Eating Disorder Therapy for Teens
Are you a teen who is struggling or a parent whose child is suffering? If this is you, sending compassion and strength your way. We know talking about eating disorders can feel uncomfortable, especially when it’s your teen or yourself. At Recovered & Restored, our specialized eating disorder therapy for teens is designed with parents in mind. You don’t have to navigate this alone.
Whether you’re searching for an eating disorder therapist near me or exploring eating disorder treatment near me, our compassionate team is here to support your family every step of the way. Our approach combines evidence‑based therapies with real‑world understanding - so your teen can feel seen, heard, and guided toward lasting recovery.
Signs of Eating Disorders in Teens
Eating disorders in adolescents come in many forms, anorexia nervosa, bulimia, binge‑eating disorder, orthorexia, and more, all of which can impact teens of any shape, size, or background. Early recognition is key to effective eating disorder treatment. Common warning signs include:
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Dramatic changes in eating habits (like new “special” diets or skipping meals)
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Obsessive calorie or portion counting
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Frequent bathroom trips after eating
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Marked shifts in mood or energy (constant fatigue, irritability, or withdrawal)
Your teen might also express extreme dissatisfaction with their body, engage in excessive exercise despite feeling unwell, or show unexplained weight fluctuations.
If you’ve noticed any of these behaviors, reaching out for specialized eating disorder therapy for teens can make a world of difference, helping your child rebuild a healthy relationship with food, body, and self. Check out our recent blog What To Know About Eating Disorders and Teens for more in-depth information.
What can Trigger Eating Disorders in Teens?
Eating disorders often develop during adolescence, a time marked by rapid change, increasing pressure, and heightened emotional sensitivity. According to a 2024 study published by JMIR Publications, several key factors can trigger disordered eating behaviors in teens:
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Puberty: Teens who are further along in pubertal development may be more likely to experience body dissatisfaction and engage in harmful eating behaviors like restriction, bingeing, or over-exercising. The physical and hormonal changes of puberty can make teens more vulnerable to body image concerns.
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Higher Body Mass Index (BMI): Teens with higher BMIs may face increased social pressure or internalized weight stigma, both of which can contribute to the development of disordered eating patterns.
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Anxiety and Depression: Mental health struggles, especially anxiety and depressive symptoms, are strongly linked with disordered eating. Many teens turn to food-related behaviors as a way to cope with emotional distress or a sense of lost control.
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One of our Eating Disorder & Anxiety Therapists, Leslie Ann Glossner, M.S., recently put together a masterful blog, Depression & Anorexia. She explores how these two conditions often fuel each other, creating a cycle that feels hard to break.
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Her blog explains how restrictive eating can impact brain chemistry, worsen perfectionism, and create patterns of emotional numbing that lead to even deeper isolation. Leslie Ann walks through how shame and loneliness play a huge role - and why it’s so important to treat both conditions together, not separately. If your teen seems stuck in a loop of low mood, withdrawal, and food restriction, this post is a must-read. It’s honest, relatable, and filled with compassionate suggestions for healing.
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Here’s some good news - The same study found that teens who engaged in ongoing, collaborative digital mental health care (online eating disorder therapy) saw meaningful improvements in disordered eating symptoms over time. Early intervention and support from an eating disorder therapist can make a powerful difference.
Does Online Therapy Work for Eating Disorders in Teens?
Online therapy can be a highly effective option for teens navigating eating disorder recovery. Many teens today are juggling school, extracurriculars, and social obligations, which can make in-person appointments difficult to maintain consistently. Online therapy offers the flexibility to fit support into their already full schedules without the added stress of transportation or time away from school.
It can also feel less intimidating for some teens, who may feel more comfortable opening up from the privacy of their own space rather than walking into a therapy office. At Recovered & Restored, our therapists are experienced in building strong, meaningful connections, virtually creating a safe, judgment-free environment that meets teens where they are.
Still Not Sure if Your Teen has an Eating Disorder? Check out this blog!
As a parent, it can be difficult to know the difference between normal eating fluctuations and something more serious.
Our team at Recovered & Restored specializes in eating disorder therapy for teens and understands how important early intervention is. As Gabby shared in one of her blogs, “Learning your child’s food preferences is a journey - but when those preferences shift into rigid rules, secrecy, or shame, it may be time to seek support.”
Watching your teen struggle with food, body image, or mood changes can feel scary, but you don’t have to figure it out alone.
Eating disorders in teens are complex mental health conditions that go beyond picky eating or dieting. Our approach combines compassion, evidence-based care, and a team of professionals who truly understand the unique pressures teens face today. We help families recognize warning signs, address underlying emotional struggles, and create a path toward healing. Whether your teen is dealing with anorexia, binge eating, ARFID, or orthorexia, we’re here to offer practical tools and clinical care that support the entire family. If you're not sure where to begin, we invite you to explore our free parent course and resources or reach out to learn more about how we can help.
Not Sure Where to Start with Eating Disorder Therapy for Your Teen?
If you’re feeling overwhelmed or unsure about what steps to take, you’re not alone - and we’re here to help. At Recovered & Restored, we offer a range of free resources, including a free course created specifically for parents supporting a teen with an eating disorder.
Whether you’re just starting to notice concerning behaviors or already navigating a diagnosis, our team is ready to walk alongside you. Also, please remember your teen does not need a medical diagnosis to start treatment. Early intervention is always the best route!
In addition to eating disorder therapy, we provide family therapy, parent coaching, nutrition services, and trauma-informed care. We’re proud to serve families across Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Delaware, Maryland, South Carolina, Connecticut, Vermont, and Florida. If you’re ready to learn more or want help figuring out the best next step, get in touch with us today - we’re just a message away.