The Immersive Virtual Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP) is an online mental health treatment program specifically designed for individuals struggling with eating disorders. The term "Immersive Virtual" reflects our unique combination of videoconferencing while simultaneously interacting in a customized online video game setting. Our program offers a comprehensive approach to recovery, integrating evidence-based therapies with the flexibility of virtual care to support individuals in their healing journey.

The online video game takes the place of the brick and mortar treatment center. Clients show up in the online environment just like they would arrive at a physical treatment center. Each client creates an avatar resembling them during the onboarding process and joins the private online community. Once they are onboarded into the online environment each client has their own private "Housing Plot" where they can design and decorate their home, visit the houses of others within the treatment group, and actually attend treatment at the Treatment Center in the online environment. Clients can participate in all kinds of activities ranging from cooking to farming, fishing to catching butterflies, completing quests and earning coins for things like upgraded their outfits, purchasing decor for their housing plot, and of course, eating. Most of the structured treatment takes place at Cielomar's private online environment, but clients also have the ability to play around in the "Adventure Zone", the larger open world of the video game. There is no real-life financial cost in the online environment, and clients who graduate from the program successfully can remain in the Alumni Community within the online environment to continue engaging in the game with other Alumni if they wish. The online environment creates a cooperative space in which clients can connect with one another while being remote. This makes it so that virtual treatment isn't just a static Zoom session, it is a dynamic and engaging experience that makes clients actually want to participate fully.

Our program utilizes a combination of evidence-based treatments including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Nutritional Counseling, Emotion-Focused Family Therapy (EFFT), Interpersonal Therapy (IPT), Solutions-Focused Therapy, and Experiential Therapies. These therapies are designed to address the psychological, emotional, and physical aspects of eating disorders. Our therapeutic curriculum, which has been tried and true since 2010, was developed to offer a mixture of skills-based and depth-oriented approaches. Client learn practical skills and tools to take with them in their recovery, while also examining the deeper aspects of themselves, which contribute to the Eating Disorder. We don't have a one-size-fits-all approach, and we customize our treatment groups and sessions to meet the specific needs and preferences of each of our clients.

In addition to the core treatment services, we offer several additional services to support your recovery journey. These may include individual therapy sessions, family counseling, nutritional workshops, and access to a variety of online resources such as guided meditations, educational materials, and support forums. Our goal is to provide a comprehensive support system tailored to your needs.

The length of the program varies depending on individual needs, but the typical duration ranges from 8 to 12 weeks. Each participant’s progress is regularly reviewed to ensure that they are receiving the appropriate level of care for their specific situation.

Our program is designed to support individuals with a wide range of eating disorders, including Anorexia Nervosa, Bulimia Nervosa, Binge Eating Disorder, Avoidant Restrictive Food Intake Disorder and other specified feeding or eating disorders (OSFED). Our team will conduct an assessment to ensure that the program is suitable for your specific condition. In addition, the vast majority of our clients are struggling with other areas in their mental health, such as depression, anxiety, OCD and trauma. As such, we are not just an eating program. We provide support for the whole person and work with them to improve their overall mental health along with their eating disorder recovery.

Absolutely! Our program is designed to be flexible and integrate into your daily life. While the program requires a significant time commitment, it allows participants to continue their work, school, or other responsibilities while receiving treatment.

Our virtual sessions are conducted via secure video conferencing platforms to ensure your privacy and confidentiality. You will need a stable internet connection, a computer (such as a laptop or desktop computer), and a quiet, private space where you can participate in sessions. We utilize a specialized video camera for mealtimes, which we lend to clients for the duration of treatment at no cost. As an additional service to our clients, we can provide you with a technology bundle, which includes a laptop computer, mouse, headset and camera, which we lend to you for the duration of treatment at no charge.

Our program is designed to ensure personalized care, so we limit the number of participants in each group session to maintain an intimate and supportive environment. Typically, group sessions have between 6 to 10 participants, allowing for meaningful interaction and individualized attention from our treatment team.

