Eating Disorder Treatment in Colorado

Virtual Eating Disorder Treatment

Even though in-person medical treatment for eating disorders is available in Denver, Boulder, Fort Collins, and some smaller cities and towns throughout the state, it may not be possible for everyone to reach these places.

Some residents may be far from one of these treatment programs, while others face challenges related to mobility or transportation, and still others struggle with a full workload or schedule. For these patients—or anyone looking for a more convenient way to access care—virtual eating disorder therapy may be the answer.

These programs require only a working internet connection and a compatible device (some will provide these devices), allowing you to see treatment team members and practice recovery skills from the comfort of your own home.

Studies have shown that virtual eating disorder programs are just as effective as in-person treatment centers in many cases.²

Additional Colorado Eating Disorder Resources

Eating disorder treatment centers aren't the only places to start the recovery journey. Colorado has some state programs that can also help.

The Department of Health offers general information and educational materials on eating disorders and eating disorder symptoms, as well as help with coordinating care and securing referrals for specialized care.

Some residents may also qualify for Colorado Medicaid Behavioral Health Services. The program may offer coverage for therapy sessions and medical care, both for eating disorders and related mental health issues, such as substance use disorder, depression, and anxiety.

Finding the Top Colorado Eating Disorder Centers for You

Finding appropriate care is the most important step toward eating disorder recovery, but the process of choosing between so many qualified Colorado eating disorder centers can feel overwhelming. Keeping some considerations in mind may help streamline the process:

• Does the center offer the level of care you or your loved one requires, such as a:
  1. Residential treatment program
  2. Partial hospitalization program
  3. Intensive outpatient program
  4. Regular outpatient program
• Does the program have an overarching treatment philosophy, or is it connected to a religious or spiritual practice?
• How does the program measure progress toward recovery? What benchmarks do they use to determine when a patient should be discharged?
• Are family or friends allowed to participate in the recovery process?

It may feel stressful to do extra research, but answering these questions can help ensure you or your loved one finds the treatment needed to achieve long-term recovery.

Reference List

1. Social & Economic Cost of Eating Disorders in Colorado. (2018). Harvard University. Accessed June 2025.
2. Steiger H, Booij L, Crescenzi O, Oliverio S, Singer I, Thaler L, St-Hilaire A, Israel M. (2022). In-person versus virtual therapy in outpatient eating-disorder treatment: A COVID-19 inspired study. International Journal of Eating Disorders; 55(1):145-150.