Testimonials

"Thank you so much for all that you at the IOP. I know that it was instrumental in my daughter's recovery. Not only did you help her, but you also empowered my husband and me to be an active and influential part of her recovery. Never once did I feel uncomfortable with the program - especially with regard to respect for parental control. I have nothing but good things to say about you and your work at the IOP. I've given my pediatrician the information as well so that she can help her future patients to find a place to heal. Our daughter continues to amaze us with her return to normalcy. She has played a season of field hockey, enjoyed school so far and has a fun social life too. Thanks so much for everything."

"I want to thank you so much for everything you, and Walden, did for me. Residential was the best thing I could have done for myself, there would not have been any other way. I'm seeing my friends all the time, doing things I enjoy, and looking at colleges, and on top of that eating whenever I need to; pasta, chocolate, and ice cream included. I was up in MA the other day for my brothers hockey tournament and while I was there I toured BU ( and my mom and I waved to you, just so you know, when we passed the exit to Waltham). My parents seem proud of me, and I think I'm starting to be a little proud of myself. I am getting my life back, and enjoying it. You helped me do that, actually Walden saved my life. Thank you."

"I wanted to thank you for all of your help and let you know how great your program is. I learned so much from everyone, I can't thank you guys enough. All of your groups were helpful and I learned so much from them. I still look back to my notes and handouts when I need a little extra motivation. I wanted to let you know how much being there and taking the advice and help has changed my life. Thank you so much!"

"I clearly remember sitting in J's office crying over a graham cracker crumb and even though during that moment I was crying and hated her, I'm looking back at it now giggling because of how incredibly stupid it was, (and for the record J, I don't hate you) and I'm so happy I'm where I am now and not where I was 5 weeks ago. I may not be fully cured of this crazy disorder, but at least I'm able to say I'm just that much better. I'll miss you guys and I'm so appreciative for all the help I've gotten, the skills I've gained and the comfort of having a team of people who care about me. Thank you so much!"

"Although I don't know you, I am sure that I have experienced some of the feelings that you have when I started the program. I was sad, angry and completely overwhelmed. It was difficult for me to trust and let my guard down. Slowly that began to change. There were times that I didn't believe in myself but that staff believed in me. When I slipped they were there to catch me and let me know that it was ok. I learned how to express my feelings and get my needs met. The changes you experience may be initially subtle, but they will happen. I have been to many facets of treatment over the past 30 years and I can honestly tell you that I have never experienced a more supportive environment. When that ED voice gets strong and you want to quit, try to remember a life for you exists without it. Even if you can't see it right now, let them guide you. I can't promise this journey will be easy, but I can say this, that it will be worth it. At times when you feel alone just remember there is someone out there rooting for you. I wish you all the best."

"Thank you for everything you've done for me and my recovery process. You've all been such a special part in getting me to this point...It's all the little things you do everyday that help all us patients through. I will always remember each and every one of you and how supportive you were in helping me through this difficult part of my life. Thank you."

"I really respect and appreciate all you have done for me. You have made me feel as comfortable and made this place be as close to my home as it can get...Some of you made me laugh so hard I started to cry and some of you made me feel so good I felt like I could fly. So thank you, so very much again."

"Dear Alcott Staff, I just wanted to say thank you for all the great care that I received there. I went there expecting to be judged and found only acceptance and I thank you for that."

"Thank you for all your support and confidence. I came in a scared person, terrified, not knowing what to expect and you welcomed me with open arms. I know the battle is mine, but I couldn't have started and gotten this far without your support and encouragemen...Thank you from the bottom of my heart. This has truly been a life changing experience."

