How to Find Eating Disorder Treatment in South Florida

Clinically reviewed by Sarah K. Ravin, Ph.D., Licensed Psychologist, and Beatriz Pola Rabassa, RDN, CEDS

Eating disorders are serious but treatable mental illnesses that impact every system of the body. If you are reading this because you or someone you care about is struggling with food, eating, or body image, getting started can feel confusing. Treatment comes in several forms with names that are not always clear, and the right starting point depends on how a person is doing, both medically and emotionally. Eating disorders include anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, binge eating disorder, and avoidant/restrictive food intake disorder (ARFID), among others. They affect people of all ages, genders, and backgrounds.

This guide explains the levels of care, what to ask a provider, how insurance works, and when to get urgent help. It is written for people in South Florida and provides links to local provider pages. It is general information and not medical advice. An eating disorder specialist can help you determine what level of care is most appropriate for you.

When to get help right away

A person with a suspected eating disorder should get a complete physical exam with their primary care physician as soon as possible to identify and treat any medical symptoms associated with the eating disorder. Some situations require medical attention today. Call 911 or go to an emergency room if you or someone else has chest pain, fainting, a racing or irregular heartbeat, confusion, or lightheadedness that lasts for hours. Muscle weakness or leg cramps along with nausea or vomiting also need prompt medical care. Sudden or significant weight change is another warning sign, and parents of young children in particular should stay vigilant and raise it with their child's doctor.

If you are having thoughts of suicide or self-harm, call or text 988 to reach the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline at any hour. To talk through treatment options, the ANAD helpline at 888-375-7767 can help you find care. It runs on weekdays, so check anad.org for current hours. The National Alliance for Eating Disorders also offers a free helpline at 866-662-1235 and a referral site at findEDhelp.com.

Eating disorders affect people of every body size. A person does not need to look a certain way to need care, and does not need to wait until things feel severe to ask for help.

The levels of care

Eating disorder treatment is described in levels of care. They run from weekly outpatient sessions to round-the-clock hospital care, and people can move to a higher or lower level as their needs change. Exact schedules vary by program, so ask each program what a typical week looks like.

Outpatient therapy

You live at home and meet with a therapist, usually about once a week, often alongside a registered dietitian and a medical provider. This level fits people who are medically stable and can recover with regular support. It is also the lowest level of support, where a person shows they can maintain recovery. For example, someone with anorexia who has restored weight and is meeting all of their treatment team’s expectations.

Intensive outpatient program (IOP)

You attend a structured program several days a week for a few hours at a time and go home afterward. Many people can keep working or going to school while in an IOP.

Partial hospitalization program (PHP)

You attend treatment most days of the week for much of the day, then sleep at home. It offers more structure and support than an IOP for people who are medically stable but need more meal support, along with help managing the thoughts, fears, and emotions surrounding mealtimes and the behaviors tied to the eating disorder.

Residential treatment

You live at the treatment center, with support around the clock. Programs typically include supervised meals, individual and group therapy, family work, nutrition counseling, and medical and psychiatric care.

Inpatient hospitalization (medical stabilization)

This is not a long-term treatment setting. Its purpose is to medically stabilize a person who needs it. The hospital team also manages complications that can arise when a person who is malnourished begins eating again, including refeeding syndrome, which can cause dangerous fluid shifts and electrolyte imbalances. Reasons for admission include a low heart rate, electrolyte imbalances that need to be corrected, and refusing all food. A risk of suicide can also call for round-the-clock monitoring. Once the person is medically stable, they usually step down to a lower level of care.

What a treatment team looks like

Eating disorder care often involves more than one professional: a therapist, a registered dietitian, a medical provider such as a physician or nurse practitioner, and sometimes a psychiatrist. For children and teens, families are usually involved, and family-based treatment (FBT) is an effective approach. For adults, therapists may use approaches such as enhanced cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT-E). You do not need to know every term, but it is reasonable to ask a provider what approach they use and why.

Questions to ask a provider

• Are you licensed, and how much of your work involves eating disorders?
• What treatment approach do you use, and what does a typical course of treatment look like?
• Who else is on the care team, such as a dietitian or physician, and how do you coordinate with them?
• How is medical safety monitored, and what happens if I need a higher level of care?
• Do you involve family members, and how?
• What are your fees, which insurance plans do you accept, and do you offer a sliding scale?
• How soon can I start, and how often would we meet?

