The Rexburg Counseling and Eating Disorder Center is a brand-new center that recently branched off from Integrated Counseling and Wellness, another mental health center here in Rexburg.
Open since February, the new Rexburg Eating Disorder Center is the only facility in southeastern Idaho specializing in the treatment of eating disorders. They do one-on-one therapy with a variety of men, women and adolescents 13 years of age and older.
Danielle Peterson, a certified eating disorder specialist and licensed clinical social worker, says the need for their services is going up.
“We get full pretty quickly, but the nice thing about working with BYUI is that we have students,” Peterson said. “It’s definitely a need, and unfortunately, eating disorders are on the rise because of our culture.”
Peterson says the center has a partnership with the BYU-Idaho Student Health Center, which their owner, Liz Stephenson, has helped facilitate.
“They’re unfortunately not equipped to deal with eating disorders, so the Health Center will send people to us,” Peterson said. “They’ll ask us questions so that they are more readily available to diagnose an eating disorder.”
It’s extremely important to be aware of everything that goes into diagnosing an eating disorder, Peterson says, as well as prevent further harm.
“You have to be very aware of the medical, nutritional side because it’s not just a mental health disorder,” Peterson said. “Eating disorders are the second-leading cause of death among any mental health disorders, and that’s secondary only to opioid use disorders.”
For anyone struggling with eating or any other mental health disorders, Peterson urges them to contact the center for help.
“If you’re realizing something is going on, chances are something is,” Peterson said. “Try to get help as early as possible. Don’t be afraid to reach out for help. If you throw a stone outside, you’re going to hit someone that has mental health struggles. You’re not alone.”
Peterson says that any type of person can have an eating disorder.
To learn more about the Rexburg Counseling and Eating Disorder Center or to make an appointment, contact the center at 208-649-8300 for a free 15-minute consultation.