Because Seeds of Hope holds fast to the philosophy that eating disorder care should be personalized to each client and their individual needs, inquirers will be asked to complete a LOCA – Level of Care Assessment. This assessment allows for the proper placement of individuals in a treatment plan that takes into account how long they’ve been battling the eating disorder, if they need medical assistance, if they require constant monitoring or if they’ve been through intensive levels of treatment before and therefore require less supervision.
There are five different levels of care to explore, three of which are offered at Seeds of Hope:
Inpatient Treatment
Ranking as the highest level of care, and not available through Seeds of Hope, inpatient treatment is appropriate for those at risk of suicide or self-harm, are in a physically life-threatening state in regards to weight or nutrient imbalances/deficiencies or have seen minimal success in lower levels of treatment. Both medical doctors and psychiatrists play a role in inpatient treatment, so clients will experience both 24 hour medical supervision and psychiatric care through counseling sessions.
In addition to being the most intensive care, inpatient treatment tends to be the shortest as well. Because the main goal is to stabilize the client, once this process reaches completion, the client can move into lower levels of care according to the recommendations of their psychiatrist.
Residential Treatment
Whereas inpatient treatment takes place in a hospital environment, residential treatment offers a more comfortable, home-like setting for clients. The structure of a residential treatment center is still very routine, incorporating multiple therapies at different times throughout the week, but its primary focus is more on healing the psychological aspects of an eating disorder than on stabilizing a person physically.
Clients can benefit from residential treatment in that they still receive all the hands-on care they need, but in a much more peaceful setting than a hospital. This creates a positive, encouraging environment for the goal of residential treatment, that is, psychological healing.
Partial Hospitalization Program (PHP)
Unlike inpatient or residential treatment, partial hospitalization takes place during the day, allowing clients to return to their own homes at night.
Eating disorder treatment can be stressful and overwhelming, so this option can be highly beneficial to those who feel more comfortable in their own home. Provided there is a strong support system at home, this option is viable for clients who have either completed more intense treatment or are taking proactive steps to avoid needing intensive treatment.
PHP is still highly structured, with mandatory meetings five days a week. These will provide clients with life skills, such as meal planning, as well as holistic treatment sessions like yoga and nutrition, to provide healing to the whole person.
Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP)
Intensive outpatient treatment provides a flexible option for those still needing accountability, but not at the level of inpatient programs. IOP meetings occur four times a week for approximately two hours, and can be scheduled around other activities in your day. This level of care is beneficial to those who are ready to leave residential treatment centers and begin the adjustment back into everyday life.
Staying true to Seeds of Hope’s treatment approach, IOP participants will experience a range of holistic recovery practices including yoga, meditation, meal practice, nutrition education and support, psychoeducation and group therapy.
Outpatient Treatment
Recovering from an eating disorder is a lifelong process, and one no one should walk alone. For this reason, outpatient eating disorder treatment groups offer the lowest level of care to those who have seen inpatient and/or residential treatment through to completion.
Outpatient groups meet once a week to provide community, support and accountability to those determined to maintain recovery. The length of outpatient treatment can last for many years, since recovery is a lifelong process. This doesn’t mean that recovery is going to be an exhausting trial for forever, rather, it means that through outpatient treatment, clients will have a support group on which to rely for encouragement, strength in tough times and just pure, wholesome community.
A treatment personalized for you
Every eating disorder is different and requires personalized care. When working alongside a client, this truth is taken into consideration and applied to the chosen level of care. At Seeds of Hope, it is our mission to give every person the eating disorder treatment plan best suited to their needs and recovery goals. By focusing on the whole person rather than just the eating disorder, we are able to offer not only a treatment plan, but a recovery-focused process of healing to set you on the journey towards permanent, lifelong recovery.
Call 610-644-6464 today to get started.
