7 Best Eating Disorder Treatment Centers in Florida

Takeaway: Eating disorders can have a serious impact on a person’s emotional, physical, and mental health so if you or a loved one is struggling, it’s important to seek professional help . Fortunately, there are many eating disorder treatment centers in Florida and today, we’ll break down your options so you can make the best decision in choosing a treatment center that is right for your recovery.

There are several different types of eating disorders recognized by the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, fifth edition (DSM 5). You’ll notice that each type has its own unique symptoms. However, they are all psychological, medical, and nutritional disorders characterized by persistent disturbances in eating patterns that cause significant distress or impairment.

Types of Eating Disorders

There are several different types of eating disorders recognized by the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, fifth edition (DSM 5). You’ll notice that each type of eating disorder has its own unique symptoms. However, they are all psychological, medical, and nutritional disorders characterized by persistent disturbances in healthy eating behaviors that cause significant distress or impairment.

Anorexia nervosa is an eating disorder characterized by an intense fear of gaining weight. In order to avoid weight gain, individuals with anorexia nervosa significantly restrict what and/or how much they eat. They may perceive their body size, shape, or weight inaccurately, not recognize the seriousness of their low weight, or significantly link their self-evaluation with their body size, shape, or weight. While most individuals with Anorexia nervosa are underweight, the National Eating Disorders Association (NEDA) notes that individuals in average-sized or larger bodies can also have Anorexia nervosa.

Anorexia nervosa

Bulimia nervosa is an eating disorder characterized by cycles of binge eating and compensatory behaviors. Binge eating disorder includes eating a large amount of food in a distinct time period. The amount eaten is significantly larger than what one would eat under similar circumstances. Compensatory behaviors, also know as purging, are used to prevent weight gain and may include self-induced vomiting, misuse of laxatives, or excessive exercise. Individuals with Bulimia nervosa often describe themselves as feeling out of control around food.

For most people, the search for a center begins shortly after you or a loved one is diagnosed with an eating disorder. It can be confusing, scary and overwhelming to figure out where and how to get help. A quick search online will leave you flooded with information and opinions which can make it difficult to discern if a treatment program is an appropriate fit. In this post, we’ll be exploring some eating disorder treatment centers, services such as day treatment programs and residential level of care. We’ll help you become more informed of the terms you encounter online, and hopefully reduce confusion to make the overall process of recovery less daunting. Let's begin by reviewing the different types of eating disorders.

Types of Eating Disorders

Bulimia nervosa

Binge-eating disorder

Binge-eating disorder is similar to Bulimia nervosa in that individuals engage in recurrent episodes of binge eating. Unlike Bulimia nervosa, those with Binge-eating disorder do not engage in compensatory behaviors. 

Avoidant/restrictive food intake disorder (ARFID)

ARFID differs from the other eating disorders we’ve covered in that body image and weight do not play a role. Individuals with ARFID fail to meet nutritional requirements through oral food intake due to a lack of interest in eating, fear of choking or becoming ill, an aversion to the sensory qualities of food, or another factor. It should be noted that it is not related to the lack of availability of food.

Other specified feeding or eating disorder (OSFED)

OSFED includes all other feeding or eating disorders that cause significant distress or impairment but do not meet the strict diagnostic criteria for another disorder. While there are misconceptions about OSFED and some perceive it as less serious than other diagnoses, NEDA states it “is a serious, life-threatening, and treatable eating disorder.”

Getting eating disorder treatment in Florida - 7 centers that can help change your relationship with food and mental health

When exploring eating disorder treatment centers, you will notice that treatment programs are categorized by level of care. There are five levels of care that range from most to least intensive: inpatient, residential, partial hospitalization program (PHP), intensive outpatient program (IOP), and outpatient. In this section, we will be covering inpatient and residential treatment programs. These programs are designed for individuals who need consistent supervision and support to recover. Individuals at this level receive 24/7 care from a multidisciplinary team which consists of medical providers, therapists, dietitians in order to ensure effective treatment and help with recovery.

1.  The Renfrew Center is located in Coconut Creek, Florida. They are a residential eating disorder facility for all ages over 12, and treat all types of eating disorders. They individualize care by offering specialized tracks for those who need dual diagnosis treatment with trauma, mood disorders and other related mental health problems and/or with substance use.

2. Center for Discovery Eating Disorder Treatment services includes a residential treatment center and lower levels of care/day treatment programs for individuals aged 9 to 17 in Monteverde, Florida. They offer dual diagnosis treatment for all eating disorders such as anorexia nervosa, binge eating disorder and issues with co-existing disorders such as obsessive compulsive disorders, and/or substance abuse.

