Each individual’s recovery journey is unique, so our treatment plans should be too. Some of us will need less intensive monitoring and therapies, while some of us may need to be monitored 24/7 for a period of time.
Regardless of the severity of our eating disorder, we all deserve to have the support we require to progress on our recovery journey. It is important for us to understand which levels of care may be best for us, as it can help us understand where to seek the support that is best for us. Accessing a level of care that does not match the severity of our disordered eating or eating disorder behaviours can impede our recovery rather than support it.
There are many levels of care in eating disorder treatment. They lie on a continuum. Usually, our goal is to gradually progress to a lower level of care with a higher level of autonomy as we navigate our recovery. Each of our starting points may look different; some of us may begin at a higher level of care than others. Some of us may progress more quickly through recovery, or we may learn that we require support for a longer period of time than we originally anticipated.
Remember: Recovery is individualized. That means that our recovery may look different than someone else’s, and that’s okay. Sometimes we may also need a higher level of care than we thought. It’s important to remind ourselves that seeking support is an accomplishment, and that the level of care we need is not something to be ashamed of.
Levels of Care in Eating Disorder Treatment
As mentioned earlier, levels of care in eating disorder treatment lie on a continuum. We may move back and forth along this continuum, and it is okay to be at any point on this spectrum. The important part to remember is that we had the courage to get help, and whatever that help looks like is okay.
The Spectrum: Levels of Eating Disorder Care (EDC)
Lower Levels of Care
Outpatient and Intensive Outpatient Treatment
Outpatient Treatment
When we are receiving an outpatient level of care, our treatment team has deemed us stable enough to live at home and be responsible for our daily activities. Most of us can go to work or school and carry out our other extracurriculars and responsibilities. We typically attend treatment on a weekly basis.
Change Creates Change is considered outpatient eating disorder care.
Intensive Outpatient Treatment
Intensive outpatient treatment still typically means our team has deemed us medically stable and has allowed us to return home; however, we are in need of slightly more support than the previously mentioned outpatient level of care. In intensive outpatient treatment, we attend programming and treatment more than once per week. Often, we are in treatment two to three times per week for a few hours at a time. We are usually still able to carry out our daily activities, such as going to work or school, while in intensive outpatient treatment.
Higher Levels of Care
Partial Hospitalization, Residential or Inpatient Treatment, and Acute Medical Stabilization
Partial Hospitalization
Partial hospitalization, or day treatment, is for those of us who are medically stable and require more frequent supervision and structured programming in order to progress in our recovery. We may attend this programming in person or virtually depending on our circumstances. Generally, all of the services we require are provided in one location, be it a treatment centre, hospital, or other care facility. Some of the services we may receive during partial hospitalization include individual and group therapy, nutrition counselling, and meal support.
Residential or Inpatient Treatment
At the residential or inpatient level of care, we reside in a hospital, hospital-like setting, or group home/estate where we are monitored and cared for 24/7. Our treatment teams supervise us very closely to ensure we are reducing the frequency and/or eliminating disordered behaviours. While in this setting, we also receive programming and treatment sessions frequently including individual and group therapy, nutrition counselling, psychiatric care, and supervised meals and snacks. The duration of our stay at an inpatient or residential facility will depend on the severity of our eating disorder, ourphysical condition and our progress in recovery.
Acute Medical Stabilization
The highest level of care provided for eating disorders or disordered eating is acute medical stabilization. This level of care is reserved for those of us who are medically unstable as a result of our disordered behaviours. When the body is malnourished, it is difficult to engage in therapy. So, the number one priority at the level of care is stabilization. There are no therapeutic treatments offered at this stage such as meal support or therapy. Once our physical and medical condition have stabilized, we are able to progress to a lower level of care and receive further treatment.
Eating Disorder Treatment in Canada
Change Creates Change sits at the outpatient level of care. This means we treat individuals living with eating disorders or disordered eating who are:
- Considered medically stable
- Awaiting admission to a higher level of care
- Requiring less frequent supervision and programming (e.g., seeing treatment teams for hourly appointments once or twice per week)
- Deemed fit to live at home
Our team of Registered therapists and Registered Dietitians have extensive experience in outpatient treatment and are currently taking new clients. If you feel outpatient treatment could help to support your recovery, you can book a free consultation call with one of our clinicians.
*Reserved for Canadian residents.
