About What We Treat Our Philosophy Our Team Our Setting Licensing & Accreditation Work With Us
Programs Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP) Partial Hospitalization Program (PHP) PHP+ Customizable Programming What if I Need Residential Treatment?
Admissions Our Admissions Process Payment & Insurance Frequently Asked Questions
Resources Helpful Resources Information for Parents
For Eating, Exercise, and Body Image Disorders
 
 
13.jpg

Intensive Outpatient program


(IOP)

 
 

What is unique about our IOP program?

 
 

Guided by years of experience treating eating disorders, our clinicians offer specialized expertise that clients can trust. We know that treatment is a time-limited experience in which every day counts, and we work for real, permanent relief from the suffering these disorders cause.

Our San Luis Obispo location offers these IOP options:

  • Morning  programs from 9am-1pm with lunch support each day.

  • Afternoon programs from 12-4pm with snack and or dinner support available.

  • Late afternoon / evening programs from 3-7pm with dinner support available.

 
 
 
Untitled design (11).png
 

Who is Intensive Outpatient best for?

 

  • Individuals who have been through our PHP program and wish to transition to a lower level of care

  • Those who are currently working with an outpatient therapist and are in need of additional support

  • Those who are based nearby our Center or are willing to relocate for the duration of their treatment (we do not provide housing but are able to recommend nearby options)

  • Individuals who are looking for a safe space to serve as their “therapeutic home base”

  • Those who wish to consolidate their therapeutic services under one roof

  • Those who are willing and excited to engage in a deeper journey into the self that requires more time and commitment

  • Those who are interested in engaging in group therapy

 
 
APF palette (4).png
 
 
Untitled design (11).png
 

What’s Included?

 

Individual Therapy

Individual sessions focus on the 6 core elements of our unique treatment formula, following the resource workbook, also useful for future reference. Therapists give specific reading assignments and assign useful challenges throughout program. Our emphasis on defining and contacting the true Self helps relocate the seat of control, power and agency in life, allowing individuals to renegotiate their relationship to self, others, nature, creativity, spirituality and life purpose.

Nutrition Counseling

Our nutrition program considers individual body types, past and current medical evaluation, unique metabolic considerations alongside evaluation of psychological barriers to eating. Our dietitians specializing in nutritional psychology – know how to design nutrition programs that target nutrients needed for brain & nervous system repair, over-all physical stamina, metabolism regeneration and the holistic healing for each body recovering its optimal health. All clients received a 120-page Nutrition Science & Exercise Workbook.

Meal Support

Meal & supplement plans evolve each week through our phase-in process. Meals that are eaten at the center transition from highly structured meal plans to intuitive or conscious eating plans as individuals progress. Our meal planning support transfers life skills to each client, with menu-planning, grocery shopping, and food preparation skills that build lasting confidence and self trust.

Our cooking classes give beginning and more advanced cooking strategies for busy lives on a budget. Grocery shopping excursions help with organizational skills ad new methods of shopping to combat anxiety and paralysis common in grocery stores!

Exercise Dependency & Resistance

Troubling exercise goals and motivation problems are the common result of our culture’s fitness movement, elite athlete history and emphasis on exercise as a body image product, creating over and under exercise problems. Our program addresses both ends of the spectrum, allowing individuals to reset their natural drive to enjoy physical activity in a way that is deeply gratifying, strengthening and empowering.

Family Groups & Therapy Sessions

The support groups teach family members why our culture based on nutrition, exercise and body image consciousness has backfired into an epidemic of life destructive disorders. Learn from other parents and staff how to get weight and eating issues healed in families and create effective and supportive ways of helping loved ones move beyond the cultural pressures around eating and exercise.

In individual therapy or small group sessions, we help couples or families with new patterns of relating that address the differences inherent in personalities within any family system. With care, a sense of humor and extremely effective insights and skills taught by our staff, all family members get insights about their role in the family and gain a renewed perspective that improves life for everyone involved!

Group Education and Process Sessions

Connecting with others through group therapy is one of the most effective healing modalities. Group sharing and storytelling dissolves shame and allows us to gain insight from individuals who have gone through some of the same struggles that we have.

Conscious Movement & Mindfulness Groups

This includes Yoga and other forms of gentle and conscious movement-based activities.

Medical Supervision & Referrals

We ensure that medical stability is closely monitored and reducing the need for additional outside providers. If advisable, we are also able to provide clients with referrals to psychiatrists or medical professionals who are eating-disorder informed and aligned with our holistic treatment approach.

Insurance
Authorization

Clients and family do not have to call insurance companies directly. We do a benefits check for everyone, and report on specific insurance coverage for IOP or PHP level of care. We do the authorizing with insurance and have contracts with most major companies.