Eating Disorder Treatment Philosophy
 McCallum Place provides comprehensive medical and psychiatric care, specialized psychotherapies and nutritional support for patients with eating
disorders. Our state-of-the-art eating disorder treatment facility and eating disorder therapy programs,
which integrate the latest findings from eating disorders research with
experienced clinical practice, are designed to create an environment of structure and support.
Our eating disorder treatment staff includes onsite
psychiatrists, registered dietitians, an advanced practice
nurse, and experienced psychotherapists. Each is an eating disorders specialist, comfortable with the monitoring and
support required during refeeding. We follow weight gain
protocols for malnourished patients that are safe and well
tested. Tube feeding is available for patients in need of
extra calories and support as they begin the weight
restoration process. Weights and vital signs are monitored
daily, and, if required, blood tests are collected weekly.
Brief medical or psychiatric hospitalization is arranged
if it becomes necessary to stabilize any acute problems.
In all we do, we strive to help
individuals build the confidence and skills necessary to
let go of their patterns of restrictive eating, purging,
and compulsive eating. Our protocols are designed to help
patients restore weight to within 90% of ideal body weight
and to minimize relapse with binge eating, vomiting, and
compulsive exercise. Patients practice weight maintenance
and flexible eating prior to discharge. When possible, a
gradual step down is recommended to ease the transition
back to independent living.
We give individuals suffering from eating disorders, including anorexia and bulimia, the power to
manage the fears associated with new meal expectations and
changes in body size. Our goal is to change the way each
individual uses food and body image to express underlying
emotional needs and concerns.
 Our psychiatrist sees patients regularly, evaluates
progress, monitors symptoms, and coordinates treatment.
Medications are sometimes recommended for core symptoms of
the eating disorder as well as for any psychiatric
conditions requiring attention; such as anxiety
depression, obsessive-compulsive disorder, post-traumatic
stress disorder, attention deficit disorder, and substance
abuse.
Therapists and staff receive
extensive, ongoing training to offer the type of feedback
that encourages the adoption of balanced, flexible and
appropriate eating habits. Through counseling and group therapy, we seek to equip individuals with tools helpful
in managing loss, role transitions, and emotional
distress. Perfectionism and interpersonal effectiveness
are a major focus. Therapists work with patients to
understand those underlying concerns that first led to
their eating disorder behaviors. The importance of
building and refurbishing family and community supports is
emphasized.
At McCallum Place, care and experience give way to
restorative treatment, opening new doorways of hope and
possibility. Patients leave McCallum Place with the tools
and strategies necessary for healthy eating and with
practices useful for discovering a more balanced and
satisfying life. |
