Key Takeaways

• Eating disorder treatment is available in different formats, including virtual and in-person day treatment programs such as Partial Hospitalization Programs (PHP) and Intensive Outpatient Programs (IOP), as well as residential and inpatient care, both in-person.  

• Virtual care can increase access, flexibility, and continuity for people balancing school, work, or family responsibilities. In-person care provides structured programming, supervised meals, and face-to-face therapeutic and medical support.  

• The right fit depends on symptoms, medical stability, home environment, and personal preferences. Monte Nido offers both virtual and in-person pathways so individuals of all ages, identities, and body sizes can receive affirming, evidence-based help on their recovery journey.  

Understanding Your Eating Disorder Treatment Options  

Choosing a level of care is not just about convenience. The program you choose shapes how much structure, monitoring, and support you receive each week, and how treatment fits into school, work, or family life. Many people move between levels of care as needed, starting with more intensive care and stepping down as stability grows. Your safety and recovery goals stay constant.  

Available options include:  

• Virtual PHP and IOP  

• In person PHP and IOP day treatment

• Residential treatment (24-hour care)  

• Inpatient treatment for medical and psychiatric stabilization (24-hour care)  

Both virtual and in-person programs can be effective when they match your symptoms, medical needs, and support system. If you feel unsure, it is completely valid to ask questions. Our admissions and clinical teams can help you understand your options and recommend a starting point that feels safe and doable.

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What Is Virtual Eating Disorder Treatment?  

Virtual eating disorder treatment allows you to participate in structured programming from home or another private setting while still working closely with a multidisciplinary team.  

At Monte Nido, virtual PHP and IOP follow set schedules that may include individual therapy, groups, nutrition sessions, and supported meals delivered through secure telehealth platforms. Care is led by clinicians who specialize in eating disorders and rely on approaches that are consistent with those used in day treatment programs.  

Virtual care is designed for adolescents and adults who are medically stable enough to remain at home but need more support than weekly outpatient therapy. This format can be helpful when distance, transportation, mobility, or busy schedules make it difficult to attend in person. It can also support continuity after residential or inpatient care by keeping clients connected to a structured program as they transition back into daily life.  

Key features of virtual care include:

• Scheduled individual, group, and nutrition sessions  

• A focus on regular nourishment and skills practice in real time  

• Clinicians trained in eating disorder treatment and telehealth delivery  

• The ability to participate from a familiar, private environment  

Across these elements, the goal remains the same as in person programs: to help you move toward recovery with consistent, compassionate support.  

What Online Eating Disorder Therapy Usually Includes  

Virtual eating disorder treatment usually includes many of the same elements as in-person day treatment, adapted to a virtual format so you can join from home.  

• Individual therapy to explore thoughts, emotions, and behaviors and set weekly recovery goals with your therapist  

• Group therapy to build connection, learn skills, and practice new coping tools alongside peers  

• Nutrition counseling to support regular eating, meal planning, and exposure to challenging foods with guidance from a dietitian  

• Supported meals or meal coaching to help you follow your plan in real time  

• Family sessions, especially for adolescents, to strengthen communication and support at home  

• Ongoing care coordination so your treatment team can stay in touch with medical or psychiatric providers when needed  

Together, these components create a structured, team-based approach even when you are not in the same physical room.  

Benefits of Virtual Eating Disorder Care  

Virtual eating disorder care can make treatment more reachable without sacrificing structure or connection. For many people, this format removes practical barriers that might otherwise delay getting help.  

Benefits can include:  

• Increased access for people who live far from specialized programs or have limited transportation  

• Greater flexibility for students, working adults, and caregivers who need to fit treatment into busy schedules  

• The ability to participate from a familiar home environment, which can feel safer or more comfortable for some clients  

• Easier involvement of family members or supports who live in the same household  

• Continuity of care when stepping down from residential, inpatient, or in-person day treatment  

• Reduced time and cost associated with commuting to and from a center  

• Access to affirming spaces for LGBTQIA+ clients, BIPOC clients, and others who may have limited local option  

These advantages can make it easier to stay engaged in recovery work over time.  

When Virtual Care May Not Be Enough  

Virtual care is not the safest or most effective option for everyone. Some individuals require the added structure, supervision, and monitoring that only in-person, residential, or inpatient programs can provide.  

