Eating disorders like anorexia nervosa (AN), bulimia nervosa (BN), and binge eating disorder (BED) are serious mental health conditions that can have powerful effects on your physical, mental, and emotional health.
The good news is, these conditions can be fully treated with the right kind of care. And in Vermont, there are several options for getting the kind of treatment you or your loved one need.
Keep reading to discover which Vermont eating disorder treatment centers can help lead you to recovery.
Types of Eating Disorder Treatment in Vermont
Just as not all eating disorders are the same, neither are all eating disorder treatment options. Different levels of care have been developed to address the different types of needs that arise during different parts of recovery.
Finding the most effective eating disorder treatment in Vermont for you depends on the severity of your symptoms and medical history, among other factors. You may want to discuss the following eating disorder treatment types with your doctor to determine which program would best suit your needs.
Virtual Treatment
If you don’t want to travel for treatment, have issues around mobility or transportation, or don’t live close to an in-person treatment facility in Vermont, you may want to consider virtual eating disorder treatment.
Online care for eating disorders is still relatively new but has already been well-tested, thanks to the rapid advance of technology and the wide adoption of online treatment during the pandemic. And studies have found it to be a viable alternative to in-person care in most cases. [3]
For many people, virtual eating disorder treatment provides more convenience, flexibility, and privacy. But it’s important to note that this type of care may not be recommended for everyone, particularly those with more severe eating disorder symptoms. Before enrolling in a program, you should fill out an intake form to help a doctor better understand your particular situation and needs.
Who Offers Virtual Treatment in Vermont?
In the rapidly expanding world of online eating disorder care, Within Health stands out among the pack. The company offers several levels of care, all managed online and through their app, creating personalized treatment plans and even sending meals and medical equipment through the mail to help ensure patients have everything they need for recovery.
Inpatient & Residential Treatment
Inpatient treatment is the highest level of care for eating disorders, generally only recommended for the most severe cases, such as when someone’s life is at immediate risk. [1] A patient will typically stay at a specialized clinic or hospital ward, where clinical care and monitoring are provided 24/7, with the goal of medical stabilization.
Residential programs are a step down from clinical care. They still involve a patient living and sleeping at a treatment facility so they can be immersed in a healing environment and always have access to care, but these facilities are more home-like, and designed for longer-term stays.
During a residential program, a patient may undergo any number of treatments, including individual therapy, group therapy, medical check-ins, meal monitoring and support, nutritional counseling, and medication consultations, among others. The length of someone’s stay depends on their pace of progress, among other considerations, but many residential programs can last 30 days or more. [1]
Who Offers Residential Treatment in Vermont?
At this time, there are no residential treatment facilities in Vermont specifically for eating disorders. However, you may be able to get inpatient care in extreme cases, or go through a partial hospitalization program instead.
Partial Hospitalization Program (PHP)
Partial hospitalization programs (PHPs) are also known as “day treatment.” They’re generally recommended for patients who still need a significant amount of support but who are medically stable and beginning to make progress toward recovery.
These highly structured programs can be extensive, lasting anywhere up to 6 days a week, for 10 hours per day, though patients live and sleep at home during this time, and travel to treatment. [1] The length of the program depends on the patient, but as the recovery journey goes on, a PHP may be further tailored to a patient’s needs, with a treatment schedule becoming less intensive over time.
Many of the same types of therapy and treatment offered in residential care are also part of PHPs, including individual and group therapy and meal monitoring. And if a patient is transferring from a residential program, they may even be able to keep the same treatment team. They’ll be assigned a treatment team at the start of their PHP if needed.
Who Offers PHP in Vermont?
The Kahm Center is a family-owned Vermont eating disorder treatment center in Burlington. The program is tailored to your symptoms and needs and includes nutritional sessions, therapy, supported meals, and unique treatment methods like metabolic testing and body composition analysis.
Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP) and Outpatient Treatment
Outpatient treatment is the lowest level of eating disorder care. It typically consists of a regular meeting with a therapist or nutrition counselor, usually once or twice per week.
As the least-intensive form of care, outpatient treatment is usually the last—or first—method of treatment people try, but it’s best for patients whose eating disorder symptoms are mostly under control. Outpatient therapy can be a great way to keep an eye out for triggers and stay accountable for the hard work of recovery.
For those who still want or need a little extra help, there are intensive outpatient programs (IOPs). These hybrid forms of treatment generally involve therapy sessions three or more times per week, and may also include group therapy sessions or meal monitoring. [2] They’re a good place for patients who still want support, but who are ready to start incorporating more social responsibilities like school or work back into their lives.
