The Role of the Multidisciplinary Care Team

Eating disorders are biologically based illnesses that have both psychological and physical manifestations. This is why The Emily Program employs a multidisciplinary team of eating disorder specialists to deliver the best comprehensive care to every client. We know that no two people have the same eating disorder, so we also personalize our treatment to best fit each client’s unique situation.

Our team is able to look at eating disorders from every angle and plan treatment accordingly. In addition, we know how important it is for all of our team members to collaborate to ensure that everyone is on the same page with the client’s care. Every role is essential to the treatment and recovery of our clients. Read on to learn more about the diverse roles that make up our incredible team of professionals.

Medical Providers

Medical professionals at The Emily Program evaluate, diagnose, treat, and monitor physical ailments related to an eating disorder. Our medical team includes physician assistants, nurse practitioners, nurses, medical assistants, and more. Their main objective is to manage the medical complications that persist with eating disorders. These complications can include bacterial infections, type 2 diabetes, and osteoporosis. Depending on the setting of the care they provide, they may be involved in groups, outings, mealtimes, and therapeutic interventions. As with other members of the team, The Emily Program’s medical providers provide holistic and compassionate care for clients.

Therapists

Therapists collaborate in a multidisciplinary setting with other Emily Program clinicians to deliver comprehensive treatment to each client and their family. Therapists help clients learn how to address their symptoms and feelings in connection to eating and food. Therapy aids in coping and self-growth as well. They also serve as the main contact for their families. There are several different kinds of therapeutic treatment that are used by therapists at The Emily Program, including CBT, CBT-E, DBT, and FBT. Therapists also lead assigned group counseling sessions, use therapeutic communication skills to build strong client relationships, complete assigned studies and audits, and much more.

Psychiatry Providers

A psychiatrist is a medical doctor who can diagnose and prescribe medication to treat mental health disorders. Psychiatry providers at The Emily Program meet individually with clients, lead goals and psychoeducation groups, and attend supportive meals. They are responsible for communicating their treatment direction to staff. Psychiatrists are involved in all of our intensive programs and residential care.

Dietitians

Dietitians help clients choose food options that lead to a healthier lifestyle and nutritional balance. At The Emily Program, our dietitians go beyond the typical role of a dietitian, offering clients nutritional evaluation, counseling, education, and meal-planning services to promote mindful, nourishing eating patterns. Our dietitians also run support groups, venture into the kitchen for hands-on learning, and join clients for therapeutic meals.

Eating Disorder Technicians

Eating disorder technicians play an integral role in the function of the client’s day-to-day experience. Their responsibilities include supporting and monitoring clients during and outside of programming, leading activities designed to help clients adjust to living in a community setting, and assisting clients in gaining the skills needed to manage their eating disorder. Our eating disorder technicians draw from their experience and education in mental health, psychology, social work, and related health fields.

Yoga Instructors

At The Emily Program, the yoga instructor is a member of a multidisciplinary team that uses their training and knowledge in yoga to plan and lead yoga groups for clients receiving eating disorder treatment. Being a yoga teacher at TEP takes certain skills and experience that being a standard yoga teacher does not. Additional training in trauma-sensitive or trauma-informed yoga is preferred.

Eating disorder centers like The Emily Program are able to offer a level of specialty care that other healthcare providers are often unable to offer. One reason for this is the wide range of professionals at our centers. Another reason is that the staff at The Emily Program undergo ongoing eating disorder training, ensuring that they stay up-to-date on the latest research and treatment options. Each of the roles on our team is crucial for the recovery process and has the opportunity to make a positive impact on clients, their families, and the overall mission of the organization. The environment at The Emily Program supports wellness, for both clients and employees. Everyone here is deeply passionate about the integrity of the work, providing excellence in the delivery of care, and advocating for eating disorder awareness, recovery, and increased access to treatment. 

If you are interested in what The Emily Program has to offer, you can visit us online or call 1-888-364-5977. Learn about the levels of care we offer, here. If you are interested in becoming a part of The Emily Program team, visit our Careers page.