Image of a therapist and client in a counseling session.

1,448 people sought eating disorder therapy help in South Carolina in the last year

Discover how starting therapy with a eating disorder can support your own journey toward a happier, more fulfilling life.

No current openings

All SC providers are fully booked, but check back tomorrow — sessions become available daily!

Starting Eating disorder therapy

What is eating disorder therapy?

Eating disorder therapy is a specialized approach aimed at assisting those who are grappling with a range of eating disorders. These disorders are significant mental health conditions characterized by irregular or unhealthy eating patterns and an intense focus on body weight and shape. Common conditions addressed in Eating disorders include anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, binge-eating disorder, and avoidant/restrictive food intake disorder (ARFID).

How does eating disorder therapy work?

At Thriveworks, Eating disorders begins with a thorough assessment and personalized treatment plan. Central to eating disorder therapy is psychotherapy, often employing cognitive behavioral therapy and other specialized techniques to target negative thought patterns.

Signs of an eating disorder

The signs of an eating disorder can include:

  • Drastic weight changes
  • Preoccupation with food and body image
  • Binge eating or extreme dieting
  • Excessive exercise
  • Social withdrawal and secrecy around eating
  • Physical and emotional symptoms like fatigue and anxiety

What is the success rate of CBT for eating disorders?

CBT’s remission rate, according to some research, is generally between 50-30% for those seeking assistance for eating disorder symptoms.

What is the recovery rate for people with eating disorders?

The recovery rate for those seeking assistance with eating disorders depends entirely on the individual’s involvement in sessions, the severity of their symptoms, and their willingness to change their eating habits and relationship with food.

Is eating disorder therapy conducted in person or online?

Eating disorder therapy at Thriveworks is conducted both in person and online by video. We encourage you to choose the option that works best for you.

How long does eating disorder therapy last?

The length of Eating disorders will vary from one person to the next, dependent on their specific needs. Your therapist can help to determine what might be most beneficial for you.

Need more help deciding?

Counseling for Anorexia or Bulimia in Columbia, SC—Therapy

Some people mischaracterize anorexia and bulimia as picky phases that teens experience and then grow out of. But they are serious psychiatric disorders that can bring severe and long-term harm to a person’s health and possibly even result in death. Even though effective treatments are available, fewer than 10 percent of people receive the professional help they need for their eating disorder. Recognizing their seriousness and asking for help may be the first steps in treatment.

Thriveworks Columbia offers counseling that has helped many people overcome their disordered eating. Our counselors know the medical and psychological risks that bulimia and anorexia bring, and our goal is to provide holistic treatment for each individual who walks through our doors. Reach out today for help.

Potential Health Problems

People who have bulimia or anorexia may receive compliments on how skinny and healthy they look. While these usually come from well-meaning friends and family members, they can make the disorder worse. Healthy is not the same as skinny, and skinny is not the same as healthy. In fact, sometimes the opposite is true. Anorexia and bulimia often result in a host of health problems.

Anorexia may cause low heart rate, low blood pressure, abnormal heart beat, low white blood cells, heart failure, menstrual cycle disruptions, infertility, anemia, endocrine disruptions, premature osteoporosis, and kidney damage. Anorexia also holds the highest death rate of any psychiatric disorder.

Bulimia may cause gastric rupture, ulcers, tooth decay, gastroesophageal reflux disease, kidney damage, constipation, electrolyte imbalance, and heart failure.

Bulimia and Anorexia: Diagnostics

The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-5) recognizes several kinds of eating disorders, but bulimia and anorexia may be the most recognizable. They have many signs and symptoms in common, but they are two different disorders.

The DSM-5 gives the following diagnostics for anorexia nervosa (more commonly known as simply anorexia):

  • Experiencing extreme and irrational fear of gaining weight that leads to interference with normal, healthy weight gain or maintenance.
  • Despising one’s body weight or shape with a self-image that perceives one’s body weight and shape are larger/heavier than reality.
  • Limiting food intake so that a substantially lower body weight occurs (as related to healthy standards for one’s sex, physical health, developmental trajectory, and age).

