Eating Disorders Recovery Program

What to Expect

Adolescent Medicine

If you and your child had a telehealth consultation and will be taking part in the Adolescent Medicine 12-week Outpatient Eating Disorders Program, learn what to expect and how to prepare for your child’s in-person medical evaluation (PDF) (Arabic) (Simplified Chinese) (Somali) (Spanish) (Vietnamese).

  • Before your appointment
    • Complete any forms you have received from us before you arrive at our clinic. Please bring them with you to your child’s appointment.
    • Bring medical insurance cards or a valid medical coupon for the month of your appointment. To avoid having to pay for a visit, please bring all referrals.
    • Bring any medicines and medical equipment your child uses and any forms that might need to be signed by our providers, like school forms.
    • Ask your child’s primary care provider for any prior lab results, ECG or EKG (electrocardiogram) and growth charts for your child and bring them with you. This helps avoid repeating tests.
    • Ask your child’s primary care provider to fax your child’s records to us at 206-985-3499.
    • Please plan to check in 15 minutes before your child’s appointment. If you arrive more than 20 minutes late, you will be asked to reschedule.
    • Learn more about what to do before your appointment.
  • At check-in
    • We will update your and your child’s phone numbers.
    • Your child may have the option to sign up for electronic healthcare communication.
  • During the in-person medical evaluation visit
    • You and your child may start the visit together.
    • We will ask your child their preferred name and pronouns.
    • Your child may be asked to provide a urine sample.
    • Your child may be asked to complete confidential health questionnaires.
    • You may be asked to step out of the room for part of the visit.
    • It is important that your child have time to talk with their provider alone. This helps them learn to manage their own health.
    • Your child may see more than 1 member of our multidisciplinary team.
  • At the end of the visit
    • If you left the room, your child will come out to meet you in the waiting room with a visit summary.
    • Please let your child’s providers know if you have questions.
  • Who will see my child?

    Here are the providers your child will see and what will happen during the visit. The visit will be in the Adolescent Medicine Clinic.

    Medical assistant:

    • Takes vital signs like blood pressure, temperature, height and weight.
    • Takes blood pressure or heart rate when your child is lying down and then when they are standing up, if needed.
    • Weighs your adolescent in a gown while they face away from the scale after they go to the bathroom. You and your child will not be able to see the weight.
    • Does other tests if the provider requests.

    Medical provider (doctor, nurse practitioner or physician’s assistant):

    • Takes patient and family medical history
    • Talks to adolescent alone
    • Does a physical exam
    • Reviews lab results
    • Orders lab work and tests, if needed
    • Refers you to other medical and nutrition providers
    • Briefly discusses mental health treatment options

    Nurse:

    • Provides education about the eating disorder and general program information

    Social worker (may be part of team, depending on family needs):

    • Provides parent or caregiver support and helps families get the resources they need during treatment
  • How long is a visit to the Adolescent Medicine Outpatient Eating Disorders Program?

    A medical evaluation visit typically lasts 30 minutes or more. Please check in at least 15 minutes ahead of your scheduled appointment.

    • If you are seeing multiple providers, your visit will be longer.
      • Note: If your scheduled appointments last more than 2 hours in total, please ask the reception desk for a parking pass.
    • Return visits generally last 30 to 60 minutes per provider.
    • If your visit will be long, bring snacks and beverages.
  • What if I need to cancel or reschedule an appointment?

    Please call 206-987-2028 at least 5 business days in advance if you need to cancel or reschedule an appointment.

    If you anticipate arriving more than 10 minutes late, please call to reschedule.

    Patients who arrive more than 20 minutes late will be rescheduled.

    A new referral may be required from your primary care provider if 1 of the following occurs 3 or more times:

    • You cancel an appointment with less than 24 hours’ notice.
    • You do not come to a scheduled appointment.
  • Directions, parking and entering
    • Find your location in our map and directions section.
    • Arrive 15 minutes before your appointment to allow time for registration.

Psychiatry and Behavioral Medicine

Learn what to expect and how to prepare for your child’s eating disorder evaluation with a psychologist or mental health therapist.

More Information

For more information on visiting Seattle Children’s clinics, please see Your Child's Clinic Visit.

Paying for Care

Learn about paying for care at Seattle Children’s, including insurance coverage, billing and financial assistance.

Contact Us

For more information, contact the Eating Disorders Recovery Program.

  • Medical and nutrition concerns: call Adolescent Medicine at 206-987-2028.
  • Mental health concerns: call Psychiatry and Behavioral Medicine at 206-987-2164.

If you would like an appointment, ask your child’s primary care provider or mental health therapist for a referral.

Providers, see how to refer a patient.