Virtual Teen Eating Disorder Treatment & Parent Support
Compassionate support for teens and parents navigating food and body image struggles.
Eating disorders often start quietly…
Maybe it’s skipping meals, pushing food around the plate, suddenly “eating clean,” or spending hours at the gym.
Maybe it’s pinching their stomach in the mirror, breaking down over a swimsuit, or sobbing that they hate how they look.
As a parent, it’s terrifying. You want to protect them, but you’re also walking on eggshells, worried that saying the wrong thing will make it worse.
Eating disorders are serious, physically and emotionally
They’re also complex. It’s not just about the food
Food can be linked with fear, control, and anxiety
Left untreated, eating disorders can cause lifelong health complications
But with the right support, they’re also highly treatable
Your support as a parent can make all the difference in preventing and treating food and body concerns.
Virtual Teen Eating Disorder Treatment & Parent Support
Nutrition support for eating disorder recovery that starts with the family – not just the food.
My approach is grounded in Family-Based Treatment (FBT) – a proven model that puts parents in charge of the recovery process. Your teen may not be ready to change, but you can lead the way with expert support.
This work is for you if:
- You’re seeing restriction, food fears, body fixation, or anxiety around meals
- Your teen is panicked about missing workouts or cutting out entire food groups
- You’re overwhelmed and unsure how to help without making things worse
- You want structured, compassionate guidance to re-nourish your child AND rebuild trust at the table
Together, we’ll build a plan that helps you take charge of meals, set loving boundaries, and respond to the emotional rollercoaster of recovery without shame or blame.
You don’t need a referral or diagnosis to get started. And it doesn’t have to be “bad enough” to act. If your gut is telling you something’s off, believe it.
Your teen (and you) will walk away with:
A calmer, more connected relationship with food
Skills to manage eating disorder thoughts and behaviors
Confidence in fueling their growing, changing body
Strategies to handle perfectionism, body image, and social pressure
Support for you as a parent, so you know what to say, what to do, and how to help without making things worse
How It Works:
1. Schedule a free Parent Welcome Call (highly recommend)
I strongly recommend starting here. This 20-minute call is for parents only; your teen doesn’t need to attend. It gives us space to talk openly about what’s been happening, your concerns, and what kind of support might help.
Your teen can join partway through (if appropriate), but most families find it helpful to begin the conversation adult-to-adult so I can get a clear picture of what’s going on and how to best structure care.
2. Begin 1:1 sessions
We’ll meet regularly (with or without parent check-ins depending on the case) to work on nutrition goals, rebuild trust around food and body, and strengthen family feeding dynamics.
3. Get support in between sessions
Questions and worries can pop up at any time. You’ll have access to HIPAA-compliant chat for check-ins, questions, or reassurance. You don’t have to figure this out on your own.
Compassionate care that meets your teen where they are. I’ll offer evidence-based support that adapts to your teen’s needs, pace, and personality, while giving YOU tools to help at home.
Hi, I’m Marissa!
Let me start off by saying, I wish I had this when I was a teen. Since 2009, I’ve been a registered dietitian nutritionist with experience helping teens and families navigate the messy, confusing world of eating disorders, disordered eating, and body image.
I use Family-Based Treatment (FBT) principles, i.e., the gold standard for adolescent eating disorders, to empower you as the parent to be part of the solution, not sidelined or blamed.
I also work directly with teens to rebuild trust with food, reduce anxiety, and learn how to fuel their growing bodies.
I’m not here to shame you as a parent – we get enough of that. You will both have a space where your teen can feel safe eating again, and where you get real guidance that fits your family.
“My son found a lot of value working with Marissa. She knew how to be what my son has termed, a cool older sister, helping him while staying professional. Is he still upset when kids comment on his weight? Yes. Does he still binge-eat to numb himself? Not anymore, and we are also no longer patrolling him at the table like we used to. Marissa’s support has been fantastic for our family.”
– 14-year old client (name protected for privacy)
“I’ve had weekly solo sessions as a parent while my daughter has had her own sessions, and at times we’ve come together. From day one, we both knew we were in the best hands. Marissa has been a lifeline for us during my daughter’s struggle with anorexia. We couldn’t be more grateful for her support. She also went above and beyond to help coordinate care outside of Washington for my daughter as she transitions to a new team in another state for college.”
— Parent of a 18-year-old client (name protected for privacy)
Fees & Insurance for Virtual Teen Eating Disorder Treatment & Parent Support
Rates below are for clients paying out of pocket at the time of service. Insurance rates may differ.
Initial Session – $250
- 75-minute virtual session to deep dive to map out your relationship with food, movement, and body
- We’ll set clear goals that feel doable, not overwhelming
Follow-Up Sessions – $165
- 50-minute virtual sessions
- Ongoing support tailored to your needs
- Weekly or biweekly options available
I’m an in-network provider with Aetna, Premera, Regence and most Blue Cross Blue Shield plans. Check out my fees page and FAQ for more information on superbills and cost.
