Comprehensive care for anorexia, bulimia, binge eating, ARFID, and orthorexia is available right here through SunCloud Health’s integrated eating disorder treatment in Chicago, Illinois.
Our physician-led programs span Partial Hospitalization (PHP), Intensive Outpatient (IOP), and – when medically necessary – Residential Treatment at our nearby Northbrook campus, giving you seamless support at every stage.
Keep reading to discover how this guide can help you reclaim health, confidence, and a life not ruled by food or body worries.
Expertise That Goes Beyond Symptom Management
Board-certified psychiatrist Kimberly Dennis, MD, CEDS pioneered our transdiagnostic model, treating eating disorders alongside trauma, mood, and addiction in one cohesive plan.
Our Chicago site is accredited by The Joint Commission’s Gold Seal, underscoring strict safety and quality standards. Outcome studies show patients lower EDE-Q scores from 3.4 at admission to 2.6 – below the clinical threshold – by discharge. Flexible in-network insurance and evening virtual IOP remove financial and scheduling barriers to care.
With trusted leadership established, let’s imagine what recovery can feel like.
Picture Life After Treatment
Envision strolling Lakefront Trail, savoring lunch with friends because food no longer feels like the enemy – your energy now fuels passions, not obsessions. Alumni report deeper relationships, sustained sobriety, and the confidence to thrive at work or school after completing PHP, IOP, or stepping down from residential.
For a quick snapshot of what you’ll gain, check out the highlights below.
Quick Highlights:Why Our Chicago Eating Disorder Programs Work
1. Full Continuum – Residential, PHP & IOP keeps you in the same care philosophy from medical stabilization through community reintegration.
2. Integrated Dual-Diagnosis Focus treats trauma, PTSD, anxiety, process addictions, or substance use with the eating disorder, lowering relapse risk.
3. Data-Driven Outcomes prove symptom reduction exceeds national benchmarks.
4. Accessible Lincoln Park Location & Virtual Tracks fit busy Chicago lifestyles without sacrificing quality.
5. Trauma-Informed, Culturally Affirming Care honors LGBTQIA+ and diverse identities in every group.
These cornerstones set the stage for a treatment journey you can trust – let’s hear from people who’ve walked it.
From Struggle to Strength: Chicago Success Stories
“After years of cycling between dieting and drinking, the integrated PHP eating disorder treatment at SunCloud finally connected the dots – I left feeling whole, not broken.”
“Residential gave me the 24/7 structure I needed; stepping down to IOP kept the momentum going without missing my college semester.”
“The trauma-informed groups helped me understand why I binged, and the nutrition team taught me how to fuel my marathon training without fear.”
What Is an Eating Disorder?
Eating disorders are serious, biologically influenced mental health conditions marked by persistent disturbances in eating behaviors, thoughts, and emotions around food, weight, and body shape. They go far beyond “dieting” or occasional body dissatisfaction, driving powerful compulsions – such as restriction, bingeing, purging, or over-exercise – that can hijack daily life.
Left untreated, eating disorders can damage every organ system. Malnutrition, electrolyte imbalances, cardiac complications, bone loss, and gastrointestinal issues often develop alongside depression, anxiety, or substance misuse. Yet with specialized, multidisciplinary treatment, full recovery is not only possible – it’s common.
Clinically, the most recognized diagnoses include anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, binge-eating disorder, avoidant/restrictive food intake disorder (ARFID), and other specified feeding or eating disorders (OSFED). Each presents differently, but all share a core feature: an unhealthy relationship with food and body image that undermines physical health, emotional wellbeing, or social functioning.
Because eating disorders thrive in secrecy and shame, early intervention is critical. Signs to watch for include rapid weight changes, rigid food rituals, frequent trips to the bathroom after meals, preoccupation with calories or “clean” foods, withdrawal from social eating, and intense anxiety about weight or shape.
