THERE ARE MANY places where teenagers can receive treatment for an eating disorder. Parents, counselors, and physicians can help them find a program that meets their needs. Most programs are outpatient, where the teen lives at home but goes to the treatment center daily or a few times a week. Eating disorder specialist Dr. Joanne Witkowski believes outpatient treatment is more effective than inpatient because it enables people to work out family relationships and problems as they deal with their eating disorder.

However, sometimes an inpatient center is necessary. Outpatient treatment may have failed, the teen may be in danger of dying from medical complications, or the family situation might be unstable and even contributing to the problem. Different centers have different philosophies of care and costs vary, so it is important for families to learn about a center and...