Teen Eating Disorder Day-Treatment Program
Because of the medical and psychiatric complexities of eating disorders, quality care requires an integrated and individualized approach. Our psychiatrist-led program combines medical expertise with empathetic and caring professionals who focus on each client's unique situation.
Family/ caregiver involvement is critical to a client's recovery. We utilize Family Based Therapy so caregivers can learn about their loved one's diagnosis, find ways to support the individual at home while also having an opportunity to process their own emotions. Family/ caregiver involvement is required for our adolescent population.
Day Treatment Program Schedule
Clients program Monday through Friday from 8:00am - 4:30pm. Treatment includes individual and group therapy, weekly sessions with a psychiatrist, meetings with a dietitian, integrative therapies like art, music, recreation and yoga, therapeutic meals and snacks, and family therapy. The daily schedule also includes on-site educational support so teens can keep up with their schoolwork.
*Beginning June 15th, summer hours are 8am - 3:30pm.
Therapies
HopeWay offers an array of evidence-based therapies including traditional talk therapy, family therapy and integrative therapies. Knowing each client will resonate with different aspects of the program it is vital to offer a comprehensive, well-rounded approach to treatment.
Diagnoses
This program is designed to treat teens, 12 - 17 years old, who are experiencing one or more of the following diagnoses:
Meet our Medical & Clinical Leadership
Our team is committed to this life-changing work and we are extremely passionate about increasing access to top-notch care.
Greer Mitchell, MD, JD
Psychiatrist - Director of HopeWay's Center for Eating Disorders
Admissions & Insurance Information
Frequently Asked Questions
12–17 years old.
Anorexia Nervosa, Bulimia Nervosa, Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder (ARFID), Binge Eating Disorder, and Other Specified Feeding and Eating Disorder (OSFED).
HopeWay provides on-site educational support, including a licensed educator, to help teens continue making progress with their schoolwork while in treatment. Our licensed educator serves as a liaison between the teen, family, and school to help coordinate academic needs and support a successful transition back to the classroom when appropriate.
Family and caregiver involvement is a required part of treatment in HopeWay’s Teen Eating Disorder Program. Caregivers play an important role in creating a strong foundation for continued progress at home. Through family involvement, caregivers have the opportunity to learn more about their teen’s diagnosis, develop skills to provide effective support, and have space to process their own emotions and experiences throughout the treatment journey.
Yes. Therapeutic, supervised meals and snacks are a core part of the eating disorder PHP model. Clients receive two meals and two snacks per treatment day.
Our medical providers collect labs and vitals on a weekly basis, as needed, to obtain regular data on the medical status of our clients. This allows our providers and dietitian to make medication and meal plan adjustments accordingly to increase or maintain weight restoration goals and medical stability. Support for medical stability may also include referrals to outside sources for needs such as bone density scans, hormone testing, or allergy assessments.
The majority of our clients use their insurance to cover treatment. HopeWay is in-network with several major providers, including Aetna, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna, Magellan, MedCost, Carolina Behavioral Health Alliance, United Behavioral Health, and is a VA Community Care provider. Our finance team will check insurance benefits and authorization during the admissions process.
Yes. Teens (12–17) are treated in a dedicated program track, separate from HopeWay's adult and young adult programs.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Radically Open DBT (RO-DBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Family-Based Treatment (FBT), plus integrative therapies such as art, music, and yoga, alongside medical/psychiatric management and nutrition work.
Yes. Eating disorders are complex medical and mental health conditions that often occur alongside other diagnoses, including anxiety, depression, and obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). HopeWay’s Eating Disorder Programs use an integrated psychiatric and therapeutic approach to address these co-occurring concerns while also treating the primary eating disorder diagnosis, supporting the whole person throughout recovery.
No formal referral is required to begin the admissions process for HopeWay’s Eating Disorder Programs. Individuals and families can reach out directly to begin the conversation, and referrals are also accepted from schools, healthcare providers, hospitals, and other community partners. As part of the admissions process, our team will gather information about you or your loved one’s current needs, treatment history, and medical status to help determine the most appropriate level of care and ensure the program is a good fit.
The length of stay is individualized based on the client’s progress and goals. The average length of stay is around 10 weeks.
Family involvement is an important part of eating disorder recovery, and we strongly encourage caregivers to participate in family sessions so they feel informed, supported, and prepared to help their loved one at home. Each client receives an individualized nutrition plan developed by their treatment team, and caregivers are included in the process to understand the plan and learn ways to provide support during recovery. Our team provides education and guidance to help families feel more confident navigating meals and supporting their loved one’s ongoing wellness.
HopeWay’s Eating Disorder Program is a voluntary program, but we strongly encourage teens and families to remain engaged in treatment until the treatment team determines they are truly ready to transition to a lower level of care. The decision to discharge a teen from the Partial Hospitalization Program (PHP) setting is individualized and based on their unique progress and treatment goals. The treatment team considers factors such as medical stability, reduction in eating disorder behaviors, development of recovery skills, and the family’s readiness to support their teen with less structure. Our goal is to help each teen and family feel prepared, supported, and connected to ongoing care as they continue their recovery journey.