Today’s adolescents are facing many challenges and an alarming number are experiencing some form of a mental health crisis including disordered eating. It is estimated that at least 30 million people in the US have an eating disorder and 95 percent of people with an eating disorder are between the ages of 12 and 25. Eating disorders are on the rise among adolescents and teens including obesity, which is at epidemic proportions. Left untreated, eating disorders are destructive to growing bodies and can set up the potential for like long health issues. Eating Disorders also have the highest risk of death of any mental illness. The good news is that eating disorders are treatable and recovery is possible.

This program is for adolescents, 12-17, who are affected by anorexia, bulimia, binge eating disorder, obesity, ARFID, and other forms of disordered eating. The program is designed to give each teen skills to recover from disordered eating and build a healthy relationship with food, in addition to focusing on important life skills. Skills are taught to increase self-esteem, body acceptance, problem solving, healthy expression of emotions, and better communication skills.

If your child is dealing with an eating disorder, we are here to help. Our skilled therapists and dietitians will guide your child and support your family in finding solutions that work and support the recovery process.

The Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP) offers up to 10 hours of services each week. Services include group therapy, individual sessions with a therapist, and dietitian. Groups are scheduled after school from 4pm-7pm and meet three times each week. Currently two groups are in-person at the clinic and the third group is held virtually through a secure video format.

Our PHP program is customized for each patient to address both the psychological and behavioral aspects of their disordered eating and co-occurring issues. Our PHP program provides a more structured treatment environment. Our PHP program is customized for each patient to address both their disordered eating and co-occurring issues.

The initial length of stay is a minimum of 8 weeks but varies based on each person’s progress in the program. There are three levels of care offered which include PHP, IOP, and Outpatient.  Outpatient sessions are available to those patients who have completed PHP and IOP and are working with their individual therapist to transition to care within the community.

Groups are structured and follow a curriculum designed to engage each teen in learning skills that support their recovery. Weekly groups include process and sharing where each teen explores and practices effective coping skills to replace their disordered eating behaviors. Teens receive nutritional education and learn how to build healthy meals, in addition to challenging their food fears, rituals, and phobias. Holistic fitness is included to reduce body shaming and help teens become more comfortable with their bodies, and to understand the role appropriate exercise has on health and wellness.

Teens meet with their therapist regularly throughout the treatment process to enhance their recovery process. These sessions are designed to provide one-to-one support and provide each teen in-depth time to address recovery issues. Parents are often invited to participate in the therapy sessions to help strengthen communication with their teen and to support each other through the treatment process.

A cornerstone of the program is nutritional support which includes meal support, nutritional education, mindful eating skills, weight restoration, and learning the intricate role that nutrition has on mind/body health. Patients meet with the dietitian for an initial assessment to address food concerns and develop a meal plan that supports the recovery process. Regular sessions with the dietitian are scheduled throughout one’s stay in the program to allow each patient time to discuss their challenges with food and begin building a healthy relationship with food and nutrition.

During the program, teens participate in outings to learn grocery shopping, practice healthy dinning out, and confront their fears of eating in public and around others.

Parents are welcome in the teen program and are encouraged to take an active part in the treatment process. Parents and guardians are expected to participate in family sessions during their teens individual therapy session. Frequency depends on the needs of the patient and their family and is established with the therapist.

A specific support group is available for parents and guardians that meets twice a month and is facilitated by one of our licensed therapists. Parents and guardians are given information to better understand the complexities of the recovery process and tools to interact with their teens in a meaningful and helpful way. A primary focus of the parent support group is to help parents gain a better understanding of their teen’s developmental process skills and the complexities of the recovery process.

All of our teen groups meet from 4:00pm - 7:00pm, Monday through Friday. During the intake process, specific days of attendance are assigned based on treatment needs. All individual sessions are scheduled outside of group time and are based on the therapist and teen’s schedule.