A Personalized Roadmap to Recovery

At LiftWell, we provide more than just treatment; we offer a comprehensive, personalized roadmap to recovery. Our “prescription for wellness” approach ensures that every client receives a systemic treatment plan designed to address the mind, body, and spirit. Rooted in systems theory, our programs recognize that individuals exist within a broader context, such as family, community, and social environments. By exploring and expanding these areas, we empower our clients to build a meaningful and sustainable foundation for recovery.

Programs and Services at LiftWell

Integrated Treatment for Mental Health and Eating Disorders

We specialize in treating eating disorders, mental health diagnoses, or both, using an integrated approach that reflects our belief in the interconnectedness of these challenges. Whether clients come to us for support with an eating disorder, a mental health diagnosis, or the complexities of both, our programs address these needs holistically, recognizing that mental health and physical well-being are deeply linked. Unlike traditional approaches that separate eating disorder care from mental health treatment, LiftWell combines evidence-based modalities to address the full scope of each individual’s experience, going beyond symptom management to uncover and treat the underlying causes for lasting transformation.

Comprehensive Programs for Adults and Adolescents

Our programs are designed to meet the unique needs of both adults and adolescents, providing intensive support through our Partial Hospitalization (PHP) and Intensive Outpatient (IOP) programs. Beyond clinical programming, we emphasize purpose and connection. Our Purpose Program helps clients rebuild their sense of self-worth by engaging in meaningful community service, while our Family Support Services ensure loved ones are equipped to play a key role in the recovery process.

Program Elements and Features

At LiftWell, our programs are built on foundational elements that empower clients to achieve purposeful, long-term recovery. Each component has been thoughtfully developed to address the complexities of healing, providing clients with the skills, tools, and support to succeed. Use the menu to explore the core features of our PHP and IOP programs.

  • LiftWell uses a comprehensive range of evidence-based therapies to address the unique needs of each client.

    For Adults: Individual therapy, group therapy, family therapy, dietary evaluations, and psychiatric evaluation and medication management.

    For Adolescents: All clinical services are developmentally tailored, with a focus on family involvement, academic support, and emotional regulation. Modalities include RO-DBT, CBT, ERP, and ACT.

  • PHP (Partial Hospitalization Program): 5 hours per day, 5 days a week.

    • Includes two individual sessions, family/support system sessions, dietary sessions, and access to a personal recovery mentor.

    IOP (Intensive Outpatient Program): 3 hours per day, 3 days a week.

    • Includes individual therapy, group therapy, family/support system sessions, and access to enrichment activities.

  • LiftWell is dedicated to providing recovery in real life, allowing clients to apply therapeutic skills to their everyday routines and relationships. Our clinical team facilitates a wide variety of on- and off-campus enrichment activities, including:

    • Life skills training

    • Creative and artistic pursuits

    • Outings to cultural and natural locations, such as beaches, museums, and libraries

    • Volunteer opportunities

    • Dining exposures and intuitive body movement practices

  • For clients with eating disorders or disordered eating, LiftWell’s state-of-the-art kitchen plays a critical role in recovery. Clients work with our registered dietitian to:

    • Develop a sustainable, positive relationship with food

    • Practice menu planning and food preparation

    • Participate in food challenges and therapeutic meals

    These interventions align with LiftWell’s belief that all foods fit within a healthy, balanced lifestyle.

  • Daily group therapy helps clients build skills and prepare for life beyond treatment. These sessions include:

    • Emotional regulation and peer support

    • Practical life skills training

    • Meal preparation and education

    • Opportunities to share experiences and strengthen interpersonal relationships

Adult Programs

LiftWell’s Adult PHP and IOP programs deliver a higher level of care, offering intensive, evidence-based treatment for adults navigating mental health challenges, eating disorders, or both. With multiple hours of clinical services each week, our programs are designed to establish a strong foundation for self-regulation, behavior change, and long-term coping.

Our commitment to recovery in real life means clients receive the caliber of care typically associated with residential treatment while remaining at home, surrounded by the routines and relationships that bring stability and joy. By blending intensive treatment with real-world integration, our programs empower clients to test and refine their skills in the environments where they matter most.

LiftWell’s programs are the result of decades of research and practice, crafted by nationally recognized experts in eating disorders, family therapy, and mental health. With a curated clinical team of seasoned specialists, we provide expert-driven care that is both personalized and transformative.

Adolescent Programs

At LiftWell, we understand that children and teens today are facing unprecedented mental health challenges, with distressing symptoms presenting at earlier ages and impacting their ability to navigate school, relationships, and personal growth. Our Adolescent PHP and IOP programs are designed to meet these needs by providing intensive, developmentally tailored care in a supportive and structured environment.

Our adolescent programs emphasize academic integration and skill-building to ensure that teens stay on track with their education while receiving the therapeutic support they need. We also recognize the critical role of peer connection in recovery and personal development. Through group therapy and shared experiences, teens learn to build healthy relationships, practice social skills, and find solidarity in a community of peers facing similar challenges. By fostering self-awareness, emotional regulation, and healthy family dynamics, we empower teens to take charge of their mental health and build resilience for the future.

