Eating Disorder Treatment in Hawaii

Virtual Eating Disorder Treatment

Attending eating disorder treatment in person can be difficult in general. This can be especially hard in Hawaii, where treatment centers are spread thin across several islands. In many cases, virtual eating disorder treatment can be a viable and helpful alternative.

These programs operate entirely online, extending help to everyone who needs it, regardless of location or other issues that make it hard to regularly attend in-person sessions. They use the same types of treatments as in-person clinics, including individualized care organized by a certified eating disorder specialist, group therapy sessions, and nutritional counseling.

Virtual treatment has also been shown in many cases to be just as effective as in-person care, making it a safe way for many to get the help they need.²

Additional Hawaii Eating Disorder Help

It can be difficult to navigate the process of obtaining eating disorder care. Some state agencies in Hawaii may be able to help.

The Hawaii Department of Health offers general information on eating disorders and types of eating disorder treatment for all residents. The program may be able to help with coordinating care or securing referrals for residential treatment programs or other specialized care.

If you qualify for Hawaii's Medicaid program, you may be eligible for additional assistance. The program can help cover the cost of some eating disorder treatments, such as therapy and medical evaluations. It may also extend that help toward mental health conditions that often co-occur with eating disorders, such as obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) or substance use disorder.

Finding the Top Eating Disorder Centers in Hawaii for You

The mental and physical symptoms of eating disorders can make it difficult to function on a day-to-day basis, and choosing a treatment center on top of that may feel like too much. To help streamline the process, it may be helpful to keep certain considerations in mind.

The top eating disorder centers in Hawaii offer help at a range of levels, including partial hospitalization programs (day programs), an intensive outpatient program, and regular outpatient care. Before enrolling, it's important to determine the level of care you or your loved one requires. (Those who need residential eating disorder treatment may need to look beyond Hawaii.)

It's also essential to ensure that a treatment program will work with or accept your health insurance. This can help avoid unexpected bills or other complications that may disrupt treatment later on.

But ultimately, the best eating disorder treatment center for you is the one where you feel comfortable and cared for. Eating disorder recovery can be a difficult journey, but with the right kind of support, it's possible for anyone to make it to long-term wellness.

Reference List

1. Social & Economic Cost of Eating Disorders in Hawaii. (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 for Eating Disorders; 55(1):145-150.