Many people who are in recovery from an eating disorder have either a nutritionist or a dietitian on their 'treatment' team.
Is there a difference between the two? And if so, what is it?
I truly do not know the specific differences, but I have heard 'through the grapevine' of ED professionals, that it's important to see a dietitian, because they are more educated on the specifics of the physiology of our bodies.
From my point of view, the most important thing is that this person have experience with treating people who suffer from eating disorders, and that they have references verifying that.
I have heard some pretty irrational and unbelievable accounts of things that people have been told by a so-called professional in this field.
What are YOUR experiences? Thoughts?
Anyone can call themselves a nutritionist. They may have a degree in nutrition, or no degree at all. A Dietician, on the other hand, has gone through a specific path of education approved by the American Dietetics Association, which usually includes 4 yrs of college and intern work. Then, in order to put R.D. behind their name, they are required to pass a test as well.
I was in training to be a dietician for awhile. We did not learn much about psychology in my particular program, but perhaps that's changed. So it doesn't surprise me that so-called professionals will say and do the wrong things and thus do more harm than good!
It seems like one of the most important things in recovery is the relationship between the patient and counselor/dietician/nutritionist. They should be warm, caring, believe in the client's ability to get better, instill hope and a sense of trust, be skilled and knowledgable in techniques that work, treat clients with positive regard and NOT force their values upon the clients.
You can go to the American Dietetic Association's website www.eatright.org, click on 'Find a Registered Dietician", then under 'specialty' click on the 'Eating Disorders' option.
From my nutrition class I just took in college a dietitian is more educated. They require 5-6 years of schooling. And yea it's important they are specialized or well known of how to treat eating disorders. A nutritionist on the other hand is only a year or two of schooling and anyone can technically claim to be a nutritionist. Ithey don't have the credentials or nessesarily the amount of credentials.so personally I would go looking or a dietitian.