What is outpatient eating disorder treatment like? Common questions about Melrose Center's program.

by HealthPartners

If you’ve been looking into eating disorder treatment for you or a loved one, you may know that outpatient care is often the first treatment step. Still, you may have questions about how it works and why you should consider Melrose Center for outpatient care.

For over 35 years, the outpatient treatment program at Melrose Center has helped people of all ages develop the skills needed for eating disorder recovery, while continuing to live at home and participate in normal activities.

Below, we cover common questions about outpatient treatment at Melrose Center to help you understand how it could work for you and your family. Use the following links if you’d like to jump ahead to a specific section on outpatient eating disorder treatment at Melrose Center.

What Melrose Center offers for outpatient treatment: Care personalized to your needs

At Melrose Center, we always take a personalized approach to eating disorder treatment and care. By understanding the specific symptoms, needs and preferences that you or your loved one have, we’re able to provide the right level of support at every stage of eating disorder treatment.

Many people begin their recovery journey with outpatient care. Because this type of treatment involves individual appointments, it’s often easy to fit into your weekly routine. In most cases, you’ll be able to choose between in-person visits and video visits. We also offer evening appointments.

But keep in mind that everyone’s journey is different, and the right treatment approach can vary from person to person. The good news is that you don’t have to figure it out alone. During your first appointment, we’ll work together to determine the best treatment plan for you or your loved one.

What kind of eating disorders does Melrose Center treat in outpatient care?

We treat all eating disorders in outpatient care, including:

• Anorexia nervosa
• Avoidant/restrictive food intake disorder (ARFID)
• Binge eating disorder (BED)
• Bulimia nervosa
• Other specified feeding or eating disorders (OSFED)

Does Melrose Center treat co-occurring conditions?

Yes. Melrose Center is known for providing expert care for people with co-occurring conditions. As part of the HealthPartners care system, we partner with doctors in over 50 specialties and can care for the most serious symptoms.

Depending on a person’s overall health and the severity of their symptoms, these conditions may be treated in outpatient care or another treatment program, such as residential care for eating disorders.

• Compulsive or excessive exercise – When excessive exercise is a symptom of an eating disorder, the care team works together to address the emotional and physical effects of compulsive exercise, and develop safe and balanced behaviors around exercise.
• Eating disorders with type 1 diabetes (diabulimia) – We provide specialized care for people with an eating disorder and type 1 diabetes, including support from endocrinologists, certified diabetes educators (CDE), dietitians and mental health therapists.
• Substance use disorder – Up to half of people with eating disorders may have a substance use disorder that includes alcohol or drugs. Our treatment programs help people learn new coping strategies and behaviors.

How long outpatient treatment for eating disorders lasts at Melrose Center

Recovery from an eating disorder is different for everyone. There is no standard timeline for eating disorder recovery. The time you spend in outpatient treatment will depend on your personal needs, the type and severity of the eating disorder, response to treatment and the recovery journey. Most eating disorder treatment plans will include outpatient care at some point. In fact, the vast majority (about 85-90%) of people who receive care at Melrose Center only need outpatient treatment.

Outpatient care can be the starting point for eating disorder treatment, a step-down level of care after a more intensive program like residential care, or a long-term support option to keep the eating disorder under control and prevent relapses.

It’s also very common to move between levels of care, depending on the support you need. For example, we may recommend moving from outpatient treatment to another program (such as an intensive outpatient program or partial hospitalization program) if it seems like you or your loved one could benefit from additional care. We’ll partner with you to make sure that you’re getting the right level of support in a way that works best for you at every stage of recovery.

How much time will I need to commit to the program each week?

We offer many levels of outpatient care with treatments ranging from a couple of hours to several hours a week. In the beginning, most people have multiple appointments each week so they can see different members of their care team. But after a few weeks, the appointments usually start to space out.

Depending on how treatment progresses, there may be a time when you or your loved one only have a weekly (or even less frequent) appointment with a mental health therapist. If more support is needed, we may recommend a different treatment approach or level of care.

Can I still go to work or school while in the program?

