Why Therapist and Dietitian Care Coordination Matters for Whole-Person Healing
At Nurtari, we believe that true healing happens when care is collaborative, connected, and centered on the whole person. This is especially true when it comes to the relationship between mental health and nutrition.
Food is never just food. It’s tied to emotions, beliefs, trauma, culture, medical needs, and nervous system regulation. That’s why coordinated care between a therapist and a registered dietitian isn’t just helpful — it’s often essential.
As we prepare to welcome a Registered and Licensed Dietitian (RD/LD) to the Nurtari team, we want to share why therapist–dietitian collaboration is such a powerful foundation for total wellness.
The Mind–Body Connection Is Not Optional
Mental health and physical health are deeply intertwined. Anxiety can impact digestion. Depression can affect appetite and energy. Trauma can shape how the body responds to hunger, fullness, and safety.
When therapy and nutrition care happen in isolation, important pieces of the picture can be missed. When they happen together — with communication and shared goals — clients experience care that is more effective, safer, and deeply supportive.
Why Coordination Matters — Especially in Eating Disorder & Medical Care
For individuals navigating eating disorders, disordered eating, or other medical conditions, coordination is not a luxury — it’s best practice.
When therapists, dietitians and the medical provider collaborate, it allows for:
Aligned treatment goals so clients aren’t receiving mixed messages
Early identification of medical or emotional concerns
Reduced shame and confusion around food and body experiences
Consistent, supportive, and collaborative messaging across providers
Safer care, especially when medical monitoring is needed
This team-based approach helps ensure that emotional healing and physical nourishment move forward together.
What Collaborative Care Looks Like at Nurtari
At Nurtari, collaboration is intentional and client-centered. With appropriate consent, therapists and dietitians work together to:
Share insights that support treatment progress
Coordinate care with medical providers when needed
Respect each professional’s scope while maintaining a unified approach
Support both emotional regulation and nutritional stability
Clients don’t have to carry information back and forth between providers — the care team communicates so clients can focus on healing.
Supporting Total Wellness — Not Just Symptom Reduction
Our approach to care coordination isn’t only about addressing symptoms. It’s about supporting total wellness.
That includes:
A healthy relationship with food and body
Emotional resilience and self-trust
Nervous system regulation
Normalize eating patterns
Sustainable routines that honor both mental and physical health
When nutrition therapy and mental health care are aligned, clients are supported in a way that honors the complexity of being human.
Welcoming Nutrition Therapy to Nurtari
We’re excited to share that Nutrition Therapy is coming to Nurtari, with the addition of a Registered and Licensed Dietitian we are able to support clients with:
Eating disorder recovery
Nutrition therapy for those navigating various co-occurring conditions
Overall health and wellness
Collaborating with physicians and other providers as part of a comprehensive care team
This addition allows us to deepen our commitment to integrated, compassionate care — offering clients access to nutrition support that is trauma-informed, non-diet, and aligned with therapeutic work.
Who May Benefit from Coordinated Therapy & Nutrition Care?
You may benefit from working with both a therapist and dietitian if you:
Feel anxious, overwhelmed, or disconnected around food
Are recovering from an eating disorder or disordered eating
Are managing a medical conditions, we will work in coordination with your medical provider(s)
Want support with overall wellness without dieting or shame
Desire care that looks at the whole picture — not just one piece
Moving Forward — Together
At Nurtari, we believe you shouldn’t have to choose between mental health care and nutrition support. Healing happens best when your care team works together.
With the upcoming addition of nutrition therapy, we’re honored to continue supporting our clients through integrated, whole-person care in one place — where your mind, body, and well-being are all part of the conversation.
If you’re interested in learning more about nutrition therapy at Nurtari or how coordinated care could support your wellness journey, we invite you to reach out to us at info@nurtari.com or call us at 314-279-9751.
You don’t have to navigate this alone — we’re here to support you, in nurturing all the parts of you.