Residential eating disorder treatment provides a safe and structured environment for people who need intensive support to help them to overcome their eating disorder. For many, an eating disorder can become deeply ingrained in daily life, making it difficult to break harmful patterns without round-the-clock care.
Priory’s residential eating disorder treatment programme takes place at Life Works in Surrey. Our market-leading programme offers personalised support, medical supervision and evidence-based therapies to help you regain control of your health. Our tailored approach ensures you receive the right level of support, helping you move towards a healthier, more fulfilling future.
Residential eating disorder treatment is designed for people who need a higher level of care than day care or outpatient treatment can provide. It offers 24/7 specialist care in a stable and therapeutic setting, helping you to restore your physical health and emotional wellbeing.
Residential eating disorder treatment is best suited to people with severe conditions that are having a negative impact on their health, relationships or daily life. It’s also ideal for people who haven’t noticed any improvements after receiving outpatient therapy or who are at risk of medical complications, as it provides round-the-clock support and access to medical and nutritional care in a safe environment.
To ensure we can provide the most effective and safe care, residential eating disorder treatment at Life Works is available to people over the age of 18, with a body mass index (BMI) of 14.5 or above. If you don’t meet these criteria, we can help explore alternative support options to ensure you get the right level of care.
If you’re unsure whether residential treatment is the right step for you, our team can assess your needs and guide you towards the best level of care for you.
If you need inpatient eating disorder treatment, support is available at Life Works in Surrey, our specialist eating disorder clinic.
Life Works has a world-class residential service, complete with an expert team of dietitians, therapists and mental health professionals to help you recover. Life Works is made to feel like a home away from home, providing a welcoming atmosphere and a safe space to start your recovery journey.
Every aspect of our residential eating disorder programme is focused on helping you to get well. Here are the main pillars of support you can expect during a residential eating disorder stay.
We offer 24/7 medical and psychological care to ensure your safety and wellbeing. Eating disorders can take a toll on your physical health, but you’ll have a dedicated medical team by your side to manage any risks you might have and keep you safe. This includes:
Our programme includes a range of evidence-based therapies, designed to support the psychological, emotional and behavioural aspects of your eating disorder in a one-to-one and group setting. They include:
We also offer bespoke exposure work through practical sessions like shopping, cooking and café outings to help rebuild confidence around food in everyday settings. You'll also receive dietetic support, with personalised nutritional guidance, to promote a balanced, sustainable approach to eating.
Psychoeducational workshops cover topics like relapse prevention and emotional wellbeing, as well as motivational interviewing to strengthen your commitment to change.
As well as these core therapies, we also offer a range of holistic and creative therapies to support overall wellbeing, including things like mindfulness, yoga, an art process group, drama therapy and other stress reduction or relaxation classes.
A structured daily routine is central to residential treatment, offering stability and support for your recovery. Each day begins with breakfast and a morning goals group, followed by meals supported by staff and post-meal sessions to explore any difficult emotions that arise.
The programme includes a blend of therapy, practical food sessions and wellbeing activities like yoga, art and drama therapy, helping you build healthier coping strategies and self-acceptance. You'll also attend weekly Anorexics and Bulimics Anonymous (ABA) meetings for peer support. Evenings are focused on reflection, with free time and a goodnight group to end the day.
| Time | Activity |
|---|---|
| 8 - 8.30am | Breakfast |
| 8.30 - 9am | Post-meal support |
| 9 - 9.15am | Morning goals group |
| 9.45 – 10:45am | Process group |
| 11 - 11.20am | Snack |
| 11.20am - 12.20pm | Cooking group |
| 12.30 - 1.15pm | Lunch |
| 1.15 - 1.45pm | Post-meal support |
| 2 - 3pm | MANTRA |
| 3 - 3.20pm | Snack |
| 3.20 - 4.20pm | DBT group |
| 4.20 - 6pm | Free time |
| 6 - 6.45pm | Dinner |
| 6.45 - 7.15pm | Post-meal support |
| 7.30 – 9pm | Fellowship meeting / free time / visits |
| 9 – 9.20pm | Snack |
| 9.20 - 10pm | Goodnight group |
| 11pm | Bedtime |
Taking the step towards residential treatment for an eating disorder can feel overwhelming. Here’s how to access treatment, either for yourself or a loved one, with Priory.
