The Renfrew Center’s online eating disorder treatment, Renfrew@Home, offers Day Treatment, Intensive Outpatient Treatment, and Outpatient Groups. Patients have supported meals, family and individual therapy, nutrition, and medication services. Renfrew@Home treats anorexia, bulimia, avoidant/restrictive food intake disorder (ARFID), orthorexia, binge eating disorder, diabulimia, and other specified feeding or eating disorders (OSFED). The Renfrew Center accepts many major insurance plans.
The Renfrew Center at a Glance
Cost: Varies based on insurance coverage and individual situation
Insurance Accepted? Yes
Available Nationwide? No, 30 states
Pros & Cons of The Renfrew Center
Pros
- At home virtual IOP, PHP, & Support Groups
- Specialty support groups celebrating diversity
- Programming informed by an industry-leading research team
- A long history of treating eating disorders
- Medication management services
Cons
- Treatment is not available to cisgender males
- Virtual care is only available in 30 states
- Hard to clarify out-of-pocket costs
Preview The Renfrew Center
Through Renfrew@Home, The Renfrew Center offers virtual eating disorder treatment at home through an intensive outpatient program (IOP) or a partial-hospitalization program (PHP). Renfrew@Home can treat cisgender adolescent girls and adult women, transgender, and non-binary individuals. Renfrew@Home accepts insurance, and out-of-pocket costs vary by individual. Renfrew@Home is currently available in 30 states.
Renfrew@Home is equipped to treat all eating disorders, including anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, binge eating disorder, OSFED, ARFID, diabulimia, and orthorexia. The Renfrew Center can treat co-occurring disorders, including anxiety, depression, substance use, and trauma. The Renfrew Center’s first in-person location opened in 1985, giving them a lengthy history in the field of eating disorder treatment, and they work to keep their virtual programming the same as their in-person treatment.
Renfrew@Home does not treat cisgender adolescent boys or adult men, and programming is only available in 30 states. These groups of people will need to seek out an alternative to The Renfrew Center. If you’re looking for treatment for an eating disorder and don’t know where to start, visit Project HEAL for valuable resources.
Eating Disorder Treatment That Works – Delivered At Home Eating disorder treatment is hard – which is why you shouldn’t have to do it alone. Equip provides compassionate, evidence-based virtual treatment that supports you every step of the way, and allows you to recover at home without pressing pause on your life. Covered by insurance.
Detailed Review of Renfrew@Home
The Renfrew Center offers IOP and PHP treatment for cisgender adolescent girls and adult women, transgender, and non-binary individuals in 30 select states. Most states serve ages 14+, but some states can treat patients as young as 12. Patients or their families can call 1-800-RENFREW to determine if they are old enough for the program.
Review our scoring criteria for online eating disorder treatment here.
Review our complete editorial policies here.
Renfrew@Home is equipped to treat eating disorders, including anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, binge eating disorder, disordered eating (or OSFED), ARFID, diabulimia, and orthorexia. The Renfrew Center can treat co-occurring disorders, including anxiety, depression, substance use, and trauma.
With Renfrew@Home, patients can expect individual and group therapy, as well as support during meals and snacks. The admissions process and out-of-pocket costs will vary based on the individual and availability. Renfrew@Home clinicians utilize the same model as in-person treatment, integrating a relationship approach with the latest scientific research. Clinicians utilize Relational-Cultural Therapy, Exposure Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy-E, Family Therapy, Dance/Movement Therapy, Dialectical Behavioral Therapy, Mindfulness, and Art Therapy.
Family therapy plays an important role during the Renfrew@Home program, which involves weekly family sessions. Family members can receive additional support through Multi-Family Groups for current and former patients and their friends, partners, and family members and through Support Person Services to help increase understanding and effective communication around eating disorders.
Getting Started
Admittance to Renfrew@Home starts with an initial intake call with a Program Information Specialist. From there, an assessment determines your appropriate level of care and connects you with your treatment team.
Here are the steps you can take to get started with Renfrew@Home:
- Contact The Renfrew Center at 1-800-RENFREW (736-3739), via email at [email protected], or through the “Contact Us” or “Live Chat” features available throughout their website.
- Discuss your needs with a Program Information Specialist and schedule an assessment to determine your best care level.
- Have an assessment with an experienced Renfrew clinician and make a plan.
- On your first day, get oriented to Renfrew’s program, your clinical team, and the patient community.
- Begin treatment with a customized plan based on your individual needs, and then begin attending your first sessions.
Renfrew@Home Virtual IOP
Renfrew’s Virtual IOP offers more support than traditional outpatient eating disorder treatment, but without the hassle of in-patient or even in-person care. Sessions are held three times a week, and are centered around building emotional tolerance and resilience with a community of support.
