FAQs: Residential Eating Disorder Program

What types of treatment and support services are offered in the residential eating disorders program?
Each resident will work with all members of the Walden Place team, which includes mental health counselors, a primary therapist, a nurse, a psychiatrist and a nutritionist. Each resident will receive:

• Individual therapy, at least once per week, with the primary therapist.
• Family therapy, at least once per week, with the primary therapist.
• Nutrition counseling, at least once per week.
• The highly structured residential environment includes group meals and snacks, seven days a week. Mental health counselors provide support at meal times.
• Daily support meetings with mental health counselors, and additional meetings with the program nurse and physician as needed
• An intensive group therapy program, seven days per week. Programming includes shared meals, relapse prevention, stress management skills, body image, cognitive behavioral therapy skills, dialectical behavioral therapy skills, recreational therapy, substance abuse counseling, nutrition counseling, relaxation skills, expressive arts, self-help, journaling, yoga and goal setting

Therapeutic passes are provided for patients to practice and reinforce healthy behavior changes outside of the program. Use of therapeutic passes is planned and closely monitored.

What should a patient in the residential eating disorders program expect?
During their orientation, residents must sign a treatment contract that says they agree to follow program guidelines and rules. Residents agree to participate in the nutritional aspects of the program. Residents must be willing to prepare and eat three meals and three snacks per day of variable foods. Meals must be varied and must follow nutritional guidelines for the program. Residents must be capable of self-administering medications.