As you explore eating disorder treatment options, you might be wondering which type of program is the best fit for you or your loved one. The partial hospitalization program (PHP) and intensive outpatient program (IOP) at Melrose Center allow people to receive focused care and support for eating disorders while they continue to live at home.
Below, we’ve covered common questions about PHP and IOP to help you understand when these programs are used and how they support recovery. Use the following links if you’d like to jump ahead to a specific section.
If you’re ready to take the next step in getting treatment for you or a loved one, call 952-993-4100 and we’ll walk you through the process.
The difference between partial hospitalization vs. intensive outpatient for eating disorders
People have a lot of questions about the differences between partial hospitalization and intensive outpatient programs, and for good reason. In many ways, PHP and IOP are very similar. Both programs can treat all types of eating disorder diagnoses, and both allow people to receive intensive treatment while living at home. The big difference between the programs is the amount of support a person receives as part of an IOP or PHP program.
What is IOP for eating disorders?
An intensive outpatient program is a structured treatment option for people who need more support than the usual outpatient program for eating disorders.
People in IOP will have one-on-one appointments with therapists, dietitians, psychiatrists and medical clinicians. They also have group programming at Melrose Center twice a week for three hours a day.
What is PHP for eating disorders?
The partial hospitalization program is the most intensive outpatient program for eating disorders offered by Melrose Center. It’s for people who have more significant eating disorder symptoms but don’t need the round-the-clock care that’s part of residential treatment for eating disorders.
While called partial hospitalization, there’s no overnight hospitalization involved in the Melrose Center program – people go home each day. Partial hospitalization programs include a broad range of therapies and services, including individual and group therapy, life skills training, medical monitoring and more.
Does Melrose Center provide care for co-occurring conditions?
At Melrose Center, treatment is always tailored to a person’s unique needs. Because of this, we can care for co-occurring conditions alongside eating disorders. Some of the co-occurring conditions that we treat include:
- Compulsive or excessive exercise – When exercise becomes compulsive and is tied to an eating disorder, our team works to understand the emotional drivers and physical consequences. We help individuals build a healthier, more sustainable relationship with exercise.
- Eating disorders with type 1 diabetes (diabulimia) – Our integrated program supports individuals managing both an eating disorder and type 1 diabetes. Care includes collaboration with endocrinologists, certified diabetes educators (CDEs), dietitians and mental health professionals.
- Substance use disorder – Many individuals with eating disorders also struggle with substance use. As part of treatment, people learn healthier coping strategies.
When is PHP or IOP for eating disorders recommended?
An eating disorder care team may recommend PHP or IOP at different times in the recovery journey. People may transition to one of these programs during the course of eating disorder treatment, or they may start in IOP or PHP.
PHP is often recommended for people who need structured, daily support to help learn how to interrupt eating disorder behaviors and rebuild physical health. This level of care can be especially helpful if a person is frequently using behaviors like restricting, bingeing, purging or compulsive exercise, or their symptoms are getting worse. PHP may also be recommended as a step up in care if a person is not progressing in treatment or unable to make changes on their own.
IOP provides more support than weekly outpatient therapy but is less intensive than PHP. It’s an option for people who still benefit from regular guidance and structure, but who can also manage parts of their recovery on their own.
At Melrose Center we always tailor treatment plans to ensure the right level of support during every part of the treatment journey – whether it’s IOP, PHP or something else.
What happens if I’m not making progress?
First of all, be proud of yourself or your loved one. Recovering from an eating disorder is challenging and takes time. But if it seems like you or your loved one could benefit from additional support, we’ll recommend changes to the treatment plan.
This could mean trying new strategies or moving to a higher level of care (such as residential care for eating disorders) where you can get more help. Our goal is always to meet you where you are in your recovery and help you move forward safely and confidently.
Program length for intensive outpatient and partial hospitalization
The typical program length is four weeks, but both programs may be extended until a person is ready for the next step in their treatment journey.
