The Emily Program offers virtual outpatient treatment for adults, adolescents, and children of all genders. Some people begin treatment at the outpatient level, while others step down to it from a higher level of care. Outpatient treatment is personalized to each client’s needs and designed to provide the insight and skills necessary to promote lasting recovery.

• Individual sessions with a therapist who specializes in eating disorders and associated health complications
• Family therapy, as appropriate, to involve parents, partners, children, and other loved ones in the healing process
• Group therapy with other people experiencing similar issues, thoughts, and feelings
• Nutrition education
• Individual sessions with a dietitian who specializes in eating disorders, as needed, particularly when stepping down from higher levels of care
• Medical and psychiatric services, as needed, particularly when stepping down from higher levels of care

The Emily Program’s virtual outpatient treatment is available in Minnesota, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Washington.

The Emily Program offers intensive outpatient programming (IOP) via virtual treatment. Virtual treatment allows us to deliver eating disorder care to those who prefer to attend programming from home. Through virtual treatment, our clients can connect with their care team and peers over a secure video connection.

As in traditional intensive programming, our multidisciplinary care teams guide clients through evidence-based eating disorder treatment.

• Individual therapy
• Skills-based group therapy
• Therapeutic meals
• Nutrition counseling
• Yoga/mindfulness therapy
• Psychiatry and medical services, as needed

The Emily Program’s Virtual IOP is available for children, teens, and adults in Minnesota, Ohio, and Washington.

What to expect

Prior to the start of programming, clients will have an assessment and participate in an orientation. To prepare for the start of programming, clients will receive materials detailing how to connect, what to expect during virtual treatment groups and individual sessions, how to optimize the group experience virtually, how to prepare for meals, and all group curriculum and materials.

Virtual IOP meets for 12 hours per week (3 hours/day, 4 days/week), including one therapeutic meal per day. Group sessions contain 10 or fewer clients and meal sessions include 5 or fewer clients, along with therapy and/or nutrition staff.

Learn more about our virtual IOP services in this information sheet:

• Virtual IOP for adults and adolescents

The Emily Program offers virtual partial hospitalization/intensive day programming (PHP/IDP) for both adults and adolescents. This high-intensity therapeutic intervention is delivered by our multidisciplinary care teams of therapists, dietitians, and medical and psychiatry providers who guide clients through comprehensive evidence-based eating disorder treatment.

• Skills-based group therapy
• Therapeutic meals
• Nutrition counseling
• Food skills groups
• Individual therapy sessions
• Individual nutrition sessions
• Yoga/mindfulness therapy
• Family therapy (for adolescents)
• Psychiatry and medical services

The Emily Program’s Virtual PHP/IDP is available for children, teens, and adults in Minnesota, Ohio, and Washington.

What to expect

Prior to the start of programming, clients will have an assessment and participate in an orientation. To prepare for the start of programming, clients and parents will receive materials detailing what to expect during groups and individual sessions, how to optimize the group experience, how to prepare for meals, and all group curriculum and materials. Clients will continue to have medical assessments and follow-up appointments in person at The Emily Program, via virtual treatment, or with a local primary care provider, as needed.

Virtual PHP/IDP meets a minimum of 30 hours per week (Monday–Friday), including two therapeutic meals plus snacks each day. Hours vary depending on the programming site. Weekend programming is also available virtually to extend care to 7 days/week. Group sessions contain 6 or fewer clients, along with therapy and/or nutrition staff. Family sessions take place via virtual therapy.

Learn more about our virtual PHP/IDP services in this information sheet:

• Virtual PHP/IDP for adults and adolescents

The Emily Program offers CARE IOP, an intensive outpatient program for adults with binge eating disorder or OSFED with a pattern of binge eating. This virtual treatment program addresses the unique treatment needs of those affected by binge eating or compulsive overeating, honoring clients’ identities and experiences in informed, inclusive, and intersectional care. CARE IOP is currently available in Minnesota, Ohio, and Washington with plans to expand.

• Virtual programming 4 days/week, 3 hours/day, along with individual therapy and nutrition counseling
• Comprehensive curriculum that responds to clients’ intersectional identities with topics such as self-compassion, counteracting internalized weight stigma, exposure with response prevention, body appreciation, and health-promoting behaviors
• Skills acquisition groups informed by Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)
• Therapeutic supported meals that allow clients to explore their eating patterns and overall relationship with food in order to increase attunement and a sense of peace with eating
• Weekly nutrition education and psychoeducation groups

Learn more in this information sheet:  CARE IOP Overview

What is CARE IOP?

CARE IOP is a virtual intensive outpatient program for adults experiencing binge eating disorder or OSFED with a pattern of binge eating. CARE stands for Cultivating Awareness and Resilience with Experience/Eating/Emotions. We are now offering CARE IOP in Minnesota, Ohio, and Washington with plans to expand.

Why is a stand-alone program for treating binge eating necessary?

While binge eating shares a common etiology with other disordered eating behaviors, special consideration must be given to the specific needs of those living with binge eating disorder or OSFED with a pattern of binge eating. A separate binge eating program can more adequately respond to the unique challenges that people experiencing binge eating face, including those surrounding meal and snack times, food and body judgments, and complex intersectional issues related to weight. A safe, responsive, and weight-inclusive environment that honors clients’ lived experience can support long-term recovery.

Will CARE IOP address weight loss?

Weight loss will not be a focus of this program. It is very common for clients to seek treatment with concerns about the impact of their weight on their physical and/or mental health. Our providers strive to understand and acknowledge clients’ concerns, while clarifying the program’s focus on decreasing/eliminating disordered eating behaviors and reclaiming a positive relationship with food, body, and self. The CARE IOP curriculum supports clients in investigating their motivation related to changing their weight/shape/size, as well as highlights the relevance of shifting the focus from intentional weight loss to overall health. Related curriculum content includes but is not limited to: consequences of dieting, weight bias, weight stigma, and related socio-cultural norms; Health At Every Size®; whole-health promoting behaviors; and body appreciation. 

