Navigating School and Eating Disorder Treatment: How Inner Haven Wellness’s Flexible PHP and IOP Programs Can Help You Stay on Track
Returning to school is an exciting time, but it can also bring new challenges, especially for those managing an eating disorder. With the pressures of academic responsibilities, social obligations, and the stress of adjusting to a new environment, it’s not uncommon for old behaviors to resurface or new triggers to emerge. If you’re a college student facing these struggles, you’re not alone—and you don’t have to choose between your education and your health.
At Inner Haven Wellness, we understand the unique challenges students face and are here to support you every step of the way.
Why Flexible Treatment Matters
Juggling school and treatment can feel overwhelming, but it’s crucial to prioritize your mental health. According to clinical literature, the transition back to school can be a significant stressor that exacerbates eating disorder symptoms. Watch for things like an increased preoccupation with food and weight, avoidance of meals or social eating situations, escalating use of compensatory behaviors (like excessive exercise or laxative use), heightened anxiety or guilt, or disrupted daily routine and academic performance. These are all signs that eating disorder behaviors may be intensifying and it might be time to consider treatment.
Inner Haven Wellness offers a unique environment that promotes healing while allowing you to maintain your educational pursuits. Treatment is meant to act as added support rather than as an additional burden. At treatment, you will challenge eating disorder thoughts and behaviors, acquire the tools and skills needed to manage them, and develop new habits for a healthy, stable life beyond treatment. With flexible options, students can receive the necessary care without compromising their education.
Our Specialized Care
Our flexible and customizable IOP and PHP program schedules are designed to integrate seamlessly with your academic schedule, allowing you to maintain your studies while prioritizing your mental health. We offer multiple tracks—morning, mid-day, and evening—so you can find a time that works best for you without compromising your academic commitments. When necessary, our admissions team can even help you talk to professors and academic advisors to help make appropriate accommodations for your treatment.
In addition to logistical support, Inner Haven focuses on skill-building for stress management to help you navigate academic pressures. Techniques like mindfulness, distress tolerance, and emotion regulation are taught to keep you focused and calm during exams or stressful periods. Our nutritional and meal support ensures that your physical health is maintained, supporting cognitive function and overall well-being, which are essential for academic success. Community and peer support within the program aims to offer a network of understanding and motivation, helping you stay on track in both recovery and your studies.
Eating disorders are complex, requiring a specialized approach to treatment. At Inner Haven Wellness, our team is highly experienced in providing evidence-based care tailored to the specific needs of each individual. Whether you’re struggling with anorexia, bulimia, binge eating disorder, or another form of disordered eating, our programs are designed to help you recover and thrive.
With extensive trauma training and experience across various levels of care, we offer the highest quality treatment to guide you through this challenging time with compassion and expertise.
Taking the First Step
If you’re experiencing increased anxiety or eating disorder behaviors as you return to school, it’s important to reach out for help sooner rather than later. Our admissions counselors are here to guide you through the process and find the treatment plan that best fits your needs and schedule.
Remember, you don’t have to choose between your education and your health. With Inner Haven Wellness’s flexible PHP and IOP programs, you can prioritize your recovery while continuing to pursue your academic goals. Don’t wait until things get worse—take the first step towards healing today.
To learn more about our programs and how we can support you, visit www.innerhavenwellness.com or call us to speak with one of our experienced admissions counselors. We’re here to help you find a path forward.