Levels of Care: Tips from an Eating Disorder Therapist
When it comes to eating disorder treatment in Pennsylvania, your journey might involve considering different levels of care.
Throughout eating disorder recovery, transitioning throughout different levels of care can be confusing and challenging, but at times, can and impactful. Partial Hospitalization Programs (PHP) and Intensive Outpatient Programs (IOP), can be helpful programs to consider if you are having a hard time progressing, or maintaining your recovery while working with your outpatient team.
In this blog, we're sharing a bit about PHP and IOP programs that provide treatment for eating disorders . We hope it will support you as you move towards finding adequate support and solid footing in your recovery journey.
1. Understanding the Nature of Higher Levels of Care
Treatment options, or higher levels of care, such as PHP or IOP, offer intensive support, and often requiring daily attendance. The main goals are to improve your physical health, improve body image and overcome eating disorder behaviors. You move toward these goals by working with team of eating disorder experts, having meal support and attending regular groups.
In PHP and IOP programs, you'll have a therapist for eating disorders, a dietitian for nutrition counseling, meal support, and group sessions. You will also have access to additional health professionals, like a psychiatrist if needed, and a doctor.
Your team will work with you as the leader to achieve your goals in recovering from your eating disorder.
2. Open Communication with Your Treatment Team
Transitioning to a higher level of care can feel threatening, and at times, scary.
Although difficult, it is important to maintain open and honest communication with your treatment team. It’s important to remember that the staff is there to help you share your feelings and concerns. Your team at the treatment center has helped many people move to higher levels of care and find solid footing in their recovery. They can guide and support you, and answer any questions you may have.
This guidance can offer reassurance and insights into what to expect and how to move through challenges in recovery. Some people find it helpful to write notes to their providers, asking specific challenges or concerns. This method allows you to articulate your feelings, even if or when speaking up feels challenging.
3. Red Flags and Decision-Making
Signs that a program may not be right for you include feeling unsupported when expressing your needs to your treatment team. Treatment teams and therapy for eating disorders should find a balance between challenge and support. If you consistently feel unheard or unsupported, it might be time to reevaluate the fit of the program for your recovery.
Remember that not all treatment programs are identical. Research your options and seek trusted supports and providers who align with your unique needs. Effective treatment should adapt to your individual challenges and strengths. Self-advocacy is a valuable skill during the transition, as it allows you to express your concerns, preferences, and needs.
4. Continuing Contact with Outpatient Team
Transitioning to higher levels of care from outpatient treatment is a significant step in your eating disorder recovery. People with all types of eating disorders can attend PHP and IOP. Programs can support people struggling with bulimia nervosa, anorexia nervosa, binge eating disorder and ARFID.
Staying connected with your outpatient treatment team can be helpful when you're attending PHP or IOP. Your insurance may limit how often you can see certain providers during PHP or IOP. However, regularly staying in touch can help you achieve your goals. And, it also ensures a smooth handover of your treatment plan and goals.
5. Maintaining Momentum Transitioning from PHP or IOP
The transition from higher levels of care to outpatient treatment can be both exciting and anxiety-inducing. To maintain momentum once you return to outpatient therapy, consider the following strategies:
Continued Collaboration: If you have an outpatient team, collaborate with them during your time in PHP or IOP. Discuss your progress and treatment goals to ensure a seamless transition.
Structured and Supportive Meals: Gradually ease into the flexibility of outpatient treatment by maintaining a flexibly structured meal plan initially. It provides a sense of accountability while preventing rigidity.
Embrace Imperfection: Recovery is not linear. Accept that there will be good and challenging days. Avoid the trap of all-or-nothing thinking if things don't go perfectly. Progress, not perfection, can be a mantra if you choose.
Retain Supportive Practices: Identify practices from your higher level of care that served you well and continue them in outpatient treatment. Whether it's art, journaling, or specific therapeutic techniques, integrating these practices can help maintain and continue your progress.
Here at Reclaim Therapy, we specialize in treating eating disorders and body image.
We see everyday that people with eating disorders are some of the strongest, most resilient people we know.
We also know that sometimes our clients might need more help than weekly sessions with their therapist and dietitian. If that is the case, our primary goal is helping you find the most support and the best fit for your recovery. Needing or wanting a higher level of care doesn't mean you're weak or that you haven't done recovery well-enough. You are, and always have been deserving of the right amount of support for you to recover from your eating disorder.
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Reclaim Therapy is a team of trauma-focused eating disorder therapists. We provide therapy for eating disorders in Pennsylvania and body image counseling via telehealth and in Horsham, PA.
Looking for another type of support?
Our therapists also provide EMDR for PTSD, EMDR for eating disorders, EMDR for binge eating and trauma treatment for childhood trauma or CPTSD. We would be honored to support you as you navigate your recovery from disordered eating, body shame and/or trauma.