Eating Disorder Treatment

Join the growing number of individuals who have decided to reclaim their lives by beginning the journey to recovery.

The outpatient program for eating disorder recovery is designed to provide intensive support for those who are suffering from obesity, bulimia, binge eating disorder, food addiction, and other types of disordered eating. The program is best suited for the individual who desires to make positive changes in life and is motivated to seek help. The program offers professional care for the early stages of recovery and into the aftercare phase of recovery. The days, time, and duration of the program are selected to accommodate most schedules with minimal disruption to job, school, and family obligations.

While participating in the program you will experience the care and support you need to fully address both the behavioral aspects of disordered eating as well as the underlying issues associated with disordered eating to ensure that you have the best possible results for recovery. Groups have a holistic focus combining the benefits of cognitive-behavioral, psycho-dynamic and energy psychology techniques to address the multi-layered symptoms associated with eating disorders. Each group will consist of education, group process and personal sharing, meditation, body image, and stress management techniques. Nutritional education, food planning, and meal support is provided throughout the program. Participants meet weekly with a certified clinical nutritionist to address food issues and begin the process of building a better relationship with food.

The program includes three weekly group therapy sessions, and two individual sessions each week. Groups are scheduled Tuesday & Thursday evening from 5:30 to 8:30pm, and Saturday mornings from 9am-noon. Services include trauma reduction work, body image work, mindful exercise and body acceptance, weekly nutritional consultation, food and meal planning, dinner out, and educational group. Once the 8-week program is completed, participants may continued based on each persons needs and the progress made in the program.

To participate in the outpatient program you will first need to complete the Intake Evaluation, which can be scheduled by calling the office at (520) 531-1040. You will also need to obtain medical clearance from your doctor. A general exam and EKG is recommended. This information is needed prior to your first group meeting.

The program is centrally located at 2561-2 Ft.Lowell between Tucson Blvd and Country Club. This location is easily accessible from the University of Arizona, The Foothills, Oro Valley and surrounding Tucson communities.

The cost of the 8-week program is $3840. A non-refundable deposit of $150 is required to reserve a place in the program and to cover the cost of the Intake Evaluation. The initial deposit is applied to the total cost of the program. Payment can be made by cash, check or credit card. If you would like to use your medical insurance, prior authorization is needed from the insurance company before starting the program. You are responsible for all deductibles and co-pays. Desert Milagros is a provider for Aetna,Blue Cross & Blue Shield, Cigna, TriCare, CONTACT Behavioral Health, Well Point & Deer Oaks EAP. For more information or to request a brochure contact the office at (520) 531-1040. Email:desertmilagros@comcast.net

Tina Suaso is a licensed professional psychotherapist who owns and operates Desert Milagros. She has over 27 years experience in the counseling profession and provides a holistic approach to the treatment of eating disorders. She received a Bachelors in Psychology and a Masters in Human Relations from the University of Oklahoma. She is currently working towards a Doctorate in Psychology with a specialty in Spirituality and Consciousness studies. Tina’s purpose is helping each individual understand their potential for change and embrace their path to healing. She uses a holistic approach that explores the mind/body/spirit connection to dis-ease including techniques in imagery, meditation, and dream work. Through the years she has worked for some of the leading treatment programs in eating disorder recovery, addiction recovery, and mental health.

Lauren Kanzler, C.C.N.: Lauren is a Board Certified Clinical Nutritionist with over 28 years experience in the field of nutrition and eating disorders. Lauren is a mindfulness based, “whole foods” nutritionist with an orientation towards holistic and complementary medicine. She has worked in various residential eating disorder programs, as well as creating the original nutrition program for the famed Miraval-Life in Balance resort and spa. Lauren also worked for Canyon Ranch and provided services through the Tucson Jewish Community Center as the Wellness Director in the 90’s. Laruen’s goal is to support eating disorder recovery through mindfulness-based practices, including mindful eating, hands-on training of whole foods nutrition practices, such as dining out mindfully, shopping and food preparation, and a variety of other skill building tools that promote self care and the healing journey through an eating disorder. Lauren believes that anyone can learn these skills, and that healing an eating disorder is about “filling life in” with what it is meant to be for the individual

Becca Howard, MA, Licensed Professional Counselor: Is a trauma specialist and is skilled in EMDR, EFT and Clinical Hypnotherapy. Becca is further trained in Brain Gym, Psych-K, and treatment for Dissociative Disorders. She skillfully brings together traditional therapies with newer energy psychology techniques to relieve emotional and physical distress and help restore a person to wellness. Her work focuses on the unresolved issues that influence the compulsive cycle of eating disorder behavior and provides the support for each person to gently release negative concepts, trauma, and old belief patterns. She has over 7 years experience working with eating disorders in an integrated model and is dedicated to helping others heal.

Gary Olsen, Certified Personal Trainer: Gary has worked in his field since 1996 and teaches classes for professional massage therapists as well as other groups of people who are looking for self care. He is skilled in teaching tools that are subtle and transformative for bringing about deep levels of acceptance, relaxation, ease and deeply increasing body awareness. Gary became a certified Personal Trainer in 2006.

For more information contact the office at (520) 531-1040. Email:desertmilagros@comcast.net.