Adult Day Treatment
The UCSD Day Treatment Program for Eating Disorders is an intensive treatment program for individuals with Anorexia Nervosa (AN) or Bulimia Nervosa (BN) who:
- Require more structure and supervision than can be provided in an Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP) setting
- Are medically stable enough to not necessitate hospitalization
- In some cases, are "stepping down" from an inpatient/residential setting
This program is an alternative to residential or inpatient programs. Like a residential program, it offers a structured environment with an intense focus on learning skills for recovery, but offers the important advantage of allowing the patient to continue living at home. This allows the patient to develop and hone skills for recovery and practice them in their home environment.
Apartment Option available starting Mid-September
UCSD Eating Disorder Center is excited to announce we will be opening an apartment for Adult Day Treatment patients to stay, while they are participating in treatment at the UCSD Eating Disorder Center. The apartment will be available for appropriate patients at an affordable cost, enabling us to accommodate for those coming from out of the San Diego area. Staying in the apartment will provide a supportive environment with recovery, oriented peers. To inquire about the apartment, please contact Christi Middlesworth at 858.534.8026 or cmiddlesworth@ucsd.edu.
Treatment Team is led by Dr. Mary Ellen Trunko and Dr. Julie Trim
Treatment Components
Individual therapy: These sessions are scheduled once a week for 50 minutes. This gives patients time to process individual responses to treatment.
Group therapy: We have many groups available in the Day Treatment Program including: Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Mindfulness Meditation, Motivational Enhancement Therapy, Psychoeducation, nutritional, and process groups
Psychiatric consultation: Each patient will be given a full psychiatric evaluation upon admission to the Day Treatment Program. Our psychiatrist will consult with the patient’s existing psychiatrist if they have one. In addition, our psychiatrist will coordinate medical care closely with the primary care physician, ensuring regular labs, vitals and general medical condition is monitored closely.
Art Therapy: This group provides patients with the opportunity to be less linear in their thinking. By drawing, painting, and expressing their feelings through art they can access hidden issues and learn how to uncover them in a supportive environment.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT): Therapy is offered in a group setting and offers patients the opportunity to work on their dysfunctional thoughts and beliefs. These beliefs can either support recovery or support the eating disorder. By changing the way that patients think about their self, body, food, relationships etc. recovery can be strengthened.
Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT): This group is designed to help patients learn how to regulate emotions and become better able to manage distress. Coping skills are taught by staff and homework is assigned.
Meals: Patients eat three meals a day and several snacks as a group. Meal plans are tailored to the individual by our registered dietician. Resuming regular eating is an integral part of recovering from an eating disorder, and our staff provide compassionate support for patients as they begin to work towards healthy eating habits.
Family/Couples Therapy: Individuals can bring in family members, partners, etc. for family therapy. Families are viewed as vitally important in the recovery of their son or daughter. Although families are not responsible for creating the eating disorder, their help is essential for the recovery of their family member.
Goal Setting: Each treatment day, patients engage in a goal setting process to help them continue their progress when at home. Goals are related to reducing eating disorder behaviors such as bingeing and purging or restricting. Patients are encouraged to set reasonable goals and get feedback from both staff and other patients.
Nutritional Services: The registered dietitian will meet with patients on a regular basis to provide them with a meal plan outside of program hours and encourage flexibility regarding food choices
Process group: This group is less structured than the other groups in order to provide a time for patients to bring up topics and issues of their choice. Group leaders provide a safe environment for patients to discuss personal issues.
Psychoeducation: Therapy is offered in a group setting and covers a variety of topics such as: role of dysregulated emotions in eating disorders, body image, anger management, stress management, and assertiveness.
When does the Day Treatment Program meet?
This program is a more intensive program for those who require more structure and supervision, including meal support, and meets from 9:00am to 7:00pm Monday through Friday and includes 3 meals and 1-2 snacks, plus a variety of evidence-based interventions.
A less intensive option meets 9:00am to 3:00pm or 12:00pm to 7:00pm and provides 2 meals and a snack, as well as evidence-based group and individual therapy.
Where is the program held?
The program is located within our clinic (see "Contact Us" on our homepage) in a separate suite from our Intensive Outpatient Program.
How does payment work?
Payment arrangements can be made by using insurance or cash payments.
Contact our Insurance Coordinator Christina Vizcarra at (858) 246-0997 or casolis@ucsd.edu for an list of our contracted insurance companies or for any questions regarding insurance coverage.
Day Treatment Schedule
