Eating Disorders Outpatient Specialty Program

At Children’s Hospital Colorado, we understand the importance of providing expert care while maintaining family routines as much as possible. At the Eating Disorders Outpatient Specialty Program, families have access to comprehensive support and individual, family and group therapy. Our team partners with families to create a personalizedcare plan to meet each child’s unique needs. 

What to expect from our eating disorder outpatient treatment 

In outpatient care, families receive the care and guidance for their child to recover from an eating disorder while still attending school and maintaining their daily routine. 

Our treatment begins by creating an individualized care plan to meet your child’s unique treatment needs. Our eating disorder outpatient specialty program emphasizes family-based treatment, or FBT. This is an evidence-based treatment that helps parents see their child’s eating disorder behaviors and redirect them toward healthier habits. Once your child or teen has built consistent eating patterns and stabilized their eating disorder, our clinic helps them take control of their nutrition again. We may also use other evidence-based treatments as necessary to help your child. 

How does my child get an evaluation appointment with the Eating Disorder Outpatient Program? 

If you think your child or teen has an eating disorder, call 720-777-6200. Our Eating Disorders Program team will ask questions about your child’s experiences, symptoms and behaviors to determine the best level of care. 

Based on the information you provide, our team will find the appropriate services for your child. Options include scheduling an assessment with our eating disorder outpatient clinic or an assessment for the Eating Disorder Day Treatment Program. Our expert intake team will  connect your family to the services you need. 

What happens after my child’s appointment with the Eating Disorder Outpatient Program? 

Once children and families complete the initial evaluation appointment — including an appointment with a psychologist or a therapist — they receive a diagnosis and a recommended treatment plan or next steps for the appropriate level of care.

How are families involved in eating disorder outpatient treatment? 

Eating disorder treatments that involve parents and caregivers in their child’s recovery produce the best outcomes. While the extent of caregivers’ involvement in treatment will differ by each child’s unique needs, parents will partner with our outpatient specialists. Parents will learn to take the lead on supervising meals, planning nutrition and addressing eating disorder–driven behaviors. Parental involvement helps ensure their child receives consistent support in the program and at home. After kids and teens have built consistent eating patterns and stabilized their eating disorder, our experts help them manage their eating habits on their own again. Parents and caregivers may also help guide their child in trying new foods, avoiding harmful habits and using skills to manage their emotions. 

Through weekly appointments, the outpatient clinic carefully monitors each child’s physical health, behavior and emotions, and provides updates on progress. 

Contact the Eating Disorders Outpatient Program   

To find out if our eating disorder outpatient clinic is right for your child, call 720-777-6200 to speak with a member of our team who will guide you through the assessment process.

Learn more about scheduling an appointment