The Hidden Risks of Non-Specialized Eating Disorder Treatment With Edie Stark, LCSW, @ediestarktherapy

What happens when eating disorder care is offered by clinicians with no specialized training? In this vital conversation, Dr. Marianne sits down with Edie Stark, LCSW (@ediestarktherapy), founder of Stark Therapy Group, to unpack the real—and often hidden—dangers of receiving eating disorder treatment from generalist therapists or corporate telehealth platforms like BetterHelp.

They explore why working with an eating disorder specialist matters, how disordered eating can be overlooked or misdiagnosed in non-specialized care, and the serious risks of inaccurate, unethical, or even harmful treatment. Edie also breaks down how to find high-quality, fat-positive, neurodivergent-affirming eating disorder care, even when access feels limited.

Whether you're searching for your own recovery support or you're a clinician trying to do better, this episode is a must-listen.

WHAT WE COVER IN THIS EPISODE

• The rise of venture-capitalist “therapy tech” companies and how they commodify mental health

• Ethical concerns and client horror stories from non-specialized care platforms

• Why generalist therapists are often unequipped to treat eating disorders safely

• What makes someone a true eating disorder specialist

• Why weight-loss goals should never be a treatment focus for ED clinicians

• Red flags to look for on therapist websites

• How to ask the right questions when looking for an eating disorder therapist

• The importance of training, supervision, and collaborative care teams

• The unique risks of misdiagnosis for fat, neurodivergent, BIPOC, and male clients

• Where and how to find safe, inclusive, evidence-based care

🎧 Listen now to learn how to protect yourself or your clients from underqualified treatment—and what truly specialized eating disorder recovery support looks like.

CONTACT AND FOLLOW EDIE

• Edie Stark is a licensed social worker in California, New York, and Florida.
• Connect with Edie at https://starktherapygroup.com or @ediestarktherapy on Instagram.
• Email Edie at hello@starktherapygroup.com

LISTEN TO OTHER EPISODES WITH EDIE

• The Diet/Wellness Industry, Accessibility, & Diet Culture on Apple & Spotify.
• Anti-Fat Bias & the Importance of Advocacy on Apple & Spotify.

CONTACT AND FOLLOW DR. MARIANNE

• Dr. Marianne Miller is a licensed marriage and family therapist in California, Texas, and Washington D.C.
• Visit www.drmariannemiller.com or follow @drmariannemiller on Instagram.
• Email her at hello@drmariannemiller.com