6 Best Eating Disorder Treatment Centers in San Diego
Key Takeaway: Eating disorders can affect every part of life, leaving people drained, anxious, and unsure of how to move forward. Healing Balance Therapy offers compassionate, evidence-based care to support lasting recovery, and for those who may need more structured treatment, this guide highlights respected eating disorder treatment centers in San Diego that provide comprehensive support.
At Healing Balance Therapy, we understand how painful and isolating an eating disorder can feel. Our compassionate team provides professional, personalized support for clients who are navigating challenges with food, body image, anxiety, and self-worth. Through evidence-based therapy and a warm, relatable approach, we help clients build resilience, uncover strengths, and move toward lasting healing.
If you’re ready to take the first step toward recovery, you can reach out today to schedule a consultation. We’re here to support you in finding relief and creating a life that feels balanced, meaningful, and sustainable.
That said, if you are in need of more structured support, you may benefit from exploring an eating disorder clinic in San Diego or a residential program. Below, we’ve highlighted several highly recommended eating disorder treatment centers in San Diego that provide specialized care for a wide range of needs.
Highly recommended eating disorder treatment options in San Diego
Finding the right program can feel overwhelming, especially when you’re already carrying the weight of recovery. The good news is that San Diego is home to several highly respected clinics and treatment centers, each offering unique approaches to care. From outpatient therapy to residential support, these programs provide structured environments where healing can truly begin.
Below, you’ll find some of the most trusted resources for San Diego eating disorder treatment to help guide your next steps.
1. Center for Discovery
Center for Discovery offers trusted options for San Diego eating disorder treatment. This well-known program has supported thousands of clients nationwide. Their approach emphasizes Health at Every Size (HAES), evidence-based therapy, and strong family involvement, making them a valuable resource for recovery.
Location: San Diego, CA
Services offered: Residential, Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP), Partial Hospitalization Program (PHP), nutritional counseling
Specialty area(s): Adults and adolescents; Anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, binge eating disorder, AFRID, Orthorexia
2. UC San Diego Eating Disorders Center for Treatment and Research
If you’re looking for a comprehensive program backed by leading research, the Eating Disorder Center of San Diego at UCSD is one of the most respected in the country. With a focus on evidence-based therapies like CBT and DBT, along with medical and psychiatric support, this program helps clients address both the psychological and physical aspects of eating disorders.
Location: La Jolla, CA
Services offered: Inpatient, PHP, IOP, medical behavioral program, intensive family therapy
Specialty area(s): Children, adolescents, and adults; anorexia, bulimia, ARFID, binge eating disorder; family-based therapy
3. Rady Children’s Hospital/UCSD Medical Behavioral Unit
If you need inpatient care for young people up to age 30 with serious symptoms or medical complications, this hospital-based unit provides 24-hour medical and therapeutic support. The program is one of the few in the nation designed specifically for children, adolescents, and young adults, offering a unique bridge between pediatric and adult care. With a collaborative team approach that includes medical doctors, psychiatrists, dietitians, and therapists, Rady’s ensures that clients and their families receive comprehensive treatment in a safe, structured setting.
Location: San Diego, CA
Services offered: Inpatient treatment, medical stabilization, multidisciplinary team care (therapy, psychiatry, nutrition) for children, adolescents, and young adults with medical behavioral needs.
Specialty area(s): Severe or complex eating disorder cases; medical risk; younger clients (children/adolescents) through early adulthood
4. Altura Mental Health
For those wanting to stay outpatient or need flexible care, Altura Mental Health provides several eating disorder services with a focus on tailoring therapy to the individual’s emotional and psychological needs. Their offerings emphasize early intervention, multiple therapeutic modalities, and options for both virtual and in-person sessions.
Location: San Diego, CA
Services offered: Virtual and in-person IOP, PHP, adjunctive therapies such as art and music therapy.
Specialty area(s): Adolescents and adults; treating all types of eating disorders
5. Alsana
While not specifically in San Diego, Alsana has residential programs across California, as well as virtual options. Their team uses an Adaptive Care Model, which addresses recovery across five dimensions—medical, nutritional, therapeutic, relational, and movement—so clients receive holistic, individualized care.
Location: California (residential sites and virtual PHP/IOP)
Services offered: Residential treatment, day treatment, PHP/IOP, virtual PHP/IOP, nutrition counseling, co-occurring conditions treatment.
