Eating Disorder IOP in Tempe, Arizona
Evidence-based IOP for eating disorders, including anorexia, bulimia, binge eating disorder, and ARFID. Our Tempe eating disorder IOP is 15 minutes from central Scottsdale and serves patients throughout the Phoenix metro area, in person or via secure virtual IOP throughout Arizona.
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Begin Your Path Forward
No obligation. Insurance verification included.
Insurance We Work With
Coverage varies by plan. Our admissions team verifies your eating disorder IOP benefits at no cost before treatment begins.
Eating Disorders Treated in Our IOP
Our eating disorder IOP provides specialized treatment for a range of feeding and eating disorders. Each patient receives an individualized plan developed by clinicians experienced in eating disorder recovery.
Anorexia Nervosa
Specialized treatment for restrictive eating patterns, distorted body image, and fear of weight gain. Our approach includes nutritional rehabilitation, CBT-E, and collaborative medical monitoring to support safe, sustainable recovery.
Bulimia Nervosa
Evidence-based interventions for binge-purge cycles, including cognitive behavioral therapy for eating disorders (CBT-E), nutritional counseling, and relapse prevention strategies for lasting recovery.
Binge Eating Disorder
Structured treatment for recurrent binge eating episodes addressing the emotional triggers, shame cycles, and behavioral patterns that maintain disordered eating through CBT, DBT skills, and nutritional support.
ARFID & Other Eating Disorders
Specialized support for avoidant/restrictive food intake disorder (ARFID) and other specified feeding and eating disorders, with individualized treatment approaches tailored to each clinical presentation.
How We Treat Eating Disorders
Our Tempe eating disorder IOP uses an integrated, evidence-based framework addressing the psychological, nutritional, and behavioral dimensions of eating disorder recovery.
CBT-E
Cognitive behavioral therapy enhanced specifically for eating disorders. The leading evidence-based approach for anorexia, bulimia, and binge eating disorder treatment and recovery.
Nutritional Counseling
Registered dietitians work with each patient to normalize eating patterns, address food fears, challenge food rules, and develop sustainable, recovery-focused nutrition plans.
DBT Skills
Dialectical behavior therapy skills for emotional regulation, distress tolerance, and managing urges related to disordered eating, especially effective for binge eating disorder and bulimia.
Group Therapy
Process groups and psychoeducational sessions with peers in eating disorder recovery, led by licensed clinicians, reducing isolation and building authentic connection around shared experience.
Individual Therapy
One-on-one sessions with a licensed eating disorder therapist to address personal treatment goals, body image distortions, and the underlying emotional factors driving disordered eating.
Medical Monitoring
Coordination with medical providers to monitor physical health markers throughout treatment and ensure medical stability, essential for safe eating disorder recovery at the IOP level of care.
A Multidisciplinary Eating Disorder Team
Eating disorder recovery requires more than one clinician. Every patient in our IOP for eating disorders works with a coordinated team of licensed specialists across psychiatry, therapy, and nutrition.
Board-Certified Psychiatrist
Medication management, medical stability oversight, and coordination of care are led by a board-certified psychiatrist experienced with the psychiatric comorbidities that commonly accompany eating disorders, such as anxiety, depression, OCD, and trauma.
Licensed Therapists (LCSW, LPC, LMFT)
Individual and group therapy is delivered by master's-level therapists trained in eating disorder specific modalities including CBT-E, DBT, and trauma-informed care. All therapists are licensed in the state of Arizona.
Registered Dietitians (RD / RDN)
Nutritional counseling is provided by registered dietitians with specific training in eating disorder recovery. RDs guide meal planning, address food fears, and support the nutritional rehabilitation essential to recovery from anorexia, bulimia, and binge eating disorder.
Care Coordinator
A dedicated care coordinator manages your schedule, insurance authorizations, communication with outside medical providers, and any logistical needs, so you can stay focused on recovery rather than paperwork.
Medical Provider Liaison
For patients requiring active medical monitoring, our team coordinates directly with primary care physicians, gastroenterologists, endocrinologists, and cardiologists to ensure your eating disorder treatment is medically supported at every step.
