Eating Disorder Treatment Options for Recovery

How to Choose a Clinic, Center or Therapy Program for Support

Mar 24, 2009

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When looking for eating disorder treatment options for recovery from anorexia, bulimia or binge eating, first learn which questions to ask.

There are many different eating disorder treatment options for recovery. Follow the steps below to find out how to choose a clinic, center or therapy program to recover from anorexia, bulimia or binge/compulsive eating.

What questions to ask an eating disorder treatment program? How to approach an eating disorder clinic? What are the options for an eating disorder center? Here are the basics for recovery options.

Eating Disorder Treatment Options

Residential In-Patient: These programs happen in a hospital or center where individuals stay for a set amount of time (ranging from a few days in hospital to a few months in treatment centers). This is for the most acute cases of anorexia, bulimia and sometimes binge eating and is the most expensive option. Remuda Ranch is an example of a residential in-patient program.
Out-Patient: Also taking place in hospitals or centers, out-patient programs are for those who are still medically stable enough to stay at home, but need regular (often multiple times per week) appointments with professionals. This can include a team of Doctors, Psychologists and Nutritionists.
Individual Therapy: Most frequently, this is therapy sessions with a psychologist or counsellor. Appointments are made as necessary (from a few times a week to monthly) depending on the severity of the eating disorder and the person’s progress in recovery. As with the two options above, individual therapy can also include family sessions. An example of this is counsellor Shelley Jensen.
Group Therapy: When an individual progresses far enough along in her solo therapy, she has the option of joining group sessions. This is where a therapist moderates while a group of those with a variety of eating disorders can discuss their setbacks and triumphs together. In some cities, organizations like ANAD run free group therapy sessions.

Questions to Ask Eating Disorder Treatment Providers

When choosing a therapy program, clinic or center for recovery, there are helpful questions to ask to help determine whether the potential treatment program is the right fit.

Remember: anorexia, bulimia and binge/compulsive eating disorders are specific issues and professionals need to be properly equipped to handle them.

What is the daily routine of the program?
What are the roles of the team of professionals?
Are family members permitted to be involved?
Is their philosophy one of full recovery, or do they believe that individuals cannot fully recover?
If outpatient, how often do they recommend making appointments?
For therapists, is their behaviour positive and encouraging? What is the gut feeling of the person getting treatment? This is the most important criterion for choosing a professional, a very subjective decision.

Eating disorder treatment options for recovery are many and varied. Make sure to ask lots of questions of the clinic, center, therapy program or professional and make sure they specialize in anorexia, bulimia, binge/compulsive eating or EDNOS (eating disorders not otherwise specified). Recovery is possible.

The copyright of the article Eating Disorder Treatment Options for Recovery in Eating Disorder Recovery is owned by Lori Henry. Permission to republish Eating Disorder Treatment Options for Recovery in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.

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Comments

Mar 25, 2009 5:32 PM

Guest :

This is an excellent article that covers most of the important points in making decisions about treatment.

I especially agree with your last point about "gut feeling". When a person has an eating disorder, she is often blocked from many of her feelings and her intuitive knowledge. But her body is carrying those feelings and awareness. Her gut feelings can lead her in a positive direction.

I would add to your list of questions:

'Does the therapist or treatment team consider a patient cured or well or better when the patient reduces or ends her eating behavior symptoms?'

Or, 'Does treatment continue to help the person develop emotionally and psychologically so those behaviors will not be necessary in the future?'

Thank you for this article. The information is useful for many people looking for help.

Joanna Poppink, MFT
Los Angeles
http://www.eatingdisorderrecovery.com

Mar 26, 2009 2:16 PM

Guest :

My friend died of anorexia 3 months ago. She was healthy as a horse, had an amazing life, up until about a year and a half ago when she started feeling bad about her body and weight....she died at 88 pounds and I miss her every single day. I pray that this never happens to you or your loved ones. Celebrate life as much as possible! By helping, one, you can prevent others. For those who want to help a loved one with this deadly disease, please visit:

http://www.eatingdisorder.com/?utm_source=blog&utm_medium=pv&utm_ content=zs&utm_campaign=home

Apr 3, 2009 1:13 PM

Guest :

Great explanations on the various types of eating disorder treatments. The Center for Eating Disorders at Sheppard Pratt is hosting a professional symposium featuring various eating disorder professionals. Amongst those speaking will be Dr. Kathryn Zerbe. Dr. Zerbe is the author of Integrated Treatment: Beyond the Body Betrayed. On our eating disorder blog she discusses interrelated treatment. To learn more about her book and this treatment option visit: http://eatingdisorder.org/blog/2009/03/30/q-a-with-kathryn-zerbe-md/

Oct 21, 2009 7:29 PM

Guest :

Please visit The Victorian for treating eating disorders in Newport Beach CA.

http://soberliving.com

4 Comments