Specialized Therapeutic Treatments

Center for Change uses complementary therapy methods to help the "whole person" through the 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 patient who enters the Center's Intensive 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 patient 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 individual weekly visits with a psychiatrist during their acute inpatient treatment. Patients are under the care of a registered nurse 24 hours a day during inpatient and residential treatment. Medical care and psychiatric medications are provided based upon the individual needs of every patient.

INDIVIDUAL THERAPY:
Each patient 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 patient and monitors progress throughout the program. Patients receive four individual therapy sessions weekly in inpatient care and two sessions weekly during residential treatment.

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 patients' relationships with food and helping them to eat intuitively according to hunger and fullness. Each patient 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.

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 patients' 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
patient changes in attitude, behavior, and self-esteem. Structured recreation therapy sessions are held three to four times per week and include volunteer service, leisureskill building, and educational outings. The program also includes Sand Tray Therapy, Ropes Challenge Courses, and Equine Therapy. Through involvement in these activities, patients 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 patients 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.