Recovery-Supportive Jobs
Here’s a list of recovery-supportive jobs, plus guidance on what to look for—and avoid.
Qualities of Recovery-Supportive Jobs
Look for roles that offer:
Predictable routines and manageable schedules
Low stress and a supportive work environment
Limited focus on food, weight, or appearance
Opportunities for connection, creativity, or meaning
Flexibility for appointments, therapy, or treatment
Supervisors who are open to mental health accommodations
Best Job Types That Tend to Support Recovery
1. Library Assistant or Bookstore Clerk
Calm, structured environment
Focus on organization and information—not appearance
Encourages quiet, focus, and reflection
2. Reception or Front Desk Roles (e.g., wellness office, small clinic)
Involves interaction and routine
Can build confidence and communication skills
Often offers a calm pace and professional setting
3. Animal Care (Pet-sitting, Shelter Assistant, Dog Walking)
Nonjudgmental, healing interaction with animals
Encourages responsibility and gentle movement
Great for stress relief and nervous system regulation
4. Art or Music Assistant (Studio Helper, Youth Art Camps)
Creativity is often therapeutic
Non-appearance-based self-expression
Encourages flow and mindfulness
5. Childcare (Nannying, Camp Counselor, Tutor)
Helps shift focus from self to helping others
Can reinforce positive routines and meals (with boundaries)
Provides meaning and interpersonal connection
6. Administrative Support or Virtual Assistant
Organized, task-oriented work
Often remote or flexible
Less physically demanding or socially draining
7. Peer Mentor or Advocacy Intern (with supervision)
Meaningful if the individual is far enough along in recovery
Helps build identity beyond the eating disorder
Be sure it doesn’t lead to over-identification with the illness
8. Nature-Based Work (Gardening Assistant, Farm Stand Helper, Park Volunteer)
Healing outdoor setting
Gentle activity without body pressure
Grounding and sensory-rich
Jobs to Approach with Caution in Recovery
Job TypeWhy It May Be Risky
Food service or baristaHigh exposure to food, fast pace, possible triggers (calorie talk, control)
Retail in fashion or fitnessAppearance-based culture, body comparisons
Personal trainer or dance instructorCan reinforce disordered focus on body/performance
Modeling or beauty industryHeavy focus on body image, weight, perfectionism
Any job with erratic hours or high stressCan disrupt meals, sleep, or treatment routines
If someone wants a job in a higher-risk category, it’s not necessarily off-limits—but it’s important to discuss it with a therapist or care team first to develop boundaries and self-checks.
Final Thought
A job during recovery should support life, not take it over. When chosen thoughtfully, work can be a powerful way to reconnect with the world outside of the illness—to feel capable, connected, and valued for who you are, not how you look.
