Certification For Treating Eating Disorders in High School Students

Eating disorders are a growing crisis among high school students, yet many professionals lack the specialized training needed for effective intervention. The Eating Disorders Education Institute (EDEI) offers certification programs to bridge this educational gap, providing evidence-based training for clinicians, educators, and community advocates. EDEI’s courses are developed by experts, cover a wide range of topics, and offer flexible, accessible learning options for busy professionals. By pursuing certification, individuals can gain the skills to support adolescents, improve recovery outcomes, and help address this critical public health issue.

about us

Eating disorders are complex illnesses that affect youth and adolescents across all body sizes, leading to severe impacts during the most vulnerable and formative years of their lives. Identifying and treating eating disorders in high school students requires specific knowledge and compassionate intervention.

Unfortunately, a significant education gap exists when it comes to treating and identifying eating disorders, leaving many professionals unprepared to support vulnerable teens in the midst of their battle with eating disorders.1 This lack of education directly results in a gap in care. When educators, guidance counselors, and healthcare workers lack the proper tools, adolescents miss out on critical early interventions that could dramatically improve their recovery outcomes.2

The Eating Disorders Education Institute (EDEI) provides specialized training designed to bridge this divide. We are committed to sharing the latest evidence-based findings, honoring lived experiences, and breaking the stigma surrounding eating disorders. Through our comprehensive certification programs, professionals can gain the clinical wisdom needed to support adolescents effectively.

The rate of adolescents with eating disorders has increased dramatically in recent years, with hospitalization rates for adolescent eating disorders having climbed six- to seven-fold since 2010.3

The number of eating disorders in high school students and adolescents is shocking, yet remains marred by stigma and difficult to detect. That’s why eating disorder certifications and programs are crucial for counselors, advocates, peer support specialists, and healthcare providers working day in and day out with youth.

An eating disorder certification is a formal credential that verifies a professional’s expertise in identifying, assessing, and treating eating disorders. It involves rigorous training through a targeted curriculum and, often, supervised practicum hours.

This credentialing ensures that clinicians, educators, and community advocates use the most current, evidence-based practices available. In fact, research shows that continuous professional development, such as through certification programs like those at EDEI, gives providers the tools they need to provide improved treatment and enhance patient outcomes.4

Committing to Combat Eating Disorders in High School Students

High school is a critical developmental period marked by intense physical, emotional, and social changes. Adolescents face immense pressure regarding body image, making them particularly vulnerable to eating disorders, especially during this age of social media.5

Professionals who work closely with teens, such as school counselors, athletic coaches, pediatricians, and therapists, need specialized training to recognize the subtle warning signs. Without certification, well-meaning adults might unintentionally overlook symptoms or utilize outdated approaches that do more harm than good.

An Overview of the Eating Disorders Education Institute (EDEI)

EDEI is an educational organization dedicated to empowering professionals through comprehensive training on eating disorders. Our mission is to deliver an educational experience that blends evidence-based practices with deep clinical expertise. We provide recognizable, portable virtual badges and professional credentials (such as the EDEI-EDP Professional Credential) for individuals seeking to enhance their knowledge and improve care.

A robust certification must address the multifaceted nature of these illnesses. At EDEI, our online courses cover a wide spectrum of essential topics:

Introduction to Eating Disorders and Disordered Eating: Understanding the foundational definitions and recognizing diet culture and weight stigma.
Medical Complications of Eating Disorders: Learning the severe physical impacts these disorders have on growing adolescent bodies.
Psychological Approaches to Eating Disorders Treatment: Exploring evidence-based therapeutic modalities used in modern treatment.
Key Concepts in Eating Disorder Assessment: Mastering the art and science of evaluating a patient’s needs.
Nourishing Body and Mind: Understanding the vital role of balanced nutrition and mindful movement in the recovery process.

We have over 15 online courses with a growing catalog of powerful resources aimed at helping individuals and professionals better understand the complexities of eating disorders. Our courses cover a wide range of topics, from the basics of identification and diagnosis to advanced treatment strategies and techniques.

Choose your EDEI Learning Pathway to earn a full EDCS Professional Credential or one of our Certificates. EDEI provides recognizable, portable, uniquely verifiable virtual badges for each program.

High school students face unique challenges, from peer pressure and social media influence to complex academic stress. Effective training programs specifically address interventions tailored for this age group. By focusing on the unique presentation of eating disorders in high school students, professionals learn how to engage teens in treatment and collaborate effectively with their families and school systems through our program.

Eating disorders do not discriminate; they impact individuals across the entire spectrum of body sizes, genders, and identities. EDEI incorporates deep cultural competency work into our certification process. Professionals must learn to approach treatment with inclusivity, addressing complex trauma and honoring the diverse lived experiences of their clients.

Certification programs can be found in various fields, each with its own unique focus and approach. So what makes EDEI’s certification stand out?

Developed and Taught by Experts

EDEI’s courses are crafted by adult learning specialists and leading eating disorder experts. The curriculum integrates rigorous clinical wisdom with the lived experiences of individuals and families who have navigated the recovery journey. Currently, we have 12 qualified, educated instructors who are passionate about helping people develop their skills and knowledge to support individuals struggling with eating disorders.