If any of these red flags resonate, seeking help quickly can prevent long-term complications and jump-start a lasting recovery.
Ready to see exactly how our proven approach unfolds? Let’s dive in.
Proven Approach: Integrated Eating Disorder Treatment in Chicago, Illinois
When eating disorders coexist with trauma, mood issues, or substance use, treating them together – not in parallel – speeds healing and lowers relapse.
SunCloud Health’s integrated model weaves DBT, medical care, and nutrition into one plan rather than siloed tracks. Guided by Kimberly Dennis, MD, CEDS, our team oversees a full continuum – Residential, PHP, and IOP – so you can move seamlessly between intensities without switching providers or philosophies.
Independent research backs this design: partial-hospital and intensive outpatient programs lead to significant symptom drops. For patients battling both eating disorders and substance use, integrated care improves abstinence and nutritional stability versus treating each condition separately.
With the framework in place, here’s how your journey unfolds from first call to lasting recovery.
How Our Eating Disorder Treatment Process in Chicago Works
1. Confidential Assessment – A clinician screens medical risk, psychiatric history, and life stressors to recommend Residential, PHP, or IOP.
2. Personalized Roadmap – You co-create goals; dietitians craft meal plans; physicians address labs and medication. Every element adapts as you progress.
3. Multidisciplinary Treatment – Days blend individual therapy, skill-building groups, supported meals, and experiential therapies like yoga or art.
4. Step-Down & Alumni Support – When medically ready, you transition to IOP or evening virtual IOP, then join alumni groups for continued accountability.
Knowing the steps is helpful – now let’s set expectations for day-to-day life in each level of care.
What to Expect in Residential, PHP & IOP
You’ll find a structured yet flexible schedule: think three therapeutic meals, skill groups, and mindful movement – without minute-by-minute rigidity that stifles autonomy. Medical staff monitor vitals, labs, and medications while therapists target body image, trauma, and relapse triggers. Family sessions are offered only with your consent, ensuring support never feels forced. Virtual evening IOP lets you maintain work or school while receiving the same evidence-based care online.
Behind every service is a team of specialists who live and breathe compassionate care.
Meet Our Caring Experts: The Heart of SunCloud Health
Board-certified psychiatrists, licensed therapists, registered dietitians, nursing staff, and experiential therapists collaborate daily – each cross-trained in trauma and dual-diagnosis work.
For individual bios and credentials, visit our full team page at suncloudhealth.com/about/our-team/.
If this holistic support sounds like what you need, the next step is simple and confidential.
Take the Next Step Toward Recovery
A compassionate admissions coordinator is ready to answer your questions, verify insurance, and schedule a same-week assessment. Call (866) 729-1012 or reach us through our secure form at suncloudhealth.com/contact-us/. Starting now could mean feeling free around food – and life – so much sooner.
Conditions We Treat
SunCloud Health’s eating disorder programs in Chicago, Illinois address the full spectrum – anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, binge-eating disorder, ARFID, orthorexia, and compulsive exercise – while also treating co-occurring PTSD, anxiety, depression, and substance use in the same plan.
This integrated, trauma-informed model recognizes that nutrition, mood, and addiction intersect; resolving one without the others leaves gaps that spark relapse.
Knowing what we treat, let’s explore why our Chicago center consistently outperforms standard care.
What Makes Our Chicago Program Stand Apart
- Transdiagnostic, Physician-Led Care – Dr. Kimberly Dennis’ team unites psychiatry, nutrition, and therapy so patients move seamlessly between Residential, PHP, and IOP without switching providers.
- Joint Commission Gold Seal – National accreditation verifies that our safety, quality, and outcomes meet rigorous benchmarks.
- Experiential & Peer Process Groups – Corrective social experiences in real time, not just talk therapy, rebuild trust with food and body.
- Virtual Evening IOP – Evening sessions and telehealth options keep treatment accessible for students and working adults across Chicagoland.
