Expert: Ryan Hale - 4/30/2010

Question
Hi,
I am doing a school project and we have to do a report on our dream job. I would like to work with girls who have eating disorders. Is there a specific name for that? How much does it pay? Thanks!

Answer
Moreen- There are four main ways to work with eating disorders.  Those are:

psychiatrist- these professionals go to medical school and are MDs; they get their specialist training in psychiatry the same way a surgeon goes to medical school and then specializes as a surgeon; they can prescribe medication and are typically paid between $100,000 and $1 million per year.

psychologist- these professionals complete a PhD program, usually 4-6 years after a bachelor's degree (about 8-10 years of college in total); they do not have the prescribing ability of the psychiatrists although many states are looking at allowing them to prescribe specific medication for mental conditions;  they get paid between $60,000 and $500,000

clinical counselor- these professionals have a master's degree (2-3 years after a bachelor's degree) which means about 7 years of school total; some have PhDs; they must then complete an internship of 2 years to full licensure; the salary range can be very different depending on work setting, from $30,000 - $500,000; typically $45,000 - $80,000

Clinical social worker - these people have a master's degree or sometimes a PhD and usually make $60,000 - $80,000 (or more if they have a successful private practice); I'm not as familiar with their work, although many are employed by hospitals

Those are my salary estimates for the area in which I live.  The setting will change too.  If I run a celebrity rehab clinic in Hollywood, I can charge $1,000/hr to the stars and get rich.  Also, running an inpatient clinic can be pretty lucrative too.  Often the charge is $11,000 - $30,000 for in-patient treatment.  Costs to run a facility like that are pretty high and there are lots of state and federal regulations to follow.

So, it sounds like you'd either like to be a psychiatrist, psychologist or counselor.  There are other professionals who can be involved as well.  You could specialize as a fitness expert who helps in the rehab process, or as a physical therapist in the same capacity.  Or, nutritionists and dieticians are almost always involved in the rehab process as well.  Those require a master's degree as well (2-3 years after a bachelor's degree).

Hope that helps