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Treatment::
Eating disorders are complex psychological, behavioral and medical
syndromes. To obtain a strong and healthy recovery is difficult.
All three of these areas must be addressed for treatment to be effective.
A mutli-disciplinary approach has been proven to be the most successful
in treating eating disorders. EDA is associated with professionals
who have worked extensively with eating disorder clients. Each member
of our treatment team contributes their skill and expertise in a
coordinated effort to maximize full recovery.
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| Isa Van Helden LMHC |
Eating Disorder Associates was founded in 1990 to provide
intensive outpatient treatment with many of the same services patients receive in
an inpatient facility.
Isa Van Helden, LMHC, the director and co-founder of EDA, started in 1986
working with eating disordered clients as the coordinator for an outpatient
eating disorder program at Suncoast Mental Health Centers in Sarasota, FL.
Here is what we provide:
Your recovery begins with an extensive evaluation. After the evaluation further assessment by a medical
doctor, a nutritionist and a psychiatrist will be provided, if needed.
After having established exactly what your needs are, an individualized
treatment plan will be designed for you. Our treatment plans typically
include individual, family and group therapy, as well as nutritional
counseling and medical supervision. You and your therapist will
meet once or twice per week. Your sessions will address your eating
disorder behaviors as well as the underlying issues contributing
to your symptoms.
We have many groups to provide exactly what you and your family
need for your particular eating disorder:
- The BULIMIA / ANOREXIA GROUP
will focus on changing the behaviors of bingeing, purging and
restricting. All group members will be encouraged to set definite
goals that they will be able to reach. The group will work on
issues such as accepting and facing the feelings of grief and
loss that accompany letting go of an eating disorder. The group
will provide a supportive and challenging environment to practice
expressing emotions and to accept imperfections in yourself and
others. The group will learn to develop the understanding, trust
and patience that make recovery possible.
- The OVEREATERS GROUP is
for those who have tried everything to be thinner yet find they
have not made peace with food, their bodies or themselves. This
group is for compulsive overeaters or binge eaters. The group
is designed to help each participant transcend the mindsets, beliefs
and behaviors that have kept them stuck in self-defeating behaviors.
The group provides an emotionally safe environment to begin the
process of change.
- The FAMILY SUPPORT GROUP
is designed to help family members and significant others of those
with eating disorders cope more effectively. It offers support
and direction along with specific techniques on how to deal with
the loved one that has an eating disorder. The group experience
helps reduce isolation and shame. It helps members realize they
are not alone in dealing with the effects of an eating disorder.
- The ADOLESCENT GROUP is
for girls 12 to 18 years old with anorexia, bulimia and binge
eating disorder. Adolescent girls are much more susceptible to
peer pressure to be thin and popular and many develop eating disorders
in a desperate attempt to belong. This group addresses not only
those aspects unique to teenagers but also offers the support
of others struggling to overcome their eating disorders. Issues
of perfectionism, identifying and expressing emotions, distorted
thinking, behavioral changes, trust, intimacy and separation from
family are some of the concepts that are focused on in a confidential
and caring atmosphere.
- An OVEREATERS GROUP FOR CHILDREN
is in the process of being formed.
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