The future of eating disorder treatment: Using virtual tools to enhance treatment delivery
Within Health
Comprehensive care for eating disorders—supporting every body, everywhere.
As technology rapidly evolves, so does how we deliver eating disorder (ED) treatment. Advancements in virtual care and digital health solutions mean we have more options in how we deliver care.
As eating disorder professionals, we are witnessing a shift toward more accessible, personalized, and effective treatment modalities—ones that leverage technology to improve patient outcomes. At Within, we embrace this transformation and recognize the immense potential virtual tools have in enhancing ED treatment delivery.
Bridging gaps in access and continuity of care
Historically, access has been one of the most significant barriers to eating disorder treatment. Traditional in-person treatment often requires travel, time off work or school, and substantial financial investment, challenges that can discourage individuals from seeking or continuing care.
Remote treatment provides a different option, allowing patients to attend therapy sessions, receive nutritional counseling, and have their health monitored from the comfort of their own homes.
Continuity
Remote care ensures continuity. Those transitioning from higher levels of care to outpatient support can remain connected with their treatment teams, reducing the risk of relapse. Patients can receive consistent, well-integrated care thanks to digital platforms that make it easy for providers to coordinate with each other and share patient history.
Flexibility
Virtual eating disorder treatment offers several advantages for both patients and providers. One of the most important benefits is flexibility—patients can schedule sessions at times that fit their lifestyle, reducing the stress of commuting or missing work and school. Virtual care also expands access to specialists who may not be available locally, allowing individuals to receive highly specialized treatment without relocating or traveling long distances.
Privacy
Remote treatment provides a level of privacy that isn’t possible with in-person treatment. Some people may be reluctant to attend therapy in person at a treatment facility out of fear of being judged or of someone they know finding out. Attending therapy in your own space in familiar surroundings can lead to greater openness and participation.
Types of tools used in virtual treatment
An essential aspect of remote treatment is the tools used to deliver patient care. Without these, treatment would not be possible. Some of the tools used at Within include:
These tools help enhance patient engagement, improve health monitoring, and make eating disorder care more accessible to those who need it the most.
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Effectiveness of remote treatment
The accessibility of remote treatment means more access to care for more people. But, some people may question the effectiveness of treatment that doesn’t occur in person and at a physical facility.
It’s a valid question, and our results support the idea that remote treatment is just as effective as brick-and-mortar in-person options.
Eating disorder care offered
The first thing to note is that Within offers intensive outpatient and partial hospitalization programs only. We believe that in-person treatment is still necessary for some people and recommend those options where appropriate.
However, remote treatment is a viable option after successfully completing inpatient care. In fact, 76% of our patients had attended an in-person treatment facility prior to admission into their Within program.
The proof in the numbers
Remote care has proven to be highly effective in treating various eating disorders, including anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, and binge eating disorder. At discharge, 70% of our patients reported symptom levels below the clinical threshold, along with notable improvements in quality of life across all areas of impairment. In addition, 73.3% of patients maintained or reached at least 90% of their ideal body weight, a key indicator of success in treatment.
To see more of our results, see the Within Health Outcomes Report.
Our role as clinicians
It’s important for clinicians to stay informed about technological advancements and integrate evidence-based digital tools into practice. Remote care is not a replacement for human connection but a complement that enhances our ability to provide compassionate, effective, and accessible treatment.
At Within, we believe that the future of eating disorder treatment is a hybrid of traditional and remote care—one that prioritizes patient-centered, flexible, and accessible approaches. By embracing innovation, we can break down barriers, improve engagement, and ultimately support lasting recovery for individuals with eating disorders.