Eating disorders aren’t about food. Rather, they’re about an underlying psychological condition. To assist affected people with healing, there are plenty of women’s eating disorder treatment centers. What should you look for when choosing between women’s eating disorder treatment programs?
Start with the Treatment Delivery Method
Narrow down the selection of available women’s eating disorder treatment programs by the care delivery method you prefer. For the vast majority of clients, this will involve a residential stay. You’re making the decision to immerse yourself in the facility’s therapeutic environment. It’s an excellent choice for regaining your overall health.
That said, some facilities offer a scaled-down version of the residential program. They call it a partial hospitalization. You spend the day at the center but return home at night. Besides that, there are outpatient programs that let you schedule therapy on a part-time basis.
What to Expect from High-Quality Women’s Eating Disorder Treatment Programs
Outpatient or residential women’s eating disorder treatment centers focus on the conditions’ underlying causes. Rather than trying to get you to adhere to a diet, they help you construct a healthy lifestyle. Doing so includes a broad range of therapeutic interventions. Examples include the following:
Group sessions that focus on body image education
Cognitive behavioral therapy as a way to notice dysfunctional patterns and change them
Nutritional counseling that helps you decide on a healthy meal plan for long-term healing
Family counseling, which encourages loved ones to learn about the disorder and become members of your support group
Psychiatric care for program participants with underlying mental health challenges such as anxiety, PTSD, or depression
You work with experts in their fields. Examples include medical doctors, psychiatrists, personal trainers, dieticians, and similar professionals. One of the most critical aspects of care involves planning for a healthy lifestyle. The goal is to prevent a recurrence of the eating disorder.
Frequently, this step calls for support group meetings and alumni events at the care center. Sometimes, program participants may also elect to continue care on an outpatient basis to remain connected to the facility.
Accreditations Make a Difference
If you’ve narrowed down your selection of eating disorder treatment centers for women, look at the certifications. Undergoing an accreditation process means that a facility believes in the transparency of its operations. Most importantly, it feels confident in its practices to open the books to outsiders. Similarly, it means that the center provides evidence-based treatments.
A Joint Commission (JCAHO) certification is an excellent place to start. The Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities (CARF) is another option. Also, look for a connection to local support group chapters. Frequently, these relationships support your aftercare planning.
Make the Decision to Get Help
There’s no shame in seeking help for an eating disorder. The sooner you start the process, the sooner you’ll be able to graduate from the program. Most importantly, participating in one of the high-quality women’s eating disorder treatment programs protects your health. Don’t wait any longer to reach out for help!