Eating Disorder Treatment Expanding in West Michigan!
West Michigan and beyond…much needed eating disorder treatment at Sanford Behavioral Health
Sanford Comprehensive Treatment for Eating Disorders (Sanford CTED) is expanding its services in West Michigan during a time of significant need. Those who work in this field are aware that the pandemic increased eating disorders and disordered eating at unprecedented rates.
Eating Disorder Treatment Expanded
We are also aware that the increase is happening when Michigan is experiencing a severe shortage in trained providers. This is evidenced by our ever-growing waiting list. Consequently, our goal is to eliminate wait times for treatment. We are hard at work bringing more specialized services and providers to the area. And we are excited to announce the addition of some talented new members of the team to meet these needs!
New Eating Disorder Services
Outpatient Groups
Outpatient Groups are for individuals who want to learn from and work with others who are on a recovery journey. This option is currently a virtual group on Tuesday afternoons.
New Intensive Outpatient Programs (IOP)
Sanford CTED is now offering both in-person and virtual tracks for Intensive Outpatient Programs. IOP tracks offer 3 hours of therapy per day, 3 days per week. Services include individual and group therapy, nutritional therapy and meal planning, nutritional education, therapeutically supported meals, and psychiatric support.
*Partial Hospitalization Programs (PHP) or Day Program Track
PHP or Day Programs provide a higher level of structure and support than is provided with IOP. This track offers 5 days of services per week, 6 hours per day. Support also includes individual, family and group therapy; nutrition education; nutritional therapy and meal planning; therapeutically supported lunch and snacks; and psychiatric and nursing support and monitoring. It also includes experiential therapy, with coping skill development, and exposure response work with food, cooking, and community outreach.
*The start date of this track is to be determined. Accordingly, please call to get on the waiting list for this program and schedule an intake evaluation. Day Programs will start in the coming weeks.
New Eating Disorder Treatment Providers
Joining Gail Hall, LMSW, DCSW, CEDS-S, Executive Director – Eating Disorder Services, and the rest of the Sanford CTED team, are the following new eating disorder treatment providers:
Gilbert Al Masterson, M.D.
Dr. Masterson completed his Residency in Adult Psychiatry at Harvard University School of Medicine and his Fellowship in Child Psychiatry at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA). Before coming to Sanford as Medical Director, Dr. Masterson served as Medical Director of Inpatient Psychiatric Services at the Cleveland Clinic, Akron General since 2015.
Prior to the Cleveland Clinic, he was Medical Director of Inpatient/Partial Child & Adolescent Psychiatric Services, Medical Director of ADHD Institute, Medical Director of Adolescent Residential Services and President of Medical Staff at Pine Rest Psychiatric Hospital. He was also Medical Director of Inpatient Psychiatric Services and Medical Director for the Trauma Recovery Center at Forest View Psychiatric Hospital.
Dr. Masterson has a special interest in dual-diagnosis evaluation and treatment. His role at Sanford CTED is to oversee psychiatric support for the PHP and IOP programs and to help individuals understand and treat any psychiatric symptoms that may be exacerbating their eating disorder symptoms.
Shelby Baker, LLMSW
Shelby is a therapist who is passionate about working with both teens and adults struggling with various types of eating disorders and other co-occurring mental health challenges. Likewise, her goal is to, “Walk with people on their journey to find food freedom and make peace with their body and soul.” Shelby prefers a strengths-based approach and strives for clients of all races, genders, and sexual orientations to feel accepted, safe, and welcome.
Gina Sellinger, Registered Dietitian
Gina is a Registered Dietitian and public health professional, specializing in the prevention and treatment of eating disorders. She completed her graduate nutrition/public health coursework at the University of Michigan – where she also completed her dietetic internship. Before moving back to her home state of Michigan, Gina gained experience treating and supporting eating disorder clients at the PHP level of care in Northern Colorado. Gina has a strong passion for eliminating the stigma surrounding eating disorders & other mental health disorders. Gina also works from a Health at Every Size paradigm and believes that a person’s health should be viewed in a holistic manner.
Victoria Teravest, CTRS
Victoria (Tori) is a Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist (CTRS). She completed her bachelor’s degree in Recreational Therapy at Grand Valley State University, and realized that she was interested in working in the mental health field. She completed both her fieldwork and internship in the general psychiatric population, experiencing both community and inpatient settings. Prior to accepting a position with Sanford CTED, Tori was working in an inpatient and PHP eating disorder program, facilitating supported meals and experiential groups. Her favorite interventions utilize art and other creative outlets to allow clients to express and explore their unique stories. Seeing clients rediscover themselves apart from their eating disorder, empowering them in getting back to activities that bring them joy, and watching their personalities resurface in the recovery process is at the core of Tori’s passion for this work.
Stephanie Bennett, LPC
Stephanie is a Licensed Professional Counselor in Michigan. Originally from the Chicago area, Stephanie moved to Grand Rapids ten years ago and has embraced this state as her home. Stephanie joined the Sanford CTED team because of her desire to promote eating disorder recovery. Outside of Sanford, Stephanie has been a part of a private practice in Grand Rapids, since 2017. Prior to her move to private practice, Stephanie worked as a Family Crisis Social Worker, providing home-based family intervention. This experience provided Stephanie with specific insight into how mental health issues affect more than just the individual. The individuals, couples, and families that Stephanie serves are of varying age, religion, national origin, race, sexual orientation, socioeconomic status, and physical and mental capability. Stephanie is committed to cultural competence and engagement in her work and life.
Sanford CTED
Sanford Comprehensive Treatment for Eating Disorders is a CARF accredited, state-of-the-art treatment program in an intimate personalized setting. Eating disorders are complex mental health disorders with the highest mortality rate of any psychiatric diagnosis. That is why we believe treatment is best provided by a multidisciplinary team of experts. Medical monitoring and stabilization, nutritional intervention, and psychological support are all essential parts of the treatment process. Click the link for more information on Sanford CTED.
More provider and program announcements coming soon!!!