The DSM-5 gives the following diagnostics for bulimia nervosa (more commonly known as simply anorexia):

  • A self-image that is dominated by body shape and weight.
  • Repetitive times of binge eating that include…
    • Losing control over food consumption.
    • Eating an amount of food that is clearly more than most people would consume in a similar situation and during a similar time period.
  • Engaging in compensatory behaviors that attempt to offset the binge and weight gain. Examples of such behaviors include exercising excessively; fasting for too long or too often; misusing medications such as diuretics and laxatives, diuretics; or self-induced vomiting.

Getting Help for Anorexia or Bulimia at Thriveworks Columbia

Do any of the diagnostics for anorexia or bulimia sound familiar to you? Do you or does someone you love wrestle with a distorted body image and irregular eating habits? If so, it may be time to get help. Thriveworks Columbia, SC has counseling appointments available for anorexia and bulimia. We want everyone to receive personalized care that meets their needs.

When you call to schedule counseling at our office, a person will answer and help you. Many first-time clients see their counselor within the week of calling, and we also offer convenient evening and weekend sessions. We do not keep a waitlist, but we do work with most insurance providers.

Do not battle anorexia or bulimia alone. We can work together to restore a healthy self-perception and nutritious eating habits. Call Thriveworks Columbia today.

Pricing & insurance

Our therapists accept most major insurances. We accept 585+ insurance plans, and offer self-pay options, too.
Learn more about pricing for therapy and counseling services at Thriveworks.

Our Columbia therapists and counselors accept 25 insurance plans

  • Aetna

  • Blue Cross Blue Shield | Anthem (Blue Card)

  • Blue Cross and Blue Shield of South Carolina Medicare Advantage

  • Blue Cross and Blue Shield of South Carolina | BCBS

  • Carelon

  • Carolina Behavioral Health Alliance (CBHA)

  • Cigna | Evernorth

  • Cigna | Evernorth EAP

  • Cigna | Evernorth Medicare Advantage

  • Compsych

  • First Health Network

  • Humana Exchange

Show more
Self-pay costs at Columbia
Talk therapy

Talk therapy

Includes individual, couples, child/ teen, & family therapy

First session

$1

Ongoing sessions

$1

Talk therapy

Psychiatry

Includes reducing symptoms with medication & management

First session

$1

Ongoing sessions

$1

Hear from our clients

Thriveworks Columbia has no reviews yet, but check out these reviews from locations in South Carolina.

4.5 Thriveworks Columbia reviews are collected through Thriveworks.com.
★★★★★
Thriveworks helped me realize that I do believe people can change. I’m not the person I was three months ago, broken and fearful. I’m healthy and happy and for the first time being kind to myself. Thank you for giving me my life back.
Read more Thriveworks helped me realize that I do believe people can change. I’m not the person I was three months ago, broken and fearful. I’m healthy and happy and for the first time being kind to myself. Thank you for giving me my life back.
Anonymous Thriveworks Client
Review left on Thriveworks.com

Where to find us

Getting here

Thriveworks Counseling & Psychiatry Columbia is located on Executive Pointe Blvd off of Bush River Rd, just northwest of Interstate 20 on the north side of the Saluda River. Our building is neighbored by The Steele Law Firm; S.C. Press Association; and Thomas, Watson & Company. The closest bus stop is Bush Woodland WB. If you have trouble finding our office or have any questions about how to get here, please don’t hesitate to reach out!

Phone number

(803) 573-9453

Languages spoken by SC providers

  • English
Thursday 8:00am - 9:00pm
Friday 8:00am - 9:00pm
Saturday 8:00am - 9:00pm
Sunday 8:00am - 9:00pm
Monday 8:00am - 9:00pm
Tuesday 8:00am - 9:00pm
Wednesday 8:00am - 9:00pm

Shown in ET

Thursday 7:00am - 9:30pm
Friday 7:00am - 9:30pm
Saturday 7:00am - 6:00pm
Sunday 8:00am - 5:00pm
Monday 7:00am - 9:30pm
Tuesday 7:00am - 9:30pm
Wednesday 7:00am - 9:30pm

Shown in ET

5 photos