Pediatric Eating Disorders
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Eating disorder treatment for children, adolescents and young adults
At UCSF Benioff Children's Hospitals, we are one of the few programs in the nation to offer seamless inpatient and outpatient eating disorder treatment for children, teens and young adults (ages 10 to 25). Our teams work closely with patients and their families to build healthier eating habits and lay the foundation for long-term recovery. We are also leaders in advanced eating disorder research and translate our findings into better care for our patients.
Our specialists use the latest, evidence-based approaches to treat eating disorders, including:
Anorexia and atypical anorexia nervosa
Bulimia
Binge eating disorder
Avoidant/restrictive food intake disorder (ARFID)
Other specified feeding or eating disorders (OSFED)
Collaborative eating disorder care
Our team of eating disorder specialists supports your entire family. They understand the unique medical, nutritional and psychological needs of young patients and meet regularly to evaluate your child's progress and adjust their treatment plan as needed.
Your child receives comprehensive care from a team of experts in different fields, including:
Inpatient and outpatient eating disorder treatment
Our full continuum of care includes inpatient and outpatient treatment. We meet each person where they are in their recovery and support them throughout their journey. Our physicians do comprehensive medical, psychological and nutritional assessments to select the appropriate level of care for your child.
We offer:
Inpatient eating disorder treatment. Children who need 24-hour care receive immediate stabilization in our hospital-based, inpatient program. We are fully equipped to care for patients with acute symptoms, such as an abnormal heart rate, electrolyte imbalance or severe weight loss.
Outpatient eating disorder treatment. Patients who don't require hospitalization or have been discharged from inpatient treatment can participate in our outpatient program. During outpatient treatment, children live at home while working on their recovery.
Our eating disorder treatments and services
We develop individualized care plans that include:
Nutrition therapy and personalized meal plans
Supported (supervised) meals during inpatient treatment
Medication management, when needed
Individual and family therapy
Eating Disorders Intensive Family Treatment
We believe that family support is a vital part of eating disorder recovery. Our Eating Disorders Intensive Family Treatment (ED-IFT) is a one-week, immersive program that helps family members and caregivers better understand eating disorders so they can best support recovery. We teach adolescent patients the most effective skills and coping strategies for successfully navigating recovery.
This short-term program is ideal for families who don't have access to specialized eating disorder treatment in their communities. It can also help jump-start recovery for children who are not progressing well with standard eating disorder treatments.
About ED-IFT:
Five-day program that runs Monday through Friday
35 hours of treatment for adolescents and their families
Multiple-family format that includes up to six families at a time to foster social support and connection
For more information, please contact our ED-IFT program coordinator at 415-514-1074.
Eating disorder treatment for children, adolescents and young adults
At UCSF Benioff Children's Hospitals, we are one of the few programs in the nation to offer seamless inpatient and outpatient eating disorder treatment for children, teens and young adults (ages 10 to 25). Our teams work closely with patients and their families to build healthier eating habits and lay the foundation for long-term recovery. We are also leaders in advanced eating disorder research and translate our findings into better care for our patients.
Our specialists use the latest, evidence-based approaches to treat eating disorders, including:
Anorexia and atypical anorexia nervosa
Bulimia
Binge eating disorder
Avoidant/restrictive food intake disorder (ARFID)
Other specified feeding or eating disorders (OSFED)
Collaborative eating disorder care
Our team of eating disorder specialists supports your entire family. They understand the unique medical, nutritional and psychological needs of young patients and meet regularly to evaluate your child's progress and adjust their treatment plan as needed.
Your child receives comprehensive care from a team of experts in different fields, including:
Inpatient and outpatient eating disorder treatment
Our full continuum of care includes inpatient and outpatient treatment. We meet each person where they are in their recovery and support them throughout their journey. Our physicians do comprehensive medical, psychological and nutritional assessments to select the appropriate level of care for your child.
We offer:
Inpatient eating disorder treatment. Children who need 24-hour care receive immediate stabilization in our hospital-based, inpatient program. We are fully equipped to care for patients with acute symptoms, such as an abnormal heart rate, electrolyte imbalance or severe weight loss.
