brenda velisalis
Approximately 30 million people in the United States will suffer from an eating disorder during their lifetime. These conditions are among the most deadly of all mental illnesses. But until recently, eating disorder treatment programs had surprisingly little regulation in Colorado, despite being one of the most common and deadly mental illnesses.
The lack of historical oversight is surprising, given that Colorado is well known as a center for eating disorder treatment. Although the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment can conduct inspections and investigate complaints, the state has no specific regulations or licensing requirements for practices specializing in the treatment of eating disorders.
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The Colorado Legislature took an important step toward regulating patient safety by passing SB24-117, which protects patients and health care providers alike by increasing oversight and accountability. The new law provides guardrails that have been missing in the field to ensure all health care providers follow evidence-based industry best practices for outpatient and inpatient care.
The Department of Behavioral Health (BHA) will require all eating disorder treatment clinics to obtain an appropriate designation based on the level of care they provide by no later than January 1, 2026, and the BHA will Rules will be created to regulate safety. These changes to the status quo will bring consistency to licensing requirements for clinics and clinicians.
Treatment of eating disorders is complex. Helping patients understand the root of their condition and put them on the path to lasting recovery requires a multifaceted approach, including dietary therapy, family therapy, medical management, and group therapy. Without clear guidelines, cutting corners can occur and creating and implementing effective treatment programs can be difficult. Subsequently, a lack of clarity about what truly defines quality care makes it difficult for patients and their loved ones to evaluate treatment programs.
People with eating disorders are multifaceted, but all patients can now expect from their healthcare providers:
- Follow evidence-based treatment guidelines
- Hiring trained and licensed clinicians
- Provide individual, group, and family therapy
- Establishing a responsible staff to patient ratio
- Respect patient privacy
This oversight not only protects patients, it also protects healthcare providers. If signed into law by the Governor, this bill will usher in a new era of eating disorder treatment in Colorado, ensuring everyone is working toward the same goal: positive patient outcomes.
Colorado has taken an important step to ensure that eating disorder treatment, quality care and patient safety are the law, not just talk on a brochure.
Brenda Velissaris, NCC, LPC, CEDS-C, has spent the past 19 years focusing specifically on eating disorder treatment and advocacy. She currently serves as Clinical Director for EDCare, a leading provider of comprehensive eating disorder treatment services headquartered in Denver. She holds the prestigious designation of Certified Eating Disorder Specialist Supervisor, the highest credential awarded to a person in the eating disorders field.
