Campus Health & Wellbeing supports a multi-disciplinary approach to eating disorders including mental health counseling, medical monitoring, and nutritional counseling. Our providers bring empathy and encouragement to students struggling in their relationship to food and body image. If you are experiencing disordered eating, you can reach out to either Health or Counseling & Pyschological Services (CAPS) to schedule an initial medical or psychological evaluation. Recovery is possible; we are here to support you.
Nutrition counseling is an essential component of eating disorder care. At Campus Health & Wellbeing, we follow Health at Every Size (HAES) and all-foods-fit eating guidelines. By restoring adequacy, consistency, and variety to your eating patterns, and by honoring your individual genetic blueprint for body shape and size, we hope to help you find ease and enjoyment in your relationship to food.
CAPS provides time-limited, comprehensive, evidenced-based outpatient eating disorder treatment for students with eating-related concerns. Please contact 805-756-2511 to make an appointment.
An eating disorder specialist will meet one-on-one with the student to assess symptoms, gather relevant history and psycho-social information, and provide clinical impressions and recommendations. In some cases, treatment at CAPS is deemed an inappropriate fit for the student’s needs and community referrals will be given. Information on the levels of care suited for a patient's needs can be found on the National Eating Disorders Association (NEDA) website.
One of our eating disorder specialists will provide evidenced-based, time-limited one-on-one outpatient care. The exact nature and length of treatment is decided on a case-by-case basis.
We offer two groups related to eating, body image, and exercise concerns.
- Nourish is a three-session educational and motivational enhancement group. Students will participate in exercises that help them learn more about their disordered eating behaviors, the effects of nutrition deficiencies on mental and physical wellbeing, and what to expect from ongoing treatment and recovery.
- Be Body Positive gives participants the chance to learn how to overcome conflicts with their bodies to lead happier, more productive lives. The goal is for people to gather information from a place of trusting their own intuitive wisdom in order to develop balanced and lasting self-care practices so they can focus on the parts of life that have purpose and meaning.
Medical care for eating disorders includes evaluating and monitoring medical stability, assessing associated physical symptoms, and providing referrals to specialists as needed. Our medical providers are committed to helping you achieve optimal health and wellness.
Identities & Eating Disorders
Education/Support for clients and loved ones
- National Eating Disorders Association (NEDA)
- The Alliance for Eating Disorders Awareness
- Health At Every Size (HAES)
- The Body Positive
- Intuitive Eating
- Free online support group for loved ones:
Zoom Meeting ID: 847 562 752
Email with questions
Books
- Sick Enough: A Guide to the Medical Complications of Eating Disorders by Jennifer L. Gaudiani, MD, CEDS, FAED
- Life Without Ed by Jenni Schaefer
- Eating in the Light of the Moon: How Women Can Transform Their Relationship with Food Through Myths, Metaphors, and Storytelling by Anita A. Johnston, PhD
- 8 Keys to Recovery From an Eating Disorder by Carolyn Costin and Gwen Schubert Grabb
- Embody by Connie Sobczak
Helplines
- Eating Disorders Anonymous
800-931-2237
sanluisobispoeda@gmail.com
Wednesdays at 6 PM
508 Higuera Street, SLO
2.5 miles from Cal Poly
Monday-Thursday from 9am to 9pm
Wednesdays at 6 PM
Friday 9am to 5pm (Eastern Time) - Overeaters Anonymous
505-891-2664 - National Association of Anorexia Nervosa and Associated Disorders
630-577-1330 - National Eating Disorder Association
- Center for Discovery (accepts Kaiser insurance)
866-850-4559
*Locations across U.S. with FREE support groups - Monte Nido
888-228-1253
*11 locations throughout U.S. with several locations in Southern California
Support Groups
- Bright Heart Health
Online support groups for individuals with eating disorders and their family members. - Binge Eating Disorder Online Recovery Group
Zoom Meeting ID: 976 447 9755
Email with questions - Eating Disorder Recovery Coaching Group with Libby Parker, MS, RD, CEDRD & Jessica Flaherty, RD
Podcasts
Community Referrals
Off-Campus Medical Providers for Eating Disorders
- Lindsey Faucette, DO
1495 Palm St, San Luis Obispo, CA 93401
(800) 696-6756
www.slohealthcenter.com
Off-Campus Registered Dietitian Referrals for Eating Disorders
We recommend you contact your insurance provider before reaching out to a registered dietitian. We also recommend that you work with a dietitian who specializes in the treatment of eating disorders. Each of the community referrals listed below includes dietitians who are Certified Eating Disorder Specialists. This may not be an exhaustive list.
- The Yellow House Project
2598 Main Street
Morro Bay, CA 93442
(805) 225-7302 - Not Your Average Nutritionists
Digital Dietitians (virtual services)
3940-7 Broad St., #163
San Luis Obispo, CA 93401
(805) 225-3027 - SLO Eating Disorders
1411 Marsh St. Suite 108
San Luis Obispo, CA 93401
(805) 305-2254 - Cynthia Saffell, LCSW, CEDS, RD (prefers to do psychotherapy over nutrition)
1461 Higuera St. Ste C, San Luis Obispo, CA
(805) 305-2254
Cynthiasaffell@yahoo.com - ED Referral is a resource for searching for on-line and in person support for eating disorders including dietitians. You can also search for in-person RDs and other practitioners specializing in ED in your area.
- Christina Gaunce, RDN, CEDRD is a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist and Certified Eating Disorder Specialist. She offers on-line meetings as well as several free on-line courses.
- Elyse Resch, M.S., RDN, CEDRD, F.iaedp, FADA is a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist, Certified Eating Disorder Registered Dietitian, Fellow of the International Association of Eating Disorder Professionals, the F.A.D.A. means Fellow of The American Dietetic Association, and Fellow of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. She offers phone meetings.
Off-campus Mental Health Providers for Eating Disorder Students
- Erin Elfant, PhD
865 Santa Rosa Street
San Luis Obispo, CA 93401
(805) 467-7274 - Leslie Barber, LMFT
Online therapy
(805) 307-3740 - Heidi M Lewin-Miller, LMFT, RD
1110 California Blvd, Ste. E
(805) 468-4908 - Julie Messer, LMFT
697 Higuera, Ste. D
(805) 503-8193 - Karen Schneller, LMFT, CEDS
1530 Monterey St. Ste A2
SLO, CA 93401
(805) 316-7124 - Christina Martinez, MFCC
Virtual services
Former ERC online founder
Mississippi, with California licensure
(901) 502-6480 - Jennifer Swanson, EdD, LP, LPCC
Avila Beach, CA 93424
(805) 420-1505
Intensive Outpatient Eating Disorder Programs
- Central Coast Treatment Center
508 Higuera St., San Luis Obispo, CA 93401
(805) 688-5057 - Eating Recovery Center Virtual Intensive Outpatient Program
1-866-414-3853
