The Process
Exactly what to expect — every step of the way
We believe in radical transparency. Before you commit to anything, you should fully understand the path ahead. Here's the complete journey from first contact to lasting recovery.
Step by Step
Your nutrition counseling journey
Recovery isn't a straight line, but the path to getting started is clear. Here's exactly what happens after you reach out.
Schedule a Consultation
Fill out our brief intake form at the link provided. You'll share some basic information about yourself, your goals, and what's bringing you to nutrition counseling. This helps us match you with the right dietitian on our team for your specific needs and circumstances. If you're not sure where to start, just reach out — we'll guide you from there.
We Verify Your Insurance Benefits
Before your first appointment, we check your insurance coverage on your behalf. Over 90% of our clients are surprised to find their sessions are fully covered. We're in-network with Cigna, Aetna, UnitedHealthcare/UMR, Tricare, and Anthem/Blue Cross Blue Shield. If you're self-pay or out-of-network, we'll walk you through all available options including packages, sliding scale spots, and HSA/FSA payment.
Meet Your Dietitian — Initial Assessment (90 min)
Your first session is a comprehensive 90-minute nutrition assessment. This isn't a quick intake — it's a real, deep conversation. Your dietitian will explore your eating history, your relationship with food and your body, your health background, your goals, and what healing looks like to you. You won't be rushed. You'll leave with a clear sense of your care plan and what comes next. All initial sessions happen via secure, HIPAA-compliant telehealth video.
Receive Your Personalized Recommendations
Following your assessment, your dietitian builds your individualized care plan. This is not a generic meal plan or a one-size-fits-all protocol. It's specific to you — your recovery stage, your history, your lifestyle, and your goals. You'll also receive your copy of our exclusive Fueled & Free nutrition handbook (50+ pages) at no additional cost. If a meal plan is clinically appropriate for your current stage, one will be included. If not, we'll work toward normalized, flexible eating instead.
Regular Follow-Up Sessions (50 min each)
Most clients meet with their dietitian weekly or bi-weekly. Each 50-minute follow-up is fully individualized — we work through what's actually happening in your life, not a preset curriculum. Sessions may include nutrition education relevant to your recovery stage, review of eating patterns and behaviors, skill-building around intuitive eating or fear food challenges, weekly goal setting, and progress reflection. We adjust the focus based on where you are right now.
Treatment Team Coordination
Eating disorder recovery is most effective with a full treatment team. We actively coordinate with your therapist or counselor, medical doctor, and/or psychiatrist throughout your care — sharing updates, aligning on goals, and ensuring your nutritional, mental, and medical needs are all being addressed together. If you don't yet have a full team, we can help you identify the right referrals.
Ongoing Support & Progress Toward Food Freedom
Recovery is not linear, and that's expected. We'll be here through setbacks, plateaus, and breakthroughs. Over time, the goal is lasting, sustainable recovery — eating normally, trusting your body, and living without food or body anxiety controlling your life. Session frequency is regularly assessed and adjusted. Most clients work with us for 6 months or more. When you're ready to step down, we'll support that transition too.
Inside a Session
What sessions actually look like
No two sessions are the same — but here's what you can expect from working with your Maddox Nutrition dietitian.
Real Conversations
Sessions feel more like talking with a knowledgeable, caring guide than sitting in a clinical office. We listen more than we lecture, and we meet you where you actually are — not where we think you should be.
Evidence-Based Guidance
Everything we share is grounded in current nutrition science and eating disorder treatment best practices. You'll leave each session with something real and useful — not trendy advice or conflicting information.
Weekly Goals That Work
We'll set realistic, achievable goals together — not arbitrary challenges. Progress is always in your hands. We'll check in on how previous goals went, celebrate wins, and problem-solve obstacles with you.
No Judgment, Ever
There is no "bad session." Whether you feel like you've moved forward or slid back, your dietitian shows up with the same warmth and non-judgmental support. Recovery includes hard weeks, and we're prepared for all of them.
Timeline Expectations
How long does recovery take?
Honest answer: it varies — and that's okay. Here's what we typically see.
Assessment, building trust, establishing your care plan and initial goals
Active skill-building, nutrition education, and early recovery work
Most clients continue weekly or bi-weekly for lasting, sustainable recovery
Recovery is not linear — and that's completely normal. You may have weeks that feel like setbacks. Sessions and frequency are continually reassessed and adjusted based on where you are. The goal is always lasting recovery, not a quick fix that leads to relapse.
Questions
Common questions about the process
You Know the Path
Now take the first step
The hardest part is usually reaching out. We make everything after that as easy as possible.