If you recognise some of the signs of an eating disorder and think residential treatment might be right for you, or just want to explore your options, we offer a free, same-day eating disorder assessment. This is a confidential conversation with one of our experienced clinicians, where we’ll discuss your current challenges around food, and how you’re feeling on a daily basis.
As part of this assessment, we’ll also check key suitability criteria, including your age and BMI, to ensure that residential care is safe and appropriate for your needs. Additionally, the free assessment includes dietetic, therapeutic and GP input, which helps us build a complete picture of your health and create a personalised treatment plan.
The purpose of the free assessment is to help us determine the best level of care for your needs and allows you to ask any questions about the process. You can arrange your free assessment by calling us today.
Once you decide to enter treatment, we’ll guide you through the admissions process and help you feel prepared, with clear information on what to bring, what to expect and how to get ready emotionally.
It’s normal to feel uncertain. Whether you're worried about the environment or if treatment will work, we're here to talk through your concerns and support you every step of the way. You don’t have to make this decision alone.
Watching a loved one struggle with an eating disorder can be incredibly difficult, especially if they’re hesitant to get the support they need. Encouraging them to take the first step can make all the difference. Let them know that treatment is available and that recovery is possible with the right help.
Families play a vital role during treatment too. When your loved one enters a 28-day inpatient stay with us, you’ll be welcomed into our dedicated family support programme, designed to help you understand eating disorders and how you can support your loved one’s recovery.
It can be upsetting when someone you care about refuses help, even when it’s clear they need support. While you can’t force someone into treatment, you can continue to offer encouragement and share information about the options available to them. You could also encourage them to explore real stories of eating disorder recovery with Priory. Sometimes, just knowing that help is there when they’re ready can make all the difference.
When you lose a lot of weight, the effects of starvation can affect your ability to think clearly and may put your health at risk. In these circumstances, it may be recommended that you're admitted to one of our specialist eating disorder clinics to receive intensive eating disorder help and treatment.
Anorexia can affect the whole family, not just the person who's struggling with this eating disorder. Your loved ones may find it hard to understand that an eating disorder is actually about feelings and coping, rather than food itself. This can lead to misunderstandings, arguments and stress, particularly at mealtimes.
That’s why, at Priory, we make sure that family and friends are involved throughout your anorexia treatment and recovery process. We know that it’s helpful for relatives to understand that your eating habits are your way of coping with emotional difficulties and that you may have mixed feelings about changing your eating patterns. Our family support sessions allow you the opportunity to explore your difficult emotions with your loved ones in an open and honest way. This means that those who are closest to you can be involved in tackling your anorexia.
The recommended duration for inpatient eating disorder treatment is typically 28 days but can vary based on your condition and treatment progress. A detailed assessment with our specialists will help determine the best treatment length for you.
Priory’s customer service team is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to ensure that people in crisis can be signposted to the best possible support, as quickly as possible.
The cost of eating disorder treatment varies in the UK based on the treatment type, duration, level of required care, and facility amenities. Priory offers diverse options, from outpatient to residential treatments. Contact us for detailed pricing and to find the best plan for your needs and budget.
There are two main ways to pay for treatment at Priory:
For more detailed information on self-funding your treatment or utilising your private medical insurance, please call us on 0800 098 4816 or visit our fees and funding page. This will provide you with all the necessary details to make an informed decision about financing your treatment.
The cost of residential eating disorder treatment depends on your personal needs, including how long you stay and the type of support you need. We offer flexible treatment lengths, from short-term 7-day programmes to longer stays of 28 days or more.
If you’d like more information about pricing, our team is happy to talk you through the options.
Eating disorder recovery doesn’t just end when you leave residential treatment. We provide ongoing support to help you confidently transition back into daily life, ensuring you have the right tools and resources to maintain your progress.
For many people, the move from intensive inpatient care to everyday life is a big adjustment. To help with this transition, we offer flexible step-down options, including:
Getting residential treatment for an eating disorder is a big step, but you don’t have to do it alone. With expert care, a supportive environment and a personalised recovery plan, you’ll have everything you need to move forward with confidence. If you’re ready to take the next step, or simply want to explore your options, we’re here to help.
We are a registered and approved provider for all of the UK's leading private medical insurers. The services that we offer at Priory can be funded through private medical insurance. This includes:
All clients will have access to our highly skilled and accredited clinicians, many of whom are published experts in their fields of treatment. Whatever your requirements, we are committed to working with you to get your life back on track.
