The Covid-19 pandemic reshaped how mental health services are delivered; on a global scale we had to adapt at a rapid pace to continue to provide care and support for those in need. For eating disorder treatment in particular, it raised an important question: can online therapy for eating disorders be as effective as traditional, in-person care?
At Orri, we’ve been providing specialist treatment through in-person, blended, and online programmes for the last few years. Alongside our own data, emerging research shows that online eating disorder treatment is not only viable, but also highly effective for many people living with eating disorders.
What the research says
A growing body of evidence suggests that online therapy for eating disorder treatment can deliver comparable outcomes to face-to-face treatment. A systematic review in Frontiers in Psychiatry (2022) found that digital interventions for eating disorders were effective in reducing symptoms of anorexia nervosa (AN), bulimia nervosa (BN), and binge eating disorder (BED), while improving quality of life and psychological wellbeing.
Other studies show that online treatment increases accessibility for those who may struggle with geographical barriers, mobility issues, or long NHS waiting times. This flexibility can be life-changing, ensuring more people receive timely support at home.
Orri’s findings: online therapy for eating disorders is as effective as in-person care
Our own study, conducted in collaboration with UCL, looked at outcomes for 569 clients with anorexia nervosa who received either in-person, blended, or online intensive day care at Orri. The findings were clear:
- BMI improvements: All three programmes led to significant weight restoration in underweight clients (p=0.001), with no difference in effectiveness between formats.
- Reduced psychological distress: Clients experienced significant reductions in depression, anxiety, and stress across all programmes (p<0.05), with no difference between them.
- Improved eating disorder symptoms: Restriction, shape, weight, and eating concerns all decreased significantly during treatment (p=0.001).
- High satisfaction: Across all treatment models, clients reported being satisfied or very satisfied, with mean scores of 4/5.
In short, online therapy is just as effective as in-person or blended programmes for supporting weight restoration, reducing psychological distress, and addressing eating disorder symptoms.
Why online treatment for eating disorders works
There are several reasons why online therapy is effective:
- Flexibility and accessibility: Being able to access care from home can help reduce the stress of travel or relocation, especially if mobility is a problem.
- Consistency of care: Online delivery means continuity, even during disruptions like the pandemic or national transport.
- Real-life integration: Clients apply therapeutic strategies directly in the environments where they live, eat, and heal.
- Multidisciplinary support: At Orri, our online programmes mirror our in-person model, with therapists, dietitians, psychiatrists, and medical professionals working together to provide comprehensive care.
Looking ahead
While long-term follow-up studies are still needed, current evidence (including our own research) strongly supports online therapy for eating disorder treatment as a safe and effective alternative to in-person treatment.
At Orri, we believe in meeting clients where they are. Whether in person, online, or through a blended programme, our goal is always the same: to deliver compassionate, specialist care that helps individuals move towards recovery.
We’re here to help
If you or someone you care about is struggling, get in touch with Orri’s team. We’re here to listen, advise, and offer a safe space for recovery.