Outpatient eating disorder treatment. Patients who don't require hospitalization or have been discharged from inpatient treatment can participate in our outpatient program. During outpatient treatment, children live at home while working on their recovery.
Our eating disorder treatments and services
We develop individualized care plans that include:
Nutrition therapy and personalized meal plans
Supported (supervised) meals during inpatient treatment
Medication management, when needed
Individual and family therapy
Eating Disorders Intensive Family Treatment
We believe that family support is a vital part of eating disorder recovery. Our Eating Disorders Intensive Family Treatment (ED-IFT) is a one-week, immersive program that helps family members and caregivers better understand eating disorders so they can best support recovery. We teach adolescent patients the most effective skills and coping strategies for successfully navigating recovery.
This short-term program is ideal for families who don't have access to specialized eating disorder treatment in their communities. It can also help jump-start recovery for children who are not progressing well with standard eating disorder treatments.
About ED-IFT:
Five-day program that runs Monday through Friday
35 hours of treatment for adolescents and their families
Multiple-family format that includes up to six families at a time to foster social support and connection
For more information, please contact our ED-IFT program coordinator at 415-514-1074.
Providers (manual)
Sara M. Buckelew, MD, MPH
Adolescent Medicine
Erin Accurso, PhD
Psychology • Psychology (Child and Adolescent Psychology)
Jennifer Carlson, MD
Adolescent Medicine
Amanda Downey, MD
Psychiatry (Child and Adolescent Psychiatry)
Awards & achievements
2007
Established 2007
One of the nation's best for behavioral health
Ranked among the nation's best in 11 specialties
Related conditions & treatments
Conditions
- Anorexia Nervosa
- Binge Eating Disorder
- Bulimia Nervosa
- Eating Disorders
Treatments
- Nutritional Counseling
- Psychotherapy
Support services
Child Life
Certified child life specialists ease the stress and anxiety of childhood illness through therapeutic play, schooling and family-focused support.
Family Amenities
Family-friendly amenities help you relax and take care of yourself while staying close to your child. We offer lounges, kitchens, showers, breastfeeding rooms and more.
Social Services at UCSF Benioff Children's Hospitals
Social workers ease the effect of illness, injury and hospitalization on your family with counseling and assistance to help you navigate the challenges.
Activity Rooms
Activity rooms offer a relaxed environment for children of all ages. Features include a playroom, digital arts studio and teen lounge. Find out more.
Pediatric Art Therapy Program
Art therapy helps kids and families express themselves, making it easier to cope with pediatric health issues. Group and bedside services are available.
Pediatric Music Therapy Program
Board-certified music therapists help kids cope with illness and the feelings that come with it. Find out about group activities and bedside therapy.
School Program for Hospitalized Children
Our schoolroom services and individual learning programs help children hospitalized at UCSF continue their education and get ready to return to school.
School Re-Entry Program
We help kids return to school after hospitalization by educating staff and students about their needs and recommending needed accommodations. Read more.
Individual Playtime & Instruction
If your child can't be around other kids for medical reasons, you can sign up for private sessions in our activity and school rooms. Find out how.
Interpreter Services & Communication Assistance at UCSF Benioff Children's Hospitals
Interpreter services in many languages and TDDs are available for families that need help communicating with care teams. Here's how to access them.
Parent Support Program
Weekly activities, including knitting, scrapbooking, chair massage and more, help family caregivers get a much-needed break. Find out more.
Patient Relations at UCSF Benioff Children's Hospitals
Patient relations reps and nursing supervisors are here to answer questions and address concerns. Learn about your rights, how to reach us and more.
Spiritual Care at UCSF Benioff Children's Hospitals
Chaplains help UCSF patients, families and staff cope with the spiritual and emotional challenges of childhood illness. Learn more.
International Services at UCSF Benioff Children's Hospitals
If you're coming to UCSF from outside the U.S., we coordinate your child's appointments and provide other helpful services. Here's how to get started.