Who Offers Outpatient Treatment in Vermont?
The Vermont Center for Integrative Therapy in South Burlington offers unorthodox eating disorder treatment focusing on yoga and meditation. Their packages aim to treat emotions and behaviors for true healing. The Kahm Center also offers comprehensive IOP treatment.
Additional Eating Disorder Resources in Vermont
Aside from the programs designed specifically to help with eating disorder recovery, Vermont is home to some additional resources that could offer help for both people struggling with eating disorders and their loved ones.
The Adams Center for Mind and Body, located in South Burlington, offers information on different treatment programs and other educational sources to help people with eating disorders.
The state also hosts several support groups for eating disorders. These groups are a great way to find community and relate to people who are also dealing with an eating disorder.
Some Vermont eating disorder support groups include:
- Young Adult Women Support Group: This eating disorder support group is based in South Burlington but is offered online for your convenience.
- Eating Disorder Hope: This website lists several eating disorder support groups in Vermont that are open to both men and women.
Vermont may also have other eating disorder support groups available. These meetings are usually conducted and run on a local basis and are subject to change. Doing an internet search of support groups near you is likely the best way to find the most up-to-date options.
What to Look for in an Eating Disorder Treatment Center/Program in Vermont
Not sure what to look for in Vermont eating disorder treatment centers? Consider this list while researching the best treatment program for you or a loved one.
Treatment methods can vary from center to center. While the best course of treatment is usually dictated by a patient’s doctor or treatment team, understanding the types of therapy offered at a center you’re looking into can make a big difference when it comes to your expectations and insurance.
Insurance companies usually only cover costs for what is called “evidence-based treatment,” or methods of care that have undergone rigorous analysis and are generally considered effective. More holistic or alternative care will usually not be considered evidence-based, and it may be very difficult to secure coverage for programs utilizing these methods.
The types of treatments used by a center can also speak to the center itself. Those with more alternative approaches may have different atmospheres than those with more traditional care, and this can also make a difference in how successful someone’s recovery journey is.
Again, insurance coverage is generally one of the biggest concerns people have when determining which Vermont eating disorder treatment program to pursue.
In-network treatment is far more likely to be covered than care from institutions not partnered with your insurance company. You may even want to start your search by contacting your insurance company directly, to ask about nearby programs they may support.
The cost of treatment also depends on the level of care you receive. Virtual eating disorder treatment is commonly the least expensive option, while residential care is usually the most expensive.
Taking time to consider these issues may feel like more work up-front, but it can help save you from future complications, like receiving a surprise bill or having to change treatment centers before a course of care is over.
Finding the best eating disorder treatment for you can feel overwhelming. But there are some questions you can ask of yourself or the institution you’re interested in to help you understand your own expectations and priorities around the experience, and help you choose which Vermont program best lines up with those goals.
Some considerations to keep in mind include: [4]
- How long has the center been in business?
- What is your treatment philosophy, and how successful has it been?
- Do you offer financial scholarships or assistance to help pay for treatment?
- Are there any security measures in place?
- How many staff members are available per patient?
Finding Help for an Eating Disorder Treatment in Vermont
If you or a loved one are struggling with an eating disorder, receiving eating disorder treatment as early as possible is crucial to increase your chances of full recovery.
You can start by looking further into the above programs or asking your doctor, therapist, or another medical professional for help. These experts can help you secure an official diagnosis, which you’ll need before your care can be eligible for coverage.
It’s worth noting that Vermont doesn’t have as many teen-based programs as other states. [5] The good news? Convenient virtual programs are available to help your loved one begin their healing journey.
But regardless of which path you choose, the most important decision you can make is getting started. It very well may be the first step you take on the journey to a healthy and happy recovery.
Resources
- Levels of Care. (n.d.). University of California San Diego. Accessed September 2023.
- Intensive Outpatient. (2023, August 23). Within Health. Accessed September 2023.
- Steiger H, Booij L, Crescenzi O, Oliverio S, Singer I, Thaler L, St-Hilaire A, & Israel M. (2022). In-person versus virtual therapy in outpatient eating-disorder treatment: A COVID-19 inspired study. The International Journal of Eating Disorders; 55(1):145–150.
- Selecting a Treatment Center for Your Loved One. (n.d.). National Eating Disorders Association. Accessed September 2023.
- Viglienzoni C. (2022, March 4). Does Vermont have enough eating disorder treatment for youth? Accessed September 2023.