Outpatient Services
Most clients obtain a referral to the Eating Disorders Outpatient Clinic from their primary care provider. A multidisciplinary evaluation is completed in one morning by the eating disorders team. An adolescent medicine specialist, nutrition therapist, psychotherapist and/or psychiatrist evaluate the individual. An interview with the individual’s parents is also an important part of the clinic evaluation. The clinic appointment lasts about three hours and provides feedback to the family.
The Clinic Appointment includes:
- Medical Assessment
The patient will be thoroughly evaluated by our adolescent medicine specialist. This involves a review of the history of the presenting illness and an evaluation of any medical symptoms. Our physician reviews symptoms which might be related to weight and appetite fluctuations and screens for other medical conditions which could be contributing to the presenting concerns.
- Nutrition Evaluation
Our dieticians complete a full nutrition evaluation. This includes body mass index, ideal weight range and current percent of ideal body weight. Important consideration is given to the patient’s level of physical activity, binging and purging patterns, current caloric intake, as well as caloric intake needed for recovery.
- Assessment of the Individual and the Family System
The parents and patient meet individually with a therapist from the eating disorders team to provide information about life functioning, stresses and current concerns. The individual assessment also includes psychiatric screening for conditions that are often associated with eating disorders such as depression, anxiety and obsessive compulsive disorder, and consideration of possible treatment recommendations, including medication.
- Treatment Recommendations
Following evaluation, the team meets to review their findings and formulate diagnoses and treatment recommendations. The family and patient then join the team to discuss diagnoses, treatment alternatives and the appropriate course of care. Since many families are anxious to begin some type of treatment, they appreciate having the recommendations of the team immediately following the evaluation.
Outpatient Clinic Services
- Medical
- Individual and family therapy
- Nutrition therapy
- Outpatient group therapy
Intensive Outpatient Clinic
In the Intensive Outpatient Clinic, patients are able to schedule three appointments conveniently within the same afternoon. These consist of a medical check-up, a nutrition therapy session and an individual and/or family therapy appointment. This avoids having multiple appointments throughout the week and facilitates close communication between members of the treatment team, patient and family.
