Disordered eating can deeply impact a teen’s physical health, emotional well-being, and daily functioning. What may begin as an occasional concern about food, weight, or body image can escalate into persistent patterns of restriction, bingeing, purging, or other unhealthy eating behaviors that interfere with school, relationships, and family life.
At Pillars Health Group, we provide compassionate, evidence-based outpatient treatment designed specifically for adolescents living with disordered eating behaviors. Our programs help teens and their families understand the underlying causes of these behaviors, build healthier relationships with food and their bodies, and work toward sustainable recovery in a supportive, age-appropriate environment.
Continue reading to learn more about our holistic treatment options, common signs and symptoms to watch for, and how to start care at our teen outpatient center in Concord, MA.
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Reaching out for help is never easy, but it’s one of the most important steps you can take for your well-being. By filling out this form, you’ll be connected with caring professionals who understand what you’re going through and are ready to guide you toward the support you need. You don’t have to face this alone. Start with us today.
How We Treat Eating Disorders
At Pillars Health Group, treating disordered eating is rooted in empathy, personalization, and clinical expertise. We recognize that every teen’s experience with disordered eating is unique, and our care plans are crafted to address both behavioral patterns and the emotional, psychological, and family dynamics that often accompany them.
Every treatment plan begins with a thorough clinical assessment. Our specialists evaluate your teen’s eating behaviors, emotional health, physical symptoms, dietary patterns, and any co-occurring conditions such as anxiety, depression, or trauma. This helps us determine the most appropriate and effective level of care.
From there, we offer a full continuum of care, including:
Teen Half-Day and Full-Day Outpatient Treatment Programs
Our Teen Full-Day and Teen Half-Day Outpatient Treatment Programs are thoughtfully designed to support adolescents at various stages of eating disorder recovery. These programs provide structured, developmentally appropriate care for teens who need consistent therapeutic support while continuing to live at home. For teens who benefit from a highly structured and immersive level of care, our Full-Day Outpatient Program offers comprehensive treatment five-to-six days per week, helping address eating disorder behaviors while supporting physical, emotional, and psychological healing.
For teens who need a more flexible schedule, our Half-Day Outpatient Program provides expert clinical support three-to-five days per week. This option is well suited for adolescents who are medically stable and able to balance treatment with school, family life, and other responsibilities while still receiving meaningful, ongoing support.
If neither the Full-Day nor Half-Day format aligns with a teen’s needs or circumstances, we are committed to creating a fully personalized outpatient care plan tailored to their specific symptoms, goals, and availability. Our team works closely with families to ensure treatment fits into daily life while remaining clinically effective.
All of our teen eating disorder outpatient programs include a comprehensive blend of services, such as evidence-based therapeutic modalities, medication management when appropriate, coordinated care planning, and peer support. Together, these elements help teens build healthier relationships with food, their bodies, and themselves as they move toward sustainable recovery.
Tailored Outpatient Treatment
Our outpatient programs include a combination of individual and group therapy. We use evidence-based approaches such as cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) and dialectical behavior therapy (DBT). These modalities help teens identify and challenge unhelpful thought patterns, develop healthier coping skills, and address behaviors related to disordered eating.
Family involvement is also a central component of care. Family-based approaches actively engage parents and caregivers as partners in the recovery process, which has been shown to be especially effective for adolescents. By improving communication, increasing understanding, and strengthening support at home, families play a vital role in helping teens sustain progress.
In addition, nutrition education is incorporated to help teens and their families better understand nourishment and work toward normalizing eating patterns that support both physical development and emotional well-being.
Treatment also addresses body image and self-esteem concerns through supportive therapy and psychoeducation, helping teens challenge distorted self-perceptions and build a more compassionate relationship with their bodies.
Throughout treatment, our clinicians collaborate closely with families to create a customized care plan that fits your teen’s life, including school responsibilities, extracurricular activities, and family routines. Our goal is to empower teens with the skills and confidence they need to rebuild trust with themselves and with food while maintaining balance in their daily lives.
Teen Aftercare Program
Our Teen Aftercare Program is designed to support both adolescents and their families as they transition from structured eating disorder treatment back into everyday life. This flexible, compassionate program helps parents feel confident knowing their teen continues to receive guidance, accountability, and emotional support during this critical phase of recovery.
Within a safe and encouraging environment, teens build on the skills learned in treatment, while gradually resuming daily responsibilities. Our aftercare services prioritize ongoing connection and structure, offering parents peace of mind that their child is not facing recovery alone.