Yes. One of the main benefits of outpatient eating disorder treatment at Melrose Center is that you can continue participating in your normal activities. To support different schedules, we offer a variety of appointment times, including evenings. In most cases, virtual appointments are also an option.

Who you’ll work with at Melrose Center: A team of eating disorder experts

You’ll have a team of eating disorder specialists, working together to help repair the damage caused by an eating disorder. This team will be chosen for you or your loved one based on diagnosis, symptoms, age, recommended treatment approach and your schedule.

Who will be part of my outpatient treatment team?

Your eating disorder team will depend on your particular needs, but it may include:

• Mental health therapist (licensed psychologist) – Helps people understand their thoughts and behaviors, develop effective coping skills and process the emotions that come with eating disorder recovery.
• Registered dietitian – Provides specialized nutritional therapy and personalized meal plans to help people restore physical health and rebuild a balanced relationship with food.
• Medical expert – Regularly checks a person’s physical health and treats medical complications caused by the eating disorder.
• Occupational therapist – Helps people develop or rebuild everyday skills and routines to support recovery from an eating disorder.
• Physical therapist – Promotes safe movement and activity by gradually building strength, enhancing mobility and increasing body awareness, while helping people develop a healthy, balanced relationship with exercise.
• Psychiatrist – Prescribes and manages medications to treat co-occurring mental health conditions like anxiety or depression.

How often do you see the members of your treatment team?

A person’s treatment schedule will depend on their unique needs. Most people have weekly appointments with their mental health therapist and see a dietitian, medical expert and other specialists as needed.

You or your loved one may also see a dietitian or eating disorder therapist as part of group sessions. People in intensive outpatient treatment usually have group programming twice a week for three hours a day.

How do you coordinate my care if I’m not in a facility?

The members of your care team are in constant communication. And no matter which therapists and clinicians you see, the visit will be part of your medical record. That means all your information will be in one convenient place and accessible to other members of your care team.

Types of treatments and therapies used at Melrose Center

At Melrose Center, we use the latest evidence-based treatments supported by scientific research and data.

What sorts of therapies do you use?

We personalize treatment plans based on your specific needs. The eating disorder therapists at Melrose Center use many types of therapies, including:

• Cognitive behavioral therapy enhanced (CBT-E) – In CBT-E, patients meet weekly with a therapist to explore the thoughts and patterns influencing their eating behaviors and work together on strategies for change.
• Cognitive behavioral therapy for avoidant/restrictive food intake disorder (CBT-AR) – This is a specialized form of CBT used with people who struggle with ARFID. It focuses on helping people expand the variety and amount of food they eat, reduce fear around eating, and support growth and nutrition.
• Dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) – This type of therapy blends cognitive behavioral techniques with mindfulness skills. It helps people better understand and manage their emotions, while also improving communication and coping strategies.
• Family-based treatment (FBT) – This treatment is used for children and adolescents living at home with their families. FBT involves parents or caregivers taking an active role in supporting their child’s recovery, including helping them re-establish regular eating habits.
• Group therapy – Group sessions offer a space to connect with others who are going through similar experiences. It’s a chance to share, learn and feel supported in a community that understands.
• Medical treatment – Medical support may be part of treatment, especially if there are health concerns or co-occurring mental health diagnoses like depression or anxiety.
• Nutrition support – A registered dietitian will work with you to understand your nutritional needs and help you build confidence in planning balanced meals and snacks that support your recovery.

Are there outpatient support groups I can join?

Yes. We currently have two virtual support groups open to anyone who is recovering from an eating disorder or supporting someone who is. These support groups are available to everyone, even those who are not receiving care at Melrose Center. Upcoming dates for our eating disorder support groups can be found on the homepage of our website.

• Binge Eating Disorder Recovery Group – This group offers a safe, confidential space where you can feel encouraged and inspired by hearing from others who are living in recovery from binge eating disorder. It meets once every quarter.
• Parent and Supportive Others Group – This group meets weekly and is for adults who care about someone with an eating disorder. While it’s incredibly rewarding to care for someone in recovery, it can also be overwhelming at times. This group is a great way to give and receive support as you care for your loved one in recovery.

