When to Consider a Nutrition Referral for Your Behavioral Health Client

Registered Dietitian Nutritionists (RDN) make great care partners in the behavioral health setting. The credential represents the only nationally trusted and regulated food and nutrition practitioner. Additionally, RDN training includes counseling skills and places a premium on interdisciplinary communication. Medical Nutrition Therapy and the Nutrition Care Process are the framework of the RDN’s diagnostic and therapeutic approach to nutrition-related disease management.

Consider consulting with RDN when your client expresses distress over self-management of weight or chronic disease such as a newly diagnosed diabetes or cardiovascular disease. A loss of a spouse can be an opportunity to assess a client’s ability to meet his or her own nutritional needs. Unintentional weight loss is a hallmark sign of clinical malnutrition. On the other hand, weight gain can feed into feelings of shame and inadequacy in those battling depression. Finally, if a client has an unhealthy relationship with food, discomfort around the subject of food or body image, or clinical evidence of purging behaviors, a nutrition assessment should be considered.

When a nutrition intervention is warranted, it is important to know whom to trust. Registered Dietitian Nutritionists are the only nutrition practitioners who can offer services covered by CMS and health insurers. They are also the only nutrition providers covered by licensure from the state of Texas. Medical Nutrition Therapy blends clinical nutrition, disease pathophysiology and health behavior into a collaborative patient centered care model. Teaming with an RDN can enhance the comprehensiveness of care and quality of outcomes in your client.

Words From The Wise – Written by Moe Schlachter, MS RD LD CDE

Moe Schlachter began his career as a chef in the New York City food industry. He earned a Masters of Nutrition degree at Texas Woman’s University in Houston, TX. Moe is a Registered and Licensed Dietitian (RD, LD) and Certified Diabetes Educator (CDE).

Moe has been providing exceptional client centered nutrition care in the Texas Medical Center. He served as president of the Houston Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics and was recognized as Young Dietitian of the Year in 2015. Moe also holds an adjunct professor of nutrition appointment at San Jacinto College. He makes routine television appearances sharing healthy and nutritious recipes with his Houston audience.

Moe helps clients of all ages reach their health potential and maximize quality of life though expert guidance and behavior modification through CBT and Motivational Interviewing. Moe creates a judgement free zone in which his clients can explore their goals and set real progress in motion. His experience is comprehensive and includes diabetes management, weight management, GI, cardiovascular disease, pediatric nutrition, and enteral & parenteral nutrition.