Eating Disorders Day Treatment Program

Our Day Treatment Program is designed for children who need intensive support during the day and can spend nights at home with their families, minimizing time away from home and their normal routine. Our team of specialists works with children and their families to teach the skills necessary for recovery. 

What to expect from the Eating Disorders Day Treatment Program  

The Day Treatment Program is located at Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora and offers support for children and families navigating eating disorder recovery. Our specialized team supports children as they learn to build healthy coping skills, adapt to emotional and physical challenges, and restore their health through supervised nutrition. Families participate in the program, which helps ensure a seamless transition back to daily life while building the skills needed for ongoing recovery. 

The program incorporates a wide range of therapies, including family therapy sessions, group skills training, exposure therapy, creative arts therapy and individual therapy. From breakfast to dinner, our care team guides children and their families through the recovery process. We educate parents and caregivers about nutrition so they can take an active role in their child’s recovery.  

Your care team 

Every child in our program benefits from a dedicated team that tailors treatment to your child’s needs. Your child’s team may include: 

• Psychiatric specialist: This expert evaluates the severity of the eating disorder and assesses other conditions such as anxiety or depression. 
• Psychologist: Specializing in eating disorders, the psychologist has significant expertise and research in the field. They provide oversight on treatment plans and lead weekly exposure and parent groups.  
• Registered nurse: Clinical nurse leaders are trained to support the medical needs of children with eating disorders while helping with group sessions and behavioral care.  
• Behavioral health specialist: Our clinicians manage the patients’ environment, facilitate groups, provide meal coaching and support daily transitions through behavioral guidance.  
• Family therapist: Therapists offer weekly individual and family sessions, as well as structured group therapy. 
• Registered dietitian: These experts guide parents through meal planning and ensure children and teens meet nutrition goals  both within the program and at home. 

Additional therapy modalities, such as art, music and dance, further support the emotional and mental well-being of children and families. 

How does my child get an evaluation appointment with the Eating Disorders Day Treatment 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 or teen. Options include scheduling an assessment for the Eating Disorders Day Treatment Program or an appointment with our Outpatient Clinic. Our expert intake team will connect your family to the services you need.  

How do families participate in treatment? 

Eating disorder programs that involve parents in their child’s recovery produce the best outcomes. Parents partner with our care team and learn to supervise meals, plan nutrition and address eating disorder–driven behaviors. This approach helps ensure their child receives consistent support in the program and at home. 

Your care team guides parents in meal planning, emotional coaching and communication strategies. Parents work closely with a dietitian in a care setting to learn meal planning during the first week of treatment. They'll also learn to balance their child’s preferences with care goals related to weight. Parents will be able to manage mealtime routines, address emotional challenges and reduce habits that accommodate disordered eating.  

Regular family therapy sessions also allow parents and caregivers to address timely issues. Throughout the program, our team carefully monitors each child’s physical health, behavior and emotions, and provides updates on progress. 

Learn more about our approach to treatment

The importance of family-based treatment (FBT)  

Our treatment approach emphasizes FBT, an evidence-based treatment that helps parents see and interrupt their child’s eating disorder behaviors and redirect them toward healthier habits. Building up your family’s skills is essential for your child’s long-term well-being.  

By the time families transition out of the program and into outpatient support, parents will feel confident in continuing progress at home. By prioritizing family involvement, our program creates a sustainable and supportive path toward recovery together.  

A day in the Day Treatment Program  

Daily schedules in the Day Treatment Program are designed to provide youth and families with the structure and support they need throughout recovery. As kids and teens progress through the program, they will gradually have more meals at home with their parents. This is an essential part of creating independence and sustaining recovery after clinical care.  

Kids have dedicated study time each day with the support of a school specialist. They also participate in group therapies, including Unified Protocol skills groups, exposure groups and creative art therapy groups. Children and teens also receive intensive meal coaching during the day. 

Parents are required to eat meals with their children in the program. Additionally, they meet regularly with their dietitian and family therapist. Parents also participate in a multi-family group and a parent skills group weekly. 

Day Treatment Program FAQs  

Get answers to frequently asked questions about eating disorder day treatment. 

What is the time commitment for families, and what resources are available? 

Parents and caregivers typically spend 10 to 15 hours per week supporting their child’s recovery. They attend therapy sessions, plan meals, participate in family group sessions, eat meals with their child and more. 

Participation in the Eating Disorders Day Treatment Program is a commitment and an adjustment for families, and we help make this transition as smooth as possible. At Children’s Colorado in Aurora, families have access to the Family Resource Center, which has spaces to work, eat and complete daily tasks such as laundry. 

Is academic support available for my child? 

Yes, each child is assigned a school specialist who works with their school and supports them in maintaining their academic work during the program. 

What does transition support look like? 

Transitioning back to home, community and school is an important step in the recovery journey. Our program uses a step-down model to help children and families prepare for life beyond the Eating Disorders Day Treatment Program. We gradually reduce the structure of the program and allow families a chance to practice new skills at home.  

To continue making progress, families transition to care provided through the Eating Disorders Outpatient Specialty Program. Families collaborate with a dedicated team member to support their child's transition back to school after the Eating Disorders Day Treatment Program. This may involve coordinating meal and snack times, supervising as needed and coordinating with each child's outpatient team when appropriate.  

How do we help families with daily nutrition and meal planning? 

Helping families take charge of daily nutrition is a focus of our treatment. By engaging with our care team, parents learn how to structure balanced diets, supervise mealtimes and address eating disorder-driven challenges. Throughout the program, families also practice managing mealtimes and reducing their child’s stress. This hands-on practice gives families the knowledge and confidence they need to manage their child’s nutrition effectively, both during and after treatment.