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What is Day Care treatment?

Day Care treatment provides intensive, specialist eating disorder support for people aged 13 and above. Founded upon our belief in the power of early intervention, Day Care can provide the clinical intensity you may require while keeping you connected to your home, family, and home life.

These programmes are delivered in a group environment, combining approaches like group therapy and individual therapy with practical skills sessions and supported mealtimes.

Sessions are structured to help you build the skills, confidence, and stability you need to sustain your recovery long-term, all with the support of our onsite multidisciplinary team.

The intensity of treatment can be adjusted throughout recovery, ensuring progress is always in line with your comfort level and confidence.

Speak with our experts

Hear from an ABBI expert

Dr Sonu Sharma

Consultant Psychiatrist

“Day Care can be the turning point for patients who have been struggling for some time, however it can also be an intensive, effective treatment over a shorter time period than standard outpatient care.

Being part of a structured, supportive programme with specialist input from psychiatry, dietetics, and therapy gives people the consistency and intensity they need, without being separated from their home and family. In my experience, the application of learnings into real-life settings is one of the things that makes recovery stick.”

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Treatment plans

No two experiences of an eating disorder are the same, and your treatment plan reflects that. Whether you are joining us on our Day Care or Outpatient programme, your care is built around your individual circumstances, drawing on the combination of therapies and clinical input our team believes will support your recovery most effectively. Your plan may include any of the following:

ABBI treatment plans
Individual therapy

Individual therapy gives you dedicated one-to-one time with a specialist psychological therapist. Sessions are private, focused, and built around your specific experiences, helping you to explore the thoughts and feelings connected to your eating disorder and develop more helpful ways of coping.

Group therapy

Group therapy brings you together with others in a structured, safe, and professionally facilitated environment. Sessions focus on shared skill-building, reducing isolation, and developing the tools needed to support lasting recovery. Many people find that hearing others’ experiences, and being heard in return, is one of the most valuable parts of their treatment.

Family therapy

Family therapy involves you and those closest to you in the treatment process. Sessions explore how relationships and home dynamics may be contributing to your difficulties, and help to build a more informed and supportive environment around your recovery. Family therapy is offered where it is clinically relevant and appropriate to your circumstances.

Dietitian support

Working one-to-one with a specialist eating disorder dietitian, you will explore your relationship with food, address any nutritional concerns, and develop a practical, sustainable approach to eating that supports both your physical health and your broader recovery goals.

Meal support

For those on a Day Care programme, supported mealtimes provide a structured, calm environment in which to practise eating with your clinical team present. You will prepare and eat meals as part of a group, building confidence and developing a more settled relationship with food in a safe and supportive setting.

Psychiatry

A Consultant Psychiatrist is involved in assessments across both our Day Care and Outpatient programmes, providing clinical oversight and ensuring your care is clinically safe and appropriately structured throughout. Where relevant, your psychiatrist will also review any medication needs or co-occurring conditions that form part of your overall picture.

Nursing

Our mental health nursing team provides clinical monitoring and practical support throughout your treatment. Regular physical health checks and medical observations are carried out by our nurses, who are present and accessible across the day to ensure your wellbeing is closely supported at every stage.

Day Care timetable: what an average day might look like

Welcome and weight check
First supported meal
Post meal support: Discussion, reflection, distraction, and coping skills
Group therapy session
Break
Snack with post-snack support
Individual therapy session
Second supported meal
Post meal support: Discussion, reflection, distraction, and coping skills
Group skills/coping skills session
Session reflection, peer-led discussions, recovery win and close

FAQs

Looking to learn more about Day Care treatment? Find answers to our most commonly asked questions here, or reach out to get in touch with a member of our expert team.

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Why is Day Care treatment so important for recovery?

With the support of ABBI Clinic’s team, you can learn how to recognise and challenge harmful patterns of thinking and behaving before they become entrenched. This is vital to helping you understand the underlying triggers and causes of your condition so you can heal.

Who is Day Care treatment most appropriate for?

Day care is an effective treatment programme suitable for anyone with an eating disorder. Those who require more clinical intensity can find it particularly supportive, but it is a viable option for anyone seeking help.

Do I need to be underweight to access day care treatment?

No, it is only a misconception that patients must be underweight to join an eating disorder day care programme. At ABBI Clinic, we know that only a minority of patients are significantly underweight when they come to us, and it is those who do not yet exhibit signs of physical harm that can benefit most from our support.

Access Day Care treatment at ABBI Clinic

Taking the first step is often the hardest part. Whether you have questions about our treatment programmes, want to understand your funding options, or are ready to arrange an assessment, we are here to help.

Fill in the form below, or call us, and we’ll guide you through the next steps.