Finding a Therapist for
Eating Disorder Treatment: Levels of Care and How to Find It
How Does Eating Disorder Treatment Work, and How Do You Find a Level of Care You Can Afford?
Eating disorder treatment usually combines talk therapy, medical monitoring and nutrition counseling, and NIMH says people with a severe eating disorder may need a hospital or residential program. Care runs from weekly outpatient visits up through intensive outpatient, partial hospitalization, residential and inpatient programs. SAMHSA lists 2,301 mental health facilities with eating disorder programs (October 2026); the care finder shows which take Medicaid, Medicare or a sliding fee.
Eating disorder treatment is different from most mental health care because it treats the body and the mind at the same time. A good plan brings together therapy, medical care and nutrition help, and the setting can range from a weekly appointment to a stay in a hospital. This guide explains each level of care, who decides which one you need, and how to pay for it.
NIMH is clear that eating disorders are serious illnesses, not a choice, and that people can recover with treatment. People with eating disorders also face a higher risk of suicide. If you or someone you love is thinking about suicide, call or text 988, or chat at 988lifeline.org, any time. Veterans can dial 988 and press 1. Call 911 if someone is in immediate danger, and see the crisis guide for what happens next.
Eating Disorders in Brief
NIMH describes eating disorders as serious illnesses marked by severe disturbances in eating behavior. The common types are anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, binge-eating disorder and avoidant restrictive food intake disorder (ARFID). They can affect people of any age, background, sex or body weight, and even people who look healthy can be very ill.
| Type | How NIMH describes it |
|---|---|
| Anorexia nervosa | Severely avoiding or restricting food because of a distorted self-image or intense fear of gaining weight; some people also binge and purge |
| Bulimia nervosa | Regular binge eating followed by unhealthy behaviors to prevent weight gain; people may be average weight or overweight |
| Binge-eating disorder | Regularly losing control of eating and eating unusually large amounts of food |
| ARFID | Limiting the amount or variety of food because of anxiety, fear of what eating could cause, or dislike of a food’s look or texture |
Only a health care provider can say whether someone has an eating disorder, and NIMH says anyone showing any combination of these signs should talk to one. You don’t need to be sure, or to be at a low weight, to ask for an assessment.
NIMH warns that anorexia has an extremely high death rate compared with other mental disorders, and that suicide is a leading cause of death for people with anorexia. Eating disorders often occur alongside depression, anxiety or substance use, and NIMH says treating those conditions is part of the plan. If you’re concerned about your own eating, NIMH suggests starting with a primary care provider, who can refer you to a psychologist, psychiatrist or clinical social worker.
What Eating Disorder Treatment Includes
NIMH lists four parts of a treatment plan. Most people get some mix of all four.
- Psychotherapy. Individual, group or family therapy to identify and change troubling emotions, thoughts and behaviors about food. MedlinePlus lists cognitive behavioral therapy, group therapy and family therapy among the approaches used for anorexia.
- Medical care and monitoring. Treating the physical effects of the eating disorder and keeping watch on overall health.
- Nutrition counseling. Help eating well and reaching and keeping a healthy weight, often from a dietitian.
- Medication. For symptoms of some eating disorders, including bulimia and binge-eating disorder, and for co-occurring anxiety or depression. NIMH says there are currently no FDA-approved medications for anorexia or ARFID.
MedlinePlus notes that care teams often include physicians, nurse practitioners, physician assistants, dietitians and mental health providers. That team approach is why eating disorder care looks different from a standard therapy appointment.
Where to Find It: Eating Disorders by State
SAMHSA's FindTreatment.gov lists 2,301 mental health facilities with this service (eating disorders) across 52 states and territories, checked October 2026. Pick a state for its facilities, cities and treatment agency.
Levels of Care for Eating Disorder Treatment
Treatment is organized by how much support and medical oversight you need. Your level can change as your needs change. MedlinePlus, for example, describes a short hospital stay followed by a day treatment program for anorexia.
| Level of care | What it involves | SAMHSA facilities (October 2026) |
|---|---|---|
| Outpatient | Regular therapy, medical and nutrition visits while you live at home | 10,754 offer outpatient care |
| Intensive outpatient (IOP) | At least 9 hours a week of therapy, education and medication management, between weekly therapy and partial hospitalization | Ask programs near you directly |
| Partial hospitalization (PHP) | A structured day program, usually at least 20 hours a week, as an alternative to a hospital stay | 2,161 offer partial hospitalization |
| Residential | Living at a treatment program around the clock | 1,776 offer residential care |
| Hospital inpatient | Admission to a hospital for medical or psychiatric stabilization | 1,021 offer hospital inpatient care |
The IOP and PHP descriptions come from Medicare’s definitions. The SAMHSA counts cover all mental health facilities offering that setting; 2,301 facilities list eating disorder programs specifically. Use the care finder to see which ones near you offer both.
When Hospital Care Is Needed
MedlinePlus explains that for anorexia, a short hospital stay may be recommended first, followed by a day treatment program. A longer hospital stay may be needed when a person has lost a lot of weight, keeps losing weight despite treatment, develops medical complications such as heart problems or low potassium, or has severe depression or suicidal thoughts.
For bulimia, MedlinePlus says hospital care is rarely needed unless the person also has anorexia or major depression or needs medicine to stop purging. Treatment usually follows a stepped approach, starting with talk therapy and nutrition therapy, with SSRIs often added.
The decision about level of care belongs to a clinician who has examined you. If you’re unsure, ask directly: “What level of care do you recommend, and why?”
