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Your Visit | Overview

The specialists in the Eating Disorders Program take a team approach to evaluating your child and developing an individualized treatment plan that’s right for them.

What to expect at your first appointment with the Eating Disorders Program

While no patient's experience is exactly like another's, below is a general idea of what you will experience when you have an appointment at Boston Children's Eating Disorders Program.

Please bring contact information for any providers you are seeing (therapist, nutritionist, pediatrician). Having all this information will help your appointment go smoothly.

Your initial consultation will include some combination of the following:

  • complete medical assessment, including a physical exam, and, often, a laboratory evaluation.
  • a mental health consultation with a counselor experienced in assessing and treating youth with eating disorders.
  • a nutrition evaluation with a registered dietitian. The dietician will assess your current eating patterns, evaluate your nutritional needs, help you take the initial steps toward developing a plan for healthy eating, and answer any of your questions about food.

We ask for any adult attending a visit at Boston Children’s please have a photo ID on them. Adults may be asked to show photo ID prior to entering the hospital.

Your subsequent appointments

After your initial evaluation, we will help you set up a treatment plan. Our specialists will work with your primary care provider to ensure a comprehensive treatment program and may recommend additional clinicians in your community or in another program at Boston Children’s.

Your treatment may include:

  • medical monitoring
  • ongoing individual and family therapy
  • nutritional support