Is exercise a component of CARE IOP?

While exercise is not an explicit component of the program, clients will have the opportunity to explore their relationship with movement. They will also learn about the benefits of movement and how movement can influence their physical and mental health. If clients have an interest in increasing movement or engaging in exercise, they will be supported in doing so with a focus on safety, balance, and recovery-oriented motivation.

How long do people stay in CARE IOP?

As with other programs at The Emily Program, length of stay depends on various factors, such as client progress, achievement of goals, and frequency and intensity of symptoms. Participants are encouraged to plan for 6–8 weeks in CARE IOP programming, with knowledge this may be shorter or longer depending on their unique circumstances.

Will CARE IOP be in-person in the future?

CARE IOP will remain 100% virtual, providing clients an ongoing opportunity for supported self-accountability while practicing eating, food preparation, and coping within the comfort and privacy of their own space.

The Emily Program is committed to delivering care where it’s best for our clients. To that end, our comprehensive treatment model has evolved to include virtual eating disorder services. Delivering treatment within a secure online environment puts our compassionate, evidence-based care within greater reach.

The Emily Program offers virtual eating disorder treatment* for partial hospitalization programs (PHP)/intensive day programs (IDP), intensive outpatient programs (IOP), and outpatient sessions. Through virtual treatment, our clients stay connected with multidisciplinary care providers and pursue recovery in individual and group settings.

*Note: Virtual treatment is currently offered in Minnesota, Washington, Ohio, and Pennsylvania. Virtual treatment across state lines has limitations.

Virtual treatment uses technology to deliver care to clients. It allows you to connect to your treatment team via secure video to receive the structured support you would typically receive in person at an Emily Program site.

Like traditional intensive programming (IDP/PHP and IOP), virtual programming at The Emily Program includes individual, group, and family therapy; therapeutic meal support; nutritional counseling; psychiatry sessions; and medical appointments, as appropriate. Your treatment plan will be personalized to fit your specific needs.

Prior to receiving virtual treatment at The Emily Program, you will attend an orientation that introduces your programming schedule and curriculum. Orientation staff will ensure you have access to the appropriate food and nutritional supplements, technology, and other resources you will need to participate in virtual treatment.

Medical and safety needs will be assessed regularly to ensure you are receiving the level of care appropriate for you.

Read through these documents on how to get ready for treatment prior to your first appointment.

• Preparing for your virtual services
• How to access and use secure video

Please let us know if you have any technology concerns (e.g., internet access) that would make it difficult for you to participate from home. We will provide internet for you on-site at The Emily Program so that you can participate in virtual programming.

If you have others present in your space while you are in virtual programming, we imagine it may be a time you could enlist those around you for extra support. When/if you do that during programming, please ensure that they understand these are confidential services. Please ask that they maintain confidentiality regarding anything they may hear or see while you are involved in virtual treatment.

Therapeutic meals over virtual treatment will involve you joining others at the table virtually. You will have a short amount of time to prepare your meal prior to sitting with the group to eat. To allow for more interaction and support, the group size at meals will be smaller than in other virtual treatment groups. Staff and your peers in the group will offer support at the meal so that you can accomplish your meal-related treatment goals.

Our outpatient program helps you gain insight and develop recovery skills. Some people enter the outpatient program when they first come to The Emily Program, while others need residential or partial hospitalization/intensive outpatient treatment first and then step down into outpatient. In addition to the recovery work you’ll be doing, you can continue or re-establish everyday activities like work or school. Outpatient care is available at each of our convenient locations in Minnesota, Ohio, Pennsylvania, or Washington or within a secure virtual environment.

Our personalized treatment approach is based in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT). We design a treatment plan to address your needs, using best practices in the field of eating disorders treatment. Your outpatient treatment plan may include:

• Group therapy with other adults experiencing similar issues, thoughts, and feelings
• Individual sessions with a therapist who specializes in eating disorders and associated health complications
• Family therapy, if appropriate, to involve the spouse or partner, children, parents, siblings, and other family in the healing process
• Nutrition education
• Individual sessions with a dietitian who specializes in eating disorders, as needed, particularly when stepping down from higher levels of care
• Medical and psychiatric services, as needed, particularly when stepping down from higher levels of care

In individual outpatient sessions at The Emily Program, you will meet one-on-one with a therapist, dietitian, psychiatrist, and/or physician. The type and frequency of individual sessions vary by treatment plan and are designed to help you move forward in recovery. These healing connections strengthen your recovery and help you learn and practice the skills you need for health.

At The Emily Program, we believe that group therapy can be an incredibly important part of your recovery from an eating disorder. Groups provide a safe, judgment-free environment to process thoughts, emotions, and behaviors with other people in similar situations. We offer many therapeutic and skill-building groups, such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) Skills Training, Eating Disorders and Substance Use Disorder recovery, Families Supporting Families, and more. Group sessions vary by location. Your intake therapist and/or individual therapist will recommend a group that might be the best fit for you.

Click on the links below to learn more about group offerings at our locations:

Minnesota:

• Twin Cities* – 2023 Catalog – Download PDF

*Includes groups at St. Louis Park and St. Paul (multiple locations)

Ohio:

• Cleveland – 2023 Catalog – Download PDF

Washington:

• Seattle – 2023 Catalog – Download PDF

Please speak with your individual therapist about any group opportunities that interest you. Your provider can help guide and inform you about which groups would be a good fit for where you are on your path to recovery. Your provider is also your contact to enroll in any of our outpatient groups.