3. Monte Nido has three locations that provide residential treatment in a home-like setting in Florida. Their Monte Nido Miami center offers residential level of care for adults. Their Clementine Palmetto Bay and Clementine South Miami centers offer residential care for adolescents.

Other Florida eating disorder treatment options

Not all individuals affected by eating disorders require a high level of care. There are a variety of factors to consider when determining treatment level, and it is most helpful to have a medical or mental health professional who is knowledgeable in evidence based eating disorder treatment to assist you in choosing the right program. In this section we will review the lower levels of care such as partial hospitalization and intensive outpatient programs and and list centers to help facilitate your search.

 4. ViaMar Health is a boutique residential treatment center located in West Palm Beach, Florida. They provide compassionate care by emphasizing quality and individualized programming for adults.

5. The Refuge, A Healing Place is located in Ocala, Florida. They offer residential treatment for adults through their “Oak House at the Refuge” program and treat all types of eating disorders and related issues such as substance use.

6. Koru Springs – Eating Disorder Treatment Center is the only residential treatment center for eating disorders in the northeast, located in Jacksonville, Florida, and they provide treatment for adults.

 7.  Fairwinds Treatment Center is located in Clearwater, Florida. They provide both inpatient and residential levels of care and are able to treat severe eating disorders for those who may require medical stabilization or need special medical considerations in their inpatient treatment program for recovery. 

Partial HOspitalization Program (PHP)

Partial hospitalization programs (PHP) are designed for those who need a high level of structure and support for recovery from their eating disorder, but not as much as an inpatient/or residential program offers. These programs are often referred to as “day treatment” programs because individuals typically attend for majority of the day and then return home in the evening. Many individuals “step down” to PHP after successfully completing residential treatment. This provides them with an opportunity to have less support from the treatment team and more autonomy and independence. Some people “step up” to PHP from an intensive outpatient program (IOP) or outpatient treatment if those levels of care did not provide sufficient support for recovery. Others may start at PHP depending on the severity of the eating disorder and amount of support needed. Here are several PHP/ day treatment programs in Florida: Galen Hope, Rogers Behavioral Health, Turning Tides Eating Disorder Treatment Center, Better Living Solutions, ViaMar Health, The Renfrew Center, Monte Nido, Koru Springs – Eating Disorder Treatment Center, Fairwinds Treatment Center, and Center for Discovery Eating Disorder Treatment. 

Intensive Outpatient Programs (IOP)

Intensive outpatient programs (IOP) consist of several hours of treatment, three to five days per week. Because individuals spend the majority of their time outside the program, they are designed for those who require less structure than PHP. Typically, these individuals are functioning well independently, but still need more support than is offered at an outpatient level of care. Similarly to PHP, individuals may “step down” to, “step up” to, or start at IOP. Here are several IOP programs in Florida: Galen Hope, Rogers Behavioral Health, Turning Tides Eating Disorder Treatment Center, Better Living Solutions, Institute for Life Renovation, The Alma Center, Therapeutic Oasis of the Palm Beaches, ViaMar Health, The Renfrew Center, Monte Nido, Koru Springs – Eating Disorder Treatment Center, Fairwinds Treatment Center, and Center for Discovery Eating Disorder Treatment. 

Outpatient Programs

An outpatient treatment center offers the lowest level of support, and is designed for those who successfully completed IOP or who require very minimal support in their recovery. Typically, individuals receiving outpatient care will meet weekly with a therapist and dietitian. They will likely meet with a psychiatrist for medication management and/or medical monitoring. Additionally, they may participate in group psychotherapy and/or meal support. Group therapy or psychotherapy allows individuals to connect with people who have similar experiences and to receive support, problem solve, and assist with accountability during and after recovery. Meal support consists of eating a meal or snack in the presence of mental health professional who can provide support and encouragement. This can be helpful for those who struggle with eating alone, do not have family or friends who can provide support at mealtime, or need support in challenging situations or with a “fear food”.

At Restored Purpose Counseling Services, PLLC., we offer outpatient treatment for adults and adolescents. Our team of expert clinicians, including both licensed mental health professionals and registered dietitians, have extensive education and evidence based eating disorder training. Our highly trained professional staff utilize a holistic approach and use modalities such as dialectical behavior therapy, psychodynamic therapy and art therapy to teach coping skills and treat core underlying issues for effective treatment and lasting recovery. We believe in the power of community to help recovery which is why we also offer family therapy and group sessions. Additionally, we are a preferred provider with most major insurances so when you reach out, our Care Coordination team can help you get started! If we are not the right fit, our team will offer suggestions to help you find the right treatment team.