Eating Disorders Service

Our approach to care for a successful recovery

We understand the complexities of eating disorders. You or your child receives a customized care plan that offers the best chance of long-term success.

Mass General Brigham provides care at many levels, including residential care, day programs, outpatient care, and specialty clinics, so treatment can meet the needs of you or your child at each step of recovery.

Comprehensive treatments for eating disorders

Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is a proven treatment for eating disorders. This form of talk therapy (psychotherapy) focuses on identifying thoughts, feelings, and behaviors that contribute to disordered eating. Our mental health specialists teach strategies that change perceptions about food and body image. Family-based treatment (FBT) is an approach we offer to support children, teens, and young adults.

Evidence-based outpatient treatment at Massachusetts General Hospital

The Eating Disorders Clinical and Research Program at Massachusetts General Hospital provides comprehensive evaluations and evidence-based outpatient treatment for people ages 10 and older with eating disorders and related concerns.

Treatment options may include cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), family-based treatment (FBT), and medication treatment. The program also conducts research studies evaluating new approaches to eating disorder care. After an evaluation, the team recommends treatment based on each patient’s individual needs and eligibility.

Outpatient care at Massachusetts General Hospital

The Eating Disorders Collaborative Care Clinic at Massachusetts General Hospital provides specialized outpatient medical and psychiatric care for adolescents and adults with eating disorders. Our team develops a personalized care plan based on your health, treatment needs, recovery goals, and overall well-being.

Services include assessments, evaluation and monitoring of medical complications, psychiatric care, and referrals for nutrition services, mental health treatment, hospitalization, or other levels of care when needed. The team also collaborates with your primary care clinician and other members of your existing care team.

Residential and partial hospital care at McLean Hospital

The McLean Eating Disorders Center at Klarman provides residential and day treatment for young adults ages 18 to 28 with anorexia, bulimia, binge-eating disorder, and ARFID, offering close medical, mental health, nutrition, and therapy support in a personalized program that includes families and supports recovery.

Advanced care for children with feeding difficulties

Our Pediatric Feeding and Nutrition Program is among a select few in the nation devoted to helping children with nutritional challenges due to feeding difficulties.

Your child receives care from pediatric digestive disorder specialists (gastroenterologists), as well as psychologists, speech-language therapists, occupational therapists, and dietitians who specialize in feeding disorders.

We offer specialized services for children who have:

• Autism, cerebral palsy, and Down syndrome
• Difficulty with certain food textures
• Feeding tubes or IVs for nutrition
• Food allergies
• Gastrointestinal (GI) dysmotility and short gut syndrome
• Genetic, anatomical, or neurological disorders
• Oral aversion
• Poor weight gain
• Premature birth
• Restrictive eating patterns or refusal to eat