Eating Disorder Treatment in Michigan

Eating disorders are debilitating conditions, which can impact not only someone’s physical health, but their mental and emotional wellbeing.

If you or a loved one are struggling with bulimia nervosa (BN), anorexia nervosa (AN), binge eating disorder (BED), or other eating disorders, it’s important to seek out help.

Luckily, Michigan is home to many eating disorder programs and treatment facilities, offering care and guidance for you or your loved one, regardless of where you are in the recovery process.

Michigan Eating Disorder Treatment Options

Eating disorders are complex conditions, which may range in severity or be complicated by the existence of comorbid, or co-occurring, mental health concerns.

To help address these varying ranges of need, eating disorder treatment is also offered on a spectrum, with different types of programs intended to help patients at different points of their recovery journey.

And in Michigan, there are all manner of different treatment programs to choose from.

Virtual Treatment

Those seeking virtual treatment for their eating disorder have many options, in Michigan and beyond.

These programs allow those who live far from in-person treatment programs, those with challenges around mobility or transportation, or those with particularly complicated schedules to more easily incorporate treatment into their lives. However virtual care can benefit anyone who would like to access mental health care from the comfort of their own home.

And despite this treatment’s relatively recent development, studies have already shown that virtual care can be just as effective as in-person treatment. [2] However, you should consult with your doctor before pursuing this form of care, as it may not be the best recommendation for everyone, including those with more severe eating disorder symptoms or co-occurring mental health conditions.

Inpatient and Residential Treatment

Inpatient care is the most intensive type of eating disorder treatment. This highly specialized level of care is primarily for those who face immediate threats to their health, due to medical complications or medical crises.

During inpatient treatment in Michigan, patients are in a hospital setting, where they have 24-hour access to medical care and monitoring. More intensive forms of therapy, such as intravenous feeding, may be used, with the overall goal being medical stabilization.

Once a patient’s vitals are restored, and they’re considered physically strong enough to leave the inpatient environment, they can enter a residential treatment facility. Many patients also start their journey here.

Residential treatment for eating disorders is a long-term form of care. It takes place in a home-like environment, with patients living and sleeping at the facility. The immersive environment is intended to help patients get through the difficult early stages of recovery while offering them enough time to incorporate many types of care into their day, including individual therapy, group therapy, meal monitoring, nutritional counseling, medical check-ups, and medication consultations, among other types of treatment.

Partial Hospitalization Programs

A partial hospitalization program (PHP) is an eating disorder treatment program that offers more flexibility for patients who are learning to better manage and control their symptoms.

During a PHP, a patient will live at home, while commuting to treatment programs during the day. These programs take place anywhere up to 5 days per week, for up to 8 hours a day, though as a patient continues to progress toward recovery, schedules are often reduced. [1]

The hybrid type of schedule is ideal for those who are ready to start making their own food-based decisions and practicing their new coping skills at home, but who would still benefit from a lot of support.

Outpatient Treatment

Outpatient treatment is an excellent option for those who are otherwise managing the day-to-day symptoms of their eating disorder, but who are looking to get ahead of their symptoms or triggers. It can also be a good starting point for those who are not yet severely impacted by their eating disorder.

Outpatient programs also vary in intensity. Intensive outpatient programs (IOPs) generally include more frequent, longer, or intensive therapy sessions, while still remaining less intensive than a PHP. Standard outpatient programs typically consist of regular appointments with a therapist or another treatment team member.

At the point of attending outpatient therapy, patients should have a decently good grasp on their condition, and feel ready to attend therapy alongside their other social responsibilities, including school or work.

Additional Eating Disorder Resources in Michigan

Aside from programs designed specifically to treat eating disorders, there are many Michigan-based eating disorder resources available. These organizations can assist in finding treatment centers, medical care, support groups, and more.

Some of the best Michigan eating disorder programs and resources include:

• Michigan Eating Disorders Alliance: MIEDA has long been working to reduce the impact of eating disorders. Their website includes more information about their history and additional resources. 
• Southwest Michigan Eating Disorders Association: SMEDA focuses on educating people on the risks, impacts, and prevalence of eating disorders. They connect with patients, families, therapists, and more.
• Eating Disorders Resource Center Treatment Directory: This national directory of providers and treatment centers includes information on how to find dietitians, physicians, psychiatrists, and more.

