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Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP)

Your Path to Eating Disorder Recovery

Our intensive outpatient program, or IOP, is a highly effective treatment model to help you recover from your eating disorder. It combines the accountability and structure similar to inpatient treatment with the convenience of an outpatient schedule.

Eating disorders are known as a “disease of disconnection.” That's because people who suffer from anorexia, bulimia, or binge eating tend to isolate themselves from the lives they once enjoyed.

But you don’t have to be ashamed. You didn’t choose to have an eating disorder. The very same battle you fight affects millions of people worldwide.

You’re not alone. And you don’t have to battle your eating disorder alone.

When you're in our intensive outpatient program at LiveWell, you won’t. The goal of IOP is to minimize disconnection by relating to others who face similar struggles. In treatment, you’ll work through these challenges together. In a trusted environment, you'll feel the encouragement, respect, and hope you need to recover.

Eating Disorder Treatment with Successful Outcomes

Hundreds of people just like you participate in our intensive outpatient program each year. From in and around Albany, NY, and across the state via telehealth, they come to HPA/LiveWell seeking support, encouragement, and hope for recovery. The vast majority of our patients complete our IOP without needing a higher level of care, such as hospitalization or residential care.

Unlike other eating disorder programs, the LiveWell intensive outpatient program allows you to recover while continuing to live your life as you normally would. Not in a rehabilitation facility or hospital. In our IOP, you’ll work through your struggles and recover in the place where you’ll continue to live your recovered life.

You’ll continue to work, go to school, raise a family, and live your life. Rather than putting your life on hold, our intensive outpatient program won’t disrupt your daily life. HPA/LiveWell knows that you must hold onto the things that make you want to get better in order for you to recover.

Our program works.

LiveWell’s patients in recovery will say – trust the process.

What To Expect From Our Intensive Outpatient Program

Our intensive outpatient eating disorder treatment program will help you find the confidence to fight your eating disorder – perhaps for the first time. Throughout the program, you’ll gain a deeper understanding of your challenges and learn healthy coping skills to replace the behaviors contributing to disordered eating.

Combined with the power of your local support network, our program has a record of success to ensure each patient can and does LiveWell.

  • 4 and 4
    Our IOP runs four hours per day, four days per week.
  • Personalized Treatment Plans
    This is an individualized eating disorder program. Your treatment plan is personalized to your specific needs, life, and eating challenges. How long you’re in our program depends on what you need. You move through our intensive outpatient program at your own pace.
  • Well-Respected Treatment Team
    Our IOP treatment team consists of licensed psychologists, social workers, mental health counselors, and dietitians. Our program and expert clinicians are well-known for their research and work in the field of eating disorders. And they base every aspect of our treatment approach on solid research.
  • Group Meals
    Each day of IOP treatment includes a group meal together. Not only is this a chance to get the support of your peers, but it’s also when your clinicians and dietitians encourage and assess your individual meal plan and pacing.
  • A Chance to Connect About Treatment Anxiety
    We understand you may be feeling anxiety during our intensive outpatient program. Rest assured, this is normal.

    During your initial intake, we’ll tell you all about the program, answer any questions you have, and address any concerns. Our clinical and administrative team is here to help you with anything from insurance, the daily schedule, family involvement, and the length of your treatment.

Our Successful IOP Treatment Methods Promote Recovery

We’ve provided our effective research-based treatment program for nearly a decade. Our experienced team of experts in the field of eating disorders is ready to equip you with the tools, support, and hope for recovery. We’ll celebrate each and every victory you achieve during our work together – both big wins and small.

You’re not alone. We know recovery is possible, and we’ll be by your side.

Together, We’ll develop a treatment plan to address your specific concerns. In the HPA/LiveWell program, you can expect:

  • Group Therapy
    One of the key benefits of group-based treatment is that it connects you with others experiencing similar struggles. Group therapy promotes a shared dialogue that can’t be achieved when you work one-on-one with a therapist. And because eating disorders are a disease of disconnection, group therapy connects you with others to rally peer-to-peer encouragement, so you feel understood and not alone.

    In a safe group setting, those feelings of distress, disconnection, and loneliness you felt while navigating your illness alone begin to disappear. Group therapy allows you to feel heard and seen – often for the first time.

  • Individual Therapy
    We encourage you to work one-on-one with an individual therapist either virtually or in an office setting. You and your therapist will work together to determine how often you meet. Used in conjunction with group therapy, individual treatment sessions allow you to process and work on your life beyond your eating disorder (i.e., relationships, communication, etc.)
  • Family Meetings
    At HPA/LiveWell, we recognize that an eating disorder isn’t a solo battle. The illness affects your family and those around you, too. In family sessions, you’ll focus on how disordered eating affects them and how they can better support you in treatment and recovery.
  • Cognitive Behavior Therapy (CBT)
    CBT is an effective, research-based method for treating eating disorders focused on changing how you think and feel about food, eating, and body image. You’ll learn strategies to shift your self-defeating thought patterns into healthy ways of coping.

    The CBT skills you learn in our Intensive Outpatient Program will help you identify your fears. You’ll learn healthier coping skills. Over time, step-by-step, you’ll make strides toward recovery.

  • Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)
    DBT addresses emotion regulation, interpersonal effectiveness skills, distress tolerance, and mindfulness.
  • Motivational Interviewing
    Your therapist will help you develop the internal motivation and commitment you need to achieve a specific, meaningful goal. Together, you’ll work toward resolving uncertainty, allowing you to see that you can achieve your goals – and recovery.
  • Exposure & Response Therapy (ERP)
    Because anxiety often accompanies eating disorders, ERP is an evidence-based treatment proven to treat anxiety effectively.
  • Nutritional Counseling
    Each week during IOP treatment, you’ll work directly with our certified dietitians. They will monitor your progress and tailor your individual meal plan to promote weight restoration, weight maintenance, or weight loss. They’ll use their expertise to ensure you meet your dietary recommendations.
  • Family-Based Treatment (FBT)
    Research shows that families are an integral part of their adolescent or teen’s successful recovery from an eating disorder. Through FBT, parents learn how to provide supportive meals for their child and are given the tools to help manage their emotional reactions to family mealtime stressors.
  • The first step to overcoming your eating disorder is only a click away. Contact us today to schedule an initial evaluation.

    We’re here to walk with you each step of the way.