Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP) for Eating Disorders

According to the National Institute of Mental Health, a little over nine percent of Americans struggle with an eating disorder. These disorders are more prevalent in women than in men at a ratio of two-to-one. Eating disorders can be dangerous and can lead to death due to malnutrition, starvation, and other health-related consequences.

At the Kahm Center for Eating Disorders in Burlington, Vermont, we provide an intensive outpatient program to those struggling with eating disorders. IOP can be a good transitional program after a partial hospitalization program (PHP). IOP can include meetings with a doctor, dietitian, and therapist to aid in finding recovery from eating disorders.

An eating disorder intensive outpatient program (IOP) is a treatment program for patients who do not need 24-hour monitoring that comes with an inpatient program but needs more than an hour per week visit with a therapist. An IOP might be right for a person with a less severe case of an eating disorder or who needs a support network while transitioning from an inpatient or PHP program.

With an IOP, the patient visits the eating disorder treatment program for a few hours each day to work with a therapist, dietitian, or participate in other types of therapy. These sessions run for three hours daily, and the patient doesn't come in for IOP over the weekend.

People who are struggling with an eating disorder may not know if IOP treatment can help them manage their disorder. The combination of flexibility and structure offered in IOP treatment provides participants with the support they need to recover. Participants are given the space to practice healthy coping skills for their disorder while also having access to the support they need to succeed.

Intensive outpatient programs are a step down from partial hospitalization programs. To see which level of care is the best fit, consult with a professional before deciding on appropriate care.

Participants in the IOP treatment program can benefit from ongoing support while practicing a healthy relationship with food outside the treatment setting. This level of care allows patients to utilize their skills and knowledge from treatment in the real world. At the same time, there is a level of flexibility where participants can attend to responsibilities outside of treatment.

The benefits of IOP begin with the fact that the patient can remain at home with their family and support system. IOP makes it easy for patients to spend time with their family and friends, attend school, and work.

Also, the intensity of the therapy helps the patient build the tools they need to overcome their eating disorder. A dietitian can help develop a meal plan and meal support between therapy sessions. Participants can access their treatment team when necessary and can apply their meal plan to real-world situations.

Patients can receive comprehensive treatment for their eating disorders at an IOP. IOP includes individual therapy, group therapy, and support groups. The Kahm Center for Eating Disorders provides evidence-based treatments that primarily rely on cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) treatment. Patients can learn healthy coping skills for eating and learn to have a healthy relationship with food.

The Metabolic Testing at the Kahm Center for Eating Disorders gives us an extremely accurate picture of what your caloric needs are. With the Body Composition Analysis, we can see exactly how well you are adhering to the meal plan and how well you are recovering. This enables us to have meal oversight approaching 24hr care, which is far superior to other IOP programs. And when your brain is better nourished, therapy and medications work better, improving overall clinical outcomes.

Intensive outpatient programs for eating disorders can be a beneficial form of treatment. IOPs provide care throughout the day while allowing the patient to live at home and work through the issues and triggers as they come to be in their natural environment. IOPs can help with relearning to live and flourish at home.

At Kahm Center for Eating Disorders in Burlington, Vermont, we pride ourselves on our caring and innovative approach to helping patients struggling with an eating disorder. Our IOP provides the patient with the support they need to begin their recovery and learn to have a new relationship with food and their body.