It’s common for people to move between levels of care, depending on the support they need for their recovery. Healing from an eating disorder is rarely linear, and we’ll make sure you or your loved one get the right level of support at every stage of recovery.
Types of therapies used in partial hospitalization and intensive outpatient programs for eating disorders
There’s no one-size-fits-all approach to eating disorder treatment. As part of PHP and IOP, a person will have individual appointments with eating disorder experts and participate in group programming. Programming consists of group therapy, supported meal experiences and educational groups to help you navigate and overcome eating disorder symptoms.
Who will be on my treatment team for PHP or IOP?
The eating disorder care team depends on a person’s specific needs, but may include:
- Mental health therapists (licensed psychologists) – Help people understand their thoughts and behaviors, build effective coping skills and work through the emotions that come with eating disorder recovery.
- Registered dietitians – Provide specialized nutrition therapy, meal guidance and support to help people restore physical health, rebuild a balanced relationship with food and be confident as they move forward in eating disorder recovery.
- Medical clinicians – Track a person’s physical health to make sure that it’s safe for them to participate in the treatment program. Also help manage medical conditions caused by the eating disorder.
- Psychiatrists – Manage and prescribe medications for co-occurring mental health conditions such as anxiety and depression.
- Occupational therapists – Help people build or relearn everyday skills, create healthy routines, manage their senses and gain independence to support their recovery from an eating disorder.
- Physical therapists – Support safe movement and activity by gradually building strength, improving mobility and increasing body awareness while guiding them toward a healthy, balanced relationship with exercise.
What happens during group therapy for eating disorders?
Group therapy allows people with eating disorders to share their experiences while also learning from others with similar experiences. Group programming may include:
- Strategy group – A group session that allows people to explore their thoughts and emotions in a group setting.
- Staff-led group experiences – In some cases, planned outings allow you or your loved one to practice new skills or behaviors in a real-world setting. For example, these experiences may provide support for ordering meals, grocery shopping or buying clothes.
- Food preparation – Depending on the program, you or your loved one may be able to practice food preparation in an experiential kitchen.
What types of therapies will my care team use during one-on-one appointments?
The eating disorder specialists at Melrose Center use many types of therapies, including the following:
- CBT-E (cognitive behavioral therapy – enhanced) – Patients meet weekly with a therapist to examine the thoughts and habits that contribute to disordered eating, and collaborate on strategies for change.
- CBT-AR (CBT for ARFID) – This targeted therapy helps people with ARFID to expand their food choices, reduce fear around eating and improve nutritional intake and growth.
- DBT (dialectical behavior therapy) – DBT integrates cognitive behavioral methods with mindfulness to help people manage emotions, strengthen communication and develop effective coping mechanisms.
- FBT (family-based treatment) – FBT is an evidence based approach to eating disorders in which parents take an active, supportive role in helping their child restore healthy eating behaviors and recover.
- Nutrition therapy – A registered dietitian provides personalized guidance on eating patterns, nutrition goals and behavior changes to support health, healing and a positive relationship with food.
What types of medical treatments are provided as part of IOP and PHP?
The medical clinicians at Melrose Center provide regular checkups, help manage medications and coordinate with other members of the eating disorder treatment team to make sure a person can safely participate in the program. People in PHP typically see a clinician once a week as part of treatment and those in IOP will see their outpatient clinician as needed.
Keep in mind that the medical clinicians at Melrose Center focus on eating disorders and how they affect your health. They don’t provide the same routine care as your normal doctor. So, you or your loved one should continue to see a primary care doctor for yearly exams and treatment for injuries and illnesses not caused by the eating disorder.
How does psychiatric care or medication management work?
If needed, you or your loved one will have regular visits with a psychiatrist at Melrose Center to talk about medications, how they’re working and whether they may be contributing to eating disorder symptoms. We’ll keep a close eye on side effects and adjust medications as needed.
