The Eating Disorders Consultation and Treatment (EDCT) Team at Student Health and Wellness provides care and support for students struggling with eating issues, body image, and/or exercise concerns. The team offers consultation, assessment, coordinated outpatient treatment, and assistance in accessing resources such as treatment providers in the community.
Eating issues and body image concerns involve complex emotional and physiological issues, and a multidisciplinary treatment model provides the most effective care for individuals struggling with these issues. Our team approaches eating disorders from a holistic perspective that includes psychological, psychiatric, medical, and nutritional support.
Initial Appointments
Medical Evaluation
The initial medical evaluation is approximately one hour and consists of a physical examination and interview regarding medical history, eating disorder treatment history, eating and exercise behaviors, and physical symptoms. Labs and other diagnostic tests may be ordered and could include assessments for anemia, electrolyte abnormalities, vitamin D level, thyroid function, heart function, and bone density.
- To schedule an appointment for a medical evaluation, call (434) 982-3915 and request a “medical evaluation for eating concerns.”
Mental Health Evaluation
An initial mental health assessment with a CAPS is approximately 90 minutes and consists of a developmental history, assessment of current symptoms, familial and personal history, as well as psychosocial and biological issues related to current difficulties.
Additional psychiatric medication evaluations, when deemed appropriate, are scheduled through the student’s psychotherapy or medical provider. An evaluation is up to 90 minutes and includes biopsychosocial assessment and detailed review of medical and psychiatric history.
- To schedule a CAPS appointment, call (434) 243-5150 and request an “initial assessment with an EDCT Team member.”
Nutritional Evaluation
An initial nutritional evaluation is scheduled for one hour and consists of an interview, assessment of energy needs, review of dietary intake and comparison to dietary guidelines, and collaborative goal setting. Check out our nutrition services website for more information.
- To schedule an appointment for a nutritional evaluation, call (434) 924-1509 and request a “nutrition intake with the dietitian."
Next Steps
Each EDCT Team provider assists with treatment referrals across the team to ensure that students are appropriately connected to psychological, medical, and nutritional services. When indicated, referrals may be made for psychiatric and gynecological care, also available at Student Health and Wellness.
- The EDCT Team meets weekly to develop care plans and recommendations tailored to each individual student’s needs. We understand that at times, eating disorder treatment may be of a longer duration or require a higher level of care than can be provided through our outpatient SHW clinic.
- We are dedicated to connecting students to the appropriate and most helpful resources to support their needs and can assist in referrals to providers in the local community and beyond.
our team
- Co-Director, Tracy Buni, MD, Assistant Director for Eating Disorders, Student Health and Wellness
- Co-Director, Melanie Brede, MS, RD, CEDRD, Senior Nutritionist, Student Health and Wellness
- Kristen Mach, MS, RDN, Nutritionist, Student Health and Wellness
- Co-Director, Deepti Athalye, PhD, Interim Director of Counseling and Psychological Services, Student Health and Wellness
- Katherine Shepley, FNP, Family Nurse Practitioner, Student Health and Wellness
- Andrew Hawkins, MD, Staff Physician, Student Health and Wellness
- Maddie Engh, Resident Counselor, Eating Disorder Focus, Student Health and Wellness
- Erin Tracy, PhD, CAPS Psychologist at McIntire School of Commerce
- Lillian Mezey, MD, Associate Director of Psychiatry, Student Health and Wellness