Eating Disorder Therapy for College Students
Real talk: college is a huge life transition - and while it brings freedom, friendships, and new opportunities, it can also open the door to challenges we have never faced. If you’re a college student struggling with food, body image, or control, you’re not alone, and there is help.
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At Recovered & Restored, we offer specialized eating disorder therapy for college students, both online and across several states, including Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Delaware, South Carolina, Maryland, Connecticut, Vermont, and Florida. Many of our therapists and our dietitian personally know the challenges of navigating college with an eating disorder - because they’ve been there. This isn’t generic therapy. It’s personalized care from people who truly get it.
Gabby’s Story About Recovery from an Eating Disorder
Gabby, the founder of Recovered & Restored, shared, “My eating disorder started when I was really young … but it morphed into many different things as eating disorders do, and I did not fully recover until my late twenties.”
During that time, she had described feeling:
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Out of control
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Anxious about her appearance
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Turning to food as a way to cope
Over time, Gabby’s symptoms became more obvious. And while her grades stayed up and she looked “fine” on the outside, she was breaking on the inside. It wasn’t until she sought help that she began to see how healing was possible, and that the problem wasn’t food at all. It was about how she viewed herself.
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Gabby and her team now helps college students rewrite that same story, and believes every student deserves freedom, clarity, and support. If you can relate to these feelings, you’re not crazy, and you don’t have to try to feel better on your own; our team is here to help.
Why College Is a Perfect Storm for Eating Disorders in College Students
According to the Child Mind Institute (2025), the most common age for eating disorder onset is between 18 and 21 years old. In fact, between 10–20% of college-aged women experience eating disorders. The reasons are complex, but here’s what we know:
College life comes with major pressure - and that pressure can break someone who’s already quietly struggling.
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Increased academic stress
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Constant comparison in social circles
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Unstructured, chaotic eating environments
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Overexercising or restricting in response to anxiety
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High expectations, perfectionism, and a need to control
As the article notes, “Eating disorders develop when the need to feel control over a stressful environment is channeled through food restriction, over-exercise, and an unhealthy focus on body weight” (Child Mind Institute).
“I didn’t want to feel the pain, but I had to heal it.”
Rachel Dodson, our Registered Dietitian, battled her eating disorder while in college. Her story is raw, real, and filled with truth:
“It can feel safe or familiar to turn towards eating disorder behaviors… but remember using behaviors won’t make the suffering go away or take less time.”
Rachel shares how faith, therapy, and practical tools helped her move through grief and disordered eating in a transformative way. Now, she offers that same support to students who are just beginning their recovery journey. She understands how college can complicate your healing - but she also knows how healing for college students with eating disorders is still possible.
What Can Trigger Eating Disorders in College Students?
Eating disorders don’t develop overnight. Often, they’re the result of a combination of stressors. Here are some common triggers for college students according to the National Library of Medicine:
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A sudden increase in academic pressure
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Loneliness or social anxiety
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Exposure to extreme fitness/diet culture
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Living in environments where food is chaotic or unpredictable
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Underlying anxiety, depression, or trauma
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Perfectionism or needing control over at least something
Add in a buffet-style dining hall, late-night social events, and little sleep, and it’s easy to see how things can spiral quickly. The shift from high school to college life is massive, and without support, students can easily fall into harmful patterns that lead to eating disorders.
Signs & Symptoms of Eating Disorders in College Students to Watch For
You don’t need to “look sick” to have an eating disorder. In fact, many college students appear completely fine on the outside, but inside, they’re struggling. Here are some signs that may indicate it’s time to seek help:
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Obsessing over food, calories, or “clean eating”
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Skipping meals or secretive eating
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Exercising excessively to “earn” or “burn off” food
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Mood swings, fatigue, or intense irritability
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Anxiety about social events that involve food
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Constant body-checking or negative self-talk
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Isolating from roommates or friends
If any of these sound familiar, we want you to know that your experience is valid, and help is available.
Does Online Therapy Work for College Students with Eating Disorders?
Short answer: yes. Long answer: It may actually work better.
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We’ve found that online eating disorder therapy for college students helps remove some of the biggest barriers to care, like time, transportation, or fear of being seen walking into a counseling center. College schedules are chaotic, and you may not have hours to spare between classes, clubs, and work.
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With online therapy, you can meet with your therapist privately from your dorm room, apartment, or even your car. And for many students, that sense of privacy and flexibility makes it easier to stay consistent with treatment.
Our Approach to Eating Disorder Therapy for College Students
At Recovered & Restored, we don’t believe in one-size-fits-all therapy. We tailor your treatment to meet you where you are, with compassion, clinical excellence, and zero shame. Whether you’re struggling with anorexia, bulimia, binge eating, ARFID, orthorexia, or simply feeling out of control with food, we’re here to help you reconnect with your body and your sense of self.
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Our team offers a comprehensive, individualized approach that includes one-on-one therapy with an eating disorder specialist, nutrition support from Registered Dietitians like Rachel, and trauma-informed care that addresses perfectionism, anxiety, and other co-occurring challenges.
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We also provide Christian counseling upon request, flexible online therapy to fit your busy schedule, and optional family sessions if you’d like additional support. Our collaborative model means we work closely with physicians, psychiatrists, and dietitians to make sure you receive integrated care that meets your full range of needs.
You Are Not Alone (Even If It Feels Like It)​
So many college students feel like they have to “hold it all together.” You’re expected to perform well academically, stay fit, maintain friendships, and somehow eat “perfectly” through it all. It’s no wonder that food, exercise, and control can start to feel like your only anchors. But healing is possible - and you don’t have to do it alone. As Rachel reminds us, “We can move forward with scars. In fact, our scars can show other hurt people healing.” Let this be the moment you start your own recovery journey.
Ready to Take the First Step?
Whether you’re ready to dive into therapy or just want to talk to someone about what’s going on, our team is here. We offer eating disorder therapy for college students in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Delaware, South Carolina, Maryland, Connecticut, Vermont, and Florida, all online and on your schedule.