Eating Disorder Program

We provide diagnosis evaluations by appointment to assess the appropriate level of care. Treatment options in an outpatient setting include individual therapy and medication management. For individuals who need services closer to home, we may be able to assist you in finding care in your area.

Individuals on the Eating Disorder Track in the Partial Hospital participate in structured therapy programs during the day and spend nights and weekends at home. This program serves as a step-up from outpatient care and as a step-down from higher levels of care (inpatient, residential). Treatment is time-limited and may last up to six weeks.

A typical day in the partial program might include all or some combination of the following:

• Individual psychotherapy 
• Group Psychotherapy 
• Group Education & Skills Classes 
• Family meetings 
• Medication management 
• Dietary guidance 
• Occupational therapy 
• Recreational therapy 
• Supervised meals and snacks

UI opened its Crisis Stabilization Unit (CSU) in the fall of 2018. While the CSU is not a specialty unit for the treatment of eating disorders, the staff is able to provide prompt and effective treatment for individuals experiencing a mental health emergency, such as an emotional crisis or a psychiatric issue needing care right away. Patients and staff share a calm and open area with comfortable reclining chairs. Patients are first seen by a nurse, and then participate in a psychiatric evaluation with the care team. You may be offered medicines or therapy to ease your symptoms.

After we’ve had some time to see how you are doing, you may be given choices for more care. Those choices might include a hospital stay, medication, establishing outpatient therapy, getting connected to community resources, or other care options.

Treatment for an eating disorder sometimes requires inpatient hospitalization. As an academic medical center, we offer the state’s only medicine/psychiatry unit to care for individuals with extensive medical needs related to symptoms and health changes including nutritional deficits, cognitive impairments, severe dehydration and more.