The answer is yes. When people think of eating disorder treatment, they often imagine long hospital stays or residential programs, away from their homes and families. For some this can get in the way of seeking treatment. No doubt about it, while inpatient care can be life-saving in medical or crisis situations,��not every individual with an eating disorder requires inpatient treatment. For many teens and adults, outpatient options like an��Intensive Outpatient Programs (IOP)���combined with a supportive treatment team���can provide effective, compassionate care while allowing clients to continue with school, work, and daily life.

When Is Inpatient Care Necessary?

Inpatient or residential programs are typically recommended when:

Medical stability is at risk (dangerously low weight, heart issues, electrolyte imbalances).A person is unable to maintain safety without 24-hour support.Previous outpatient attempts with treatments for complex eating disorders have not been effective.

In these situations, 24-hour monitoring ensures that both the physical and psychological risks of an eating disorder are addressed.

The Role of Outpatient & IOP Treatment

For individuals who are medically stable but still struggling with eating disorder thoughts and behaviors,��outpatient therapy or an IOP can be highly effective and allows the individual to remain with friends and family members and learn coping skills that meet the needs of their everyday life. Outpatient programs can be created to fit the needs of the client.

Standard Outpatient

Standard outpatient treatment is typically one individual session a week, and possibly a skills or other group. This can often be effective for mild eating disorder symptoms.

What Is an Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP)?

When you think of an IOP you may think about groups meeting for several hours a day, often 2 or 3, for multiple days a week. But an IOP can be multiple sessions of individual therapy or multiple individual sessions, a family session, and a group session. An IOP provides structured, evidence-based treatment several days per week, usually in the afternoons or evenings. At Houston DBT Center, our IOP is flexible and depends on the needs of the client

Individual Sessions:�� to work on personal goals and coping strategies.

May be DBT or RO DBT, or may focus on a specific treatment such as CBT for anxiety.

Group therapy sessions��using DBT and RO DBT, , and other evidence-based approaches.

Individual therapy��to work on personal goals and coping strategies.Family support and education, which research shows significantly improves recovery outcomes.

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Where to Start: Building a Treatment Team

A key part of successful outpatient eating disorder care is creating a��collaborative treatment team. At the DBT Center we will work with you to build your team:�� This often includes:

Therapist specializing in eating disorders (DBT, RO DBT, CBT-E).Dietitian/Nutritionist��experienced in eating disorder recovery and nutrition rehabilitation.Medical provider��(primary care doctor or psychiatrist) to monitor physical health and medications if needed.Family members or trusted supports, included in therapy when appropriate.Client with their values and goals

This team works together to address the physical, emotional, and relational aspects of the eating disorder���providing��comprehensive care without requiring inpatient hospitalization. They will work with you to help you build your treatment plan.

Therapist

A psychotherapist plays a central role in eating disorder treatment by helping clients understand and change the psychological and behavioral patterns that keep the disorder going. While medical providers and dietitians focus on physical health and nutrition stabilization, the therapist works with the emotional, cognitive, and relational aspects of the illness. They create a safe space for clients to explore underlying issues such as perfectionism, shame, trauma, or difficulties with emotional regulation, all of which can fuel disordered eating behaviors.

Therapists also provide evidence-based treatments���such as Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Radically Open DBT (RO DBT), Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Eating Disorders (CBT-E), or Family-Based Treatment (FBT)���depending on the client���s needs. These approaches help individuals identify and challenge distorted thoughts about food, body image, and self-worth, while also teaching coping skills to manage urges, regulate emotions, and build healthier relationships.

Another key part of a psychotherapist���s work is coordination with the treatment team. Eating disorder recovery often requires collaboration with physicians, psychiatrists, and dietitians. The therapist communicates with these providers to ensure consistent care and to monitor risks, such as medical instability or suicidality.

Finally, psychotherapists support families or loved ones who may be struggling to understand how to help. In family or couples sessions, they teach validation, communication, and boundary-setting skills, and provide education about the disorder. This relational work is especially important for adolescents, where parental involvement can significantly improve outcomes.

