First becoming mainstream during the COVID-19 outbreak, online treatment has thrived. But does online treatment really work?

While not a perfect solution for all, online treatment does offer some serious benefits that are worth considering for anyone looking to receive eating disorder treatment.

Online treatment benefits eating disorder patients in some surprising ways. From making it easier to include family members to simply adding value to treatment, online treatment is a preferred way to receive treatment for many.

At Center for Discovery, we provide a robust online treatment program with multiple levels of care for both adolescents and adults.

Let’s explore four ways online treatment could benefit you.

Online Treatment Benefits: Increased Comfort

As important as getting treated for eating disorders can be, it can also be difficult for many. Concerns about privacy, worries about stigma, and just the discomfort of being in an unfamiliar place can all be major obstacles for treatment.

Online treatment for eating disorders effectively removes these obstacles. You can receive treatment in the comfort and privacy of your own home…or anywhere else you feel comfortable, It’s important to be comfortable, too – when you’re at ease, it’s far easier to be yourself, which makes treatment far more effective.

Online Treatment Benefits: Greater Accessibility

Online treatment can be accessible to many people, provided they have a stable internet connection. If you’re living a long way from an eating disorder treatment center, online treatment can spare you from trying to figure out how to get there.

There’s another reason why online treatment has real benefits. Eating disorders often occur alongside intense emotions. If you’re uncomfortable in an in-person setting, online treatment can make you feel much more comfortable and less anxious.

Also, if you’ve got concerns about your health or are dealing with a compromised immune system, online treatment can really give you peace of mind during your sessions as there’s no risk of exposure to viruses like COVID or the flu.

Online Treatment Benefits: Increased Flexibility

One of the biggest obstacles people often face in eating disorder treatment is scheduling. It can be very difficult working in treatment sessions between school and/or work commitments. Whether it’s a boss who doesn’t understand or just not having enough hours in the day, making time for treatment can be a surprising challenge for many.

Online treatment makes this barrier far easier to navigate. It provides the maximum amount of flexibility in scheduling, allowing you to find treatment on your schedule.

Do you have an eating disorder? Take our FREE eating disorder quiz.

Online Treatment Benefits: Ease of Continuing Care

One of the most important parts of eating disorder treatment is making sure care continues. Recovery from eating disorders takes time, and when you’re not receiving care, you’re at risk of relapsing.

Here’s the thing, though: sometimes, life happens. A job opportunity, going away for college or other major life change can take you away from your treatment provider. Depending on where you are in treatment, this can be a major pitfall on your treatment journey.

At best, this can mean finding a new treatment provider, which could mean being uncomfortable working with a new therapist. At worst, this can cause you to abandon the work you’ve done through the recovery process.

With online treatment, however, you can continue working with the therapists and other professionals you’re comfortable with. You don’t have to worry whether a new care provider will understand you and your situation – you can stay with the people you’ve become comfortable with.

What is Online Treatment?

In the healthcare world, online treatment is a way to deliver care via the web. It’s also known as teletherapy, virtual therapy or e-therapy.

At Center for Discovery, our online program offers therapy sessions, meal support, support groups and more.

Another major component of our online treatment is our Path to Peace program for those struggling with binge eating disorder, chronic dieting and bulimia nervosa.

However, online treatment isn’t always the best fit for everyone.

Is Online Treatment Right for Me?

The answer to this question depends on several factors. In general, they include:

In general, someone who has more severe symptoms benefits more from in-person treatment, especially in a residential setting. This allows for closer monitoring of vital signs and symptoms. Virtual treatment is often an ideal solution for someone who’s progressed through treatment or is dealing with less severe symptoms.

When you come to Center for Discovery, we provide a thorough assessment of your mental and physical health history. This helps us precisely identify your needs and enables us to treat you effectively at every stage of your recovery.

One of the ways we do this is through establishing levels of care.

What are Levels of Care?

In eating disorder treatment, levels of care are the different stages you pass through as you progress through treatment. These levels vary in intensity, from round-the-clock care to outpatient settings.

At Center for Discovery, our clients benefit from three specific stages of care.

  • Residential Treatment (RTC): Residential treatment takes place in a highly structured setting, with 24/7 supervision. At Center for Discovery, this phase of treatment lasts 40 days or more. It allows for maximum safety and effectiveness during the crucial first days of treatment.
  • Partial Hospitalization (PHP): Partial hospitalization is the ideal step-down after residential treatment. Our clients participate in all-day programming with a more flexible schedule.
  • Intensive Outpatient (IOP): Intensive outpatient offers maximum flexibility and is best suited for those who have advanced in treatment. With morning, afternoon, and evening sessions available, IOP offers maximum flexibility.

Online Treatment Benefits Can Be Yours. Reach Out to Center for Discovery Today

If you’re struggling with an eating disorder, you know how isolated and misunderstood you feel. You want treatment…but you’ve got so many commitments, finding help seems impossible. Quitting your job or education isn’t an option.

We get how hard it can be sometimes. Our online treatment program was designed to help you heal on your schedule. With tailored programming, specific support groups that help you connect, and availability in most states, our online eating disorder program can be your first step to a healthier relationship with yourself.

Reach out to us today to learn more.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Online Treatment?

Online treatment, also known as teletherapy and virtual therapy, is the practice of receiving treatment services online.

What are the Benefits of Online Treatment for an Eating Disorder?

Online eating disorder treatment at Center for Discovery offers flexibility in scheduling, easier accessibility, and a way to receive care in a setting that may be more comfortable for some.

Is Online Treatment Right for Everyone?

For people struggling with more severe eating disorder symptoms, online treatment may not be the ideal solution. Center for Discovery conducts thorough assessments with all new patients to determine how our programs best serve them.

VERIFY INSURANCE

Ready to take the next step towards treatment? You’re likely to be approved – 97% of people who contact us are accepted into our eating disorder treatment program with their commercial insurance. Verify your insurance today.