How eating and meal planning is approached at Melrose Center

At Melrose Center, we believe that there’s no right or wrong way to nourish your body. Our eating disorder dietitians tailor education and meal planning for each person. Their goal is to help you or your loved one develop a more balanced relationship with food and eating.

Are there dietary limitations or restrictions in outpatient treatment?

No. We believe that all foods can fit into a balanced diet. We support our patients in trying a wide range of foods, including ones that the eating disorder says you shouldn’t eat. Our aim is to help shift the mindset around food and challenge the belief that some foods are good while others are bad.

Will I receive meal planning support as part of my outpatient treatment?

Yes. Your dietitian will work with you to understand nutritional needs and what balanced eating looks like. As part of the process, they’ll help you plan meals and snacks to support recovery goals and provide ongoing support to make sure everything stays on track.

Does the program accommodate special dietary needs?

Yes. Your dietitian will work with you to develop meals and snacks that meet specific dietary needs such as vegetarian, vegan or gluten-free. However, severely limiting the types of food you eat can be a symptom of an eating disorder. If dietary restrictions are symptoms of the eating disorder, your dietitian will provide guidance so that you or your loved one can eat in a balanced way.

What type of meal support is available in outpatient care?

If you’re in outpatient care for an eating disorder, you’ll be eating most (if not all) of your meals at home. While meals aren’t directly supervised in outpatient care, meal support is provided in other ways, including:

• Meal support from family, friends and caregivers – Eating with others can make it easier to eat in a balanced way. If your child is receiving outpatient treatment for an eating disorder, we’ll provide education and guidance to help you support your child during meals and snacks.
• Check-ins with your dietitian and therapist – Your eating disorder care team is here to support you. You’ll have regular appointments to talk about successes and challenges in the recovery process. These appointments are a great opportunity to work on strategies that can help with meal plans and everything else.
• Activities to build comfort and confidence around food – In some cases, members of your care team may offer supported snack or cooking experiences. Additionally, some treatments include food exposures within the visit.
• Support groups – Being part of an eating disorder support group (such as those listed above) is a great way to receive encouragement and guidance about food, eating and everything else.

Will I need to keep a food journal or log my meals?

Yes. Food logs are very important, and you’ll be asked to track what you eat. Research shows that keeping a food log makes it easier to understand eating disorder behaviors, identify patterns and make changes that support recovery.

At Melrose Center, we use the Recovery Record app to make it easier for people to complete food logs, and record emotions and thoughts that could be contributing to eating behaviors. Your care team will also use the app to provide feedback and support throughout treatment.

Insurance coverage for outpatient eating disorder treatment

Most insurance companies have plans that cover some or all of the costs of outpatient care for eating disorder treatment.

We accept most health insurance plans, including Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota, CIGNA, HealthPartners, Medica, Medicare, PreferredOne, United Healthcare and many others.

However, insurance plans differ on the types and amount of outpatient care they cover. These differences may relate to the specific diagnosis and whether a provider is in-network.

The best way to find out what your insurance covers is to call the number on the back of your insurance card. To make it easier to get the information you need, we have insurance benefit verification forms that include questions you can ask.

How to start outpatient treatment at Melrose Center

If you’re concerned that you or a loved one may have an eating disorder, the most important thing is to get help. At Melrose, we try to make it as easy as possible to get the support your family needs.

Simply call 952-993-4100 and we’ll walk you through the next steps, including how to get a diagnosis and personalized treatment plan.

Do I need a referral to make an outpatient appointment?

No. If you or a loved one has symptoms of an eating disorder, call 952-993-4100 to set up an initial assessment.

Do I need a diagnosis to start outpatient treatment?

No. As part of the initial assessment appointment, we’ll diagnose the eating disorder. Just call 952-993-4100 to get started.

What can I expect at my initial assessment?

An eating disorder assessment is an appointment that’s used to review a person’s symptoms and to determine what type of care and support will be most helpful.

During the initial assessment, we’ll ask you or your loved one about symptoms and medical history. We’ll also listen to your concerns and answer any questions you might have. At the end of the assessment, we’ll recommend the treatment and eating disorder care team that will be best for you. If you do need treatment, a care manager will help you schedule your next appointments at Melrose Center.

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