Nutritionists

Registered dietitians and nutritionists who take part in your treatment can help you learn more about your eating disorder and create a plan to regain and maintain healthy eating habits. It’s important to seek treatment from someone who has specialized training in eating disorders because this training is not standard for dietitians. Goals of nutrition education may be to:

Work toward a healthy weight for your personal history and body type.Learn how nutrition affects your body, including knowing how your eating disorder causes nutrition issues and physical problems.Practice eating flexibly and with sufficient portions to support health and development.Set consistent eating patterns ��� generally, at least three meals a day with at least one to two snacks.Correct health problems due to poor nutrition.Challenge food phobias and/or myths

Medical Professionals

In eating disorder treatment, a medical doctor (MD) plays an essential role in keeping recovery safe and supported. Because eating disorders can impact the entire body���including the heart, digestive system, hormones, and bones���regular medical check-ins are a key part of treatment. Even when someone doesn���t ���look sick,��� eating disorders can cause serious health problems that aren���t visible on the outside.

The doctor���s role is to monitor physical health and make sure your body is stable enough to focus on recovery. This may include checking vital signs, reviewing lab work, tracking weight changes, and looking for complications such as dehydration or nutrient imbalances. If a higher level of care is ever needed, the doctor helps determine when inpatient or residential treatment might be the safest option.

Your doctor also works closely with the rest of your treatment team���including therapists, dietitians, and sometimes psychiatrists���so that every part of your recovery is covered. They may adjust medications, answer medical questions, and provide education for both you and your family about how eating disorders affect the body.

In short, the MD is there to make sure your health is protected while you do the important emotional and nutritional healing in therapy and dietitian sessions. This team approach allows you to move toward recovery with both safety and support.

You, the Client

In eating disorder treatment, the client is not just a recipient of care���they are an active and vital member of the treatment team. Recovery is most effective when clients are engaged in the process and see themselves as partners alongside their therapist, medical doctor, dietitian, and other providers.

The client���s role includes being honest about thoughts, feelings, and behaviors, even when it feels difficult or uncomfortable. This openness helps the treatment team understand what is really going on and tailor support in the most helpful way. Clients are encouraged to share what���s working, what feels overwhelming, and what goals matter most to them. Their voice is central in shaping the direction of treatment.

Another important part of the client���s role is practicing new skills and strategies outside of sessions. Therapy offers tools for managing emotions, challenging unhelpful thoughts, and improving relationships with food and body. But real change happens when those skills are applied in daily life, meal by meal, choice by choice. Even small steps forward are meaningful progress.

Clients also play a role in self-advocacy and collaboration. This might mean asking questions, setting boundaries, or working with the team to adjust treatment plans as recovery evolves. By actively participating, the client builds self-trust and strengthens a sense of ownership over their healing journey.

Most importantly, the client brings courage and commitment to the process. While the treatment team provides guidance, expertise, and support, the client is the one who ultimately does the brave work of recovery���reclaiming health, freedom, and hope for the future.

Families

In outpatient eating disorder treatment, families play a crucial role in supporting recovery. Eating disorders don���t just affect the individual���they often impact the entire family system. When families are included in treatment, recovery tends to be stronger and more sustainable, especially for children, teens, and young adults living at home.

The family���s role begins with creating a safe, supportive home environment. This might mean helping with meal support, reducing diet talk at home, and encouraging balanced routines around rest, activity, and self-care. Families can also help by learning about eating disorders, so they understand that the illness is not a choice and recovery takes time, patience, and compassion.

At the Houston DBT Center, families may be invited to participate in therapy sessions, depending on the needs of the client. These meetings provide a space to improve communication, strengthen validation skills, and learn how to respond effectively to the challenges of recovery. Parents or partners often work closely with therapists and dietitians to practice skills that reduce conflict and increase support during meals and daily life.

Another important family role is consistency. Recovery can bring ups and downs, and it���s normal for clients to feel ambivalent about change. Families who remain steady, compassionate, and firm in their support help keep treatment on track.

Ultimately, families are partners in healing. By showing up with empathy, patience, and willingness to learn, loved ones help create the kind of environment where lasting recovery is possible.

Benefits of Outpatient & IOP Care

Remain connected to daily routines and responsibilities.Learn and practice recovery skills in real-life situations.Involve family members or partners more easily in treatment.More flexible and cost-effective compared to residential care.

For many clients, IOP combined with a strong treatment team offers the��right balance of support and independence.

Finding the Right Level of Care

Every eating disorder is unique, and treatment should be tailored to the individual. At Houston DBT Center, we begin with a careful assessment to recommend the most effective level of care���whether that���s outpatient therapy, IOP, or referral to a higher level of support.

Recovery is possible. With the right care, many people can heal from an eating disorder��without inpatient treatment, while still receiving the structure and expertise they need.

Are you ready? ��Call us at 713-973-2800.

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