Center for Change uses complementary therapy methods to help the "whole person" through the eating disorder treatment healing process. This multimodal approach ensures a comprehensive and individualized experience which builds self-esteem and confidence, and increases long-term recovery success.

ASSESSMENT AND EVALUATION:

Every client who enters the Center's Inpatient and Residential Treatment Programs undergoes two weeks of intensive assessment and observation along with ongoing treatment planning. Clinical assessments include a nursing assessment, medical history and physical exam, psychiatric consultation, mental status examination and admitting evaluation, nutrition assessment, education assessment, and an expressive arts and recreation therapy assessment.

MEDICAL AND PSYCHIATRIC CARE:

Each client at the Center receives an initial examination by a physician and continued routine medical care under a physician's guidance throughout their stay at the Center. They also receive an initial psychiatric consultation and evaluation along with regular visits with a psychiatrist during their treatment. Medical care and psychiatric medications are provided based upon the individual needs of every patient.

INDIVIDUAL THERAPY:

Each client at Center for Change is assigned a therapist with specialized training and experience in the field of eating disorders. In individual sessions, the therapist works one-on-one to explore and understand specific issues, challenges, and progress. The therapist forges a strong relationship of trust with the client and monitors progress throughout the program. Clients receive four individual therapy sessions weekly in inpatient care and two sessions weekly during residential treatment.

"When I came to Center for Change, I had no hope and no faith. The first night I went to bed thinking, 'These people can't really help me and I'll never be able to change'...But I quickly found out I was wrong. These people knew more about me and my 'real' problem than I did. The doctors helped me get to the root of my eating disorder and helped me look at the other issues. They gave me my life back and now I can be the real me!" 
Former Patient

GROUP THERAPY:

Center for Change creates a loving, family-like atmosphere where women can openly share their fears, triumphs, and personal issues. Group therapy helps them feel more comfortable in relationships and helps them discover they are not alone in their struggle to conquer the eating disorder. Daily therapeutic group sessions are conducted by experienced therapists.

BODY-IMAGE THERAPY:

This therapy group is devoted to helping women learn to accept and appreciate their bodies. This group challenges the negative messages regarding women's bodies that come from the media, peers, or family. They learn skills which help them to stop blaming their bodies and to recognize the beliefs and feelings that lead to negative body-image and eating disorder patterns.

NUTRITION THERAPY:

Our philosophy at the Center focuses on improving clients' relationships with food and helping them to eat intuitively according to hunger and fullness. Each client receives individual counseling sessions and group nutrition classes with a registered dietitian each week during inpatient care. They receive dietary counseling and guidance throughout residential care as well.

Dietary counseling sessions and classes include education on topics including: Relearning to Sense Hunger and Fulness, Making Peace with Food, Enjoying the Eating Experience, Body Metabolism, Food and Exercise, Relapse Prevention, and more. Sessions include trips to grocery stores and local restaurants for challenging and healing experiences. These opportunities to explore and redevelop a healthy relationship with food and their bodies make the nutrition program at Center for Change highly unique and individualized. The Center's program which focuses on the intuitive approach to eating has been a pioneer and a leader in eating disorder dietary treatments.

"Hope for tomorrow; hope for recovery; hope for life. We all need hope and if there is one thing we can take with us from Center for Change, it is that hope is within our reach." 
Former Patient

12 STEP AND SPIRITUALITY GROUPS:

Center for Change offers semiweekly 12 Step Groups which utilize traditional 12 Step principles designed and adapted specifically for those suffering with the addiction of an eating disorder.

The Center also offers a research-based, non-denominational spirituality group which emphasizes clients' use of their own spiritual beliefs to aid them in their recovery. Additionally, Yoga is an experiential and spiritual approach offered in the program.

RECREATION THERAPY:

The Center's Recreation Therapy Program includes recreation, leisure counseling, and experiential therapy. The program features experiential interventions which include activities and challenges to help facilitate client changes in attitude, behavior, and self-esteem. Structured recreation therapy sessions are held three to four times per week and include volunteer service, leisure skill building, and educational outings. The program also includes Sand Tray Therapy, Ropes Challenge Courses, and Equine Therapy. Through involvement in these activities, clients develop social skills and experience self-discovery, self-acceptance, self-nurturing, and spiritual well-being.

OTHER EXPERIENTIAL THERAPIES:

Experiential Therapy at the Center is a philosophy and a general approach, not just a specific activity. We understand that talk therapy is not enough. Additional primary experiential modalities include Music Therapy, Art Therapy, and Dance and Movement Therapies. Music, Art, and Nia movement sessions are offered each week.

These treatments promote creativity, self-exploration, self-expression, expression of difficult feelings, enhanced feelings of self-awareness and self-respect, and a new sense of self-mastery. They also help women become more in tune with their bodies and the interplay and connection between mind, spirit, and body.

FAMILY THERAPY:

Family Therapy is a critical part of treatment at Center for Change. The Center helps women and their families heal through family involvement in the recovery process. Therapists help clients and their families explore family rules, boundaries, structure, communication styles, responsibility, and effective coping strategies that can help restore harmony and foster improved communication within the family. Family Therapy is required weekly with adolescents and as needed with adults during the inpatient stage of treatment. "Family Therapy Week" at the Center provides intensive and extensive family education and therapy including multiple-family group therapy and family ropes course experiences.