Why Psychiatrists and Therapists Should Partner with Dietitians in Mental Health Care

When we think about mental health treatment, nutrition isn’t always the first intervention that comes to mind. Yet research continues to show that what (and how) we eat has profound effects on mood, focus, energy, and overall mental well-being. For psychiatrists and therapists, partnering with a registered dietitian can add an important dimension to patient care. Together, we can provide a more holistic, integrated approach that supports long-term outcomes.

The Nutrition–Mental Health Connection

Food is more than fuel. Nutrient intake, meal timing, and gut health all influence neurotransmitter production, hormone balance, and inflammation—three major factors in mental health. For example:

• Blood sugar fluctuations can worsen anxiety, irritability, and distractibility.

• Deficiencies in iron, vitamin D, B12, or omega-3s may mimic or exacerbate depression and fatigue.

• Poor gut health is linked to dysregulated serotonin and dopamine signaling.

As a result, patients may not see the full benefit of therapy or medication if nutrition is overlooked.

How Dietitians Complement Psychiatry and Therapy

A dietitian specializing in mental health doesn’t replace therapy or medication—but we extend the treatment plan by addressing daily lifestyle behaviors that strongly affect mood and functioning.

Here are key ways I support patients (and their care teams):

• Help patients align meal timing and nutrient intake with psychiatric medications to improve effectiveness and minimize side effects

• Support blood sugar balance to reduce mood swings, anxiety spikes, and fatigue

• Identify and address nutrient deficiencies that can mimic or worsen mental health symptoms

• Guide patients in creating regular eating habits and structured meal patterns that stabilize energy and mood

• Use lab testing and functional nutrition insights to personalize recommendations and uncover root contributors to symptoms

• Support gut health and digestion, recognizing the strong gut-brain connection in anxiety, depression, and ADHD

• Help patients rebuild healthy relationships with food, including those with disordered eating or restrictive patterns

• Teach patients how to use food as a tool for focus, attention, and emotional regulation

• Coach on hormone-supportive nutrition (thyroid, adrenal, reproductive hormones) that can impact mood

• Provide practical, real-life tools (grocery shopping strategies, meal prep ideas, etc. to make healthy eating realistic given the daily ebbs and flows of mental health

  
  

The Benefits of Collaboration

When psychiatrists, therapists, and dietitians work together, patients benefit from:

• More comprehensive care: Addressing both internal biochemistry and external behaviors.

• Better adherence: Patients often feel more supported and empowered when their care team is coordinated.

• Improved outcomes: Combining therapy, medication, and nutrition can accelerate symptom improvement.

• Reduced relapse risk: Balanced nutrition supports long-term mental health resilience.

  
  

Making Care Accessible

One barrier to nutrition services is cost—but I work to reduce that challenge. I accept most major insurance plans, which helps make nutritional psychiatry support accessible for patients who might otherwise opt out.

How We Can Work Together

If you are a psychiatrist or therapist in the Denver area (or working virtually), here are ways we might collaborate:

• Direct referrals for patients who may benefit from nutrition support alongside their mental health treatment.

• Case collaboration to align nutrition strategies with therapy goals and medication plans.

• Educational resources for your patients and staff on nutrition and mental health connections.

  
  

Mental health is complex, and no single intervention is enough on its own. By weaving nutrition into psychiatry and therapy, we give patients another tool to stabilize mood, increase resilience, and improve their quality of life.

If you are a provider interested in learning more, I’d be happy to connect and discuss opportunities for collaboration.

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About Your Practitioner: Brittany Adelman is a licensed Registered Dietitian specializing in the critical connection between nutrition and mental health. If you are interested in learning more or working with a Functional Nutrition dietitian, please contact functionforwardnutrition@gmail.com to schedule a 15-minute introductory consult or connect with me on Instagram @the.mind.dietitian.