CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (Chambana Today) — A new clinic in Champaign is offering specialized care for those struggling with eating disorders — a type of treatment long missing from Central Illinois.
The KC Eating Disorder Clinic, founded by local therapist Kaitlyn Cornell, LCSW, CEDS-S, held its grand opening last week. The clinic — the only one in the state outside of Chicago exclusively focused on eating disorders — provides intensive outpatient programs, including individual psychotherapy, medication management, and nutritional support.
Cornell, who also serves as CEO of KC Counseling, LLC, said the clinic was born from both a professional and personal calling. “Your doctor is not necessarily asking, ‘Are you engaging in any purging behaviors? How is your relationship with food?’” Cornell explained. “That’s why a mental health professional is really the best person to ask.”
A Champaign native and University of Illinois alumna with both bachelor’s and master’s degrees in social work, Cornell said she never imagined she’d run a clinical practice. Early in her career, she worked in crisis care and as a pediatric therapist at Promise Healthcare before realizing her passion for deeper, long-term healing.
She’s open about her own past struggles with an eating disorder, which inspired her to create a space where people could find compassionate, specialized help. “It can be scary to get there,” Cornell said. “People think recovery is too much or too unknown. There’s no such thing as being ‘fully recovered’ from an eating disorder — it’s about learning to live with and through it.”
Her practice’s 15 clinicians assess each patient’s needs before recommending the right level of care — from outpatient support to residential programs. Cornell said eating disorders often coexist with other mental health challenges. “There are a lot of co-morbidities with eating disorders — ADHD, anxiety, depression,” she said. “They often don’t exist in a vacuum.”
One of the clinic’s providers, Dr. Ari Pence, brings additional expertise in nutrition and metabolic health. She sees patients at the clinic on Fridays, helping to bridge the gap between physical and psychological care. “Dr. Pence is incredible,” Cornell said. “She has such a holistic approach to medicine. She understands how food, body image, and biology intersect, and our clients feel so safe and seen with her. Having her as part of our team makes a world of difference.”
Cornell added that parents should trust their instincts if they suspect a problem. “There’s so much societal pressure to change body shape and size,” Cornell said. “Diet culture, weight-based bullying, and social media all send messages that are hard to ignore. If you sense something is wrong, reach out.”
The clinic also seeks to challenge misconceptions — such as the idea that eating disorders affect only young women. “Lots of men struggle with bulimia,” Cornell noted. “There are even high rates among veterans dealing with bingeing and purging.”
Cornell said she hopes the clinic will not only help individuals heal but also shift how the community understands food, body image, and mental health.
To reach out for help, email intake@kccounselingllc.com, call 217-377-0299, or visit www.kccounselingllc.com.