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IOPs and Their Benefits in Eating Disorder Treatment
Contributor: Morgan Krumeich, PsyD at The Center for Eating Disorders at The Center for Eating Disorders at Sheppard Pratt
Working towards recovery from an eating disorder can be full of ups and downs as one progresses along the winding road of recovery. Many people utilize an IOP, outpatient therapy, and weekly support from specialty providers.
At times though, it may become necessary to assess if a higher level of care is appropriate in order for one to meet their medical, nutritional, and psychosocial needs and goals. These higher levels often include inpatient hospitalization programs that provide 24-hour care, medical monitoring and intensive treatment and high levels of support.
Partial hospitalization programs, referred to as PHPs, typically include full days of individual and group treatment, support, and structured meals similar to inpatient programming but participants don’t reside at the program overnight, and if geographically possible, return home each day to practice skills and reintegrate into the community with recovery in mind.
Inpatient programs and PHPs can often be found in conjunction with one another, as many programs recognize the importance of providing a step-down from inpatient treatment before transitioning back to outpatient care providers and returning to full-time work, school or family roles.
Intensive Outpatient Programs, or IOPs, provide an additional step-down option for individuals as they transition out of a PHP program but may still benefit from continued support and structure beyond once-weekly outpatient visits. In addition, IOPs can provide support and structure for individuals struggling in outpatient weekly therapy but not requiring the degree of oversight afforded in the inpatient and PHP levels.
IOPs provide several hours of treatment on multiple days each week, ideally surrounding a mealtime.* Whether stepping down from acute care or stepping up for a boost of support, incorporating an IOP into one’s treatment and recovery plan can provide a unique and beneficial experience.
Seven Benefits of Utilizing an IOP on Your Road to Recovery
1. Gradual Transitions
Many people, as well as their families, who are making the transition from a higher level of care, like PHP or a residential program, feel as though they fall off of a hypothetical “cliff” when they enter into outpatient care.
This is also a high-risk time for relapse. An IOP can help bridge this transition with a lower level of care that still allows one to receive a significant amount of support while integrating back into their community and daily life. On the flip side, not everyone who struggles to make a change in outpatient therapy necessarily requires a huge jump into inpatient or residential treatment. IOP is a short hop that can make a big difference.
2. Flexibility of an IOP
An IOP offers more flexibility in regards to one’s schedule and responsibilities outside of treatment that higher levels of care are not able to accommodate due to the intensity of the treatment program.
At the IOP level of care, patients are able to remain at home while attending the program and can work to modify some of their responsibilities, whether it is at home, school, work, etc., with greater ease.
Furthermore, they can continue to work on building and integrating their outside support system into their recovery process, as they are engaging with them on a more regular basis.
3. Smaller Size
An IOP can be a smaller group setting, feel more intimate, and create space for more personalized work to be done. Smaller program size, and therefore smaller groups can provide one with the opportunity to share, ask questions, and engage with their peers and treatment team. Feeling comfortable in the group process can allow for critical and in-depth work in their recovery process.
4. Multi-disciplinary Support
IOP can extend one’s connection to a variety of multi-disciplinary supports, which often includes groups and/or education relating to nutrition, psychological and emotional factors, medical and psychopharmacology, expressive arts, and occupational therapy.
In addition to group work, most IOPs provide the opportunity to meet one-on-one with providers, such as a psychiatrist and therapist on a weekly basis to address any concerns or challenges faced at each new stage of recovery.
5. IOP Offers Continued Support for Family and Caregivers
The IOP offers family and support groups that allow supports to engage in treatment and receive education first-hand.
Eating with program participants, as well as attending an educational group that addresses both nutritional and psychological components of recovery allows program participants and their loved ones to feel more connected and competent in navigating the road to recovery together.
6. Lower Cost
Whether it is families, individuals, or insurance companies who bear the brunt of the cost of treatment, money can be a determining factor regarding one’s ability to seek treatment. An IOP can be a less expensive alternative to residential treatment because IOP does not require room and board or 24-hour staffing. Consequently, this can help relieve some of the financial burden treatment can create for all parties involved.
7. Relapse Prevention
As mentioned above, the transition back to full-time roles and responsibilities at home after the completion of an inpatient program or PHP can be extremely difficult, and it is full of challenges and relapse risks, even for those who discharge in a place of strong recovery. Having the structure and support of an IOP during this period can prevent extra stress and help respond to small slip-ups before they become major relapses.
Despite these benefits, individuals and families may overlook the significance of an IOP. Others may not even know such a treatment option exists.
Recovery is hard work, and it can be tempting to want to rush out of a higher level of care and dive back into life immediately but engaging in an IOP to sustain progress and create a more gradual transition can have long-term benefits for those with eating disorders.
*All Intensive Outpatient Programs are structured differently and may have different characteristics than the ones listed here. Ask your treatment team about IOP options that fit your needs.
About the author:
Morgan Krumeich, PsyD at The Center for Eating Disorders at Sheppard Pratt. Dr. Morgan Krumeich is Clinical Coordinator of the Intensive Outpatient Program at The Center for Eating Disorders at Sheppard Pratt in Baltimore, Maryland. Prior to earning her Doctorate in Clinical Psychology from The George Washington University, Dr. Krumeich obtained a Masters in Clinical Psychology from The George Washington University as well as a Masters in Education (specializing in Applied Child Studies) from Vanderbilt University.
The opinions and views of our guest contributors are shared to provide a broad perspective of eating disorders. These are not necessarily the views of Eating Disorder Hope, but an effort to offer discussion of various issues by different concerned individuals.
We at Eating Disorder Hope understand that eating disorders result from a combination of environmental and genetic factors. If you or a loved one are suffering from an eating disorder, please know that there is hope for you, and seek immediate professional help.
Published on August 21, 2017.
Reviewed By: Jacquelyn Ekern, MS, LPC on August 21, 2017.
Published on EatingDisorderHope.com
The EatingDisorderHope.com editorial team comprises experienced writers, editors, and medical reviewers specializing in eating disorders, treatment, and mental and behavioral health.
