INTENSIVE OUTPATIENT PROGRAM FOR EATING DISORDERS IN WILMINGTON, NC | CHRYSALIS CENTER
Chrysalis Center in Wilmington, NC offers a Joint Commission-accredited Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP) for adults (18+) experiencing all forms of eating disorders and co-occurring mental health concerns.
Our IOP is ideal for clients who are stepping down from higher levels of care (residential or PHP) or needing more support than outpatient therapy while living independently!
The program runs Monday through Thursday, 3:00–7:00pm, and includes:
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Therapeutic group sessions
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Supervised and supportive meals with registered dietitians and/or therapists
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Access to psychiatric care and family therapy
CONNECT WITH US
Serving Wilmington, NC and surrounding areas
Contact Emily Foster, LCMHC-A – IOP Treatment Coordinator
Whether you’re transitioning from intensive treatment or need more structure in recovery, our IOP offers a compassionate, evidence-based path forward.
WHAT SETS OUR IOP APART
COMPREHENSIVE, CLIENT-CENTERED CARE
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Thorough assessments and individualized treatment planning
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One-on-one therapy sessions with eating disorder and trauma specialists
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Supervised meals facilitated by a registered dietitian
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Coordination with outside providers and aftercare planning
EVIDENCED BASED TREATMENT
Our group therapy curriculum incorporates:
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Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)
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Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)
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Nutrition education
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Mindful eating practices
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Exposure-based interventions
OVERVIEW OF IOP GROUPS
- Mindful Living Group
- Staying Open About Recovery (SOAR) Group
- Process Group
- Nutrition Education Group
- Meal Support Group
- Exposure Meal Group
- Specialty Groups
This skills-based group is rooted in DBT and ACT principles. Clients learn tools for distress tolerance, emotional regulation, mindfulness, and interpersonal effectiveness, all with the goal of living in alignment with personal values and reducing reliance on disordered behaviors.
Focused on eating disorder recovery, this group helps clients improve body image, build self-esteem, challenge distorted thinking, and prevent relapse—all within a supportive community of peers.
A confidential, open-format group that provides space for clients to process their individual challenges in a safe, empathetic setting.
Led by a registered dietitian, this group explores meal planning, food education, and the science of nutrition. Clients receive factual, supportive guidance to counteract food myths and challenge body image concerns.
These guided meals focus on normalizing eating patterns and reducing anxiety around food. Clients learn to identify hunger and fullness cues, face food-related fears, and build confidence in navigating meals independently.
In this therapeutic group, clients explore anxiety and emotional responses during meals. With staff support, clients practice facing and working through food-related distress in real time.
Additional groups such as Yoga, Life Skills, and more are offered depending on client needs and availability.
