Eating Concerns

Photo of a psychiatrist filling out forms on a clipboard as she speaks with a student sitting across from her.


Support for Eating Concerns, Disordered Eating and Body Image 

Concerns about eating, food or body image can feel overwhelming, but you don't have to face them alone. 

Eating disorders are serious but treatable mental and physical illnesses that affect people of all genders, ages, races, religions, ethnicities, sexual orientations and body sizes. Whether you're experiencing disordered eating, struggling with body image or wondering if you may have an eating disorder, support is available. 

If you're concerned about your relationship with food or your body, our team can help you understand your options and connect you with the care that's right for you. 

If you're unsure whether what you're experiencing is an eating concern, review the National Eating Disorders Association's warning signs and symptoms. This resource is intended as a guide—not a checklist. 

Get Support

Our Eating Concerns Team offers confidential support to help you understand your concerns and determine the next steps for care. Whether you're looking for counseling, nutrition support or a medical evaluation, we'll work with you to identify the services that best meet your needs. 

Counseling & Psychiatric Services (CAPS)

  303-492-2277 

Schedule a free 50-minute telehealth Eating Concerns Case Management appointment. 

During this appointment, you'll: 

  • Discuss eating- and body image-related concerns  
  • Explore possible diagnoses  
  • Learn about treatment options  
  • Receive personalized recommendations for care  

These appointments are free and do not count toward your CAPS session limit. 

Nutrition Services

  303-492-5432 

Meet with a registered dietitian for individualized support related to: 

  • Eating patterns  
  • Nutrition and nourishment  
  • Body image  
  • Your relationship with food 
Medical Evaluation

  303-492-5432 

Schedule an Eating Concerns Medical Initial appointment at Wardenburg Health Center to receive: 

  • A comprehensive medical evaluation  
  • Assessment of health concerns related to disordered eating  
  • Medical recommendations for ongoing care 

What to Expect

The Student Life Health and Well-Being Eating Concerns Team uses a multidisciplinary approach to care.

Our team includes: 

  • Clinical case managers  
  • Registered dietitians  
  • Medical providers  

Together, we assess your concerns and recommend the level of care that's right for you. 

Depending on your needs, recommendations may include: 

  • Medical care through Wardenburg Health Center  
  • Nutrition counseling  
  • Mental health treatment at CAPS  
  • Referral to an off-campus provider  
  • Referral to a higher level of eating disorder treatment  

Because CAPS provides short-term counseling, students who need ongoing weekly therapy are often referred to community providers specializing in eating disorders.

Frequently Asked Questions

CU Boulder offers a multidisciplinary approach to eating concerns that may include counseling, nutrition services and medical care, depending on your needs and whether those services fall within our scope of care. Some students may receive nutrition or medical services on campus while receiving therapy from an off-campus eating disorder specialist. 

Students are referred off campus when they need a level of care beyond what CAPS can provide. 

This may include: 

  • Weekly therapy  
  • Specialized eating disorder treatment  
  • Intensive outpatient treatment  
  • Residential treatment  
  • Care for students who are not medically stable  

Our goal is to connect every student with the most appropriate level of care. 

Students can search for community providers using Thriving Campus. 

If you're having difficulty finding care, CAPS case managers can help connect you with an off-campus provider. 

Insurance coverage does not determine where a student receives care. 

Some students need more specialized or intensive eating disorder treatment than CAPS can provide. In those cases, we'll help connect you with providers whose services best meet your treatment needs. 

Review the National Eating Disorders Association's list of possible warning signs and symptoms. 

Remember that these signs are intended as a guide—not a checklist—and everyone's experience is different. 

The transition to college can be exciting, but it can also be stressful. During periods of change, some students notice the return of eating disorder thoughts, behaviors or urges. 

If you have a history of an eating disorder, consider building a support plan before symptoms return. This may include: 

  • Regular therapy  
  • Nutrition counseling  
  • Medical support, if needed  
  • CAPS workshops focused on stress management, anxiety or body image  

Planning ahead can help you maintain your recovery throughout the school year. 

Treatment recommendations are based on each person's needs. If a higher level of care is recommended, our team can help you understand your options and connect you with appropriate treatment. 

  • Outpatient (OP): The least intensive level of care. Individuals live at home and attend regular therapy, nutrition counseling and medical or psychiatric appointments as needed. 
  • Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP): Structured treatment provided two to three days each week, typically for several hours at a time. This level of care is appropriate for individuals who are medically stable but need additional support while continuing school or work. 
  • Partial Hospitalization Program (PHP): Also called day treatment, PHP typically provides structured treatment five days each week for six to eight hours per day. Services often include individual therapy, nutrition counseling, group therapy, family therapy and supported meals. 
  • Residential Treatment: Residential programs provide 24-hour support in a structured environment for individuals who need intensive treatment while remaining medically stable. Services typically include therapy, nutrition counseling, psychiatric care and supervised meals. 
  • Inpatient Treatment: Hospital-based treatment for individuals whose eating disorder requires intensive medical and psychiatric care. Treatment focuses on medical stabilization, managing complications and beginning recovery. 
  • Acute Medical Stabilization: The highest level of care for individuals experiencing severe medical complications related to an eating disorder. Once medically stable, patients transition to an appropriate ongoing treatment program. 

Virtual treatment has made eating disorder care more accessible than ever, but it isn't the right fit for everyone. 

The best treatment option depends on factors such as your symptoms, medical needs, support system and daily responsibilities. There is no one-size-fits-all approach to recovery. 

This guide can help you: 

  • Understand the differences between virtual and in-person treatment  
  • Learn the benefits and limitations of each option  
  • Identify questions to ask when choosing a treatment program  
  • Make informed decisions about your care 

Additional Resources