Eating Disorder Support Groups in Michigan

As well as additional resources, many people struggling with an eating disorder find strength from additional support, regardless of where they are on the path to recovery.

Support groups are a great way to connect with others going through similar situations, to build a sense of community, offer or receive help and advice, and otherwise feel safe to talk about this difficult situation.

Some eating disorder support groups in Michigan include:

• Eating Disorders Support Group (Garden City): This support group is open to those suffering from an eating disorder. They meet on Wednesday nights. 
• Eating and Body Image Support Group (Grand Rapids): This in-person group allows individuals to discuss their relationships with food and their bodies. 
• Support Group for Families and Friends of Those with Eating Disorders: This group meets on the second Wednesday of every month. People whose loved ones are struggling with an eating disorder are welcome to listen and share their stories.

Support groups are generally run by local organizations and times and frequencies may be subject to change. It’s best to double-check with the group itself, use an internet search, or ask a resource center for the most up-to-date information.

What to Look for in Michigan Eating Disorder Treatment Programs

With many reputable eating disorder treatment centers in Michigan, it may be challenging to figure out which is best for you or your loved one. The following factors may help assist you in deciding.

Licensing and Accreditation

The Joint Commission or CARF International accredits all Michigan eating disorder treatment centers. A notification from these organizations offers the assurance that the program has passed industry standards for safety and quality of care.

And, while Michigan requires all staff at treatment centers to have the appropriate professional licensing, some physicians may be additionally licensed to practice certain techniques or have more specific types of experience, which could influence your decision on where to seek out help.

Treatment Methods

There are many methods used to treat patients with eating disorders. Providers use a variety of approaches, including:

• Acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT)
• Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT)
• Dialectical behavior therapy (DBT)
• Family therapy
• Group therapy
• Nutritional therapy

These are all considered evidence-based treatment, or methods that are considered safe and effective after being diligently tested and reported. Evidence-based care is generally considered the most effective treatment for eating disorders, and may also be a requirement to have the treatment covered by insurance.

Cost and Insurance Options

Indeed, insurance is generally one of the most major considerations when choosing an eating disorder treatment program. Unfortunately, care for these conditions is often lengthy, and very expensive.

You may want to start your search for a treatment center with a representative of your insurance company. These experts can help inform you about which programs are in-network or are more likely to be covered, preventing you from running into frustration or financial concerns down the line.

If you’ve already chosen a program you like, it’s also important to call them and specifically ensure that they will accept your insurance. Most eating disorder treatment centers hire staff who are dedicated to helping people work through the often-confusing process of securing coverage.

Additional Considerations

Even keeping these considerations in mind, you may come up with a large number of viable treatment options in Michigan. In this case, there are some questions you can ask yourself or the center in question to further narrow down your options: [3]

• What professionals will be part of the treatment plan, and who will coordinate the patient’s treatment?
• Does the center have a treatment philosophy or any religious affiliations?
• How long has the center been in business?
• What’s the role of the family during the patient’s treatment?
• What’s the ratio of patients to staff? How long has the team been working at the center on average?

These questions can not only help you determine your best treatment center options, but help you establish your own priorities for the experience.

Finding Eating Disorder Help in Michigan

If you or a loved one are struggling with an eating disorder, it’s important to seek out help.

Thankfully, Michigan has a number of viable treatment programs. But if you still need help getting started on your search, your primary care physician, therapist, or another trusted medical professional is a good place to start. These medical professionals are often versed in different eating disorders and may be able to point you in the direction of comprehensive care or help you determine your next best steps.

Many people also find eating disorder hotlines useful. These services allow callers to remain anonymous, making it more comfortable to ask potentially sensitive questions, and offer additional resources and information about many different eating disorders and treatment options.

But regardless of where you start looking for help, the most important part of the process is making the decision to seek out care. Eating disorders can be difficult to deal with, but taking the time to find the right kind of treatment is the best possible first step on the road to recovery.

Whether you live in Detroit, Grand Rapids, Warren, Sterling Heights, Ann Arbor, Lansing, or Dearborn, MI, treatment options are available to you. If an inpatient Michigan eating disorder treatment center is not a practical solution for you, there are likely outpatient clinics and certainly nationwide virtual treatment providers within your reach. These solutions are typically more affordable and they may be able to accept your insurance.