- Inclusive, Culturally Affirming Spaces – Size-inclusive nutrition, LGBTQIA+ affinity groups, and spiritual components honor every identity.
These strengths come to life through specific, evidence-based therapies you’ll experience each day.
Evidence-Based & Experiential Therapies We Use Treat Eating Disorder and Other Co-Occurring Disorders in Chicago
At SunCloud Health, we deploy a powerhouse blend of science-driven and soul-nourishing therapies that strike at the roots of eating disorders and their co-occurring allies, rebuilding mind, body, and spirit in unified strength.
- Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) anchors every level of care, giving patients emotion-regulation, mindfulness, and distress-tolerance skills that calm food urges and curb self-harm, substance cravings, or trauma flashbacks.
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) dismantles rigid beliefs about weight, shape, and worthwhile challenging the anxiety, depression, or PTSD thoughts that often drive restriction, bingeing, or purging.
- Nutritional Rehabilitation & Supported Meals pair registered dietitians with therapists so physical re-feeding, intuitive-eating practice, and body-image work advance together – stabilizing mood, hormones, and cognition for sustained recovery.
- Yoga, Art, & Mind-Body Work release stored tension, improve interoceptive awareness, and foster self-compassion – powerful antidotes to both eating-disorder shame and co-occurring trauma symptoms.
- Interventional Psychiatry (TMS, Spravato) targets treatment-resistant depression or OCD that can sabotage meal compliance or trigger relapse, ensuring neurobiological healing keeps pace with psychological change.
Each modality interlocks within our continuum – Residential, PHP, and IOP – so therapy intensity always matches your evolving needs and co-occurring challenges, setting the stage for lasting freedom.
Continuum of Eating Disorder Treatment Options for Adults & Teens
Adult Programs
- Residential Treatment (Northbrook) – 24/7 medical monitoring, therapeutic meals, and daily groups in a homelike setting – ideal for medical stabilization or relapse prevention.
- Partial Hospitalization Program (PHP) – Five structured day-treatment sessions per week in Chicago or Naperville, providing intensive therapy, nutrition support, and psychiatric oversight without an overnight stay.
- Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP) – Three to five half-day sessions weekly that blend individual therapy, skills groups, and supported meals, allowing you to live at home while continuing robust care.
- Virtual Evening IOP – Live, therapist-led groups and nutrition sessions via secure telehealth in the evening – perfect for working adults or caregivers who need flexibility.
Adolescent & Teen Programs (Ages 13–17)
- Teen Partial Hospitalization Program (PHP) – A school-day schedule featuring academic coordination, daily therapeutic meals, group and individual therapy, plus family sessions when clinically appropriate.
- Teen Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP) – After-school groups three evenings a week, with individual and family therapy to reinforce skills without disrupting class time.
Insurance Plans We Accept
We’re in-network with most major insurers, including Blue Cross Blue Shield, Aetna, Cigna/Evernorth, Humana, and UnitedHealthcare/Optum.
Our admissions team verifies benefits and explains any out-of-pocket details before your first appointment, eliminating surprises.
Beyond practical coverage, the healing environment itself matters – take a quick mental tour.
Explore Our Facilities: A Visual Tour of SunCloud Health in Chicago, Illinois
Our Chicago center sits on North Clybourn Avenue in Lincoln Park, minutes from CTA Red and Brown lines; inside, sunlit group rooms, private therapy offices, and a teaching kitchen create an uplifting backdrop for recovery.
For a visual feel – spacious art studio, yoga loft, and serene lounge – request our photo tour during your intake call.
Finally, our credentials confirm the quality behind the comfort.
Certifications and Accreditations: Ensuring Quality Eating Disorder Treatment in Chicago, Illinois
SunCloud Health holds the Joint Commission Gold Seal of Approval, meeting national standards for patient safety and clinical excellence.
We’re licensed by the State of Illinois and employ board-certified psychiatrists, CEDS-credentialed dietitians, and masters-level therapists.
