Eating Disorder Treatment in Nevada

Luckily, navigating an eating disorder isn’t something you have to do alone.

If you’re in Nevada, there are several resources you can take advantage of to overcome these conditions, regardless of how severe or frequent your symptoms are.

Types of Eating Disorder Treatment in Nevada

Eating disorders are as unique as the person experiencing them, with each condition impacting everyone in different ways. To help cater to that nuanced reality, there are several levels of care for treating eating disorders.

Determining which level of care you or your loved one may need can be a useful first step for finding the right type of treatment in Nevada.

Virtual (Remote) Treatment

Virtual eating disorder programs are great for individuals who can’t travel to a physical location due to mobility or transportation issues; those with unpredictable or difficult-to-manage schedules; and those who don’t live near in-person treatment options in Nevada.

The only thing needed to pursue these programs is an internet connection and an internet-enabled device. And with the pandemic’s lasting effect on the global landscape for healthcare and telehealth, many more treatment centers are offering these types of programs.

While this option may not be the best choice for individuals dealing with severe symptoms or those struggling to manage their disordered eating behaviors, virtual treatment has been found to be just as effective as in-person care in many cases. [2]

Inpatient & Residential Treatment

Inpatient treatment is the most intense form of eating disorder treatment. This level of care is generally reserved for individuals who are unstable in a medical or psychiatric way or otherwise in a state of crisis.

Patients are subject to 24-hour monitoring by medical professionals, with the overall goal of these programs being medical stabilization. Generally, stays last no more than a few weeks, or until someone is considered stable enough to seek other types of care.

Residential treatment is the second-most intensive form of eating disorder treatment, though these programs are designed for long-term attendance. Patients live at these Nevada-based facilities for up to several months, allowing them to focus exclusively on their recovery effort and partake in a number of different types of care, including individual therapy sessions, group therapy, meal monitoring, nutritional counseling, and regular medical check-ups.

Partial Hospitalization Programs

Partial hospitalization programs (PHPs) are the middle ground of eating disorder treatment, allowing patients to live and sleep at home while continuing to offer intensive therapy and treatment.

The types of care offered in these programs are similar to those introduced in residential care, and if patients are transitioning from a live-in facility, they may even be able to keep their same treatment team during PHP, depending on the program.

The point of a partial hospitalization program is to allow patients to start making their own choices around food and meals and practicing their new coping skills outside of a treatment setting, while still offering them plenty of support. Programs can run anywhere from 5 days a week, between 4 to 8 hours a day, for several months. [1]

Outpatient & Intensive Outpatient Programs

Considered lower-level care, outpatient programs are for individuals whose symptoms are generally under control, and who can maintain their commitment to recovery while incorporating other social responsibilities, such as work and school, into their schedule.

Some Nevada outpatient clinics offer intensive outpatient programs (IOPs), which may include more frequent or more in-depth treatment or meetings with care team members. This can be a good option for those who are stepping down from more intensive levels of care, or for those dealing with additional mental health issues, such as substance abuse.

Standard outpatient care generally consists of regular visits with a therapist, counselor, or other treatment team member. These appointments are usually meant to help patients stay accountable to their recovery effort and continue to look out for potential triggers.

Additional Eating Disorder Resources in Nevada

Aside from programs that are designed specifically to help treat eating disorders, there are a number of other resources for eating disorder information in Nevada, including:

• The Eating Disorder Institute of Las Vegas. This Nevada program has links to additional resources about eating disorders, including educational websites and books. There is also a services page that details the eating disorders they help treat.
• Kayenta Lifestyle Transformation Program In-Person Support Group. This support group, located in Las Vegas at the Kayenta Therapy Center, is led by a licensed therapist and meets every Monday and Tuesday. It is open to adult men and women.
• In-person support group. This support group listed on Eating Disorders Catalogue takes place every Tuesday night from 8 pm-9 pm at Rooms for Recovery in Las Vegas.

It’s possible that other support groups meet regularly in Nevada. These programs tend to be run on a hyperlocal level, and more information can generally be found through internet searches, community message boards, or even word of mouth.

What to Look for in Nevada Eating Disorder Treatment Programs

It can be hard to know what to look for in an eating disorder treatment center. But keeping a few key considerations in mind can help ensure you find the right treatment for yourself or your loved one.

Licensing & Accreditation

While a number of laws in Nevada and on a national level work to ensure all treatment centers and their staff are properly licensed, it’s possible for some programs to masquerade as legitimate, so double-checking for the appropriate license can help stop you from falling for these scams.

Accreditation offers an additional layer of assurance that a program meets or exceeds certain industry standards. An approval from CARF and Joint Commission generally indicates excellent care and a trustworthy institution.

Treatment Methods

There are many types of treatment that can help patients overcome an eating disorder, including:

• Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT)
• Acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT)
• Interpersonal psychotherapy (IPT)
• Family-based treatment
• Dialectical behavioral therapy (DBT)

What these forms of care have in common is that they’re all evidence-based. This not only means that they’ve been deemed effective after rounds of clinical testing and analysis but makes it more likely that an insurance company will cover the cost of these programs.

Cost and Insurance Options

Indeed, insurance is often a major factor when searching for the right treatment center. Eating disorder treatment in Nevada and beyond is generally expensive, making insurance coverage a must for most people.

To help streamline your search, you can start by contacting your insurance company directly, to ask about which programs they may be more likely to cover. If you find a program you like first, you should make sure to confirm that they’ll accept your insurance before enrolling in treatment.

In general, going to in-network clinics and doctors will help cut the total out-of-pocket cost for your treatment. And virtual programs are typically the most budget-friendly option overall.

Additional Questions and Concerns

Determining which Nevada eating disorder treatment center is the best for you or your loved one can feel overwhelming. But there are a number of additional questions you can ask, of yourself or of the program in question, to help you further narrow down your options, including: [3]

• Is a medical evaluation required before treatment starts?
• Which insurance plans do you accept?
• Are you always available for emergencies?
• Do you treat coexisting health conditions like anxiety?
• How do you measure the success of a treatment? Do you have a specific program in place?

The answers to these questions may not only help you sort out which program you like best, but help you determine your own priorities and expectations around treatment and recovery.

Finding Help for an Eating Disorder

Eating disorders are debilitating and potentially dangerous conditions. If you or a loved one is struggling, it’s important to seek help.

Your primary care physician, therapist, or other medical professionals are likely excellent sources of information. These experts may be able to help you receive an official diagnosis, find a successful program, or otherwise determine your next best steps.

If you’d rather not discuss this sensitive topic in person, you can call a number of eating disorder hotlines. These services are typically run anonymously and can offer additional resources and information.

Regardless, the best option for achieving recovery is finding the right kind of help. Making that call can be the first step you take on the path to a healthier and happier future.