College
- Saint Mary’s College of Notre Dame
- Geneva College
- Linfield University
- Catholic University
- Ohio University
- Young Harris College
- Canisius College
- Northwood University
- Old Dominion University
- Penn State University
- Rensselaer College
- University of Tampa
- Hofstra University
- Loyola University
Nonprofit Partners
We partner with many local and national nonprofits to ensure our programming is inclusive and supportive.
Mental Health Advocates for Student Wellbeing
Meet the advocates behind Say It Brave on Campus:
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McCall Dempsey LinkMcCall Dempsey
McCall Dempsey, founder and director of Southern Smash (a program of The Alliance for Eating Disorders Awareness ), is an eating ...READ MORE -
Eric Dorsa Link
Eric Dorsa
(they/them)Eric Dorsa is an LGBTQ advocate, actor, comedian, and drag queen currently living in Chicago, Illinois. As an advocate for the ...READ MORE -
Shana Minei Spence Link
Shana Minei Spence
My name is Shana and I am a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist based in New York. I label myself as an "eat anything" dietitian ...READ MORE -
Patrick Devenny Link
Patrick Devenny
He/Him/HisPatrick Devenny is a former CU football player who graduated with a degree in business. Patrick has struggled his entire life ...READ MORE -
Carrie Zhang Link
Carrie Zhang
Carrie Zhang is the founder of Asian Mental Health Project Founded in 2019, the project currently uses social media, multimedia ...READ MORE -
Lindsey Hall Link
Lindsey Hall
Lindsey Hall is an award-winning eating disorder recovery speaker and writer, focusing on what she refers to as "the nitty ...READ MORE -
Colleen Werner Link
Colleen Werner
Colleen Werner is a dancer, writer, public speaker and therapist-in-training based in Nashville, Tennessee. Her personal ...READ MORE -
Shannon Kopp Link
Shannon Kopp
She/Her/HersShannon Kopp, an Eating Disorder Recovery Center National Recovery Advocate, is the best-selling author of Pound for Pound: A ...READ MORE
Eating Disorder Support Group for College Students and Early Adults
The Thursday college student/early adult support group is a safe, welcoming space open to anyone who is in college or are young adults, alumni and community members. Participation in the groups is online and there is no cost to attend.
Note: the group is a supplemental support and is not a replacement for higher levels of care, therapy or medical advice.
Virtual Eating Disorder Treatment
We know it can be challenging for busy students to participate in effective treatment while staying on top of academic, life, and work demands. Our Eating Recovery At Home virtual intensive outpatient program was designed with you in mind – from the comfort and convenience of your home, apartment or dorm room, we’re here to provide you with treatment that will ensure long-term success.
With our virtual intensive outpatient programming, you can:
- Receive intensive treatment without leaving campus.
- Learn and practice resiliency and coping skills, with support and accountability from your treatment team, peers, and outpatient providers.
- Develop a safe, cohesive environment by attending programming with the same treatment team and peers each week.
- Practice recovery skills as you experience everyday triggers and roadblocks with the support of your treatment team and peers.
Meet the Team
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Casey Tallent Link
Casey Tallent
Director of Collegiate and Telebehavioral Health InitiativesCasey N. Tallent, PhD is the Director of Collegiate & Telebehavioral Health Initiatives for ERC and Pathlight Mood and Anxiety ...READ MORE -
Wendy Foulds Mathes Link
Wendy Foulds Mathes
Director of Academic Programs and Continuing EducationDr. Wendy Foulds Mathes serves as Senior Program Manager, Continuing Education and Events at Eating Recovery Center and ...READ MORE -
Shannon Kopp Link
Shannon Kopp
She/Her/HersShannon Kopp, an Eating Disorder Recovery Center National Recovery Advocate, is the best-selling author of Pound for Pound: A ...READ MORE -
Caitlyn Lange Link
Caitlyn Lange
Caitlyn Lange, a Collegiate Outreach Manager at Eating Recovery Center and Pathlight Mood & Anxiety Center, is dedicated to ...READ MORE
Request a Meeting with the Collegiate Team
We provide campus counseling and health centers, athletic departments, student affairs, and other departments on campus with customized resources, support and screening tools. Contact us to learn more about how we can support you.
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