Programs & Services
Eating Disorder Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP) for Adolescents
The Adolescent IOP is our 16 week commitment to your teen’s recovery and to the overall support of your family. It is specifically designed for adolescents, ages 12-17, and includes both the parents and the adolescent’s involvement in the healing process. At this level of care, the adolescent can integrate treatment with school, hobbies and relationships, so that they can reclaim their life and attain significant recovery from their eating disorder. Treatment involves directly addressing the eating disorder, by reducing symptoms and behaviors that decrease quality of daily life. Then, we address issues specific to adolescents and support the cultivation of personal growth through a very important and challenging transition from childhood to adulthood. Last, we provide education through cognitive and behavioral training, nutrition, body image restoration and expressive arts so that healthy coping skills can be learned and true recovery maintained.
Treatment programs vary in intensity from two to four days per week, involve customized combinations of therapy (individual, group, couple, and/or family), and pair modalities used with client learning style (more concrete learning styles with DBT and EMDR, more abstract learning styles with expressive arts and movement/somatic therapies). A typical day of IOP lasts 3-4 hours and can often accommodate school and work schedules. We look forward to working collaboratively with you and your family on your journey towards recovery.
Essential program elements include:
- Teen Dialectical Behavioral Therapy: Mindfulness Coaching and Skill Building
- teen Expressive Arts and Movement Therapies
- Teen Process Group
- Nutrition Therapy
- Mindful Supportive Meals
- EMDR, as therapeutically recommended
- Yoga and Meditation
- Adjunct psychiatric services and medical evaluations
The IOP is appropriate for adolescents stepping down from a higher level of care, such as a hospital or residential treatment center, or for adolescents increasing care by adding to individual sessions with a therapist or dietitian. When adolescents are already seeing a therapist or dietitian, we encourage integrating care with these treatment professionals rather than suspending these relationships when entering IOP. This usually prevents unnecessary gaps in treatment and supports clients re-integrating into their community once IOP ends.
“I’ve finally found my home in this wild world of recovery. The Women here, with their combined love, wisdom, and compassion, have helped me reach my intrinsic truth which is the most powerful force, weapon, and shield against ED. I am growing to love who I am and learning to go forward by use of soul-driven motion. How beautiful is that?!! The fear just keeps on shrinking, and without this program, I’m not so sure I’d be able to state that fact. It’s a true blessing in my life and it’s all really happening!”