Frequently Asked Questions

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Psychotherapy is a proven method to treat mental health issues.  I use evidence-based techniques that have been proven to help people recover from eating disorders, trauma, substance abuse, and mood disorders.  Some of these include DBT, CBT, ACT, brainspotting, EMDR, and trauma-informed treatment.

Registered Dietitians (RD) have not only a background in science such as biology, chemistry, biochemistry, anatomy and physiology but we also have education on how the body processes nutrients of all types.  We are uniquely educated to create meal plans, nutrition requirements, and have the knowledge to help people achieve lasting changes regarding physical health and repairing an individual's relationship with food.

Certified Eating Disorder Specialists and Consultants (CEDS-C) are considered eating disorder specialists. I have obtained this certification by taking four additional classes on eating disorders, passing an exam, writing a case study on treating people with eating disorders, giving educational presentations on my work with this population, and continuing to stay abreast of current research. I have written articles and been quoted in articles in the media on eating disorders, and I have completed three years of supervision on treating people with eating disorders.  I have been working with people with eating disorders since 2012 and am credentialed to provide supervision to dietitians pursuing the CEDS credential through iaedp. 

Nutritional counseling focuses solely on your relationship with food and teaches you how to identify when you're physically hungry and what to eat/ how to eat and cook.  It encompasses basically everything having to do with the skills involved in preparing food, eating, and medical issues caused by disordered eating, chronic dieting, and eating disorder behaviors.

Psychotherapy sessions focus on the emotional content of your mental health struggle, as well as offering ways to cope with life and relationships.  It also includes developing skills to process negative feelings and emotions as well as body image concerns and how to improve your view of the body.

Psychotherapy focused on healing an eating disorder (as well as other trauma-based issues such as drug and alcohol abuse among many others) concentrates on emotions and why you developed the eating disorder to begin with.  What hole did the eating disorder fill in your life, and what role does it continue to play?  What healthier coping mechanism has it replaced and why? Psychotherapy can help you reprocess traumatic events in a way that helps you move beyond them so they stop controlling your life.  Psychotherapy focuses on your mental health, and nutritional counseling focuses on your physical health issues. 

Eating disorders are mental health issues that are psychological as well as medical.  When you don't eat enough or use other unhealthy forms of weight control, your physical body is greatly affected. This involves not just a therapist and dietitian but also a medical doctor, and, for many people, a psychiatrist.  This multidisciplinary team works together to treat the eating disorder from all sides and is the best chance to reach full recovery.

According to my profession’s code of ethics, working for one client in dual roles is not acceptable. It is also best for your care to have two different individuals treating different aspects of your eating disorder so as to pull from a wider range of perspectives.  Therefore, you and I will discuss what role I should take on to best serve your recovery.  I will then refer your case out to another clinician who will work as your dietician or therapist. 

Hayley Miller Counseling is not in network with insurance for nutritional counseling or psychotherapy. However, I can provide you with a superbill listing all fees paid for you to submit to your insurance for reimbursement.

If you would like to check with your insurance on out of network reimbursement, please provide them with the following codes we will bill: for nutritional counseling: 97802, 97803, 97804. The codes we bill for psychotherapy are: 90791 and 90834. Please call your insurance to see if you have coverage for out of network nutrition sessions.

That depends on the reason for the visit, the severity of the eating disorder or medical issue, and the goals you would like to achieve. Typically, people with a shorter dieting history see me for a shorter time, potentially 3-4 months. People with more severe dieting, trauma, mood disorders, substance abuse, and eating disorder histories need a longer term of treatment.  We will determine the course of treatment after the first session, during which time I will evaluate your case and discuss the treatment options available to you.