Virtual treatment may not be enough when:  

• There is medical instability, such as concerning vital signs, rapid weight changes, or other health complications  

• There are significant safety concerns, including suicidal thoughts, self-harm, or behaviors that place the body at immediate risk  

• You need hands on meal support or frequent redirection around purging, laxative use, or compulsive exercise  

• Co-occurring medical or psychiatric conditions require close observation or regular in person assessments  

• Home is not a safe or supportive environment for practicing recovery skills  

• Previous outpatient or virtual attempts have not led to progress or stabilization  

In these cases, a higher level of care is usually recommended first, with the option to step into virtual programming later as stability improves.  

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What Is In-Person Eating Disorder Treatment?  

In-person eating disorder treatment includes several levels of care that take place at a treatment center rather than at home. At the day treatment level, this usually means Partial Hospitalization Programs and Intensive Outpatient Programs, which provide structured support during the day and allow clients to return home at night.  

Programming often includes individual therapy, group therapy, nutrition sessions, supported meals, and regular check-ins with a multidisciplinary team that may include therapists, dietitians, and medical providers.  

Higher levels of care such as residential treatment and inpatient hospitalization provide 24-hour structure for people who need intensive monitoring, medical stabilization, or constant support. Many clients move between these levels over the course of recovery as needs change and as new stressors or transitions arise.  

In-person treatment can serve different roles:

• PHP and IOP to provide daily or near daily structure without overnight stays  

• Residential care when round the clock supervision and support are needed  

• Inpatient hospitalization for acute medical or psychiatric stabilization  

• Step down support after hospitalization to help clients transition back into daily life  

Across all levels, the focus is on safety, nourishment, and building skills that support both immediate stabilization and long term recovery.  

Benefits of In-Person Treatment  

In-person care offers advantages that are difficult to fully replicate in a virtual format. Being physically present with a treatment team and peers can create a sense of shared commitment and accountability that some people find essential in early or intensive stages of recovery.  

Key benefits include:  

• In-person meal and snack support, with staff available to coach and reassure you in real time  

• Onsite medical monitoring, including vitals and coordination of labs when needed  

• Immediate access to clinicians who can observe patterns and intervene during difficult moments  

• Peer connection and community in a shared recovery focused environment  

• Opportunities for exposure work around food, body image, and social situations in a controlled setting  

• A clear separation between treatment space and home, which can reduce contact with triggering routines  

These elements can make it easier to interrupt entrenched behaviors and build new, more supportive habits.  

When In-Person Treatment Is Recommended First  

In-person care is often recommended as the first step when safety or medical stability is a concern. It may also be indicated when outpatient or virtual care has not provided enough structure to interrupt eating disorder behaviors.  

Situations where in-person care is usually advised include:  

• Severe malnutrition or rapid weight loss  

• Unstable vital signs or other medical complications  

• Frequent purging, laxative use, or compulsive exercise that is hard to interrupt at home  

• Difficulty completing meals or snacks without direct support  

• Significant distress, isolation, or impairment that limits daily functioning  

Starting with a higher level of care does not mean you have failed. It simply means you deserve the amount of support that matches what you are facing right now.  

Virtual vs. In-Person Eating Disorder Treatment: Key Differences  

Virtual and in-person treatment share the same goal of supporting recovery, but they differ in how structure, support, and monitoring are delivered. Understanding these differences can help you and your team choose the format that best fits your life, symptoms, and safety needs.  

Key comparison points include:  

• Structure: Virtual programs offer scheduled sessions with more flexibility, while in-person PHP and IOP follow a set daily routine at a treatment center.  

• Support: Virtual care provides therapeutic and nutritional support through video sessions, whereas in-person care adds the potential benefit of therapeutic services in a shared space.  

• Environment: Virtual treatment takes place at home or in another private setting, and in-person care occurs in a dedicated, recovery focused space.  

• Monitoring: Virtual programs rely on remote coordination with medical providers, while in person programs can include on-site vitals and closer observation.  

• Meal support: Both programs offer fully supervised meals and snacks.  

• Intensity: Both formats can offer PHP and IOP levels, but residential or inpatient care provides the highest structure when needed for medical or safety reasons.  

Each option has strengths. The best choice depends on what helps you stay engaged and safe.  