Even after formal treatment ends, families remain part of our caring community, committed to long-term healing, relapse prevention, and continued growth.
Signs and Symptoms of Eating Disorders
Disordered eating behaviors can presently differently in each teen, but there are some common signs and symptoms to look out for. Recognizing these signs early can help your teen get support before their behaviors become more severe or develop into a clinical eating disorder.
Common physical signs and symptoms of an eating disorder include:
- Noticeable weight loss, weight gain, or frequent weight fluctuations
- Fatigue, dizziness, or fainting
- Gastrointestinal problems (bloating, constipation, stomach pain)
- Hair thinning or hair loss
- Dry skin, brittle nails, or feeling cold often
- Irregular or missed menstrual periods (or low testosterone in males)
Common behavioral and psychological signs of an eating disorder include:
- Preoccupation with weight, body shape, or calories
- Restrictive eating, bingeing, or purging behaviors
- Avoiding meals or eating in secret
- Intense fear of gaining weight or distorted body image
- Anxiety, irritability, or mood swings related to food or eating
- Compulsive exercise or rigid food rules
Local Eating Disorder Treatment in Concord, MA
If you’re a New England parent searching for “teen eating disorder treatment,” we’re here to support you. Pillars Health Group offers specialized outpatient care for eating disorders at our teen-focused mental health center in Concord, MA.
Whether you’re just starting to seek help for your teen, or you’re ready for them to start structured outpatient care, our compassionate team is here to walk beside you. From creating a personalized treatment plan to connecting with trusted psychiatric professionals, we’re committed to helping your family find a path towards healing.
We can also assist you in navigating health insurance coverage for eating disorder treatment. Get a free, no-pressure insurance verification to clearly explore your options—so you can move forward with confidence and clarity.
Connect with us today to speak with a care coordinator, learn more about our outpatient eating disorder programs, and take the first step toward calm, clarity, and control. Call (855) 828-0575 or fill out our contact form to get started.
We treat a wide range of eating disorders in adolescents, including anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, binge eating disorder, and avoidant/restrictive food intake disorder (ARFID). We also treat disordered eating that occurs alongside other mental health or substance-related conditions.
At Pillars, our teen outpatient eating disorder program begins with a comprehensive assessment of your child’s history, current symptoms, and recovery goals. From there, our clinical team partners with both you and your teen to create an individualized treatment plan designed to fit into your family’s existing schedule.
Care may include individual therapy, group therapy, and evidence-based approaches such as cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) and dialectical behavior therapy (DBT), all tailored to support eating disorder recovery. We also provide ongoing case management, coordination of care, and thoughtful aftercare planning to help ensure continued progress and long-term healing for your child and your family.
For some teens, medication may play a supportive role in the eating disorder treatment and recovery process. This is particularly true when co-occurring conditions such as anxiety, depression, or mood disorders are present. However, medication is not always necessary, and recommendations are made thoughtfully on an individual basis.
Our licensed clinicians provide compassionate, closely monitored medication management when it is clinically appropriate. We are always prioritizing your child’s safety, well-being, and long-term recovery.
Once your teen completes treatment, we encourage families to take advantage of our Teen Aftercare Program. This program is designed to help adolescents continue practicing the skills they developed during treatment while smoothly transitioning back into everyday routines at home, school, and in social settings.
It provides ongoing peer support, access to community resources, continued therapeutic guidance, and a sense of connection that reinforces recovery. For parents, the Teen Aftercare Program offers added reassurance that your child remains supported by a caring community committed to long-term healing.
Yes, outpatient treatment can be highly effective for teens who do not require 24-hour supervision. Our outpatient eating disorder program is designed to deliver evidence-based therapies in a flexible, individualized setting. This setting allows your child to continue attending school and participating in daily life while receiving consistent clinical support.
If at any point a higher level of care is needed, our team will work closely with you to reassess your teen’s needs and adjust the treatment plan accordingly. Our flexible system can ensure your child receives the appropriate level of support at every stage of recovery.
If your teen’s eating behaviors, thoughts about their body image, or related emotional struggles are persistent, they may benefit from treatment. This is especially true if those struggles are beginning to interfere with school performance, family life, friendships, or daily routines. Additional warning signs can include restrictive eating, bingeing or purging behaviors, avoiding meals or social situations involving food, noticeable weight or mood changes, and ongoing distress despite your best efforts to help at home.
If you recognize any of these indicators, professional support can make a meaningful difference. You’re encouraged to reach out to us at any time for a free insurance verification and confidential consultation. Our team is here to help your family access the care your teen deserves as soon as your schedule allows.