If you already have a doctor or psychiatrist outside the program, we’ll do our best to stay in touch with them, so your care feels seamless and supportive.
How are families involved in IOP or PHP?
Our program for children and teens with eating disorders is thoughtfully designed to provide parents and caregivers with the necessary knowledge and skills to support their child as they recover from an eating disorder. Here are ways that we involve and support families whose children are receiving care at Melrose Center.
- Family-based treatment (FBT) – With this therapy, parents or caregivers take a leading role in understanding eating disorder behaviors and how to support recovery. Parents and caregivers have sessions with different members of our team to learn useful skills to use during eating times and in day-to-day interactions to help keep their child focused on recovery. If you have an adolescent in PHP, you’ll likely have one family therapy session per week.
- Parent and supportive others group – This group is for adults who care for loved ones with eating disorders or are wondering how to support someone who might have one. It’s an opportunity to learn about treatment, ask questions and receive encouragement from others who support people with eating disorders. This group meets weekly.
Daily schedule for partial hospitalization and intensive outpatient: What to expect
The schedules for both programs include therapeutic eating experiences, group programming and individual appointments. The big difference is the amount of time you’ll spend in the program each week.
How many days per week for IOP vs. PHP?
People in IOP will have group programming at Melrose Center two times a week for three hours. Individual appointments with their therapist, registered dietitian and other members of the care team may be on the same or different day. In most cases, video visits are an option for individual appointments.
People in the PHP at Melrose Center will have treatment five days a week (Monday through Friday) where they work with our eating disorder experts. This time will include group programming, therapeutic meals and individual sessions.
What is a typical PHP schedule?
Each day in PHP is eight hours. The following is an example schedule, but it might be different for you or your loved one.
| Timing | Activity |
|---|---|
| 7:30 – 8 a.m. | Check-in and weighing |
| 8 – 9 a.m. | Breakfast supported by a registered dietitian |
| 9 – 10 a.m. | Strategy group to help identify and plan for eating disorder behaviors |
| 10 – 10:30 a.m. | Snack supported by a registered dietitian |
| 10:30 a.m. – noon | School time or break |
| 12 – 1 p.m. | Lunch supported by a registered dietitian |
| 1 – 2 p.m. | Coping skills group |
| 2 – 3 p.m. | Occupational therapy |
| 3 – 3:30 p.m. | Snack supported by a registered dietitian |
| 3:30 – 4 p.m. | Individual appointments (if scheduled) |
What is a typical IOP schedule?
IOP includes three hours of group programming twice a week, and individual appointments with members of the care team as needed. The following is a typical schedule for group programming, but it might be different for you or your loved one.
| Timing | Activity |
|---|---|
| Hour 1 | Strategy group to help identify and plan for eating disorder behaviors |
| Hour 2 | Meal supported by a registered dietitian |
| Hour 3 | Coping skills group |
Can children still go to school while in PHP?
While our program’s main focus is healing eating disorders, we know that many students don’t want to fall behind on schoolwork. Melrose Center offers personalized academic support for adolescents in our program. Each day, a licensed teacher provides 90 minutes of tutoring to help students stay on track with their studies and earn school credits while focusing on recovery.
Can I still work while in PHP or IOP?
Many adults in treatment find ways to balance work and recovery, especially with supportive employers and flexible schedules. You might be able to adjust your hours, take short-term disability leave, or explore remote work options. If you’re preparing to start treatment, it’s a good idea to talk with your manager or HR team about your options.
How do I balance treatment with childcare or other responsibilities?
Your care team is here to work with you on finding solutions that make it possible to focus on recovery while still caring for your family and daily life. With the right support system and a little planning, it becomes easier to balance both.
How meals and food support are approached during partial hospitalization vs. intensive outpatient at Melrose Center
Group meals and supported eating give people the chance to practice eating skills in a supportive environment. They are incredibly valuable because they provide structure, emotional safety and real-time guidance during one of the most challenging parts of healing. Both the PHP and IOP programs include registered dietitian-supported meals and snacks.