Not sure what your insurance covers? Call the number on the back of your card and ask the right questions using my handy cheat sheet!
FAQ
Still have questions? Explore the FAQ below or reach out and let’s chat!
Does my teen need a formal eating disorder diagnosis to work with you?
Not at all. Many of the teens I see are in that in-between space, maybe they’ve never been diagnosed, but something’s clearly off. Maybe they’re skipping meals, cutting out foods, overexercising, or constantly criticizing their body. You don’t need a label to get help. If your teen is struggling, that’s reason enough to reach out.
What if my teen is stepping down from residential or IOP?
That’s a great time to start. I provide ongoing outpatient support for teens transitioning from higher levels of care. We’ll work together to maintain progress, prevent relapse, and support your family as your teen reintegrates into home, school, and social life. I’ll also coordinate care with your team if needed.
How often will we meet, and for how long?
Sessions are typically weekly to start, and we’ll adjust based on progress and needs. I offer flexible scheduling and HIPAA-compliant messaging between sessions, so you always feel supported.
What if my teen doesn’t think they have a problem?
That’s really common, and it doesn’t mean support isn’t needed. I take a gentle, non-confrontational approach that helps build trust first, not force compliance. Teens often come around when they feel respected and understood.
What if my teen is an athlete?
I have experience working with student-athletes and understand how body image, performance, and fueling intersect. We’ll address these issues with care so your teen can maintain a healthy relationship with their sport and with food.
🌈 Do you work with LGBTQIA+ teens?
Yes. My practice is inclusive and affirming of all gender identities and sexual orientations. I recognize that gender, body image, and eating can be deeply connected, and I’ll always respect your teen’s identity and needs. If your teen goes by a different name or pronouns, I’ll use them without question.
Do you only work with teens in Washington?
I’m licensed in Washington and certified to see clients in New York. In some states (like California) I can also provide care with a doctor’s referral. I’m able to work with families in several other states, too.
Not sure if we can work together? Book a quick call. If I’m not the right fit based on your location, I’ll connect you with someone who can from my trusted network of non-diet dietitians.
Can’t my teen just do this without me?
It’s a common question, and I get it. You may want to give your teen space, or maybe they’ve asked to handle this on their own. But in most cases, the answer is: not at first.
Parents play a critical role in prevention and recovery. For teens under 18, I require that a parent or guardian is involved in the intake process and attends the Welcome Call. That doesn’t mean you’ll be in every session, but it does mean we’ll be working together to create a supportive environment for your teen’s healing and intervention.
As care progresses, your teen may attend sessions independently when clinically appropriate. But even then, I’ll stay connected with you through regular check-ins, parent sessions, or messaging support. This is because eating and body image struggles often show up in the family system, not just the individual.
My goal isn’t to take over. It’s to help your teen feel supported by you, not just by me.
I’m not sure I agree with Health at Every Size (HAES). Will this still be a fit?
I’m a weight-inclusive dietitian, which means I do align with the core principles of Health at Every Size: that health is complex, weight is not the only indicator of well-being, and every person deserves respectful care.
That said, I also don’t subscribe to the extremes this movement has sometimes taken on. I’m not interested in pushing a political agenda. I’m interested in helping your teen recover, feel safe in their body, and develop a nourishing, sustainable relationship with food.
If you’re unsure or hesitant, that’s okay. You don’t have to agree with everything I believe to work with me. What matters most is that we’re on the same page about getting your teen the support they need, without shame, fear, or rigid rules.
Will you focus on weight?
Not in the way diet culture does. I focus on behaviors, not numbers. If weight needs to be discussed for medical, growth, or recovery reasons, it’s done with care, compassion, and in a way that supports your teen’s overall healing, and we will use BLIND weigh-ins, if that is the best fit.
Is this worth it if my teen already has a therapist or doctor?
Absolutely. Nutrition counseling is a key part eating disorder recovery, and when it’s collaborative, it’s even more effective. I regularly coordinate care with therapists, pediatricians, and specialists to make sure we’re all working toward the same goals.
When parents are supported and nutrition is addressed alongside therapy, recovery tends to stick. Families often tell me this is where things finally started to click.
What if I want my teen to get nutrition support, but they don’t want it?
It’s common for teens to feel resistant, especially if the eating disorder or their “healthy eating” feels like it’s helping them cope. But recovery can’t wait until they’re “ready.” I work closely with parents to take the lead when needed, especially early on.
Many teens grow more open over time as they feel safer, more supported, and less stuck in the eating disorder.
In the meantime, parents can begin their own support sessions, especially if we’re using Family-Based Treatment (FBT). You don’t need your teen’s buy-in to start getting help.
Your teen doesn’t have to keep feeling alone and neither do you.
Let’s talk and see if this is the right fit for your family.
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