Evidence-Based Approach

At EDEI, we pride ourselves on providing evidence-based education. Our courses are backed by the latest research in the field of eating disorders. We recognize that each individual’s recovery journey is unique and constantly evolving, so our approach is flexible and adaptable to meet the needs of those we serve.

Micro-certifications and Specialized Courses

EDEI recognizes that different professionals need different levels of training. We offer 15+ online courses, including specialized classes like “Unsafe as a Way of Life: Complex Trauma in the Development of Eating Disorders.” We offer pathways ranging from micro-certifications for community advocates to full credentials for clinical workers, which include 10 asynchronous courses alongside 24 hours of live group practicum.

Accessibility and Inclusive Learning

We believe education should be accessible to everyone. Our courses are hosted on the Canvas platform and feature accessibility tools, including multiple language options and a dyslexia-friendly font. Professionals can move through the asynchronous curriculum at their own pace, making it manageable for those balancing full-time careers and personal responsibilities.

A global gap in education is directly resulting in a gap in care for vulnerable youth. Specialized certification is one of the most effective ways to equip professionals with the tools they need to identify, understand, and treat eating disorders compassionately.

If you are a clinician, educator, or community advocate looking to make a meaningful difference, pursue your eating disorder certification through EDEI. Together, we can break out of traditional silos, share critical knowledge, and ensure that every high school student receives the support they deserve. Visit the Eating Disorders Education Institute website today to explore our course catalog and begin your certification journey.

Who can benefit from taking EDEI certification courses?

Our courses are designed for a wide range of professionals, including pediatricians, psychiatrists, social workers, dieticians, K-12 educators, guidance counselors, and athletic coaches. Anyone who works closely with adolescents or patients affected by eating disorders can benefit from our training.

How long does it take to complete the EDEI certification?

EDEI offers a flexible, self-paced learning environment. While the timeline varies depending on the specific pathway you choose, the full EDEI-EDP credential includes 10 asynchronous online courses plus 24 hours of live group practicum sessions. You can navigate the curriculum at a speed that fits your schedule.

Does EDEI accept transfer credits from other certifications?

Yes. If you are already holding or engaged in a certificate (such as the CEDS credential through IAEDP), EDEI will honor that investment and allow for transfers prior to June 2027.

Are EDEI courses accessible for people with learning differences?

Absolutely. The Canvas platform used by EDEI includes several accessibility features, such as the ability to access content in multiple languages and the use of a dyslexia-friendly font, ensuring an inclusive learning experience for all professionals.

References

Bryant E, Spielman K, Le A, et al. Screening, assessment and diagnosis in the eating disorders: findings from a rapid review. Journal of Eating Disorders. 2022;10(1). doi:https://doi.org/10.1186/s40337-022-00597-8
Mills R, Hyam L, Schmidt U. A Narrative Review of Early Intervention for Eating Disorders: Barriers and Facilitators. Adolescent Health, Medicine and Therapeutics. 2023;Volume 14(14):217-235. doi:https://doi.org/10.2147/ahmt.s415698
Digitale E. More kids are being hospitalized for eating disorders — researchers learned why. News Center. Published 2024. https://med.stanford.edu/news/insights/2024/01/kids-hospitalized-eating-disorders-why.html
Khitam Alsaqer, Ireifij A, Duaa Fayiz Al-Maghaireh, et al. Effectiveness of a continuous training program on knowledge and professional development of healthcare providers in healthy community clinics in Jordan: a quasi-experimental study. BMC Nursing. 2025;24(1). doi:https://doi.org/10.1186/s12912-025-03046-4
Costa A, Teixeira B, Pereira R, Warkentin S, Oliveira A. Adolescents’ Perceptions of Disordered Eating Behaviors, Influencing Factors, and Perceived Effects on Health and Well-Being. Journal of Nutrition Education and Behavior. Published online January 2026. doi:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jneb.2026.01.008

What I want to say to anybody who's entering this field is use your voice…because you never know the lives, the moments, the people, the memories that you're going to save by doing so.

Johanna Kandal Founder & CEO, The Alliance for Eating Disorders

EDEI is meaningful to me because it honors the stories, struggles, and resilience of everyone affected by eating disorders. Its education rooted in lived experience, evidence, wisdom and care.

Chevese Turner Founding Partner & President, Eating Disorders Education Institute (EDEI)

When I first began developing “Foundations of Cultural Awareness and Sensitivity in Eating Disorder Practice, Research, and Advocacy,” my vision was…to cultivate an experience that opens doors for learners to reflect deeply, challenge assumptions, and grow into more culturally aware, sensitive, and responsive providers.

Patrilie Hernandez Embody Lib, St. Louis, MO

We all want to see our clients recover, and we must guide them in that direction taking into account their autonomy as well as our responsibilities as clinicians to protect.

Elisha Contner Wilkins, MS, LMFT, CEDS-C Senior Clinical Lead, Within Health, VA

about us

Explore our website and learn more about how our courses can increase your knowledge, improve your care, and work toward a world that can better understand and treat eating disorders. EDEI delivers global learning, with courses that build knowledge and understanding, increase confidence, impact care.