Your patient seems to be struggling more lately. More talk about food, more self-judgment and isolation. Their eating disorder behaviors are up and their motivation for recovery is down. They could use some extra support.

Then again, this doesn’t exactly scream crisis. Surely your patient doesn’t need residential or inpatient care yet.

Where to turn?

At The Emily Program, we offer partial hospitalization and intensive day (PHP/IDP) and intensive outpatient programs (IOP) to treat eating disorders; these are early intervention services that help clients recover sooner. These structured programs offer more support than traditional outpatient eating disorder treatment and more flexibility than around-the-clock care. Patients can admit directly to PHP/IDP or IOP, well before 24/7 care is warranted.

Rather than wait until your patient may need the highest level of care, consider how early intervention may help them now. Here are five reasons PHP/IDP or IOP may be right for your patient.

5 Reasons to Consider PHP/IDP or IOP for Your Eating Disorder Patient

1. Improved treatment outcomes

Eating disorder treatment works best when it’s delivered early. Research shows that early intervention reduces the length of recovery, symptom intensity, and recurrence rates. As soon as you notice the signs of an eating disorder in your patient, we’re here to help you navigate the next steps. If clinically indicated, PHP/IDP and IOP can start your patient on the path to recovery as soon as possible.

2. Comprehensive support

Eating disorders are serious at every stage. While your patient may not currently need 24/7 medical or behavioral supervision, they may benefit from the multidisciplinary support that PHP/IDP and IOP provide. Patients can live at home or at our lodging facility while receiving necessary therapeutic, nutritional, and medical support during the week. Should your patient’s needs change, our full continuum of care allows clients to step up and down in treatment as necessary. 

3. Recovery in a real-life setting

Returning to “normal” life after residential treatment for an eating disorder can be an overwhelming experience. PHP/IDP and IOP often allow for a smoother transition, as recovery is “taken home” sooner. Outside of programming hours, clients and families can immediately practice recovery skills in the context of their daily lives. And professional support is never far away as they’re applying the tools learned in treatment.

4. Necessary structure

PHP/IDP and IOP eating disorder treatment consist of a variety of individual and group sessions, including therapeutic meals as well as psychoeducation, nutrition, and emotional processing sessions. Clients typically spend a minimum of 30 hours per week in PHP/IDP and a minimum of 12 hours per week in IOP gaining the resources they need for lasting recovery.

5. Virtual options

Virtual PHP/IDP and IOP care are available in Washington, Minnesota, Ohio, North Carolina, and Georgia, making these treatment options even more accessible. We bring these virtual services directly to patients who live far from our eating disorder treatment centers or who simply prefer to receive care at home.

Intervene Today and Avert the Need for Residential Care

Many individuals with eating disorders hold the false belief that they are not “sick enough” to get treatment. They imagine that those who truly need help are those who require hospitalization. In reality, everyone with an eating disorder deserves professional help, and the sooner they get it, the smoother their recovery will go.

Our PHP/IDP and IOP eating disorder treatment programs may be the right level of care for your patients who need structure and support from a dedicated team of specialists. We’re here to help you intervene early.

The road to recovery is paved together. If you think PHP/IDP may be appropriate for your patient, give us a call at 888-364-5977 or make an online referral today.