"Upon entering Walden, I didn't know anything about eating disorders or having an eating disorder. My therapist suggested to me that perhaps this was the reason I was experiencing depression, a lack of control over my behaviors and that I could benefit from treatment. I was hesitant about entering treatment, believing that if I just changed, I didn't need it. I did end up entering treatment not knowing what to expect. The first day was overwhelming and I don't think there was a way that I could have even prepared for it. I left feeling exhausted and overwhelmed, but came back the next day anyway. The first week was difficult and I was still tired, but not as overwhelmed. As I got to know the staff and the other patients more, I felt myself relaxing. Over time, there have been a number of things that have been very helpful for me about Walden and about my specific treatment plan. Firstly, the meal plan was vital in allowing me to become open to my treatment. Before treatment, I was having trouble even getting up in the mornings and sometimes avoiding school, work and appointments for days at a time. The meal plan was instrumental in changing this, because after about a week, I felt more energetic and able to think more clearly throughout the day. Eventually, the meal plan became second nature and habitual. After the meal plan helped me physically, I as able to start practicing other physical and mental skills. In PHP, yoga practice helped me to feel more energetic and to practice mindfulness. DBT skills also allowed me to practice getting in touch with myself, finding peace of mind, to build honest relationships with others and most importantly, ways to reach out for help when I was in need of help. I have found it easy to incorporate these skills into my daily life and they have made such a difference in my attitude, level of happiness and energy. Walden was extremely helpful for me because of the validation in the program as well. At Walden, an eating disorder is taken as a serious illness which is not always the case in wider culture. This was important to me, because at first, before I found ways to explain to others that my condition is a serious one, Walden explained this to me so I could start to believe it. This attitude from the staff also let me know that they were there to help me and cared about my progress. The atmosphere is an open one and one of trust and honesty, which is so important in any program for recovery. Leaving treatment, I know that Walden is not a cure-all for my problems. My eating disorder behavior has been severely reduced. So much so, that I feel ready to battle it with only the help of my nutritionist and my therapist. In the few months that I have been at Walden, I have grown as a person dramatically and I am pleased with the progress I made. I feel less anxious and more confident than I can ever remember being. Most importantly, I feel prepared for what the future will bring and for any lapses in recovery (not relapses!)."

"Walden Patients, As we all know, our eating disorders do not like to be backed up against a wall and cornered. ED tries to blame anyone and everything in order to stay in our lives and have control over our thoughts, feelings and behaviors. When I was sent to Walden's partial hospitalization program essentially against my will, my eating disorder did exactly that. It made me blame everyone for my behaviors and I was very angry with the world. It was not the first time I walked through the doors at Walden. A few months before this round of treatment, I went to Walden and didn't come back after my first day. I was so malnourished that my thoughts were completely distorted to the point where I was a walking eating disorder. After that one day of treatment, I tried recovery on my own but I was unable to survive the eating disordered thoughts. They consumed me entirely to the point where my education was at stake. I was told by the Dean of Students at my college that I would not graduate in May if I did not attend an eating disorder treatment program. So, I took a four week medical leave from school and that was how I ended up at Walden- the place that was my savior. Throughout my time spent at Walden (ten weeks to be exact) I learned what my triggers were that made me engage in eating disordered behaviors. I learned new coping skills to incorporate into my daily life and how to deal with feelings that came up during mealtimes. The program at Walden was unlike any other program I have done. The groups are extremely informative and I learned an immense amount about myself throughout my stay. My favorite group would have to Process Group (or as we call it, Pull Your Chairs Closer Group). This is a time where it is more of an open forum where issues about your eating disorder can be talked about without the structure of a certain topic. It is a time where other patients can relate to one another and can offer coping skills and new ideas. The staff at Walden would have to be a portion of that program that made the most difference in my stay. They are all very wonderful and so understanding. They know where you are coming from and do not pass any judgments. I was very hesitant to open up to staff, but throughout my time, I gained comfort in knowing that the staff was there for unconditional support any time that I needed it. As my stay at Walden was getting closer to ending, I was told by staff and fellow patients that they saw a remarkable change in me. I was no longer the girl who was being run by her eating disorder. Instead, I took back charge of my life. I was very sad to leave both the PHP and IOP programs at Walden because I was scared of not having the unconditional support and structure that the program provided. I can honestly say that Walden helped me realize that life is worth fighting for and recovery is possible, with hard work and dedication. Keep fighting."

"Welcome, First off I want to give you credit for either starting or continuing your personal path towards recovery. It takes a lot of strength and courage to be in treatment and I hope that you keep that in mind and give yourself credit for taking this step; because I give you credit and want to tell you that it is worth it! When I started treatment I had lost myself, I was ambivalent, guarded and unsure. The staff here were gentle, patient and supportive as I began to open up about things in my life I never had. The staff never judged me yet encouraged me to learn who I was and wanted to be as a person. While at Walden I bean to feel my emotions again, with help I was able to get through anxiety and depression and begin to feel real happiness for the first time in a long. I am now able to put into words the emotions that I tried to hide for so long. By showing my emotions, I am better able to connect to people. By really pushing myself to engage in groups I started to regain what my eating disorder took, who I was. It was not an easy road, but it has been very worth it and I would not change any of it. To not have my day dictated by my eating disorder is an amazing feeling, one that I hope you soon have. I always believed other people could recover but I could not. I am proud to say I was wrong. It takes an army to fight an eating disorder and the program at Walden is the best at helping. They helped me find myself again. Yes I know I will have bad days but also believe I have the tools to get through them. I hope that you find some comfort and hope from my letter because I have been where you are. I wish you the very best in your recovery, because yes recovery is possible!"