While we monitor vital signs to ensure participants' safety through the use of at-home wearable devices, the VIVA Virtual IOP Program does not provide medical treatment. It is important that participants remain under the care of a medical doctor while in the program to address any medical concerns related to their eating disorder. Our team will collaborate with your healthcare providers to ensure comprehensive care.

Yes, many participants join our program while receiving other forms of treatment, such as individual therapy or medical care. We will coordinate with your existing treatment providers to ensure that the VIVA Virtual IOP Program complements and enhances your current treatment plan.

To enter the program, participants must undergo an initial assessment conducted by our clinical team. This assessment helps determine whether the program is appropriate for your specific needs and ensures that you are medically stable to participate. This process can sound intimidating, but we really try and make it easy and straightforward. Medical clearance is usually obtained by having your Physician fill out our Medical Clearance form and having a set of recent labs provided. We can walk you through the logistics of this as part of your admission process.

The program is open to individuals who are 13-17 years old for our Teen cohort, and 18 or older for our Adult cohort. All participants are experiencing eating disorders, and may be experiencing additional struggles as well. However, we have to make sure all participants are safe for this level of care, so if you are actively suicidal or in the midst of a serious mental health crisis, it's probably best to wait until that gets sorted out before engaging in the program. Participants must be medically stable enough to not require higher levels of care, must be willing to engage in the program, and motivated to recover. We understand motivation isn't easy to define, but there has to be something driving you to recover. Participants must be able to engage in virtual sessions, have a stable internet connection, and demonstrate a commitment to the treatment process. Our initial assessment will help determine if the program is the right fit for you.

If our clinical team determines that you require a higher level of care during your participation in the VIVA Virtual IOP Program, we will work with you to arrange a transition to a more intensive treatment setting, such as a residential or inpatient program. Your safety and well-being are our top priorities, and we will support you in finding the appropriate care.

After completing the program, participants have access to our Outpatient services, which include ongoing therapy, nutritional counseling, and check-ins with our team to ensure continued progress in recovery. In addition, successful completion of the program makes you eligible to participate in the Alumni Community within the metaverse! There, you can meet other Alumni or keep in touch with peers you might have met during treatment. We are committed to providing long-term support to help maintain the gains made during the program.

The vast majority of cost of the VIVA Virtual IOP Program is covered by insurance. In the event that insurance coverage is not available or affordable, we work with clients to make sure the financial component does not prevent them from getting the treatment they deserve. We strive to make our program as affordable as possible and offer payment plans for those who may need financial assistance. For detailed pricing information, please reach out to our admissions team.

Yes, we accept a variety of insurance plans to make our program accessible to as many people as possible. Please contact our admissions team to verify whether your insurance plan is accepted and to discuss any out-of-pocket costs that may apply. We are constantly joining increasing numbers of insurance networks to make our services available at the most affordable possible rate.

Our treatment team consists of licensed and experienced professionals, including clinical psychologists, licensed therapists, registered dietitians, and medical doctors. Most of our Team have been working together for years when we were employed at Cielo House, a nationally-recognized group of Eating Disorder treatment centers established in 2010. Each member of our team specializes in the treatment of eating disorders and is dedicated to providing compassionate, evidence-based care. With combined decades of experience in providing treatment for Eating Disorders, our highly seasoned team has the experience and the enthusiasm to make sure our clients attain recovery.

Cielomar Recovery was founded by Dr. Matt Keck and Sofia Keck, the Founders of Cielo House. Cielo House was a nationally-recognized group of Eating Disorder programs, started in 2010 and acquired by a larger entity in 2020. That larger entity closed down all of its Eating Disorder treatment programs nationwide in 2024, including Cielo House. Committed to continuing the healing community they created, Matt and Sofia started Cielomar Recovery. Going back to our roots as a literal mom-and-pop shop, we are pleased to offer the Immersive Virtual IOP Program as a resource for those who need it. Matt and Sofia are always happy to speak anyone in the community about our vision and goals!