Family Support Services

At LiftWell, we believe that recovery doesn’t happen in isolation—it is rooted in the connections and relationships that support growth and healing. Families are often the bedrock of a client’s life, but we understand how navigating a loved one’s mental health or eating disorder can feel overwhelming and confusing. Our family-centered approach is designed to strengthen these essential relationships, providing the tools, education, and emotional support needed to foster connection, resilience, and balance within the family system.

Recovery is about more than the individual; it is a shared journey. At LiftWell, we empower families to become active participants in this process, helping them build a foundation of understanding, compassion, and effective communication that can sustain recovery long after treatment ends.

  • Understanding how to talk about mental health or eating disorders can be challenging, even for the most well-meaning families. We help loved ones learn how to approach sensitive topics with empathy, avoiding language that may unintentionally trigger shame or guilt. Through guided sessions, families practice compassionate communication techniques that foster openness, trust, and connection.

  • Whether you’re supporting a teenager finding their footing or an adult rediscovering their identity, striking the right balance between independence and interdependence can be difficult.

    Our programs provide strategies to help families navigate boundaries, support autonomy, and maintain a healthy dynamic where everyone feels valued and respected.

  • Food can be a sensitive topic, particularly in families supporting a loved one with an eating disorder. We offer education and practical tools to help families reframe mealtime as a space for connection rather than conflict, gently guiding them through how to approach discussions about food and body image with care.

  • Mental health challenges and eating disorders can strain even the strongest relationships, whether between parents and children, partners, or other loved ones. Through family therapy, coaching, and support groups, we help families and support systems rediscover their shared strengths and rebuild trust. By addressing relational dynamics, we aim to create emotionally attuned, harmonious connections that grow stronger together, fostering a sense of unity and resilience.

  • Supporting a loved one’s recovery can be exhausting, and caregivers often neglect their own needs in the process. Our weekly caregiver support groups provide a vital space for parents, partners, and loved ones to find community, share experiences, and learn effective ways to care for both their loved one and themselves.

Purpose Program

Building a Life of Meaning and Connection

At LiftWell, we believe that recovery is about more than managing symptoms—it’s about building a life filled with meaning, connection, and purpose. Central to our therapeutic approach, the Purpose Program integrates community service and personal development into the recovery process.

For many clients, finding purpose offers a powerful reason to recover, especially when internal motivation may feel out of reach. Our program helps clients identify their unique strengths and passions, then channel them into opportunities to give back to the community. Volunteer activities, tailored to each individual’s interests and goals, allow clients to experience the fulfillment of making a meaningful contribution, while simultaneously rebuilding self-worth and confidence.

Rooted in the “Prescription for Wellness” Philosophy

The Purpose Program is grounded in LiftWell’s “prescription for wellness” philosophy, which takes a systemic approach to recovery by addressing mind, body, and community. By adding positive and enriching experiences to their lives, clients expand their world, develop new skills, and find reasons to heal that extend beyond themselves. This approach empowers them to shift focus from the inward struggles of their eating disorder or mental health challenges to the outward impact they can have on others and the world around them.

How it Works

Weekly Purpose Group: Clients explore personal values and goals, discuss progress, and receive mentorship.

Volunteer Placements: Clients select from a curated list of pre-approved activities and organizations, dedicating at least one hour per week to service.

Mentorship and Reflection: Staff mentors provide support and guidance, helping clients navigate placements and reflect on their experiences.

Expanding Opportunities and Strengthening Connections

LiftWell is actively working to expand opportunities for service by partnering with local organizations and creating activities where clients and staff can work together to serve the community. These shared efforts strengthen the bond between clients, their peers, and the wider world, fostering a sense of belonging and connectedness

Recovery Through Purpose

The Purpose Program teaches clients that recovery is not about losing something, but about gaining the tools and perspective to live a meaningful life. By helping others, clients discover their own unique contributions, find inspiration to continue their journey, and reconnect with the world in a deeply fulfilling and transformative way.

Your Next Step to Recovery

At LiftWell, we understand that finding the right treatment can feel overwhelming. Many of our clients have tried other programs, only to find that being away from home and their natural support systems made progress difficult. Others have struggled to find care that effectively addresses both mental health and co-occurring challenges like eating disorders.

Our life-integrated treatment model ensures you can recover while staying connected to what matters most—your family, your community, and the routines that bring stability to your life. By blending innovative therapies with personalized care plans, LiftWell offers a unique approach to healing that fosters real, lasting change.

We invite you to take the first step by exploring our programs and learning more about how we can support you or your loved one. Contact us at 203-908-5603 or use our online form to schedule a consultation or tour of our Westport, CT facility. At LiftWell, recovery begins with connection, purpose, and care.

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