Eating disorder treatment services at Priory
Get help for an eating disorder from our world class experts at Priory.
- Highly qualified specialists
- Evidence-based treatment
- Inpatient, outpatient and online treatment
Book a FREE assessment today
For many, enjoying food is an integral part of a healthy lifestyle. However, when eating habits become damaging, they may indicate the presence of an eating disorder. Conditions such as anorexia, bulimia or binge eating disorder (BED) arise when people experience disruptions in their eating behaviours, accompanied by distressing thoughts and emotions.
At Priory, we understand that without professional help, eating disorders can lead to serious health issues. However, it's crucial to know that recovery is possible, and we're here to support you every step of the way towards reclaiming your wellbeing.
Getting help for your eating disorder is the first step to recovery. Once you’ve reached out for support, whether it's with your GP or a private eating disorder service like Priory, you'll need to have an assessment to determine the severity of your symptoms. From there, you and your support team will decide on what treatment plan would suit you best.
Our residential eating disorder facilities
If you need inpatient eating disorder treatment, support is available at Life Works in Surrey, our specialist eating disorder clinic.
Life Works has a world-class residential service, complete with an expert team of dietitians, therapists and mental health professionals to help you recover. Life Works is made to feel like a home away from home, providing a welcoming atmosphere and a safe space to start your recovery journey.
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Our treatment programmes
Priory offers tailored eating disorder treatment options. Inpatient treatment provides 24/7 care for those needing more intensive support. Day care programs offer structured therapy, while outpatient treatment provides flexible one-on-one support. Treatment includes evidence-based approaches like cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) to help individuals regain mental wellbeing and develop healthier relationships with food.
Free, same-day therapy assessments
At Life Works in Woking, we are pleased to be able to offer free, same-day therapy assessments for potential eating disorder clients.
The eating disorder therapy assessments will take place over the phone or via video call with a member of our specialist therapy team. The assessment will allow you to:
- Discuss the challenges you're facing
- Explore your daily feelings
- Assess any mental or physical health concerns
- Determine if our residential programme suits your needs
- Ask any questions about our treatment programme
How are eating disorders treated?
Every person struggling with an eating disorder will have their own experiences with food, and because of this, we understand that eating disorder treatment plans need to be tailored to each person. This often means someone receiving anorexia treatment will have a different treatment plan to someone receiving treatment for bulimia.
Typically, our eating disorder treatment programme consists of intense therapy, wellness activities, and can include different medications depending on what type of eating disorder you're being treated for and the severity of your eating disorder.
Our specialists have years of experience delivering eating disorder treatment programmes, in different therapy formats. Each expert team at Priory is made up of:
- Psychiatrists
- Psychologists
- Therapists
- Nurses
- Dietitians
- Other mental health and eating disorder professionals
Specialist therapy types
We specialise in a range of different therapy types, which are all approved by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE). These include:
- Maudsley Model of Anorexia Nervosa Treatment for Adults (MANTRA)
- Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT)
- Dialectical behaviour therapy (DBT)
- Dietetic advice and support
- Supported meals
- Occupational therapy, including food exposure interventions
- Body image workshops
- Parent/carer support sessions
We can also monitor your physical condition while you’re with us and offer supported feeding, if needed, on our residential treatment programmes.
Types of eating disorders that we treat at Priory
Eating disorder treatment FAQs
Will I have to go into hospital to receive treatment?
When you lose a lot of weight, the effects of starvation can affect your ability to think clearly and may put your health at risk. In these circumstances, it may be recommended that you're admitted to one of our specialist eating disorder clinics to receive intensive eating disorder help and treatment.
How does anorexia affect family life?
Anorexia can affect the whole family, not just the person who's struggling with this eating disorder. Your loved ones may find it hard to understand that an eating disorder is actually about feelings and coping, rather than food itself. This can lead to misunderstandings, arguments and stress, particularly at mealtimes.
That’s why, at Priory, we make sure that family and friends are involved throughout your anorexia treatment and recovery process. We know that it’s helpful for relatives to understand that your eating habits are your way of coping with emotional difficulties and that you may have mixed feelings about changing your eating patterns. Our family support sessions allow you the opportunity to explore your difficult emotions with your loved ones in an open and honest way. This means that those who are closest to you can be involved in tackling your anorexia.
How long should I stay?
The recommended duration for inpatient eating disorder treatment is typically 28 days but can vary based on your condition and treatment progress. A detailed assessment with our specialists will help determine the best treatment length for you.
What if I'm in crisis?
Priory’s customer service team is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to ensure that people in crisis can be signposted to the best possible support, as quickly as possible.
How much is eating disorder treatment?
The cost of eating disorder treatment varies in the UK based on the treatment type, duration, level of required care, and facility amenities. Priory offers diverse options, from outpatient to residential treatments. Contact us for detailed pricing and to find the best plan for your needs and budget.
How to I pay for treatment?
There are two main ways to pay for treatment at Priory:
- Self-paying - you can choose to pay for your treatment yourself. This option allows you the flexibility to select the specific treatment and duration that best suits your needs
- Private medical insurance - Priory is an approved provider for all the UK’s leading private medical insurers, including Aviva, AXA Health, Bupa, Cigna, Healix, Vitality and WPA. You can use your private health insurance to cover the cost of your treatment, subject to the terms of your policy
For more detailed information on self-funding your treatment or utilising your private medical insurance, please call us on 0800 098 4816 or visit our fees and funding page. This will provide you with all the necessary details to make an informed decision about financing your treatment.
Private medical insurance
We are a registered and approved provider for all of the UK's leading private medical insurers. The services that we offer at Priory can be funded through private medical insurance. This includes:
- Mental health treatment
- Addiction treatment
- Eating disorder treatment
All clients will have access to our highly skilled and accredited clinicians, many of whom are published experts in their fields of treatment. Whatever your requirements, we are committed to working with you to get your life back on track.