The Center for Discovery offers virtual intensive outpatient (IOP) treatment for adolescents (10+) and adults with eating disorders. Treatment lasts 6-8 weeks, and sessions are held through HIPAA-compliant video and available in 11 US states. Center for Discovery is in network with most commercial insurance plans and have insurance specialists to help guide you in the process.
Center for Discovery at a Glance
Cost: Depends on insurance and individual situation
Insurance Accepted? Yes
Available Nationwide? No; 11 states
Pros & Cons of Center for Discovery
Pros - Wide range of eating disorders and co-occurring disorders treated
- In-network with most major insurance companies
- Alumni Program to help support recovery post-treatment
Cons - Virtual treatment only available in 11 states
- Out-of-pocket costs for uninsured patients may be too costly
Preview Center for Discovery
Center for Discovery offers in-person and virtual eating disorder treatment for adolescents and adults with a variety of eating disorders. Center for Discovery’s online eating disorder treatment program aims to reduce barriers to traditional, in-person treatment by offering flexible scheduling while maintaining both group and individual support options. Center for Discovery also treats any co-occurring disorders and primary mental health diagnoses such as anxiety, depression, and trauma-related disorders.
At this time, the Center for Discovery virtual treatment is available in 11 states and is in-network with most major insurance plans. The virtual intensive outpatient (IOP) program is the same treatment program they use for their in-person eating disorder treatment, and all treatment sessions are held through HIPAA-compliant video. The admissions process with the Center for Discovery begins with a referral from your primary care provider or based on self-identification of need. Potential patients will schedule a consultation call and discuss which program may be suitable for them with a specialist.
Eating Disorder Treatment That Works – Delivered At Home
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Center for Discovery Virtual IOP: Detailed Review
Center for Discovery’s virtual intensive outpatient (IOP) program aims to reduce barriers to traditional, in-person treatment options, serving adolescents and adults ages 10 and up. The program is typically 6-8 weeks long, 3-5 hours per day, for 3-5 days per week. They accept almost all insurance plans and specific out-of-pocket costs will vary.
Center for Discovery treats the following eating disorders:
- Anorexia nervosa
- Bulimia nervosa
- Binge eating
- Orthorexia
- ARFID
- OSFED
Review our scoring criteria for online eating disorder treatment here.
Review our complete editorial policies here.
Getting Started
The first step in the admission process is to contact the eating disorder admissions department by calling (855) 376-4632 or visiting the Center For Discovery website to submit a request for more information online. When you call the admissions line, you will encounter an automated system where you leave a voicemail and someone will return your call. A therapist will be assigned to you for the intake process and they will help walk you through all the details.
Follow these steps to complete the admission process:
- Go to the Center for Discovery website and click “Contact Us.”
- Fill out the contact form with information like your name, email, zip code, and what treatment is needed.
- An admissions specialist will call and gather presenting concerns and recommend a treatment program.
- Discuss your costs and insurance benefits with an insurance verification specialist.
- Schedule an intake call and obtain the specifics of the treatment program that has been recommended.
- Begin your treatment program.
Virtual IOP
Center for Discovery recommends patients and families directly contact them for the most accurate and up-to-date information on treatment availability and wait times. Most of the virtual programs for eating disorders will be an intensive outpatient program, with select states offering online partial hospitalization (PHP).
Center for Discovery’s virtual IOP program includes:
- 6-8 weeks of intensive treatment
- 3-5 hours a day, 3-5 days a week
- One-on-one sessions with a therapist and dietitian
- Convenient treatment schedule (morning, afternoon or evening times)
- Discovery App for alumni and family members.
Center for Discovery believes in “recovery for life,” meaning patients and families that have received treatment have access to free aftercare through their free mobile Discovery app. The Discovery alumni community offers around-the-clock private, online peer eating disorder support, nationwide alumni events, and free weekly in-person and online support groups run by a licensed psychologist and Certified Eating Disorder Specialist (CEDS).
It was difficult for me to get in contact with someone from Center for Discovery. I sent an online contact form and I left a voicemail explaining my review of the company. I did not receive any callbacks from these attempts. However, I very luckily met Shelly Gavin, Center for Discovery’s VP of Marketing & Brand Experience, during an in-person function for mental health professionals. After emailing her, I was able to learn more, but I wish I had been able to see a behind-the-scenes experience.
Cost & Insurance Coverage
The Center for Discovery costs are not clear at this time. However, they are in-network with most insurance companies. Out-of-pocket costs depend on the length of your treatment plan and the type of treatments you are seeking. During the admissions process, you will speak with an insurance verification specialist to gather as much information regarding the cost of treatment depending on your program. Patients can request a superbill as needed to submit claims to their insurance for possible reimbursement.
Here is a list of current insurance providers accepted by the Center for Discovery:
- Beacon Health Strategies
- Blue Shield of California
- Cambia Health Solutions
- Carefirst
- Cigna
- CompCare BH
- Coventry / First Health (CCN)
- Employee Health Network (EHN)
- First Choice Health
- Fortified Provider Network (FPN)
- Fresno County
- Halcyon
- HealthNet
- HMC
- Holman Group
- Humana (Life Sync)
- IEHP
- ILWU / PMA Long Shoremens Union
- Indian Health Services (HIS) Shinnecock Unit
- Kaiser
- Magellan
- Marin County
- MCCP
- Merced County
- MHN
- MODA
- MultiPlan
- Networks by Design
- Optum
- Premera BC
- Sharp
- TriCare East – Humana
- TriCare Military MHN/HealthNet
- UHA
- UNICARE – Beacon HS
- US Family-PacMed
- WellPoint
Who Does Center for Discovery Serve?