Virtual IOP treatment includes:
- 1 supported meal per day
- Psychiatric services as needed
- Nutrition consultation
- Group therapy
- Psychoeducation
Renfrew@Home Virtual Day Treatment
Virtual Day treatment is an intensive program for those not quite in need of residential support. It is held five days a week, and includes:
- Group and individual therapy
- 2 meals per day and snacks
- Expressive therapies
- Medication management
- Nutrition therapy
- Psychoeducation
- Weekly psychiatric evaluation and follow-up
Renfrew@Home Virtual Outpatient Groups
Virtual outpatient groups offer several types of group therapy and support group settings that could be helpful to those recovering from eating disorders, as well as family members. Groups can be long-term or short-term, depending on the client’s needs.
Types of groups offered include:
- Adolescent Group
- BIPOC Group
- College Student Group
- Eating Disorder Group
- SAGE (Sexuality and Gender Equality) Group
- Thirty Something and Beyond Group
- Multi-Family Groups
- Support Persons Groups
How Much Does The Renfrew Center @Home Program Cost?
The Renfrew Center’s Renfrew@Home costs vary based on each individual’s insurance coverage. You must reach out to them directly to begin exploring what your individual costs will look like.
The website for The Renfrew Center states they accept over 400 insurance plans throughout the country. Some top providers include:
- Aetna
- Optum/United Behavioral Health
- Blue Cross Blue Shield
- Humana
- Cigna
- And more!
The Renfrew Center does help petition for benefits and can create single-case agreements with insurance carriers where they are out-of-network, meaning they can help create a contract for you to receive services through them for a designated length of time at an agreed-upon rate.
Who Does The Renfrew Center Serve?
The Renfrew Center offers programming for specific groups and may be best for college students, individuals needing substance use and trauma programming, and those seeking faith-based sensitivity and support. It offers specialty support for a wide variety of people, including comprehensive, affirming care for trans and non-binary individuals.
Note that The Renfrew Center doesn’t offer care to cisgender male adolescents and adults.
The Renfrew Center User Reviews
Finding user reviews specific to Renfrew@Home was difficult. Most of the reviews I found were for in-person locations of The Renfrew Center. Some of the in-person service reviews appreciated the comprehensive approach to treatment along with the experienced therapists. Others mention feeling like the quality of care has suffered as treatment centers such as The Renfrew Center have expanded into multiple locations.
Alternatives to The Renfrew Center
Alternatives to The Renfrew Center’s Renfrew@Home include Eating Recovery Center’s virtual IOP, Recovery at Home, and Within Health.
Eating Recovery Center
Cost: Varies depending on provider
Insurance Accepted? Yes
Available Nationwide? No; 17 states + D.C. so far
Both The Renfrew Center’s Renfrew@Home and Eating Recovery Center offer comprehensive virtual treatment options for individuals dealing with eating disorders. They share similarities in providing a range of therapeutic modalities, nutritional counseling, and family support. Both programs cater to a diverse population, including adolescents and adults.
Eating Recovery Center’s Recovery at Home only offers IOP and does not include a medication management component in comparison to Renfrew@Home’s IOP and PHP, and psychiatric services are available to both. Eating Recovery Center does provide treatment for cisgender adolescent boys and adult men.
Learn more in our review of Eating Recovery Center.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Ability to treat co-occurring mood and anxiety disorders
- Support for families and caregivers
- Covered by most commercial insurance plans
Cons
- Virtual care only available in 17 states plus D.C.
- Hard to clarify out-of-pocket costs
Within Health
Cost: Unclear
Insurance Accepted? Yes
Available Nationwide? No; 41 states so far
The Renfrew Center and Within Health both offer comprehensive virtual treatment options for people dealing with eating disorders. Both platforms prioritize accessibility and convenience, allowing users to engage in therapy from the comfort of their homes. They provide a range of therapeutic modalities tailored to address the complexities of eating disorders, offering support groups, individual therapy, and nutritional counseling.
While The Renfrew Center has a long-established reputation and a larger network of therapists, Within Health focuses on a more tech-savvy and contemporary approach, often appealing to those comfortable with online platforms. The cost and insurance coverage may vary between the two, with factors such as location and specific services influencing the financial aspects.
Learn more in our Within Health review.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Serves teens and adults ages 13 to 70
- A multidisciplinary treatment team of psychiatric providers (PHP only), therapists, dietitians, nurses, and care partners
- Provides meals shipped directly to you
- Financing options available
Cons
- Costs are unclear
- Not yet available nationwide
Why You Can Trust My Review
Eating disorders are complex, with many contributing factors and serious consequences. When I’m referring someone to a higher level of care, it’s important to me to trust the history of that program and its ability to treat eating disorders safely. I appreciate centers with proven histories of in-person treatment that are increasing access to care through virtual programming.
Being familiar with options available for eating disorder treatment, I do believe Renfrew@Home is a good option for individuals needing more support than outpatient care but not needing a higher level of care. When someone is experiencing barriers to in-person treatment, I think it’s helpful to explore virtual options provided by in-person locations such as The Renfrew Center.
