When to Consider a Higher Level of Care
April, 2026
“
Navigating recovery in a non-recovery focused world feels impossible, but it’s not.
- Previous client
If symptoms are affecting your daily life, it may be worth reaching out to better understand what level of care could help.
Signs It May Be Time to Seek More Support
This list is not meant to be diagnostic. It’s a guide for providers, families, and individuals to help identify when a higher level of care could be worth exploring.
Eating disorder and disordered eating signs
Constant thoughts about food, movement, or your body
Guilt, shame, or anxiety after eating
Avoiding foods, meals, or situations involving food
Exercise feeling more like something you have to do than something that supports you
Mood or self-worth depending on what, how much, or whether you ate
Feeling consumed by food rules, body checking, comparison, or compensation behaviors
Mood and trauma signs
Anxiety, depression, or overwhelm affecting daily life
Feeling emotionally numb, disconnected, or constantly on edge
Trauma symptoms interfering with relationships, school, work, or sleep
Feeling stuck in therapy and needing more structure or support
Increasing isolation, burnout, hopelessness, or emotional exhaustion
Difficulty regulating emotions
What Are OP, IOP, and PHP?
Outpatient Therapy (OP): Weekly therapy sessions with a therapist or other providers like a registered dietitian or psychiatrist. This can be a strong fit when someone is medically and emotionally stable enough to practice skills between appointments with less structure.
Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP) and Partial Hospitalization Program (PHP): Structured day treatment programs that offer more support than traditional outpatient care, but are less intensive than residential or inpatient treatment. Clients attend treatment for several hours during the day and return home afterward.
At Lotus, our IOP and PHP may include group therapy, individual therapy, meal support, psychiatric support, dietary support, family and loved one support, and recovery community.
For many people, IOP or PHP can provide enough structure and support to help stabilize symptoms, build skills, and eventually step back down to outpatient care.
Things to Remember
You do not have to be “sick enough” or in crisis to deserve care and support.
Eating disorders and mental health conditions can affect anyone, and they are more common than many people realize.
If something about daily life, emotions, food, movement, or body image feels increasingly difficult to manage, it may be worth exploring additional support.
Trust your gut. Reaching out for an assessment does not commit someone to treatment. It can simply help clarify what level of care may be most appropriate.
Not Sure What Level of Care Is the Right Fit?
You do not have to figure it out alone. Lotus offers free consultations and assessments for individuals, families, and providers who are exploring eating disorder, mood, or trauma treatment options.
We’re also happy to connect with providers, offer tours of our Santa Cruz or San Francisco spaces, and answer questions about our programs, levels of care, referrals, insurance, or what support might be most appropriate.
How Lotus Can Help
The Lotus Collaborative offers eating disorder, mood, and trauma treatment in Santa Cruz, San Francisco, and virtually across California.
Our programs include:
Eating Disorder PHP
Eating Disorder IOP
Mood & Trauma IOP
We offer free assessments to help individuals, families, and providers determine whether Lotus may be an appropriate fit and what level of care could be most supportive.
If you have questions about treatment, admissions, insurance, or referrals, our team is always happy to help.
Call 855-852-4968
Email info@thelotuscollaborative.com
*We’re in-network with insurances and work with Medi-Cal referrals.
Written & Created by Lea Horsley & Anna Riverso
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