Center for Discovery virtual eating disorder program is primarily designed for those who are ready to step-down in care from residential or PHP treatment. The virtual IOP program provides more support through program lasting 12-16 weeks, 3-5 days per week, 3 hours at a time, in addition to sessions with your therapist and dietitian. Its programs are primarily for adults 18+, however, the Discovery Mood and Anxiety program is available for children, teens, and adults.
Right now, its online IOP program is available in 11 states: California, Connecticut, Florida, Illinois, Kansas, Maryland, New Jersey, Oregon, Texas, Virginia, and Washington.
Center for Discovery User Reviews
The only online reviews for the Center for Discovery are from its Facebook page, and do not refer to the online IOP program, but rather different in-person clinics run by Center for Discovery across the country. Many report how much they were helped by CFD, while others complain about issues with staff members and billing.
Alternatives to Center for Discovery
While the Center for Discovery’s online IOP may be a great option for those looking for ED recovery help from home, it won’t be the best choice for everyone, especially since it’s currently only available in 11 states. Choosing which is best for you or your loved ones needs will depend on personal preferences, needs, insurance coverage, and care level required.
Eating Recovery Center
Cost: Varies depending on provider
Insurance Accepted? Yes
Available Nationwide? No; 17 states + D.C. so far
Center for Discovery and Eating Recovery Center offer virtual programs, however, the state availability varies. Additionally, Eating Recovery Center offers programming for children, teens, and adults in majority of their virtual programs. Similar to Center for Discovery, Eating Recovery Center is in network with most commercial insurance networks.
Learn more in our Eating Recovery Center review.
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 18 states
- Hard to clarify out-of-pocket costs
Within Health
Cost: Unclear
Insurance Accepted? Yes
Available Nationwide? No; 36 states so far
Center for Discovery and Within Health offer reputable eating disorder treatment options. Center for Discovery provides a wider range of care levels and is available in multiple states, while Within Health specializes in personalized online eating disorder treatment. The choice depends on individual preferences, needs, your insurance plan, and the level of care required. Both the Center for Discovery and Within Health have insurance specialists to answer your questions.
For more information about how their virtual program works, you can read our in-depth review of Within Health.
Pros & Cons
Pros - Customized technology built specifically to treat eating disorders virtually
- Comprehensive, multidisciplinary team
- Flexible, personalized scheduling
Cons - Unclear which insurance plans are accepted
Why You Can Trust My Review
Center for Discovery has been a trusted, in-person treatment facility for eating disorders since 1997. While their virtual program only began in 2020, it is still run by the same licensed clinicians and treatment providers as the in-person treatment facilities. Overall, their online eating disorder program has helped make eating disorder recovery even more accessible than before and I look forward to their continued expansion in more states.
History of the Center for Discovery
Year Founded: 1997
Founder: Dr. Craig Brown
Headquarters Location: Irvine, CA
The Center for Discovery and Discovery Mood and Anxiety Program were established by Dr. Craig Brown in 1997 bringing “real-life recovery” to their residential, PHP, and IOP programs. It wasn’t until the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 that a virtual program became available and became recognized as a main treatment option for Center for Discovery and Discovery Mood and Anxiety. Center for Discovery continues to work on expanding both virtual and in-person treatment centers nationwide.1
Frequently Asked Questions
What Credentials do Center for Discovery Providers Hold?
Center for Discovery’s leaders and clinicians are actively involved in the eating disorder community and field, serving as directors, board members, and leaders across many organizations including: International Association for Eating Disorders Professionals (IAEDP), The Alliance for Eating Disorder Awareness, Academy for Eating Disorders (AED), Behavioral Health Nutrition (BHN), International Federation of Eating Disorder Dietitians (IFEDD), the Residential Eating Disorder Consortium (REDC), and more.2
How Am I Connected With a Provider on Center for Discovery?
You are matched with a treatment team based upon your admissions process.
Can I Change Providers?
Yes, you may change providers, but you must contact someone on your treatment team or supervisor to request this change.
Can I use my FSA or HSA Funds?
Yes, you can using your HSA for mental health funds to pay for services with Center for Discovvery.
Can I Leave Treatment Early?
No, it is not advisable for you to leave your treatment program early. If you feel like leave treatment early you should discuss your feelings with your treatment team so they can help you.
Is Center for Discovery HIPAA Compliant?
Center for Discovery’s online virtual program is powered through a HIPAA-compliant company, Kipu Health. If you have further concerns about Center for Discovery’s Privacy Policy contact their Privacy Officer at (714) 828-1800 ext. 385.
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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Discovery Behavioral Health. (n.d.). Our History. Retrieved from https://careers.discoverybehavioralhealth.com/history
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Center for Discovery. (2023). Center for Discovery Brochure. Retrieved from https://centerfordiscovery.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/CFD22_Brochure-View2-3.pdf
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Center for Discovery. (2025). Insurance Verification. Retrieved from: https://centerfordiscovery.com/insurance/
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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: Lena Suarez-Angelino, LCSW (No change)
Medical Reviewer: Benjamin Troy, MD (No change)
Primary Changes: Updated states covered and added a map; updated insurance coverage; updated images; updated formatting; fact-checked and edited entire article for readability and clarity.
Author: Lena Suarez-Angelino, LCSW (No change)
Medical Reviewer: Benjamin Troy, MD (No change)
Primary Changes: Added article summary block, star rating, and “Why You Can Trust My Review” section.
Author: Lena Suarez-Angelino, LCSW
Medical Reviewer: Benjamin Troy, MD
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