Bridging the Gap: When Traditional Outpatient Support Isn’t Enough

 
 

At The London Centre for Eating Disorders and Body Image (TLC), we’re often asked: What happens when outpatient therapy isn’t enough, but day or inpatient treatment feels like too much?

This is the question that led us to develop our Intensive Outpatient Programme (IOP) — a flexible, personalised alternative for individuals who need more structured support than weekly sessions, but who are still appropriate for community-based care.

Why Some People Need More Than Traditional Outpatient Therapy

Standard outpatient therapy (typically 1-2 sessions per week) can be highly effective for many people. But for others — particularly those with more entrenched symptoms, medical complexity, or comorbid difficulties — it may not be enough.


Clients often tell us they feel “stuck,” plateaued in their progress, or overwhelmed by the demands of change without daily  support. These are the clients for whom we developed the IOP.

Our IOP is particularly recommended for:

  • Those transitioning from inpatient or day programmes

  • Clients at risk of needing more intensive care

  • Individuals struggling to maintain progress in standard outpatient therapy

  • Clients with complex presentations needing coordinated, multidisciplinary input

When Day or Inpatient Programmes Aren’t the Right Fit

While day programmes can be extremely helpful, they’re not for everyone. We often hear concerns such as:

  • Time intensity – full-day attendance can feel unmanageable alongside school, work, or family responsibilities

  • Group-based models – not all clients benefit from or feel able to use group support

  • Client mix – exposure to others at varying stages of illness can sometimes feel overwhelming or challenging to navigate

  • Lack of individualisation – highly structured, group-based programmes may not always be able to accommodate highly tailored care or flexibility

  • Affordability - private daycare and hospitalisation can be outside of a lot of peoples financial budgets

At TLC, we believe recovery should be integrated into your life — not lived separately from it. That’s why our IOP is built around you.

What Is the TLC IOP?

Our Intensive Outpatient Programme (IOP) is a structured, tailored treatment plan offering up to 5 sessions per week across psychology, psychiatry, dietetics, occupational therapy, and recovery support. It’s designed for individuals aged 13+ who are medically stable but need more intensive, coordinated care.

The programme includes:

  • Personalised 6-week blocks, with the option to extend to 12 weeks

  • Weekly multidisciplinary team (MDT) reviews to track progress and adapt treatment

  • Hybrid delivery – sessions are offered in-person, remotely, and in the community

  • Real-world recovery support, including meal exposure, functional activities, and family involvement where appropriate

Disciplines involved:

  • Clinical/Counselling Psychologists (evidence based, specialist and personalised therapy)

  • Dietitians (nutritional rehabilitation, behaviour change)

  • Consultant Nurses/Occupational Therapists (exposure work, functional support)

  • Family Therapists (for under-18s or where indicated)

  • Consultant Psychiatrists (diagnosis, medication, risk management)

Why Choose the TLC IOP?

We created the IOP to fill a much-needed gap in eating disorder care: structured, expert-led treatment that fits into your life.

What makes our programme different:

  • Individualised care – individualised sessions, no one-size-fits-all approach

  • Flexible intensity – we build treatment around your needs, your goals, and your circumstances

  • Experienced team – our clinicians are highly experienced eating disorder specialists.

  • Continuity and consistency – clients work with the same team throughout the programme

  • Community focus – we prioritise recovery in real-life settings, not in isolation

Could the IOP Be Right for You or Your Client?

If you or someone you’re supporting is:

  • Medically stable but not progressing in standard outpatient therapy

  • Needing more support but unsure about full-time programmes

  • Struggling to apply therapeutic change in everyday life

  • Looking for a focused, personalised alternative to hospital-based treatment

...the IOP could be the right next step.

Get in Touch

We welcome self-referrals and referrals from GPs, therapists, and other healthcare professionals. You do not need a formal diagnosis to access our service.

📧 info@thelondoncentre.co.uk
 📞 020 3137 9927
 🌐 www.thelondoncentre.co.uk

If you wish to book an appointment, please click here.

 
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