How is meal planning handled?
An eating disorder dietitian will work with you or your loved one to develop personalized eating guidance that supports both nutritional needs and overall health. We can accommodate allergies and dietary preferences (such as vegetarian, gluten-free and nut-free options) and do our best to honor cultural and religious values. If it’s possible that certain food limitations are part of the eating disorder, the dietitian will gently guide you or your loved one toward balanced nourishment to support recovery.
How many meals and snacks are included each day in IOP and PHP?
People in IOP will have support for one meal when they’re in for group programming. People in PHP will have supported eating for two meals and two snacks each day.
Will I be expected to plan or prepare my own meals?
Meals and snacks are provided by Melrose Center during programming hours. In most cases, the meals and snacks are prepared for you or your loved one. But in some cases, preparing the meal may be part of a cooking experience to help build confidence and comfort around food. You’ll also work with your dietitian to plan meals and snacks for outside of programming hours.
What kinds of food are served?
Meals include a variety of foods to provide balanced nutrition, increase flexibility in eating, and challenge fears about foods.
Is there support before, during and after meals?
Yes. We’re here to support you or your loved one in processing any emotions related to food or eating. Our eating disorder experts provide guidance, support and encouragement during meals. And our team is available after meals to offer grounding techniques, lead post-meal groups or just be there to chat.
What happens after a partial hospitalization or intensive outpatient program is completed
When it’s the time for them, we’ll help each person move to the next level of care that best supports their continued recovery.
Many people transition from IOP to outpatient care for continued support. However, if more structure is needed, stepping up to PHP or even residential treatment may be recommended. Similarly, after completing PHP, people often move to IOP or outpatient care, but if additional support is needed, residential treatment might be the next step.
How will I know when I’m ready to step down to a lower level of care?
Some great signs include showing progress in therapy and completing meals and snacks with more confidence. We’ll work with you to make sure the timing feels right and that you or your loved one has a solid plan in place for continued support.
What support is in place when I leave the program?
Before you or your loved one leave IOP or PHP, we’ll update the treatment plan so you know about the support and resources available to you, including:
- Your care team – You’ll continue to have appointments with a mental health therapist and others as needed.
- Support groups – We’ll connect you or your loved one with groups where you can get support (and give it too) throughout the recovery process.
- Family support – The plan may also include ongoing family therapy or education to help loved ones support your recovery.
Insurance coverage for partial hospitalization and intensive outpatient at Melrose Center
Most insurance companies have plans that cover some or all of the costs of eating disorder treatment. However, insurance plans differ in the types and amount of care they cover for specific diagnoses and providers.
We accept most health insurance plans, including Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota, CIGNA, HealthPartners, Medica, Medicare, PreferredOne, United Healthcare and many others.
The best way to find out what your insurance covers is to call the number on the back of your insurance card. To make it easier to get the information you need, we have insurance benefit verification forms that include questions you can ask.
How to start PHP or IOP at Melrose Center
Everyone’s path to eating disorder recovery is unique. At Melrose Center, we take time to make sure that the next step in treatment is the right one for you or your loved one – whether it’s IOP, PHP or something else.
Do I need a referral or diagnosis before contacting Melrose Center?
No. We always start the process with an eating disorder assessment, which allows us to diagnose the eating disorder and determine the type of care that’s the best fit for a person’s needs. If you or a loved one have symptoms of an eating disorder, call 952-993-4100 to set up an initial assessment.
What can I expect at my initial assessment?
An eating disorder assessment is a dedicated appointment where we review symptoms and determine the most helpful type of care and support. During this initial visit, we’ll talk with you or your loved one about medical history and current concerns, and we’ll answer any questions you may have. At the end of the assessment, we’ll recommend the treatment approach and care team that best fits your needs. If treatment is recommended, a care manager will help you schedule your next steps at Melrose Center.
