Eating Disorder Therapy in South Carolina

Eating disorders are serious, common and treatable, and they are rarely about food. Restricting, bingeing, purging or rigid rules around eating usually start as a way to manage anxiety, control, shame or a body that feels unsafe, and then take on a life of their own. They affect people of every size, gender, age and background, and many go unrecognized because the person doesn't look the way people expect.

Recovery is a team effort. Our clinicians provide the psychological side of treatment in an outpatient setting and work alongside your physician, and a dietitian when one is involved, because eating disorders affect the body as well as the mind.

Conditions we treat

These are the feeding and eating disorders described in the DSM-5-TR, in plain language. A diagnosis is made only by a licensed clinician after a full evaluation, usually alongside a medical assessment.

Anorexia nervosa: Restriction of food intake leading to a significantly low body weight, intense fear of gaining weight or persistent behavior that prevents it, and a disturbed experience of one's body weight or shape. Includes a binge-eating/purging type as well as the restricting type.
Bulimia nervosa: Recurrent episodes of binge eating followed by compensatory behavior such as vomiting, laxatives, fasting or excessive exercise, at least weekly for three months, with self-evaluation heavily influenced by body shape and weight.
Binge-eating disorder: Recurrent episodes of eating an unusually large amount of food with a sense of loss of control, with marked distress and features such as eating rapidly, eating until uncomfortably full, or eating alone out of embarrassment, at least weekly for three months, without regular compensatory behavior. The most common eating disorder in adults.
Avoidant/restrictive food intake disorder (ARFID): Avoiding or restricting food because of its sensory qualities, a fear of choking or vomiting, or little interest in eating, leading to weight loss, nutritional deficiency, dependence on supplements or significant interference with daily life, without body-image concerns. Seen in children and adults.
Other specified feeding or eating disorder (OSFED): Clinically significant eating problems that don't fit neatly into the categories above, such as atypical anorexia (all the features without low weight), purging without bingeing, or night eating. Just as serious and just as treatable.
Disordered eating and body image: Patterns that don't meet full criteria but are taking up too much space: chronic dieting, guilt around food, compulsive exercise, or constant body checking. Early help prevents escalation.

For children and teens

Eating disorders often begin in adolescence. For teens, family-based treatment, in which parents take an active role in restoring regular eating, has the strongest evidence, and we involve parents closely. We coordinate with your child's pediatrician and will say clearly if a higher level of care is needed.

More about therapy for children and teens

How we treat it

Outpatient treatment combines cognitive behavioral therapy adapted for eating disorders, which has the strongest evidence for bulimia and binge eating, with family-based treatment for adolescents, and DBT skills where emotions drive the eating. Medical monitoring by your physician is part of every treatment plan, and we coordinate with dietitians when nutrition rehabilitation is needed. Outpatient therapy is right for people who are medically stable; if you need more support than weekly sessions can provide, we'll help you find an intensive outpatient, partial hospitalization or residential program and can continue care afterwards.

When to reach out

Food, weight or your body are taking up most of your thinking
You've started hiding how you eat or don't eat
You binge, purge or exercise to compensate, even occasionally
A doctor has raised concerns about your weight or labs
Your child's eating has changed and they're losing weight or withdrawing

Schedule an appointment Call (843) 894-0000

Common questions

Do I have to be underweight to have an eating disorder?

No. Most people with eating disorders are not underweight, and the medical risks of purging, bingeing and restriction exist at every size. If your relationship with food is causing distress, that's reason enough to get help.

Will I need a dietitian or a doctor too?

Usually. Eating disorders affect the body, so a physician monitors your medical status, and a dietitian helps rebuild regular eating when needed. We coordinate with both, with your permission, so you're not managing three separate treatments.

Is outpatient therapy enough?

For many people, yes. If weekly sessions aren't enough to keep you safe or make progress, we'll say so and help you step up to a more intensive program, then continue with you afterwards.

Do you treat eating disorders in teens?

Yes. For adolescents we use family-based approaches and involve parents closely, in coordination with the pediatrician.

Where to get help for eating disorders

Based on our clinicians' current specialties, this is treated at seven locations:

Closer to North Charleston, Forest Acres, Irmo or Anderson? Call (843) 894-0000; the right therapist may be available by video, or we'll suggest the nearest office with the right fit.

Diagnostic descriptions on this page are summarized in plain language from the American Psychiatric Association's Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition, Text Revision (DSM-5-TR, 2022). This page is educational. It is not a substitute for evaluation by a licensed clinician, and only a licensed clinician can make a diagnosis.

Ready when you are.

Call us or submit a short intake form. A Patient Account Representative will match you with a therapist, and most new clients have their first appointment within a few business days.

Schedule an appointment Call (843) 894-0000