For many teens, an eating disorder doesn’t just impact their relationship with food—it affects their emotional well-being, social life and family relationships. If your teen is struggling with food restriction, binge eating, purging or an unhealthy focus on weight, they may need structured treatment to develop healthier habits.
At Seeds of Hope, our adolescent intensive outpatient program (IOP) provides a flexible yet structured approach to eating disorder recovery, offering therapy, nutrition guidance and group support. This program is designed for teens who need more than traditional outpatient therapy but do not require full-day treatment.
Is IOP Right for Your Teen?
Our IOP for eating disorders is designed for teens ages 14 to 18 (with possible admissions for ages 12-13 on a case-by-case basis) who:
- Are medically stable but need structured support
- Have a supportive home environment
- Are motivated to participate in their recovery
- Need help strengthening coping skills and developing a healthier relationship with food
If you’re unsure whether IOP is the right fit, our trained clinicians can provide an initial assessment to determine the best level of care for your teen.
Program Details
- Length of Treatment: Varies based on each teen’s individual needs
- Treatment Setting: Outpatient, allowing teens to maintain daily routines while receiving structured support
What to Expect in Our IOP
Our adolescent IOP provides a combination of therapeutic support, meal practice and psychoeducation to help teens develop sustainable recovery skills:
- Group therapy & process groups – Led by experienced clinicians, these sessions help teens identify triggers, develop coping strategies and gain peer support
- Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) & dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) – Evidence-based approaches to help teens reframe negative thoughts, manage emotions and build resilience
- Nutrition education & support – One session per week is led by a registered dietician, helping teens understand balanced nutrition and develop mindful eating habits through meal support and accountability
- Meal practice – Guided, supportive meal experiences to help teens build confidence in making food choices without fear or guilt
- Psychoeducation – Teaching teens about the effects of eating disorders on physical and mental health, while providing skills to navigate social and emotional challenges
- Medication management (as needed) – Monitoring and support to ensure that any prescribed medications align with treatment goals
Why Choose IOP?
Our adolescent IOP is a great option for teens who need ongoing treatment but also want to:
- Continue attending school and engaging in daily activities
- Develop a stronger foundation in recovery before stepping down to traditional
- Receive expert care in a supportive, nonjudgmental environment
Take the Next Step Toward Healing
If you’re concerned that your teen may be struggling with an eating disorder, early intervention can make all the difference. At Seeds of Hope in Paoli, PA, we provide comprehensive, compassionate care to help adolescents build a healthy future.