It may be helpful to talk with multiple providers before choosing the one who feels like the best fit for you. If the fit does not feel right after a few sessions, changing is common. Our guide on how to know when it is time to change therapists can help.

Finding eating disorder providers in South Florida

The Mindful Network lists therapists and treatment programs across South Florida. You can filter by eating disorders, location, and insurance. These pages list eating disorder providers by area:

• Eating disorder therapists in Miami
• Eating disorder therapists in Coral Gables
• Eating disorder therapists in South Miami
• Eating disorder therapists in Aventura
• Eating disorder therapists in Coral Springs
• Eating disorder therapists in Delray Beach

You can also search all providers at themindfulnetwork.com/search and choose Eating Disorders as the specialty. Many listings show accepted insurance and whether a provider offers virtual sessions, which can widen your options.

Residential and inpatient programs are less common close to home. Some South Florida programs are in our directory, and others are elsewhere in Florida or out of state. If you think you need this level of care, ask your medical provider or outpatient team for a referral, and ask each program about its admission steps and wait times.

Paying for treatment

Coverage varies a great deal by plan and by level of care. Call the number on your insurance card and ask whether the provider or program is in network, which levels of care your plan covers, whether prior authorization is required, and how the plan determines medical necessity. If a request is denied, ask how to appeal. A provider’s office can often help with that process.

If a provider is out of network, ask whether your plan has out-of-network benefits and how reimbursement works. Providers can also tell you their self-pay rates and whether they offer sliding scale fees. Some providers offer reduced rates for those in financial need. Our guide to what therapy costs in South Florida, with or without insurance, explains the difference between self pay and out-of-network benefits.

Supporting someone you are worried about

Start with a calm, private conversation that focuses on any worrisome behaviors you have observed and your concern about the person’s health and wellbeing. Offer to help find a provider and accompany them to a first appointment. Avoid comments about their body or what they eat, and encourage a medical checkup. A provider or helpline can suggest next steps. Families Empowered and Supporting Treatment for Eating Disorders (FEAST) offers useful information for loved ones as well as peer support for parents and caregivers of people with eating disorders. https://feast-ed.org

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I know if it is time to get help for an eating disorder?

If thoughts, emotions, or behaviors around food, eating, or body image take up a lot of your time, cause distress, or interfere with school, work, or relationships, it is a good time to talk with a professional. You do not need to wait until things feel severe. Physical symptoms such as fainting, chest pain, or an irregular heartbeat need medical attention right away.

What is the difference between outpatient, IOP, PHP, and residential treatment?

Outpatient care is usually weekly sessions while you live at home. An intensive outpatient program (IOP) adds several days a week of structured treatment. A partial hospitalization program (PHP) means most of the day in treatment, typically most days of the week, with nights at home. Residential treatment means living at the facility with 24-hour support. Exact schedules vary by program.

How do I find an eating disorder therapist in South Florida?

Use a directory that lets you filter by specialty, location, and insurance, such as the search on The Mindful Network. Look for a licensed therapist who lists eating disorders as a specialty, ask about their approach, and find out whether they work with a dietitian and a medical provider. Many therapists offer virtual sessions, which widens your options.

Does insurance cover eating disorder treatment?

Many plans cover some level of eating disorder treatment, but coverage depends on your plan and on the level of care. Call your insurer to ask about in-network providers, covered levels of care, prior authorization, and out-of-network benefits. If a request is denied, you can usually appeal, and your provider’s office may be able to help.

What should I ask at a first appointment?

Ask about the provider’s licensure and experience with eating disorders, their treatment approach, who else is on the care team, how medical safety is monitored, how family is involved, and what the fees and insurance options are. Also, ask what happens if you need a higher level of care.

About the clinical reviewers

Sarah K. Ravin, Ph.D., is a licensed psychologist in Coral Gables, Florida. Her practice is evidence-based, collaborative, and family-centered, with parents kept informed and involved at each step, from initial evaluation to relapse prevention. She works with children, adolescents, and young adults, and her specialties include eating disorders, anxiety, depression, and stress management. She offers cognitive behavioral therapy, EMDR, and Family-Based Treatment (FBT), in person and virtually. View her full profile on The Mindful Network.

Beatriz Pola Rabassa, RDN, CEDS, is a registered dietitian nutritionist and certified eating disorder specialist in Miami, Florida. Her approach is centered on empathy and empowerment, helping clients improve their relationship with food and understand the importance of balanced nutrition while addressing individual needs. She works with children and adolescents, in English and Spanish, in person and virtually. View her full profile on The Mindful Network.