Eating disorders often begin during adolescence, a vulnerable time marked by rapid physical, emotional, and social changes. As young people navigate questions of identity, independence, and belonging, challenges around food and body image can quietly take root. If you feel unsure about when or how to seek support for your child, know that you’re not alone: Many parents struggle to recognize the early signs of an eating disorder or wonder whether their concerns are serious enough to need professional help. Fortunately, early, compassionate intervention plays an important role in lifelong recovery.
At Alsana, our Soul Hearted approach to eating disorder treatment is designed to support adolescents with care that meets them where they are. We offer both virtual and in-person Intensive Outpatient Programs (IOP), as well as virtual Partial Hospitalization Programs (PHP), giving families flexible options for meaningful, structured support as your child begins their recovery story.
Why Early Eating Disorder Treatment Matters for Adolescents
Research suggests that, when eating disorders are identified and treated early in adolescence, recovery rates can reach roughly 70 percent, highlighting the importance of timely intervention.1 Clinical studies of adolescent treatment programs, including day programs and outpatient services, show weight restoration and symptom reductions by the end of treatment as well as improvements in co-occurring conditions like anxiety and depression.2
Encouragingly, these gains are often maintained for months or even years after treatment ends. In many cases, receiving care during adolescence supports lasting recovery that carries into adulthood, underscoring the powerful impact of specialized care at a young age.
Alsana’s Adolescent Programs: Virtual and In-Person Eating Disorder Treatment
Our virtual and in-person adolescent programs combine a Family-Based Treatment (FBT)-informed approach with Alsana’s established Recovery Story framework, creating a thoughtful and comprehensive path toward healing. FBT, widely recognized as a leading approach in adolescent eating disorder treatment, highlights the powerful role that families play in supporting recovery. Rather than assigning blame or fostering feelings of shame, this model invites caregivers into the process as trusted partners in their loved one’s care.
Within Alsana’s philosophy of care, parents, guardians, and supportive others receive practical guidance to help support their adolescents at home and throughout treatment. Families learn strategies for meal support, navigating difficult emotions, recognizing early signs of relapse, and more. This collaborative approach helps create a stable and sustainable environment where recovery can continue beyond the treatment setting.
At the same time, our adolescent programs honor the client’s individual needs and growing autonomy. Our Recovery Story framework empowers each client to take an active role in their eating disorder recovery. Goals are individualized to support the unique needs of each client. Every client receives dedicated one-on-one therapy tailored to their personal challenges, strengths, and goals, allowing them to build a meaningful connection with their treatment team. By supporting both the individual and the family system, this shared focus helps lay the foundation for lasting recovery.
Virtual Intensive Outpatient Program
- Up to 5 days per week
- 3 hours of programming per day
- 1 individual session per week with a primary therapist
- 1 nutrition counseling session per week with a dietitian
- 2 group sessions per day
- Daily meal support
- 1 family/supportive other support group per week
- 2 family/supportive other sessions per month
- 1 multifamily/supportive other psychoeducation group per month
Virtual Partial Hospitalization Program
- 5 days per week with 7 hours of programming per day
- 2 individual sessions per week with a primary therapist
- 1 nutrition counseling session per week with a dietitian
- 1 psychiatric touchpoint per week
- 4 group sessions per day
- Daily meal and snack support
- 1 family/supportive other session per week
- 1 family/supportive other support group per week
- 1 multifamily/supportive other psychoeducation group per month
In-Person Intensive Outpatient Program
At our Westlake Village in-person treatment center, we support adolescents of all genders as they face anorexia, bulimia, binge eating disorder, ARFID, and OSFED, as well as the co-occurring conditions that often go hand-in-hand with eating disorders.
- Comprehensive, evidence-based care for adolescents ages 12–17
- After-school schedule designed to support treatment while maintaining school, friendships, and family time (Monday–Friday, 3:30–7:30 PM PT)
- Multidisciplinary treatment team including therapists, dietitians, nurses, and care counselors
- Family involvement and education woven into every stage of care
- Focus on early intervention to support long-term healing and prevent escalation of symptoms
- Safe, inclusive environment that fosters connection, confidence, and hope
- In-network with most major insurance providers, making care accessible for more families
Personalized Care for Every Recovery Journey
Additionally, our treatment teams are open to developing tailored approaches to care based on each individual’s journey. For instance, we’re currently working with a client who is trying a hybrid PHP approach that combines in-person and virtual sessions, allowing for hands-on treatment with greater flexibility.
We understand that each person has unique challenges and needs when seeking treatment. Our different levels of care between virtual and in-person programs allow us to find creative solutions to best serve each individual. In PHP and IOP, we help clients weave recovery into the responsibilities of their daily lives. This allows clients to practice healthy behaviors and utilize coping tools within the context of their school, family, and extracurricular schedules.
At Alsana, we believe that every adolescent deserves the chance to rediscover hope, confidence, and a sense of peace with food and their body. Whether through our virtual programs or in-person care, our team walks alongside both adolescents and their families with clinical knowledge and a deep respect for each unique recovery story.
Healing doesn’t happen overnight, but with the right support, it is possible. And every step forward, no matter how small, can be the beginning of something brighter for your child and your family.
Coming Soon: Two-Week Summer Intensives
Eating disorder recovery rarely occurs in a straight line, with clients experiencing setbacks and struggles from time to time. A relapse prevention plan is an important part of the healing journey — and that’s where our Two-Week Intensives can help. These programs, which include both in-person and virtual IOP and PHP options, are designed to help clients reengage with their recovery stories and get back on track. Stay tuned for more details and information about registering for a Two-Week Summer Intensive!
Alsana’s adolescent programs can support your child’s eating disorder recovery. From our virtual IOP/PHP options to our in-person IOP in Westlake Village, California, we’d be honored to walk alongside you and your family. In-person PHP services are coming soon.
References
- Chew, K. K., & Temples, H. S. (2022). Adolescent eating disorders: Early identification and management in primary care. Journal of Pediatric Health Care, 36(6), 618–627. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pedhc.2022.06.004
- Baudinet, J., & Simic, M. (2021). Adolescent eating disorder day programme treatment models and outcomes: A systematic scoping review. Frontiers in Psychiatry. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyt.2021.652604
