Overview & Highlights
of Our Eating Disorder Programming and Philosophy of Treatment

Eating Disorder Treatment Philosophy: use of recognized best practices, balance, flexibility and trust

 

In our programs, we help patients restore energy & exercise balance and flexibility & trust through tailored opportunities with experienced staff. Meals and snacks are monitored and carefully balanced to meet individual needs. INDIVIDUAL NUTRITIONAL SUPPORT & MEAL COACHING offered through one on one, in groups, in cooking classes, self-portioning, and on restaurant outings multiple times a week.
Additional opportunities for independence include grocery shopping and challenge outings with experienced dietitians and staff. When medically stable, clients enjoy active groups such as yoga, fitness, daily walks, NIA, dance and movement therapy, and physical rehabilitation. More on our philosophy of care

“Our goal is to empower each patient to act
from a state of mindfulness.”
–Kim McCallum, MD

Location & Setting

McCallum Place is conveniently located in historic Webster Groves, a charming area of St. Louis that has village-like shops, restaurants, parks, and universities within walking distance. Our surroundings offer freedom to practice recovery and privacy-a combination not typically found in a treatment setting. Our programs balance structure and independence, helping individuals build the confidence and skills necessary to let go of their patterns of restrictive eating, purging, and compulsive exercise. See more of our setting.

Treatment Goals

McCallum Place strives to help individuals build the confidence and skills necessary to let go of their patterns of restrictive eating, purging, and compulsive exercise. Our protocols are designed to help patients restore weight minimize relapse with restricting, binge eating, vomiting, and/or compulsive exercise. Our goal is to empower each patient to develop the capacity to act from a state of mindfulness. When in wise mind a person is able to change how food and body image is used to express underlying emotional needs and concerns. Our individual psychotherapy sessions allow for in-depth exploration and group work helps integrate newly acquired skills. We also encourage our patients to practice weight maintenance and flexible eating prior to discharge. When possible, a gradual, flexible step-down program 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.

Insurance

We gladly accept and work with your insurance by checking benefits, updating your insurance company regarding progress, submitting claims, and helping pursue reimbursement. Please call us for current in-network insurance contracts and see our insurance & financial information.

Adolescent Track

A specialized track with separate groups for adolescents and young adults address developmental needs, and teachers help keep students caught up with school work, proctor tests, and tutor during set treatment hours.

Board-Certified Psychiatrists

in child, adolescent, and in adult psychiatry on-site to guide treatment of co-occurring conditions, such as OCD, bipolar disorder, anxiety, addictions, PTSD, and depression.

Evaluation & Treatment Of Medical Issues

such as diabetes, IBS, asthma, seizures, reflux, osteoporosis, dehydration, gastroparesis, bradycardia, hypotension, and metabolic disturbances. Cared for on-site by our board-certified primary care physician.

Best Practices Treatment

combining traditional and experiential group and individual psychotherapies teaching cognitive skills, mindfulness, distress tolerance, interpersonal effectiveness, and emotional regulation, while also addressing core concerns, such as body image, anxiety, trauma, addictions, and adult development.

Easy Access To World Class Medical & Psychiatric Care

if inpatient stabilization is necessary.

Family Involvement & Education

Family therapy and education are important components of our programs. Loved ones are supported and welcomed in the treatment process. We realize some family members expect to be blamed for their loved one's eating disorder, so we want to be clear on this point: you will not experience blame from our team.  Our philosophy is one where the family is an invaluable resource, and we hope to partner with you and be a support for you in addition to your loved one receiving treatment.

Our weekly family support group allows for ongoing dialogue while a loved one is in treatment. Also, individual family therapy is encouraged and set up according to patient and family needs. The 2nd Saturday of every month, families attend an on-site educational and experiential day learning everything about how to support a loved one. Families may attend this free of charge for life. Our weekly family support group allows for ongoing dialogue while a loved one is in treatment. Individual family therapy is encouraged and set up according to patient and family needs.

More details about our family programming included in treatment

Levels Of Care

Extra support is available for those who are beginning the refeeding process, who purge frequently, and exercise compulsively. More about our 24 hour Residential Program

PHP and IOP available for both males and females.

 

• Our EXTENDED PHP is offered seven days a week from 9:30am to 7:30pm, offering structure for up to 70 hours a week.
• Our TRADITIONAL PHP is offered seven days a week from 9:30am to 3:30pm, offering structure for up to 42 hours a week. Patients may either spend the night in our TRANSITION HOUSE, at home, or in an area hotel.
• INTENSIVE OUTPATIENT PROGRAMS offered three hours a day up to six days a week are for medically stable patients who demonstrate the confidence and motivation to meet goals and eat with outside support. We offer real-life preparation options to ease transition and ensure long-term recovery.

"The weeks [I spent] in Residential and PHP were exactly what I needed to get my eating disorder (ED) under control. I’m finally starting to feel normal after years of battling with my ED…could not have done it without McCallum. Thank you!"
– KT, age 38

Transition House

Outpatient & Aftercare

After graduating from our programs, patients may continue with specialized outpatient groups and individual therapy on-site. A weekly Aftercare Alumni Support Group, weekly Family Support Group, and monthly Family Education Day are programs free for life.

Equine & Pet-Assisted Therapies

We offer equine therapy and pet-assisted therapy with our team of Golden Retrievers, helping patients with in-depth exploration and to connect, play, and relax.

Faith

We encourage our patients to use their faith for recovery and strive to accommodate personal religious and/or spiritual beliefs by providing access to resources and services so that one may restore spiritual balance

 

"I had not found a therapist who 'got it'
until I came to McCallum place."
– ES, age 26

"I am living on my own again, and doing well."
– LC, age 24

 

Psychiatric Care for Eating Disorder Patients

Our psychiatrist sees patients regularly, evaluates progress, monitors any co-occurring 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.

"My therapist was absolutely wonderful!
She was truly an angel in my life."
– KE, age 21