Addressing Eating Disorders with Day Treatment Programs

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Eating disorders and their treatment aren’t something that can be addressed using “cookie-cutter” approaches. While one individual might need the structure and medical oversight that a residential program offers, for others, day treatment programs. could provide the right balance of professional support and the comforting routines of home. In fact, for many adults, an eating disorder day treatment program is the ideal way for them to get help with their condition while still meeting their school and family responsibilities.

What Is an Eating Disorder Day Program?

In many cases, the services offered by a day treatment program for eating disorders are much the same as those provided by residential treatment. A key difference is that the same level and intensity of medical care is not going to be present with an eating disorder day treatment program. This doesn’t mean that participants won’t have access to the services of medical professionals, however.

Throughout the individual’s time in an eating disorder day treatment program, they’ll have regular sessions with psychiatric professionals who can facilitate more intensive medical services if they are warranted. Much of the individual’s time spent in an eating disorder day program will center around the individualized treatment plan that was established after their intake assessment.

What Is an Individualized Treatment Plan?

The best day treatment programs recognize that while eating disorders often have many of the same characteristics among those who have them, each person is an individual in their own right. The individualized treatment plan recognizes that in spite of the many similarities, each individual in treatment approaches life and food from their own unique perspective.

As an example, young female athletes are often referred to an eating disorder day program. For many, this is because they’ve developed an eating disorder that’s directly related to their participation in sports. While one young athlete might have developed unhealthy attitudes about food because of the language her coach used with her, another might have done so because of the media’s influence on the body shape and weight regarding her sport.

Though they both share a diagnosis of an eating disorder and this came about because of their desire to be the best in their sport, every person will have different life experiences that must be acknowledged and respected in order to become their healthy self once more.

Other Components of Day Treatment Programs

In addition to regular sessions with a skilled psychiatrist, there are other important components that participants in eating disorder day treatment programs will have access to. Individual, group and family counseling sessions with a licensed therapist who has proven experience in treating eating disorders are an important way that participants in such a program move into recovery.

Because eating disorders often result because of perceptions surrounding food, working closely with a dietitian and developing an individualized meal plan is another key component of recovery. Cooking classes, grocery store outings, supported meals and visits to area restaurants all provide real-life situations that help individuals affected by eating disorders to refocus their thoughts regarding food.

Ongoing collaboration and communication with other medical providers in the individual’s life ensure that treatment is cohesive and comprehensive. Supportive, compassionate care is vital to a successful recovery from an eating disorder.

Oliver-Pyatt Centers focus on helping individuals become fully recovered and embrace their healthy self. The recovered staff comes for a similar place in life and knows firsthand what it’s like to have an eating disorder self. Their innovative day treatment programs have provided supportive assistance to thousands of people who have flourished in its “truth without judgment” philosophy. Learn more by contacting them today.

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Melissa Thompson

Melissa is a mother of 2, lives in Utah, and writes for a multitude of sites. She is currently the EIC of HarcourtHealth.com and writes about health, wellness, and business topics.