Choosing the Right Level of Care for Your Needs  

Choosing a level of care is a collaborative process. A thorough assessment looks at your current symptoms, medical status, history of treatment, and daily life to determine which setting can best support safety and progress.

It is common to move between levels, such as starting with residential or PHP, then stepping down to IOP or virtual care as stability improves. This flexibility helps treatment stay responsive instead of expecting you to fit a fixed path or make a perfect decision the very first time.  

Clinicians often consider:  

• Frequency and severity of eating disorder behaviors  

• Medical stability, including recent labs and vital signs  

• Impact on school, work, and relationships  

• The safety and supportiveness of your home or campus environment  

• Your ability to follow a meal plan with current supports  

• Past responses to outpatient or virtual care  

Virtual versus in person is not always an either or decision. Many people use both at different points in recovery. The goal is to match the setting to what you need right now, and to revisit that choice as your health, responsibilities, and support system evolve over time so that treatment remains both doable, sustainable, and effective for you.  

Questions to Help You Decide  

As you weigh your options, these questions can help clarify what might fit best right now:  

• What level of structure helps me follow my meal plan and attend sessions consistently?  

• Is my home, dorm, or campus environment mostly supportive or often triggering, and who is available to help day to day?  

• Do I need regular medical monitoring, such as vitals, labs, or frequent check ins with a provider?  

• Have I tried outpatient or virtual therapy without the progress or stability I need?  

• Which setting makes me feel more connected, understood, and supported in my recovery work?  

• What practical factors, such as transportation, work, or school, do I need to consider when choosing a program?  

You do not need perfect answers. Honest reflection is enough to start a meaningful conversation with your treatment team.  

How Monte Nido Supports Both Virtual and In-Person Recovery  

Monte Nido offers both virtual and in-person treatment so care can be tailored to your needs instead of asking you to fit a single model. Across all programs, treatment is grounded in evidence-based approaches, a weight-inclusive philosophy, and deep respect for each person’s lived experience.  

Adolescents and adults of all genders, identities, and body sizes are welcomed into spaces that prioritize safety and recovery.  

Our approach includes:  

• Multidisciplinary teams of therapists, dietitians, and medical providers  

• Individualized treatment plans that address your specific goals and challenges  

• Family involvement when helpful for support and healing  

• Thoughtful step-up and step-down transitions between levels of care  

• Attention to long term recovery skills, not only short-term symptom changes  

Whether you begin virtually or in person, you can expect a collaborative, compassionate partnership focused on helping you build a life that is larger than your eating disorder.  

Virtual vs In-Person Treatment FAQs  

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Is virtual eating disorder treatment effective?  

Virtual treatment can be effective for people who are medically stable and able to participate consistently from home. When programs are structured, led by clinicians with eating disorder expertise, and include therapy, groups, and nutrition support, they can offer meaningful accountability and progress.  

What eating disorders can be treated online?  

Virtual PHP and IOP can support clients with anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, binge eating disorder, ARFID, OSFED, and related concerns when safety and medical criteria are met. An assessment helps determine whether telehealth aligns with your current needs.  

How do I know if I need in-person or residential care instead?  

If you are medically unstable, unable to complete meals without close support, or experiencing significant safety concerns, in-person day treatment, residential care, or inpatient hospitalization may be recommended as a starting point.  

Can adolescents receive virtual eating disorder treatment?  

Yes. Adolescents can take part in virtual programming, with structured schedules, family involvement, and clear expectations for participation and support at home.  

Does insurance cover virtual treatment?  

Many insurance plans now cover virtual PHP and IOP. Monte Nido’s Admissions Team can help verify your benefits, review options, and answer questions about coverage.  

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Support Is Available Wherever You Are  

Support for eating disorder recovery can take many forms, and both virtual and in-person treatment can play an important role at different stages of your journey. What matters most is that you receive care that matches your health, safety, and daily life, and that you feel seen and supported while you work toward change.  

As you consider next steps:  

• Remember that needing help is a strength, not a failure  

• Know that it is common to move between levels of care over time  

• Give yourself permission to ask questions and voice concerns  

If you are unsure which option is right for you, Monte Nido’s team can help you explore your choices and find a path forward that feels possible from where you are today.  

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