Eating Disorder Treatment Options in Colorado Springs: What You Need to Know
Eating disorders are serious medical and mental health conditions that need specialized treatment. Many people in Colorado Springs search for support close to home.
However, at this time, there are no in-person eating disorder treatment centers in Colorado Springs that offer Residential Treatment (RTC), Partial Hospitalization Programs (PHP), or Intensive Outpatient Programs (IOP).
Denver is a significant hub for eating disorder treatment both nationally and globally. Fortunately, that means there are multiple options for specialized recovery support just up the road. Unfortunately, that hour or longer drive from the Springs to Denver often becomes prohibitive for clients and families, especially for PHP and IOP treatment.
This creates confusion for many individuals and families who are trying to understand where to begin, what level of care is needed, and how to access a safe treatment plan.
This article explains the current state of eating disorder treatment in Colorado Springs, why outpatient care is the primary treatment pathway, and how to connect with outpatient specialists who provide evidence-based, weight-inclusive support.
The Current Gap in Eating Disorder Treatment in Colorado Springs
Colorado Springs residents face a unique challenge in eating disorder recovery. Although the city offers numerous outpatient providers, it does not have any dedicated eating disorder treatment centers that deliver higher levels of care for in-person RTC, PHP, or IOP services.
In contrast, Denver, which is located approximately 60 to 90 minutes north, has multiple facilities offering all higher levels of care. This distance often presents barriers, such as:
Daily commuting to Denver for PHP or IOP (3–7 days per week)
Out-of-pocket costs for hotels or Airbnbs
Limited transportation access
Time constraints for families and working adults
Financial strain from long-distance travel
Reduced continuity of care after residential treatment
As a result, many clients face one of the following scenarios:
Commuting to Denver for in-person PHP or IOP
Enrolling in a virtual PHP/IOP program
Skipping higher levels of care entirely and moving directly into outpatient support
Pausing or discontinuing treatment due to accessibility barriers
This gap highlights the urgent need for increased treatment options in the region, including expanded in-person programs, especially PHP and IOP treatment.
Moreover, the lack of local programs makes eating disorder support harder to access, especially for those who need structured and intensive care.
Why Outpatient Treatment Is the Primary Option in Colorado Springs
In the Colorado Springs area, outpatient care, with dietitians and therapists who work independently or in group practices, is currently the only in-person treatment level available.
These providers play a vital role in recovery by offering:
Nutrition therapy from ED-informed, non-diet Registered Dietitians
Therapeutic support from licensed mental health professionals
Family support and education
Medical coordination with primary care providers and psychiatrists
Long-term recovery planning
While outpatient care cannot replace the medical stabilization or intensive structure required for severe eating disorders, it remains essential for:
Early intervention
Stepping down from higher levels of care
Long-term recovery maintenance
Support for mild to moderate symptoms
Preventing relapse
Outpatient dietitians in Colorado Springs and therapists often collaborate to create individualized care plans grounded in evidence-based approaches such as Intuitive Eating, HAES-aligned care, CBT-E, ACT, or FBT, depending on the provider.
What higher levels of care are available in Colorado Springs?
Because Colorado Springs lacks local in-person treatment programs, individuals often consider the following alternatives:
Virtual eating disorder treatment
A growing number of treatment centers in Colorado offer fully virtual higher levels of care. Virtual programs can provide:
Greater accessibility
Reduced travel burden
Increased schedule flexibility
However, they may still not be suitable for individuals needing in-person medical monitoring, high-acuity care, or difficulties staying engaged in virtual programming.
Transitioning directly to outpatient care
Some clients, due to accessibility limitations and hassle to travel outside the region, begin or resume treatment with outpatient providers in Colorado Springs. And while not ideal for individuals needing intensive intervention, outpatient care remains a valuable and realistic path for many.
Eating Disorder Treatment Options in Colorado Springs
Even though outpatient services are the only best option in the area of Colorado Springs, we do have a strong network of skilled outpatient dietitians who specialize in eating disorder recovery.
