Residents participate in individual and family therapy as well as in a variety of groups that are designed to help them manage their unhealthy thoughts, feelings and behaviors. Led by mental health professionals, these group meetings focus on topics such as relaxation techniques, assertiveness training, peer relationships, family life, self- and body- acceptance, coping with change, or handling free time. In addition, many residential and hospital programs bring in registered arts therapists to run groups in drawing, painting, sculpture, music, dance or drama. For adolescent patients who are missing a number of days of middle or high school, residential facilities often offer academic curricula.

Length of stay in residential care varies from a month to a year or longer, though 30-60 days is most common. Most patients make progress but may not recover from their eating disorders during residential treatment and thus need well-planned aftercare either in partial hospitalization or in an intensive outpatient program; which of these two follow- up settings is appropriate depends upon the patient’s level of improvement, what services will now meet her needs, geographic factors, and insurance considerations.