Peer Group Community
Group therapy is a structured clinical component, not peer counseling. Every group is co-led by licensed clinicians, providing a safe space where patients in eating disorder recovery can process experiences alongside others who understand.
Eating Disorder IOP Schedule, Tempe
Our specialized eating disorder IOP meets three days per week for 4 hours per session, slightly longer than our mental health IOP to incorporate nutritional counseling and meal support.
Our morning schedule is designed to allow patients to maintain employment, attend school, or fulfill family responsibilities. 4 hours per session includes group therapy, nutritional counseling, and supported meal components.
(623) 288-3656 Request a Confidential AssessmentOur eating disorder IOP is available exclusively at our Tempe clinic, located at 1492 S Mill Ave, Suite 206 & 214, conveniently near Arizona State University and accessible from across the Phoenix metro area including Mesa, Chandler, Gilbert, Scottsdale, and Phoenix.
Free parking is available. Virtual eating disorder IOP is also available for patients who prefer remote access or live outside the Tempe area.
The Three Pillars of Each Eating Disorder IOP Session
Every session integrates three pillars addressing emotional regulation, insight, and nutritional relationship. Together they form the foundation of eating disorder recovery.
- The ability to recognize the emotions, thoughts, and situations that trigger your eating disorder behaviors
- Practical skills for managing distress without turning to restriction, bingeing, or purging
- A stronger connection between how you feel in your body and what your eating disorder is communicating
- A deeper understanding of how your beliefs about your body, food, and self-worth are connected to your eating disorder
- The tools to start challenging the distorted thinking that maintains restriction, bingeing, or purging behaviors
- Space to process the underlying experiences, trauma, perfectionism, control, that drive disordered eating
- A more flexible, less fearful relationship with food, eating without rigid rules, restriction, or guilt
- Practical nutritional knowledge from registered dietitians that supports your recovery goals
- A personalized plan for sustaining recovery from your eating disorder after IOP ends
What Research Shows About Eating Disorder IOP
Our clinical approach is built on the strongest evidence base in eating disorder treatment. Below is a summary of what peer-reviewed research shows about the modalities we use.
CBT-E for Adults
Enhanced cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT-E) is considered a first-line, evidence-based treatment for adult eating disorders across diagnoses (anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, binge eating disorder, OSFED). Published outcome research on CBT-E shows meaningful symptom reduction and sustained recovery at follow-up.
Fairburn CG et al. Behaviour Research and Therapy. Peer-reviewed research literature on CBT-E.
DBT Skills for BED
Dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) skills training has demonstrated effectiveness for binge eating disorder and bulimia nervosa, particularly for patients with strong emotion dysregulation, impulse control challenges, or co-occurring conditions. DBT is a core component of our IOP for eating disorders.
Safer DL et al. Peer-reviewed research on DBT for eating disorders.
Virtual Eating Disorder IOP
Published research on virtual and telehealth-delivered IOP for eating disorders has shown comparable outcomes to in-person care when the program uses the same evidence-based protocols, clinician training, and structured hours, particularly following the expansion of telehealth care during 2020 onward.
Research on telehealth eating disorder treatment outcomes, published in the International Journal of Eating Disorders and related journals.
Multidisciplinary Care
Clinical practice guidelines from the Academy for Eating Disorders and American Psychiatric Association emphasize a multidisciplinary team approach as best practice for eating disorder treatment, integrating psychiatric, therapeutic, nutritional, and medical care. Our IOP is structured accordingly.
Academy for Eating Disorders and APA clinical practice guidelines.
4-Week Rotating Eating Disorder IOP Schedule
Our eating disorder IOP uses a monthly rotating calendar ensuring variety, sustained engagement, and comprehensive coverage of the emotional, psychological, and nutritional dimensions of recovery.
How to Start Eating Disorder IOP at SMHWI
Our admissions process is designed to be supportive and straightforward. From your first call to your first session, our team handles insurance verification, clinical assessment, and scheduling.