With services, setting, and standards covered, next up answers your biggest FAQs and shows you exactly how to reach us.
Frequently Asked Questions About Addiction Treatment in Chicago, Illinois
What’s the difference between PHP and IOP eating disorder treatment?
PHP (Partial Hospitalization Program) runs five days a week for most of the day and offers daily physician, dietitian, and therapy contact, while IOP (Intensive Outpatient Program) meets three-to-five evenings or afternoons weekly for three hours, letting you keep work or school routines.
Do I have to start in residential care?
Not always. Many patients enter directly into PHP or IOP if medical labs and vitals are stable; residential treatment in Northbrook is reserved for those needing 24/7 monitoring.
Which eating disorders do you treat?
Our Chicago team treats anorexia, bulimia, binge-eating disorder, ARFID, orthorexia, and compulsive exercise, along with co-occurring PTSD, depression, anxiety, or substance use.
How does family involvement work?
Family or loved-ones sessions are offered only with your consent; you choose when (or if) relatives join education calls or therapy.
Will insurance cover treatment?
SunCloud Health is in-network with major plans such as Blue Cross Blue Shield, Aetna, Cigna/Evernorth, Humana, and UnitedHealthcare/Optum. Our admissions team verifies benefits before you start.
What if I’m also in recovery for addiction?
Our transdiagnostic model treats substance use and eating disorders together – research shows integrated care lowers relapse for both.
Is virtual treatment really effective?
Evening Virtual IOP follows the same evidence-based curriculum as in-person groups and meets Joint Commission standards for safety and outcomes.
What happens after I finish the program?
You step down to weekly outpatient sessions and join alumni groups for ongoing skills practice and community support.
Success Metrics & Outcome Data
- Eating-disorder symptoms drop by about 25 percent, moving most patients out of the “clinical risk” zone and into everyday flexibility with food.
- Depression scores fall from “moderate–severe” to “mild,” giving people the energy to engage in life again.
- Anxiety shifts from clinical to sub-clinical levels, easing the constant worry that often drives food rituals.
- PTSD distress shrinks by nearly a quarter, so flashbacks and hyper-vigilance no longer dominate each day.
- Alcohol-risk behaviors decline from hazardous to low-risk or abstinent, proving that integrated care can tackle substance use and eating issues together.
- Compulsive eating urges move from moderate down to mild, showing strong gains against binge impulses.
- Quality of life scores rise across physical health, mood, relationships, and daily functioning – clear proof that recovery touches every corner of life.
- Patient satisfaction: More than 1,500 surveys confirm that the vast majority feel respected, safe, and genuinely helped throughout treatment.
Find Us: Directions to SunCloud Health in Chicago, Illinois
Clinic address: 1840 N Clybourn Ave, Suite 520, Chicago, IL 60614 – inside the Trader Joe’s Galleria building in Lincoln Park.
By CTA:
- Red Line: Exit at North/Clybourn; walk three minutes southeast on Clybourn to Trader Joe’s entrance.
- Bus 73 (Armitage) or Bus 8 (Halsted): Both stop within two blocks of the building.
By Car:
From I-90/94, take the North Ave exit east, turn right on Clybourn. Garage parking is available on the second floor beside Trader Joe’s.
Inside the Galleria:
Enter the door marked “Trader Joe’s,” walk to Level 2 parking, then cross to the glass office elevators and ride to the 5th-floor Suite 520.
With location details in hand, the final step is a conversation that can change your life.
Start Your Journey With the Best Eating Disorder Treatment in Chicago, Illinois
Healing begins with one confidential call. Connect with a compassionate admissions coordinator at (866) 729-1012 or reach us through our secure form at suncloudhealth.com/contact-us/.
Whether you need PHP, IOP, or residential care, SunCloud Health’s eating disorder treatment in Chicago, Illinois is ready to guide you from crisis to confidence.