These providers support individuals experiencing:
Anorexia nervosa
Bulimia nervosa
Binge Eating Disorder
ARFID (Avoidant Restrictive Feeding and Intake Disorder)
Binge Eating Disorder
Disordered eating
Chronic dieting
Weight cycling
Here is a brief list of high-quality outpatient providers serving the Colorado Springs community. This list is not exhaustive, but simply reflects the services we provide and providers we can personally vouch for!
1. Maddox Nutrition LLC
Location: 6385 Corporate Dr Suite 200, Colorado Springs, CO 80919
Website: https://maddoxnutrition.co/
Specialty: Non-diet, HAES-aligned nutrition counseling; Eating disorder recovery; Disordered eating; Faith-based care, when requested.
Maddox Nutrition provides individualized medical nutrition therapy for clients of all ages. The practice offers a weight-neutral, Christ-centered option (when desired) and emphasizes long-term recovery, body trust, and liberation from diet culture. Two of our dietitians, Liesel Maddox and Natalie Wilson, are Certified Eating Disorder Specialists.
2. Mindful Springs Counseling
Location: 3280 E Woodmen Rd STE 100, Colorado Springs, CO 80920
Website: https://mindfulsprings.com/
Specialty: Psychotherapy for eating disorders; CBT; Family-based therapy; Group therapy.
Mindful Springs provides comprehensive mental health services with an eating-disorder-informed approach that supports both individuals and families.
3. Jordyn Lee Counseling
Location: 4740 Flintridge Dr, Suite 220N, Colorado Springs, CO 80918
Website: https://www.jleecounseling.com/
Specialty: Eating disorder therapy for adolescents and adults; support for co-occurring anxiety, depression, perfectionism, OCD, and trauma
Jordyn uses a compassionate, weight-inclusive framework to support clients through all forms of eating disorders and disordered eating. And she’s in-network with Tricare, Aetna, and Cigna!
4. Tiara Lindsley LPC
Address: 4740 Flintridge Dr, Suite 220G, Colorado Springs, CO 80918
Website: https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/therapists/tiara-lindsley-colorado-springs-co/1133121
Specialty: Therapy support for eating disorder recovery, anxiety, and depression for both teens (age 14+) and adults
Tiara provides warm, compassionate support while incorporating evidence-based therapeutic modalities like CBT, ACT, and DBT. Plus she’s in-network with insurance!
5. Cottonwood Creek Wellness Center
Location: Multiple locations in Colorado Springs and Monument, CO
Website: https://cottonwoodcreekwellness.com
Specialty: Multidisciplinary practice with a few providers specialized in eating disorder treatment
Cottonwood Creek Wellness Center offers support for recovery with both therapists, a dietitian, and psychiatric nurse practitioners all under one practice. Multidisciplinary care is the gold standard for recovery, so anytime we can find multiple treatment team members under one roof is a plus!
Find the right support for your eating disorder recovery journey
Eating disorder treatment in Colorado Springs is limited by the lack of in-person higher levels of care, creating barriers for individuals who need structured support. However, the city is home to skilled outpatient eating disorder dietitians and therapists who deliver high-quality, evidence-based, weight-inclusive treatment.
Choosing the right provider is a crucial step toward healing and reclaiming a balanced, healthy relationship with food.
Remember, recovery is a personal journey, and having the right professional by your side can make all the difference in achieving lasting wellness.
Now, take the time to find the best non-diet dietitian who aligns with your needs and values. Your path to recovery deserves the best support possible!
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What you need to know
The difference between a Dietitian and Nutritionist
A dietitian is a regulated healthcare professional who has completed formal education in nutrition and dietetics, undergone supervised training, and is licensed to provide medical nutrition therapy for conditions such as diabetes, eating disorders, or gastrointestinal issues.
The title “dietitian” is legally protected in many countries, ensuring that only those who meet strict professional standards can use it.
In contrast, the title “nutritionist” is not always regulated, meaning anyone can call themselves a nutritionist regardless of training, though some may hold advanced degrees or certifications. Generally, dietitians are qualified to offer clinical nutrition care, while nutritionists often focus on general wellness and healthy lifestyle guidance.