At Clementine, we offer a variety of different treatment options for adolescents with eating disorders. We are proud to provide the highest level of care for our clients in a safe and home-like setting. We also understand that an eating disorder diagnosis can not only be difficult for our clients but their family and loved ones as well. That’s why we offer individualized day treatment programs that are flexible enough to work around busy schedules. As parents search to find the right day treatment programs for teens, it’s important to educate the family on what to expect over the next several weeks and months. Keep reading to learn more about the many benefits of day treatment for eating disorders in adolescents.
What Is Day Treatment for Eating Disorders?
While many parents have heard of day treatment programs for those with substance abuse issues, this type of treatment is also used to help individuals with eating disorders begin the path to recovery. Children and adolescents with common eating disorders like anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa can benefit from this type of outpatient care if they are already medically and psychiatrically stable.
Day treatment centers are typically a good fit for clients who do not need access to 24-hour care but can still benefit from regular counseling sessions, meetings with a nutritionist, group therapy, family therapy and more. Day treatment centers usually provide some combination of the following eating disorder treatment services:
- Personalized treatment plans
- Relapse prevention planning
- Individual counseling/therapy
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
- Family-Based Therapy (FBT)
- Co-Occurring disorder counseling (drug and addiction education)
- Creative therapy
- Aftercare plans
- Aftercare groups
- Group therapy
- Recreational activities
Who Is a Good Candidate for Eating Disorder Day Treatment?
Day treatment programs for teens are usually geared towards clients who have busy schedules that include important school, work, and sports commitments. In some cases, day treatment programs may even offer an educational component to help clients stay up-to-date with their studies. If adolescents have already completed a residential or partial hospital treatment program, day treatment can also help them to slowly transition back into their regular routine. Additionally, day treatment programs are often less expensive because clients do not require room and board as part of their recovery plan.
One of the greatest benefits of day treatment programs for teens is the fact that they are highly individualized. Depending on each adolescent client’s needs, there may be options available for treatment sessions that include family and close friends. While other forms of treatment may include meeting several times a week with a therapist that specializes in eating disorders.
Identifying Common Eating Disorders
If a teen or their parents believe that they may have an eating disorder, it is important to seek professional help as soon as possible. Early intervention is often crucial in terms of long-term recovery. If teens are unsure whether they may have an eating disorder, taking a look at recent behaviors can help. Some of the most common signs of eating disorders include:
- Obsessive thoughts surrounding food, dieting, body weight, body shape, etc.
- Hiding or hoarding food
- Avoiding mealtimes
- Fear of eating around others or eating in public
- Yo-yo or fad dieting
- Excessive exercise, laxative abuse, self-induced vomiting after meals
- Gastrointestinal issues
- Developing food rituals such as only eating foods in certain orders and avoiding certain food groups.
Learn More from Clementine Day Treatment Center
Interested in learning more about the benefits of comprehensive day treatment for adolescents? At Clementine, we provide the highest quality of care available outside of a hospital setting. For more information about our adolescent eating disorder treatment options, call 1.855.900.2221 today to speak with one of our admissions specialists.