Mental health

Eating disorder treatment centers: Levels of care and how to choose

Published August 2, 2025 · 8 min read · Updated April 2026

Reviewed for accuracy by licensed clinical professionals. Editorial process.

Eating disorders — anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, binge eating disorder, and others — have the highest mortality rate of any mental illness. Treatment is effective, but navigating the levels of care and finding a quality program requires understanding what each level provides.

Levels of care

Medical stabilization/inpatient is the highest level, for patients who are medically unstable (dangerous heart rate, electrolyte imbalances, severely underweight). This occurs in a hospital setting with continuous medical monitoring. Residential treatment provides 24/7 structured care in a non-hospital setting. All meals are supervised, therapy occurs daily, and the environment removes access to eating disorder behaviors. Stays typically run 30-90 days. Partial hospitalization (PHP) provides full-day treatment (6-8 hours) with evenings at home. Meals during the day are supervised. Intensive outpatient (IOP) provides 3-4 hours of treatment 3-5 days per week. Outpatient therapy involves weekly individual and/or group therapy with a specialized eating disorder therapist, often combined with nutritional counseling and medical monitoring.

What to look for in a program

Specialized eating disorder treatment differs significantly from general mental health treatment. Quality indicators include a multidisciplinary team (psychiatrist, therapist, dietitian, medical provider), evidence-based approaches (CBT-E for bulimia and binge eating, FBT for adolescent anorexia), medical monitoring capacity, meal support and nutritional rehabilitation, body image work, and trauma-informed care.

Finding help

The National Alliance for Eating Disorders helpline (1-866-662-1235) provides referrals to specialized programs. The Alliance website (allianceforeatingdisorders.com) maintains a treatment provider database. Many eating disorder programs have admissions teams who can help determine the appropriate level of care.

Mental health facilities

South Central Alabama MHC

Andalusia, AL

Call 334-428-5050

RMC Health System

Anniston, AL

Call 256-235-5745

Cherokee Etowah Dekalb CMHC

Attalla, AL

Call 256-492-7800

Birmingham VA Healthcare System

Birmingham, AL

Call 205-957-5300

Browse all facilities →

Authoritative sources

This article references guidelines from: NIH · NAMI · APA · Harvard Health · Mayo Clinic

Frequently asked questions

What is the best treatment for eating disorders?

The best treatment matches the level of care to clinical severity. CBT-E is the gold standard for bulimia and binge eating. Family-based treatment (FBT) is most effective for adolescent anorexia. Look for specialized eating disorder programs.

How long is eating disorder treatment?

Residential treatment typically lasts 30-90 days. PHP runs 4-6 weeks. IOP runs 8-12 weeks. Outpatient therapy may continue for months to years. Full recovery often takes 1-3 years.

Does insurance cover eating disorder treatment?

Yes. Under the Mental Health Parity Act, insurance must cover eating disorder treatment at the same level as other medical conditions. Prior authorization is typically required for residential stays.

Disclaimer: Informational only. Not medical advice. SAMHSA: 1-800-662-4357.