Specialty area(s): Adults of all genders; trauma-informed care; LGBTQ affirming treatment, vegan-friendly programming; Anorexia, Bulimia, ARFID, OSFED, binge-eating disorder
6. Align Treatment Center
Families seeking specialized adolescent care will find a trusted resource at Align Eating Disorder Treatment. Located in Escondido, this residential program provides 24/7 structure and compassionate support for females, between the ages of 10 to 17, and their families. With a strong emphasis on evidence-based models, Align helps young people build lasting recovery skills while involving caregivers as key partners in the process.
Location: Escondido, CA
Services offered: Residential treatment, group therapy, family-based therapy (FBT), CBT, DBT, on-site nursing
Specialty area(s): Female adolescents ages 10–17; family-inclusive programming; evidence-based care for eating disorders
Understanding the levels of eating disorder treatment
Eating disorder treatment is offered at several different levels of care. The right fit depends on the severity of symptoms, medical needs, and daily functioning. Most people begin at the level that matches their symptoms and gradually transition to lower levels of support as recovery progresses—or may need a higher level of care if symptoms worsen. Here’s a quick breakdown:
Outpatient therapy
Outpatient care is the least intensive level and is often a first step for many individuals. Healing Balance Therapy is an outpatient treatment program. Clients typically attend sessions anywhere from twice a week (60–75 minutes each) to once a month once they are in stable recovery. Outpatient therapy provides ongoing support while allowing clients to maintain school, work, or family responsibilities.
Intensive outpatient program (IOP)
IOP is a structured option for individuals who need more support than outpatient therapy but do not require full-day care. Programs usually run 3–5 days per week for up to 5 hours per day, though are often dependent on the program and the individual’s needs. IOPs often include individual therapy, group sessions, nutritional counseling, and family involvement.
Partial Hospitalization Program (PHP)
PHP provides a higher level of structure without overnight stays. Clients typically attend 5–7 days per week for around 6–8 hours per day, receiving intensive therapy, medical monitoring, and nutritional support. This option can be a good fit for those needing daily care but who are medically stable enough to return home each evening.
Residential treatment
Residential programs provide 24/7 support in a live-in facility with around-the-clock nursing or therapeutic staff. These programs are best suited for individuals whose symptoms require a structured environment but who may not need the medical stabilization of a hospital setting.
Inpatient treatment
Inpatient care takes place in a hospital and is the highest level of treatment. It is intended for individuals who are medically unstable or experiencing severe psychiatric symptoms. Inpatient programs focus on immediate stabilization, with the goal of stepping down into residential or PHP once safety has been restored.
FAQs about eating disorder treatment in San Diego
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An eating disorder treatment center is a specialized program that provides structured, comprehensive care for individuals struggling with disorders like anorexia, bulimia, ARFID, or binge-eating disorder. These centers may offer medical monitoring, therapy, nutritional counseling, and family support in one setting. The goal is to create a safe, supportive environment where recovery can begin with guidance from a multidisciplinary team.
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Finding the right program depends on your symptoms, medical needs, and personal preferences. Some people benefit from outpatient counseling, while others may need more structured support like residential or inpatient care. When exploring an eating disorder clinic in San Diego, consider factors like accreditation, treatment approach, inclusivity, and whether they involve families in the process.
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There’s no one-size-fits-all answer, but evidence-based approaches (those with a solid research base) tend to be most effective. These include cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) to address harmful thoughts and behaviors, dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) to build emotional regulation skills, and family-based therapy (FBT) to strengthen support.
Many centers, like our practice, also integrate Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) to address trauma, Internal Family Systems (IFS) to explore protective and wounded parts of the self, and somatic healing approaches that help clients reconnect with their bodies in safe and supportive ways. These therapies, along with mindfulness, nutrition counseling, and trauma-informed care, support whole-person healing.
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Outpatient therapy can be a powerful part of recovery, especially when paired with support from loved ones. However, if eating disorder behaviors are causing medical complications, interfering with daily life, or feel unmanageable, a higher level of care may be necessary. A qualified therapist can help you decide whether outpatient sessions, an eating disorder treatment center, or a combination of both is the right step forward.
Begin your path to lasting recovery
Finding the right path to recovery from an eating disorder is not always easy, but you don’t have to navigate it alone. The treatment centers highlighted above provide compassionate and structured options for those who need higher levels of care.
At Healing Balance Therapy, we offer a supportive and personalized space where you can explore the challenges beneath your relationship with food and body image. Our approach blends professionalism with empathy, helping clients build resilience, develop healthier coping skills, and reconnect with their authentic selves.
If you’re ready to begin your healing journey, we invite you to reach out today to schedule a consultation. Together, we can explore whether outpatient therapy at Healing Balance or a referral to an eating disorder treatment center in San Diego is the right next step for you. Recovery is possible—and support is here when you’re ready.