"I'll start by saying the one thing that no one really probably wants to hear because it has to be said, recovering from an eating disorder is probably the hardest thing you will ever have to do. However, you can and will do it. For me, going to Walden to receive support while on my path to recovery was scary, anxiety-provoking, downright annoying and the most worthwhile thing I have ever done. Regardless of how long you suffered from an eating disorder, you have experienced what it is to live ruled by a disease that tells you that you neither want nor need to recover. Knowing this, try not to live a life devoid of an eating disorder, because although it's the ultimate goal, it may often feel unrealistic, but rather, live life one moment at a time. In each moment know that you can do nothing to change the past or guarantee the future, but that in each moment it is in your full power to make the decision to give all you have to allow that second in time to belong to you and not a disease. Know that no matter how badly you desire to recover and no matter how hard you work, chances are you will not reach recovery without at least some setbacks; and that's ok. For every time it feels as though a mistake means the end of all hope for recovery, remember that each time you are able to pick yourself back up after you fall and continue forward you will become stronger and wiser and more fully you. If it helps, take comfort in knowing that you are not the first person to walk into Walden and you will not be the last. Know that those before you have all struggled and found here a staff that supports those who come to them with compassion and expertise, as well as peers in the program who love those in their treatment group with unconditional acceptance and admiration. I read in a book what I think is a perfect summary of what it means to recover from an eating disorder. The message was basically; "Grow and be kind to yourself along the way." Please remember this message as you free yourself, in both the times when you feel wholly yourself again and the times you feel crippled and unable to go on. Become all you can be. Recover from your eating disorder and learn what you are made of and who you can become. At the same time, as you grapple with your eating disorder, accept that it does not define you. Take time to acknowledge the achievements you make in all aspects of your life while accepting and learning from your mistakes. Live your life, become all you can be and kick ass along the way!"

"Walden tries to create this safe net for everyone who walks through the doors. I can tell you that it was not easy. I tried to resist, I tried to argue, I tried to reject other peoples' ideas, I tried to stay closed minded to recovery, but deep in my heart, I knew I could try here. You are safe here. Give yourself and Walden a chance, and remember, every little step you take forward is a step forward. Even if you only take a few tiny steps, those are a few tiny steps you won't have to take next time. And - you can start to live. I hope that is what will continue for me. I have been given the opportunity to see my life and myself in a completely different way - and, at the very least, I was given a snap shot of life free from ED. This is the first time I have ever believed that maybe that is a truism."

"I guess I imagine a world where none of us has to struggle with eating disorders. Where none of us feel that we are not worthy of love from others or ourselves. Where people are judged from the inside out, not the other way around. Where we feel like we can deal with our worst emotions without beating on ourselves. Where we all believe that there are people out there who love us enough to try to understand our eating disorders. Where women will stop putting down other women based on their looks and judge them on their kindness instead. Where we all will be willing to ask for help and accept the offer of help when given. Where life is about more than food, more than self hatred."

"I have struggled with an eating disorder for 18 years. I do not remember a time I didn't think about food or how my looks affected my everyday life. Through my time at Walden, I have actually been able to make some room in my brain for other things. While you may be skeptical about some of the treatments at first, give them time, you will find yourself using the skills without even realizing it. Plus, you will find yourself surrounded by smart, loving, non-judgmental women and men who are pulling for you every step of the way and who really do understand where you are coming from and where you want to be someday. It has been amazing for me to say something that no one has EVER understood, and watch a whole room of people shake their heads in understanding."

"I can't honestly tell you what full recovery will look like for me someday. But, I can tell you that after being in the program for eight weeks, I am a completely different person. I entered the PHP feeling lonely, depressed, and on the verge of giving up. I didn't really want to come to treatment, but I knew I had to for the sake of my children. My first few days were difficult, I'm not going to lie, but I urge you to give yourself, the staff and the program a chance. If you let it, it will help you. Even if you just move toward recovery and self awareness a little - that will be an amazing accomplishment."

"I think the best part of the program was learning that I was in control. My self-esteem has soared in the past few months."

"(Walden) saved my life. I'm feeling positive, no longer bingeing, and I'm able to eat foods that I was afraid to eat before"