Eating Disorder Treatment for Teens and Children
If you’re worried about your child, start with your child’s pediatrician, who can check their physical health and refer you to specialists.
NIMH says research suggests family-based treatment can improve outcomes, particularly for adolescents. MedlinePlus adds that for a young person, therapy may involve the whole family, which is seen as part of the solution rather than the cause. Families can also encourage a loved one to seek help and support them through treatment.
For coverage, two public programs matter most:
- Medicaid’s EPSDT benefit covers children under 21 enrolled in Medicaid and requires states to cover medically necessary services to treat or reduce illnesses.
- CHIP gives free or low-cost coverage to children in families that earn too much for Medicaid, including behavioral health services and inpatient and outpatient hospital care. You can apply any time of year.
The guide to finding a therapist for a child or teen covers school-based services and what to ask a provider.
How to Find an Eating Disorder Program
SAMHSA lists 2,301 mental health facilities with eating disorder programs (October 2026). These steps help you find the right one.
- Get a medical check first. A primary care provider or pediatrician can assess physical health and help decide the level of care.
- Search for programs. Use the care finder and filter for eating disorders, then check your state page for local programs and Medicaid coverage.
- Ask what the team includes. Ask whether the program has a therapist, a physician or nurse practitioner, and a dietitian, and how they coordinate.
- Ask about step-down care. If you start in residential or PHP, ask what comes next and whether the program offers IOP and outpatient care too.
- Check licenses. You can check a therapist’s license with your state board.
- Confirm coverage before admission. Ask your plan whether a program needs approval before you start.
Paying for Eating Disorder Treatment
Higher levels of care cost more, so coverage matters a great deal. Here is what public programs cover.
| Coverage | What it pays for |
|---|---|
| Medicare Part B | Outpatient therapy, intensive outpatient and partial hospitalization; you pay 20% of the approved amount after the deductible, plus daily coinsurance for IOP and PHP |
| Medicare Part A | Inpatient mental health care, with a lifetime limit of 190 days in a psychiatric hospital |
| Medicaid | Mental health care for people with low income; SAMHSA lists 10,558 facilities that accept it |
| CHIP and EPSDT | Children’s care, including behavioral health and hospital services |
| Sliding fee clinics | SAMHSA lists 5,028 facilities with a sliding fee scale |
For people without full coverage, community mental health centers and free mental health care options are the place to start for outpatient therapy. The guides to Medicaid coverage of therapy and Medicare coverage of therapy explain each program, and the low-cost care checker shows what fits your state. Since eating disorders so often come with depression or anxiety, the guides to therapy for depression and CBT may help you plan the rest of your care.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can You Have an Eating Disorder at a Normal Weight?
Yes. NIMH says eating disorders affect people of all body weights, and people with eating disorders can be underweight, average weight or overweight. Even people who appear healthy can be extremely ill. Weight alone doesn't show how serious an eating disorder is.
Are There Medications for Eating Disorders?
NIMH says medication can treat symptoms of some eating disorders, including bulimia nervosa and binge-eating disorder, and can ease co-occurring anxiety or depression. It also says there are currently no FDA-approved medications for anorexia nervosa or ARFID. A prescriber can explain the options, and you should never stop or change a medication on your own.
What Is Family-Based Treatment?
Family-based treatment involves parents or caregivers directly in a young person's recovery. NIMH says research suggests family-based treatment can improve outcomes, particularly for adolescents. MedlinePlus adds that for a young person with anorexia, the family is seen as part of the solution, not the cause.
How Do I Talk to Someone I'm Worried About?
Speak with care rather than blame, and offer to help them see a doctor. NIMH says families can encourage a loved one with eating or body image concerns to seek help and support them during treatment. If they talk about suicide, call or text 988 together.
Is Eating Disorder Treatment Covered by Insurance?
Medicare covers outpatient therapy, intensive outpatient, partial hospitalization and inpatient mental health care. Medicaid's EPSDT benefit covers medically necessary care for enrolled children under 21, and CHIP covers behavioral health services. For a private plan, call before admission to ask which programs and levels of care it covers, and see the insurance coverage guide for your rights under parity law.
Can Binge-Eating Disorder Be Treated as an Outpatient?
Outpatient care with therapy, medical monitoring and nutrition counseling is one option a clinician may recommend. NIMH lists binge-eating disorder among the conditions medication can help. A clinician will recommend a higher level of care if your health or safety calls for it.
More on Finding a Therapist for
- AnxietyThe therapies NIMH describes for anxiety disorders and how to find one near you
- DepressionTherapy for depression, who provides it and how to pay for it
- ADHDWho diagnoses and treats ADHD in adults and children
- OCDExposure and response prevention and other OCD treatment
- PTSD and TraumaTrauma-focused therapies, VA care and PTSD programs near you
- GriefGrief, prolonged grief disorder and how to find a counselor
This guide explains mental health care in plain language from official sources. It isn't medical advice; a licensed clinician can assess what care fits your situation.
Sources
- NIMH: Eating Disorders: What You Need to Know
- NIMH: Eating Disorders
- MedlinePlus: Anorexia
- MedlinePlus: Bulimia
- Medicare.gov: Intensive Outpatient Program Services
- Medicare.gov: Partial Hospitalization
- Medicare.gov: Inpatient Mental Health Care
- Medicaid.gov: EPSDT
- HealthCare.gov: Children's Health Insurance Program
- SAMHSA FindTreatment.gov listing data, checked October 2026