History of The Renfrew Center
Year Founded: 1985
Founders: The Menaged family
Headquarters Location: Philadelphia, PA
The Renfrew Center first opened its doors in 1985 and is privately owned and operated by the Menaged family.1 The second facility opened in 1990.2 Expansion has continued to provide greater access to care for cisgender adolescent girls and adult women, transgender, and non-binary individuals.
The Renfrew Center is active in educating professionals and patients on the prevention and treatment of eating disorders. The Renfrew Center has treated over 100,000 patients.1 The Renfrew Center was highlighted in July of 2023 for its resources, information, and support for minority individuals with eating disorders.3 This reflects The Renfrew Center’s emphasis on diversity.
Therapists and counselors at Eating Recovery Center are at least master’s level and hold licenses, including LPCs, LMFTs, and LCSWs. Clinicians do receive training specific to working with eating disorders. Individuals are matched with their treatment team based on the needed virtual PHP or IOP program and the state where they are located. Because patients are matched to their treatment team, a potential change in provider, when possible, is discussed on an individual basis to determine what would be most therapeutic. We are unsure at this time if the Renfrew Center accepts FSA or HSA funds to help pay for out-of-pocket costs associated with their virtual eating disorder program. We have reached out to the company and are waiting for a response. The Renfrew Center is not a subscription or account-based service. Termination will happen upon completion of the length of stay and will be discussed with your treatment team. Some individuals are discharged for reasons other than successful completion, including discharging against medical advice (AMA). No, likely, you would not receive a refund for treatment received through The Renfrew Center. You can reach The Renfrew Center at 1-800-RENFREW (736-3739). The Renfrew Center and Renfrew@Home are HIPAA compliant. The Renfrew Center is accredited by the Joint Commission, a non-profit organization that accredits and certifies healthcare organizations in the United States. This means that The Renfrew Center meets or exceeds rigorous standards for quality care and patient safety.Frequently Asked Questions
What Credentials Do the Renfrew Center Providers Hold?
How Am I Connected With a Provider at The Renfrew Center?
Can I Change Providers?
Can I use my FSA or HSA Funds?
How Do I End My Stay with The Renfrew Center?
Does The Renfrew Center Offer Refunds?
Is The Renfrew Center HIPAA Compliant?
ChoosingTherapy.com strives to provide our readers with mental health content that is accurate and actionable. We have high standards for what can be cited within our articles. Acceptable sources include government agencies, universities and colleges, scholarly journals, industry and professional associations, and other high-integrity sources of mental health journalism. Learn more by reviewing our full editorial policy.
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About Us. (n.d.). The Renfrew Center. Retrieved November 27, 2023, from https://renfrewcenter.com/about/
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admin. (2021, February 12). History of The Renfrew Center | A Letter From Our Founder. The Renfrew Center. https://renfrewcenter.com/founders-letter/
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Massey, M. (2023, July 23). Renfrew Center offers resources to combat barriers facing minorities over eating disorders. CBS News. https://www.cbsnews.com/baltimore/news/renfrew-center-offers-resources-to-combat-barriers-facing-minorities-over-eating-disorders/
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Financial Considerations. (n.d.). The Renfrew Center. Retrieved from: https://renfrewcenter.com/admissions/insurance-coverage-cost/
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Virtual Treatment. (n.d.) The Renfrew Center. Retrieved from: https://renfrewcenter.com/virtual-treatment/
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Stretcher, Amanda. (October 2025). Eating Recovery Center Review: Pros & Cons, Cost, & Who It’s Right For. ChoosingTherapy.com. Retrieved from: https://www.choosingtherapy.com/eating-recovery-center-review/
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Guarnotta, Emily. (August 2023). Within Health Review: Pros & Cons, Cost, & Who It’s Right For. ChoosingTherapy.com. Retrieved from: https://www.choosingtherapy.com/within-health-review/
We regularly update the articles on ChoosingTherapy.com to ensure we continue to reflect scientific consensus on the topics we cover, to incorporate new research into our articles, and to better answer our audience’s questions. When our content undergoes a significant revision, we summarize the changes that were made and the date on which they occurred. We also record the authors and medical reviewers who contributed to previous versions of the article. Read more about our editorial policies here.
Author: Amanda Stretcher, LPC (No change)
Medical Reviewer: Benjamin Troy, MD (No change)
Primary Changes: Updated information about each online program offering; updated insurance information; updated images; fact-checked and edited throughout.
Author: Amanda Stretcher, LPC (No change)
Medical Reviewer: Benjamin Troy, MD (No change)
Primary Changes: Added article summary block, new star rating, and “Why You Can Trust My Review” section.
Author: Amanda Stretcher, LPC
Medical Reviewer: Benjamin Troy, MD
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