Counselor’s Guide: How to Support Students with Eating Disorders as they Return to School

By Lee Neagle MA, LPC| 7 Min Read | September 17, 2024

As the school year kicks into full swing, school counselors may notice increasing anxiety among students as they navigate academic and social pressures. As a school counselor, you play a pivotal role in recognizing and addressing these challenges early on. Your proactive support can make a significant difference in a student’s life.

For students dealing with the challenges of an eating disorder, this time of year can be particularly overwhelming. The added academic and social demands may exacerbate unhealthy behaviors, making it challenging for school counselors to provide effective support. If a student approaches you with signs of disordered eating—perhaps they’ve mentioned skipping meals, avoiding the cafeteria, or becoming anxious about body image—it’s crucial to respond promptly and thoughtfully.

At Inner Haven Wellness, we understand the complex emotions and challenges that come with supporting an adolescent who is struggling with an eating disorder. Our Intensive Outpatient (IOP) and Partial Hospitalization (PHP) programs are designed to provide the specialized care your adolescent student needs while accommodating their school schedule. With flexible options available—mid-day, afternoon, and evening tracks—we’re here to support both the student and school in ensuring recovery remains the priority.

Recognizing the Signs: Is Your Student Struggling?

The stress of returning to school can lead to an increase in eating disorder behaviors, which can be difficult to recognize. Here are some key signs that your student may be struggling:

Changes in Eating Habits: Sudden restriction in food choices, skipped meals, or avoidance of certain foods can indicate that the student is using food to cope with stress.

Social Withdrawal: A previously social adolescent may start isolating themselves, avoiding friends, or skipping meals, possibly due to anxiety about food and body image.

Increased Focus on Body Image: Heightened preoccupation with body shape or weight as the school year progresses can signal distress.

Mood Swings or Emotional Distress: Eating disorders often coincide with mood changes, such as increased irritability, sadness, or anxiety, particularly in response to conversations related to food or school activities.

Physical Symptoms: Look for physical signs like unexplained weight loss, fatigue, dizziness, or digestive issues, which can be indicators of an eating disorder.

If you’re unsure if your student is struggling with an eating disorder, you can direct your student to take our 5-question quiz, or you can take the quiz on their behalf.

How to Start the Conversation with Your Student

Once you identify signs of an eating disorder, it’s crucial to approach the student with sensitivity. Here’s how to navigate this delicate conversation:

Conduct a Private Check-In: Engage in a one-on-one meeting in a confidential setting. Approach the student gently, asking open-ended questions to understand their concerns about food, body image, and school. You can ask questions like: “How are you feeling about school lately?” or “Is anything causing you stress right now?” This opens the door for the student to share without feeling pressured.

Be Gentle and Non-Judgmental: Approach the student with empathy and concern. Let them know that you’re worried about their health, not upset or angry. Share your observations in a compassionate way, saying something like: “I’ve noticed that you’ve been skipping meals or avoiding social events, and that can sometimes be a sign of stress or other concerns. I just want to check in with you.”

Focus on Health, Not Weight: Frame the conversation around the adolescent’s overall well-being, rather than focusing on weight or appearance.

Listen and Offer Support: Give your student the opportunity to share their feelings and experiences. Validate their emotions and reassure them that help is available. You can say, “It’s completely okay to feel overwhelmed. Let’s work together to figure out how we can help you feel better.”

Suggest Professional Help: If appropriate, encourage the student to consider professional treatment, such as that offered by Inner Haven Wellness. Inner Haven Wellness offers programs designed specifically for students, with flexible schedules that won’t interfere with their school commitments.

Immediate Actions for School Counselors

After addressing the student’s concerns, follow these immediate steps to ensure comprehensive support:

Collaborate with Teachers: Work with the student’s teachers to observe and share insights regarding the student’s behavior in class, around meals, and during physical activities. Teachers may notice patterns that provide a fuller picture of the student’s struggles.

Involve Parents Early: When appropriate, contact the student’s parents or guardians to share your concerns. Offer resources and guidance on seeking specialized treatment, emphasizing that your aim is to work together to support the student’s recovery.

Refer to Professional Treatment: Have an established process for referring students to eating disorder specialists. Early intervention through programs like those offered by Inner Haven Wellness can make a significant difference in a student’s recovery. Partnering with treatment centers will ensure students receive the care they need without disrupting their education.

Supporting Students Already in Treatment

For students already in treatment for an eating disorder, school counselors play a key role in supporting their recovery during the school year. Here’s how you can provide continued support:

Coordinate with Treatment Providers: Stay in regular communication with the student’s treatment team to ensure their academic and recovery plans are aligned. This may involve flexibility with meal times, physical activities, or academic workload.

Support with Academic Adjustments: Work with teachers to provide accommodations such as adjusted deadlines or modified assignments to reduce stress without hindering academic success.

Check In Regularly: Offer consistent emotional support to help the student navigate school pressures while staying focused on recovery.

The Importance of Early Intervention

Early intervention is crucial when it comes to treating eating disorders, particularly in adolescents. Research consistently shows that the sooner treatment begins, the better the chances of a full recovery. The National Eating Disorders Association (NEDA) reports that early intervention can increase the likelihood of recovery to 70-80%, compared to more chronic cases where the disorder has been left untreated for longer periods.

Why is early intervention so effective?

Reduction in Severity: Addressing eating disorder behaviors early can prevent them from becoming more severe and entrenched, reducing the overall impact on the adolescent’s physical and mental health.

Improved Academic and Social Outcomes: Getting treatment early can help your student stay engaged in school and maintain healthy relationships, which are often disrupted by the isolation and anxiety that accompany eating disorders.

Lower Risk of Long-Term Complications: Delayed treatment can lead to more serious physical health issues, such as heart problems, bone density loss, and other complications that arise from prolonged disordered eating behaviors.

Our goal at Inner Haven Wellness is to provide the highest quality care while working within each family’s schedule. We know how critical it is to intervene early, and our flexible programs are designed to support each adolescent’s recovery without disrupting their education.

Taking the Next Step

If you notice signs of worsening eating disorder behaviors, act quickly. Early intervention can significantly improve a student’s chances of recovery and help them return to a healthy, balanced life.

At Inner Haven Wellness, our admissions counselors are here to guide you through the process of finding the right treatment plan for your student. We’ll work closely with you and the student’s family to ensure that the student receives the care they need without disrupting their education.

To learn more about our programs and how we can support school counselors, visit www.innerhavenwellness.com or call us today to speak with one of our experienced admissions counselors. We are committed to working alongside you to support your student’s journey to recovery.