Eating Disorder Treatment in Arkansas

If you or a loved one are struggling with disordered eating behaviors, it’s important to find personalized treatment that addresses your specific needs. And thankfully, if you live in Arkansas, there are a number of eating disorder treatment centers that can help.

Arkansas map

Types of Eating Disorder Treatment in Arkansas

Not all eating disorder treatment is created equal. The best type of treatment for you or your loved one will depend on a number of factors, including the type of eating disorder you’re dealing with, the severity of the disorder, and the patient’s specific medical history.

Other factors will also come into play when considering care options, including the programs that may or may not be covered by your insurance company.

Generally, there are several levels of care that are offered for treating most eating disorders, and determining whether you want to work with outpatient clinics, inpatient facilities, or somewhere in between might be a good place to start.

Virtual Treatment

In an increasingly digital age, more and more patients are turning to virtual care for help with everything, including treating eating disorders.

The option can be great if you’re far from other care centers, experience challenges around mobility or transportation, or have a schedule that makes it difficult to physically commute to a treatment center on a regular basis.

And while this type of therapy is still relatively new, some studies have noted that online treatment can be just as effective—if not more so—than in-person care. [1]

Still, it’s important to note that this level of care may not be appropriate for all cases. Those with severe eating disorders or other complicating factors may still fare much better under the physical guidance of medical professionals.

Who offers this type of treatment in Arkansas?

One of the best things about virtual therapy is that it doesn’t have to be tied to any specific geographic area. There may be programs in Arkansas or anywhere else that are suitable and available.

And though virtual treatment is still a burgeoning model of care, Within Health has already made an impact in this world. The program offers support from a personalized treatment team who builds programs based on your individual needs. And the company will even send meals in the mail or medical equipment that helps you relay important health information to the professionals on the other side of the screen.

Residential and Inpatient Treatment

Inpatient care and residential treatment centers are typically considered the highest level of care for an eating disorder and are generally reserved for the most severe cases. Patients live at these facilities full-time while receiving care and have 24/7 access to medical treatment and staff.

Inpatient care is sometimes also called hospitalization. It’s the strictest form of care and is usually only called for when someone is experiencing a physical or mental health crisis. Patients generally only stay at this level of care until they’re physically and mentally stabilized.

Otherwise, residential facilities offer more long-term solutions for patients who either need more help managing their eating disorder symptoms, may benefit from a regimented and fully-controlled schedule, or may experience more success receiving treatment away from home.

Who offers this type of treatment in Arkansas?

Living Hope Eating Disorder Treatment Center is a Bentonville-based facility that offers residential eating disorder programs, among other levels of care and types of treatment.

Partial Hospitalization Programs (PHPs)

A partial hospitalization program, or PHP, is a hybrid treatment for eating disorders that involves a mixture of inpatient and outpatient care.

Patients stay in the hospital most of the day but are able to leave at night and during the weekends. This allows them to start incorporating more autonomy over their choices, rebuilding relationships, and practicing new coping strategies away from the controlled environment of a treatment center, while continuing to receive help for their eating disorder.

These types of services are generally best for patients who have shown improvement through a residential program, though they may still need regular help managing their symptoms.

Who offers this type of treatment in Arkansas?

Once again, the Living Hope Eating Disorder Treatment Center caters to these types of more intensive services.

Outpatient Treatment

Outpatient treatment is the most common type of care for people struggling with eating disorders, though it can run the gamut from intensive outpatient programs (IOPs) to more casual meetings with therapists or doctors.

This is usually the first stage of treatment or the last for someone who has been struggling with disordered eating behaviors. Aside from therapy sessions, outpatient treatment can incorporate medication management, family therapy, or work with other eating disorder support groups.

Who offers this type of treatment in Arkansas?

There are many options for pursuing outpatient eating disorder treatment in Arkansas.

Riverstone Wellness Center offers a particularly extensive program, with a focus on holistic care. The clinic offers a full range of treatment options, including individual and group therapy, nutrition counseling, body image education, and more.

Eating Disorder Support Groups in Arkansas

Sometimes, someone just needs a little bit of extra support, no matter where they are on their recovery journey.

Eating disorder support groups are great places to gain a sense of community and benefit from the company and wisdom of others who have gone through similar experiences.

Some eating disorder support groups in Arkansas include:

  • The Arkansas Children’s Eating Disorder Clinic. This group specializes in children, teens, and families struggling with eating disorders. They have a plethora of resources on their site, including information on how to get in touch with them for treatment and support.
  • The Eating Disorder Coalition of Arkansas. This group provides a library of resources for those with eating disorders and also provides links to accredited treatment providers on their website.

It’s possible to find additional resources by asking a medical professional or simply doing an online search.

Additional Eating Disorder Resources in Arkansas

There are a number of websites, programs, and services that have been designed to help disseminate information and additional resources for those struggling with eating disorders, including:

  • National Association of Anorexia Nervosa and Associated Disorders (ANAD). This long-standing resource offers additional online support groups, including those catered specifically to teens and members of the LGBTQIA+ community, as well as a plethora of other resources and treatment information.
  • Alsana is an eating disorder program with several locations throughout the country, and a robust online presence, offering support groups for people with anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, binge-eating disorder, and other eating disorders.
  • The National Eating Disorders Association (NEDA). This resource has any number of options for those seeking help, including educational information and an anonymous eating disorder hotline, where you can chat with trained volunteers via phone or text.

If you or a loved one are struggling with an eating disorder, it’s important to seek help. And the options available in Arkansas will hopefully make it easier to find the treatment you need and get on the road to recovery.

Last Update | 03 - 27 - 2023

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