The Eating Disorder IOP Enrollment Process
Most patients begin treatment within days of initial contact. Here is what to expect.
Initial Contact
Same DayCall our Tempe admissions team or submit the online form. We gather basic information and answer your initial questions about our eating disorder IOP program.
Insurance Verification
Within 24 HoursWe verify your coverage for eating disorder IOP including benefits, deductibles, and any out-of-pocket costs, before treatment begins.
Clinical Assessment
1 to 2 DaysA licensed clinician conducts a confidential evaluation to assess eating disorder presentation, medical stability, and the appropriate level of care.
Begin Treatment
Within DaysStart attending eating disorder IOP sessions at our Tempe location or via our virtual IOP program. Your individualized treatment plan is ready from day one.
What to Expect in Your First Week
Connect with your eating disorder therapist, dietitian, and group members. Review confidentiality, expectations, and your individualized treatment plan.
Your registered dietitian conducts a comprehensive nutritional assessment to understand your current eating patterns and develop your recovery nutrition plan.
Begin attending eating disorder-specific group therapy and individual therapy sessions as part of your structured treatment schedule.
If clinically indicated, we coordinate with your medical providers to monitor health markers and ensure your eating disorder treatment is medically supported throughout IOP.
Common Admissions Questions
How quickly can I start eating disorder IOP?
Do I need a referral to enroll in eating disorder IOP?
What do I need to bring to my intake appointment?
Does insurance cover eating disorder IOP?
Is virtual eating disorder IOP available?
Eating Disorder IOP Near Scottsdale, AZ
Looking for an eating disorder IOP near Scottsdale? Our Tempe clinic is approximately 15 minutes from central Scottsdale, offering the East Valley's most comprehensive specialized eating disorder intensive outpatient program.
Why Scottsdale Patients Choose Our Tempe Program
- Specialized eating disorder team with dedicated CBT-E therapists and registered dietitians, uncommon in general behavioral health programs
- Morning schedule (9:00 AM to 1:00 PM) allows Scottsdale patients to commute during off-peak hours and maintain afternoon work or school
- Free parking on-site at the Tempe clinic, no downtown parking fees or garages
- Virtual IOP available for Scottsdale patients who prefer to skip the commute entirely, delivered by the same clinical team through secure video
- Coordinated care with your existing Scottsdale-area providers, primary care physicians, therapists, and specialists
Getting to Our Tempe Clinic from Scottsdale
Our Tempe eating disorder IOP is located at 1492 S Mill Ave, Suite 206 & 214, adjacent to Arizona State University and easily accessible from all Scottsdale neighborhoods via the Loop 202 (Red Mountain Freeway) or Scottsdale Rd south.
Typical drive times: Old Town Scottsdale (15 min), North Scottsdale (25 to 30 min), South Scottsdale (10 min).
Eating Disorder IOP in Tempe, AZ
Our specialized eating disorder IOP is located in the heart of Tempe, accessible from Phoenix, Scottsdale, Mesa, Chandler, Gilbert, and the greater East Valley. Free parking available. Virtual IOP available throughout Arizona.
SMHWI Tempe
1492 S Mill Ave, Suite 206 & 214Tempe, AZ 85281
Mon / Wed / Fri • 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM
Free parking available (623) 288-3656
Communities We Serve
Our Tempe eating disorder IOP serves adults throughout the Phoenix metropolitan area. In-person sessions are at our Tempe clinic. Virtual eating disorder IOP extends access to all of Arizona.
Eating Disorder IOP, Common Questions
What eating disorders does your IOP program treat?
Is the virtual eating disorder IOP as effective as in-person?
How long does eating disorder IOP last?
Do I need to be medically stable to attend eating disorder IOP?
Does insurance cover eating disorder IOP?
Will meals be part of the IOP program?
Is there an eating disorder IOP near me if I live in Scottsdale?
More Ways SMHWI Can Help
Recovery Is Possible
Our specialized eating disorder team is here to help you take the first step. Confidential assessments and insurance verification are available now.
Start Your Journey