Eating Disorder Treatment in Idaho

Eating disorders like anorexia nervosa (AN), bulimia nervosa (BN), and binge eating disorder (BED) are serious mental health disorders that can manifest as any number of detrimental physical and psychological symptoms.

But if you or your loved one need help with an eating disorder and live in Idaho, there are several ways to seek professional help.

Idaho Eating Disorder Treatment Options

Eating disorders are complex conditions, often arising from a tangle of biological, environmental, and psychological factors. And the results can span the spectrum from mild to moderate to severe disordered thoughts and behaviors.

As such, there are several levels of therapy that have been designed to address the needs of patients with all types and severities of eating disorders.

Virtual Treatment

Virtual treatment for eating disorders and other types of mental health conditions is becoming increasingly popular. Through this system, a patient simply needs access to the internet and a plugged-in device in order to attend treatment sessions.

As such, online therapy provides a much simpler, more streamlined approach to care that can be particularly beneficial for those with challenges around transportation or mobility, those who live far from in-person care centers, or those with hard-to-manage schedules, though all types of people regularly enjoy online therapy.

Research is ongoing, but some studies have already shown that online treatment can be equally as effective as in-person care and more preferred by a number of patients. [2] Still, this modality is not appropriate in all cases. Particularly, those with more severe eating disorder symptoms may benefit from the type of observation and care that is given in person.

Residential and Inpatient Treatment

Residential and inpatient treatment are both for the most serious eating disorder cases. Both involve living at a medical facility with 24/7 access to professional care. Though, the goals of the treatments are different.

Inpatient care is targeted toward medical stabilization. Often, when someone is brought to this kind of facility, they’re experiencing a medical crisis and need a more intensive bout of medical treatment and observation, though generally for a much shorter period of time.

Residential care is a more long-term solution. These programs take place in more home-like environments, where patients are typically made to follow a strict schedule that involves everything from individual or group therapy and nutrition counseling to meal support and regular check-ups with medical doctors.

Residential treatment can last anywhere from several weeks to several months, depending on a patient’s progress and specific needs.

Partial Hospitalization Program

A partial hospitalization program (PHP) falls in the middle of inpatient care and outpatient treatment. During this time, patients live and sleep at home, but commute to treatment, anywhere from 4-8 hours per day, up to 5 days a week. [1]

These programs are generally a continuation of the type of care a patient received in residential treatment, including individual or group therapy sessions, nutritional counseling, and medication monitoring.

PHPs are ideal for patients who are ready to start practicing some of their new coping strategies outside of a clinical setting but who could still benefit from an elevated level of care or support.

Outpatient Treatment

As the least intensive form of eating disorder care, Idaho outpatient programs are generally either the first or the last step of treatment for most people who struggle with these conditions.

Those stepping down from more intensive forms of care may benefit from starting with an intensive outpatient program (IOP). These practices include several meetings per week with treatment team members, including therapists, nutritionists, or psychologists.

Otherwise, outpatient care typically involves ongoing therapy sessions, which take place weekly, monthly, or on some other type of regular schedule. Patients at this level are thought to have their symptoms mostly under control but may use these sessions as sources of support or as ways to periodically check in on their feelings.

What To Look For in an Idaho Eating Disorder Treatment Center

Choosing the best treatment center for an eating disorder in Idaho can be overwhelming. Aside from there being a number of viable options available in Idaho, there are numerous details to remember which can make a big difference toward the ultimate quality of care provided.

But keeping a couple of considerations in mind may be a helpful way to make the wisest treatment choice for you or your loved one.

Licensing and Accreditation

Even with a number of state and national laws requiring treatment center staff to meet certain standards, it’s important to ensure employees at the centers you’re considering are licensed to help with the particular eating disorders affecting you or the mental health treatments you’re pursuing.

Looking for an accredited program similarly adds an extra layer of assurance that staff, facility, and programs are up to industry standards. Centers accredited through the Joint Commission or CARF International are particularly noted for high-quality care.

Insurance Options and Cost of Treatment

Whether inpatient, outpatient, or somewhere in between, eating disorder treatment is frequently lengthy and, more often than not, expensive.

Unfortunately, this can present a significant barrier to treatment for many people, so it’s important to ensure that any eating disorder program you’re considering will work with your health insurance policy.

You may want to start your search by contacting your health insurance company to get better information on the types of treatment or treatment centers that may be covered. This can help you narrow down your search from the start and give you a better idea of cost-effective options.

If you’ve already picked out a program you like, it’s still a good idea to call and ensure they can work with your policy. Otherwise, you may be subject to a steep bill or have to go through the complicated and unpleasant process of switching treatment centers.

Types of Therapies Used

Even when all the eating disorder treatment centers you’re considering are licensed and accredited, they may have varying philosophies when it comes to treatment. Of all considerations, this is the one that perhaps most intimately impacts the type of experience someone will have at treatment.

Many people prefer programs that utilize evidence-based treatments or those which have been clinically proven to help. Some of the most common types of these treatments for eating disorders include:

• Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT)
• Dialectical behavioral therapy (DBT)
• Acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT)
• Family-based therapy (FBT)

If a treatment center employs these well-researched treatment methods, it likely speaks well of its standards of care.

Additional Considerations

While cost, insurance availability, accreditation, and types of care are all essential, it’s possible that many eating disorder treatment centers in Idaho will have similar standings when it comes to these considerations.

Some additional questions may help you further weed out the field of options, including: [3]

• Does the center have affiliations with any religious group?
• What is the ratio of staff to patients?
• What is the average length of time the staff have been working at the center?
• How long has the center been in business?
• What professionals will be part of the treatment plan?

Eating Disorder Support Groups in Idaho

Eating disorder support groups offer additional help for those still in treatment, those in recovery, or even the loved ones of those affected by an eating disorder.

There are several types of these groups in Idaho for people struggling with eating disorders, including:

• Joyous Eating: Located in Boise, Joyous Eating is an 8-session program that focuses on helping people establish a healthy relationship with food.
• Eating Disorder Support Group: This is an ongoing therapy group based in Idaho Falls, which is available to Idaho residents only. The Eating Disorder Support Group is a virtual program for ages 17 and up.
• Mental Health Recovery Group: This group offers support that is geared towards helping people with a history of inpatient treatment for a range of mental health issues.

Regardless of how much help you want or need, the most important thing is seeking it out. Taking the time to look for quality eating disorder treatment programs is the first step on the road to recovery and can help someone facing these dangerous and potentially even deadly conditions move on toward a healthier and happier future.