Treatment Options
Various methods of treatment are available to support you on your path towards recovery. Following your initial consultation, you and your psychologist will discuss which treatment approach would be the most beneficial for you.
Individual Therapy
Individual therapy involves working primarily one-on-one with your psychologist in an office based setting. Depending on your needs and therapist availability, these sessions can be held once, twice, or three times weekly. For younger children and some adolescents, parents are brought in at the end of each session to update them on anything the child or adolescent feels might be helpful, so that the parents can continue to provide support at home.
When individuals are engaging in exposures, there is also an option to have sessions held off site.
When individuals are engaging in exposures, there is also an option to have sessions held off site.
Family Based Therapy (FBT) / Maudsley Approach
Family Based Therapy (FBT) is the most evidence based treatment model for individuals struggling with eating disorders. The Maudsley approach involves having parents play an active role in supporting their child's recovery. In the initial phase of this treatment approach, parents and children are taught how our bodies work as well as the dangerous of malnutrition. Parents are supported in helping their children return to a healthy way of eating with the intent of restoring the individual to a safe weight, determined by the individual's genetics. During this phase, parents learn to externalize the eating disorder symptoms while supporting their child. By the end of this phase, individuals gain first hand evidence that their greatest fears (e.g., that they will continue to gain endless weight) are not grounded in reality and that eating this way will keep them where they are meant to be. In the second phase, control over eating is handed back to the adolescent with their parents' support. Simultaneously, while progressing through these first two phases of the Maudsley protocol, the adolescent has the opportunity to work individually with their psychologist to gain individual support and work through any underlying issues that may be impeding progress. As success is attained in these areas, the focus of treatment shifts to helping the adolescent work to establish a healthy identity.
Family sessions can also be advantageous when working with individuals struggling with other disorders, specifically at times where family discord may be impeding recoveryhis allows the family to work through any issues that may be impacting their relationships with one another.
Family sessions can also be advantageous when working with individuals struggling with other disorders, specifically at times where family discord may be impeding recoveryhis allows the family to work through any issues that may be impacting their relationships with one another.
Group Therapy
Child, Adolescent, or Young Adult Groups (OCD and body image groups available)
Groups therapy consists of 3-6 individuals who are around the same age. Groups meet with a psychologist on a weekly basis to discuss different strategies and coping skills that they can use on their path towards recovery. All groups are designed to empower individuals to move forward in their recovery, and include a combination of discussion and hands on activities.
Parent Groups (for parents of children struggling with OCD or Eating Disorders)
Parent groups are designed to help parents gain a better understanding of: 1. the disorder their child is struggling with, 2. what the recovery process entails, 3. what their role is in this process, and 4. how to manage the difficult situations that arise on a weekly basis. Although parents often find this a good place to receive support from the psychologist and other parents, the goal of this group is to help parents feel more confident and empowered in the treatment process.
All groups are time limited. Group sessions are typically held once a week and are offered in 6 or 8 week session blocks.
Groups therapy consists of 3-6 individuals who are around the same age. Groups meet with a psychologist on a weekly basis to discuss different strategies and coping skills that they can use on their path towards recovery. All groups are designed to empower individuals to move forward in their recovery, and include a combination of discussion and hands on activities.
Parent Groups (for parents of children struggling with OCD or Eating Disorders)
Parent groups are designed to help parents gain a better understanding of: 1. the disorder their child is struggling with, 2. what the recovery process entails, 3. what their role is in this process, and 4. how to manage the difficult situations that arise on a weekly basis. Although parents often find this a good place to receive support from the psychologist and other parents, the goal of this group is to help parents feel more confident and empowered in the treatment process.
All groups are time limited. Group sessions are typically held once a week and are offered in 6 or 8 week session blocks.
Telepsychology
It is not always possible for individuals to make it to sessions in person, either due to distance or other logistical factors. Given this, telepsychology options are available. This may include phone sessions, or video sessions using Simple Practice (a HIPAA compliant platform).