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:

INTENSIVE OUTPATIENT PROGRAM FOR EATING DISORDERS IN WILMINGTON, NC | CHRYSALIS CENTER

CONNECT WITH US

Serving Wilmington, NC and surrounding areas
Contact Emily Foster, LCMHC-A – IOP Treatment Coordinator
emily.foster@chrysaliscenter-nc.com

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

  • Thorough assessments and individualized treatment planning

  • One-on-one therapy sessions with eating disorder and trauma specialists

  • Supervised meals facilitated by a registered dietitian

  • Coordination with outside providers and aftercare planning

Our group curriculum incorporates:

  • Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)

  • Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)

  • Nutrition education

  • Mindful eating practices

  • Exposure-based interventions

EVIDENCE BASED TREATMENT

Living room with a beige sofa, patterned armchairs, red and patterned chairs, a framed floral painting, a wall mirror, a floor lamp, a side table with a lamp, a standing lamp, and butterfly wall decorations.


  • 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 anxious thoughts and emotional responses during meals. With staff support, clients practice facing and working through food-related distress in real time.


  • A hands-on group led by our registered dietitians that helps clients rebuild confidence with food through meal planning, preparation, and shared eating experiences.


  • Additional groups such as Yoga, Life Skills, and more are offered depending on client needs and availability.

OVERVIEW OF IOP GROUPS

Weekly schedule with daily activities including check-in, group sessions, breaks, and meal groups from Monday to Thursday.

IOP SCHEDULE