Eating Disorder Treatment Philosophy:
Evidence-Based, Balance, Flexibility and Trust

Nutrition & Our Programming

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.

“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…

Our Code of Ethics

At McCallum Place, our code of ethical behavior is designed to help improve patient outcomes by respecting each patient's rights and conducting business relationships with employees, patients and the public in an ethical manner. Read more about our Code of Ethics.

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 and minimize relapse around 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.

Family Therapy and Education

Family Therapy and Education are important components of our programs. Loved ones are supported and welcomed in the treatment process. Once a month families attend an on-site educational and experiential day. We share everything you need to know about how to support a loved one and 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. We also offer and encourage individual family therapy according to patient and family needs.

Psychiatric Care for Eating Disorder Patients

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.