Purpose of Consultation

Consultation is a structured professional development process designed to enhance clinical competence, self-awareness, and ethical practice in the treatment of individuals with eating disorders. Through consultation, applicants receive guidance, support, and feedback from a Certified Eating Disorder Specialist Consultant (CEDS-C) while developing the knowledge, skills, and competencies required for certification.

Consultation Requirement

Applicants pursuing the Certified Eating Disorder Specialist (CEDS) credential must complete a minimum of 24 hours of consultation with a Certified Eating Disorder Specialist Consultant (CEDS-C). Click here for the CEDS-C Directory.

Applicants are responsible for selecting and contracting with a CEDS-C consultant. The iaedp Foundation does not assign consultants, establish consultation fees, or determine the format, frequency, or scheduling of consultation sessions.

A minimum of 12 of the required 24 consultation hours must be completed through individual consultation, defined as consultation involving no more than two consultees at a time. Remaining consultation hours may be completed through approved group consultation.

Consultant Agreement Requirement

Prior to accruing eating disorder-specific experience hours, applicants and their CEDS-C consultant must establish a formal consultation agreement that includes:

• Start date of the consultation relationship
• End date of the consultation relationship
• Expectations and responsibilities of both parties
• Method for documenting consultation and experience hours

Experience hours accrued outside the dates specified in the consultation agreement are not eligible toward certification requirements.

If an applicant works with more than one CEDS-C consultant, separate agreements must be maintained. Each agreement must clearly identify the dates covered and specify which experience hours are associated with each consultant. Experience hours may not be counted more than once.

Eating Disorder-Specific Experience Requirements

Applicants must document a minimum of 2,500 hours of eating disorder-specific professional experience accrued over at least 24 months (2 years) after obtaining the appropriate professional license or credential required for independent practice within their discipline.

Required Experience Hour Distribution

Direct Client/Patient Service and Education – 2,000 Hours

Examples include:

• Face-to-face clinical services
• Assessment and treatment planning
• Case conceptualization
• Coordination of care
• Treatment documentation
• Client and family education

Indirect Client Service – 150 Hours

Examples include:

• Consultation (includes required 24 hours)
• Case-based learning and teaching
• Community presentations
• Program development
• Teaching on eating disorder-related topics
• Relevant coursework and continuing education
• Professional reading and literature review
• Writing and publication activities
• Case study development
• Journal clubs

Additional Experience – 350 Hours

The remaining 350 hours may consist of either direct or indirect eating disorder-related professional activities.

Consultant Responsibilities

The CEDS-C consultant plays an important role in verifying the applicant’s readiness for certification and is responsible for:

• Completing the consultant section of the CEDS application
• Verifying the number of individual and group consultation hours completed
• Confirming the applicant’s documented direct and indirect experience hours
• Providing an assessment of the applicant’s professional strengths and growth areas
• Offering recommendations regarding readiness for certification

Important Notes

• Experience hours cannot be accrued prior to obtaining the professional credential or license required for practice within the applicant’s discipline.
• Experience hours must be accrued over a minimum period of 24 months.
• Consultation hours may be counted toward the required indirect experience hours.
• Applicants are responsible for maintaining accurate records of consultation and experience hours throughout the certification process.

Last Updated: June 2026