Eating Disorder Treatment
We'll work together towards a brighter future. Treating all gender identities.
At Sanford Behavioral Health, we understand the challenges of eating disorders and strive to offer comprehensive treatment for individuals struggling with these conditions. Our eating disorder treatment in Michigan is dedicated to helping individuals heal and recover from their condition.
Our experienced professionals utilize evidence-based techniques and a personalized approach to address each patient’s needs. We offer a range of treatment modalities, including individual therapy, group therapy, nutrition counseling, and family therapy at our behavioral health campus. If you or a loved one is struggling with an eating disorder, please reach out to us for assistance at 616.202.3326. Find one of our locations in Michigan to start your path to recovery
What Is an Eating Disorder?
Eating disorders are complex mental health conditions with one of the highest mortality rates of any psychiatric diagnosis. A team of experts from different disciplines best provides the most effective treatment. Medical monitoring and stabilization, nutritional intervention, and psychological support are essential to the treatment process.
Eating disorders can occur in individuals of all ages, genders, and body types. At Sanford Behavioral Health Comprehensive Treatment for Eating Disorders (Sanford CTED), we treat adolescents and adults in our half-day and day programs. Our residential treatment programs are offered to female-gendered clients 18 and over. Sanford Behavioral Health’s continuum of care allows the people we treat to enter a program at the level that is appropriate for their symptoms. In-person and virtual options are available.
When someone is ready to engage in treatment and get the care they need, sending them out of state is just not acceptable. We need to do better and provide a full continuum of eating disorder care in Michigan. Sanford Comprehensive Treatment for Eating Disorders has the programs and resources to do that.
Gail Hall, LMSW, DCSW, CEDS-S, Executive Director SCTEDWhy Choose Our Eating Disorder Treatment Program?
Our comprehensive treatment for eating disorders is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities (CARF). CARF is a nationally recognized accreditation organization that surveys treatment programs against 1,500 CARF standards.
Convenient Location
Eating disorders treatment in Michigan occurs at our Sanford West Behavioral Health Campus, 12 minutes from downtown Grand Rapids in Marne, Michigan.
Health at Every Size (HAES)
We practice a Health at Every Size (HAES) approach, which honors body diversity and encourages movement for health and enjoyment, not to lose weight. Our ultimate goal for everyone we treat is to return to intuitive eating behaviors—eat when hungry and stop when full.
However, most individuals we treat have practiced unhealthy eating habits for so long that they have reduced or eliminated the body’s hunger and fullness cues. Following a prescribed meal pattern for some time is necessary before intuitive eating can be re-established.
The Sanford Behavioral Health's CTED Team
We are proud of the team we have assembled, with some of the brightest minds in the behavioral health field. The team at Sanford CTED includes the following:
- Psychiatrist-led interdisciplinary team
- Nurse practitioners and registered nurses
- Psychotherapists with specialized training in treating eating disorders
- Registered dietitians and clinical nutrition specialists
- Certified recreation therapists
- Recovery support specialists
Our registered dieticians embrace the HAES philosophy and offer healthy habits for health and well-being. Through mindful eating, people learn to eat flexibly, taking internal cues of hunger, satiety, and appetite. HAES begins to create a normal, relaxed relationship with food.
Experiential Therapy
We integrate experiential therapy into the recovery process whenever possible. Experiential therapy utilizes recreation, creative expression, and other activity-based techniques to restore physical and psychological health. Sanford Behavioral Health believes that the mind and body connection is crucial to long-term wellness. Activities such as art, movement, yoga, and therapeutic excursions can be an essential adjunct to the more traditional therapies.
What We Treat at Sanford Behavioral Health
Don’t wait to change your life. Call us confidentially at 616.202.3326 or fill out the contact form to learn more about how you can start your healing at our eating disorder clinic in Michigan.
Anorexia Nervosa
Anorexia Nervosa is characterized by an obsessive fear of weight gain and a refusal to maintain a healthy body weight. There may be strange eating behaviors, obsessional routines, and a denial of hunger or weight loss.
Avoidant Restrictive Food Intake Disorder (ARFID)
ARFID begins in young childhood but may not present for treatment until adulthood. These individuals eliminate foods based on textures, smells, and the fear of vomiting or choking. Avoidant restrictive food and intake disorder is avoidance of food/nutrition. Still, the restraint is based on fear of choking or vomiting triggered by smells and textures, not anxiety about weight gain.
Binge Eating Disorder
Binge eating disorder is characterized by uncontrolled continuous eating beyond the point of feeling comfortably full. Feeling out of control, feelings of shame or self-hatred, and changes in body weight are common. Coexisting conditions include depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and substance use disorders.
Bulimia Nervosa
Bulimia nervosa is represented by excessive eating followed by compensatory behaviors such as induced vomiting, abuse of laxatives, excessive exercise, and fasting. Individuals with bulimia may appear to eat small or average amounts with others but binge in secret. Individuals with bulimia often struggle with other impulse control problems, including substance use disorders.
Eating Disorder Therapy
Our eating disorder therapy program is designed to help patients manage their eating disorders and learn more positive ways of relating to food, body image, and themselves. This program also helps patients gain insight into the underlying issues contributing to eating disorders and develop practical strategies for dealing with them. We provide a safe, supportive space to explore feelings, attitudes, behaviors, and relationships.
Nutrition Education
Nutrition education at Sanford Behavioral Health is meant to help patients better understand their food choices, identify nutritional needs, and improve their eating habits. We believe that education can empower patients to make more mindful and informed decisions about their nutrition. By learning about nutrition’s critical role in physical and mental health, we strive to promote a positive relationship between food, body image, and self-worth.
Other Specified Feeding or Eating Disorders (OSFED)
OSFED is an eating disorder classification for those who do not meet the diagnostic criteria for other eating disorders. Individuals with OSFED commonly present with a distorted body image, disturbed eating habits, overvaluation of body shape and weight, and an intense fear of gaining weight.
Eating Disorder Programs
Call us for information about our programs 616.202.3326 or fill out the contact form.
Outpatient Programs
We welcome individuals at all stages of readiness to address eating disorders. We promote an environment emphasizing empathy and respect for ethical and cultural values. Our ultimate goal is to provide a process of change that allows individuals to maintain their unique version of health and wellness so they can live an inspired, self-directed life. Our outpatient treatment, intensive outpatient, and partial hospitalization programs allow individuals to complete treatment while living real lives in recovery.
Learn More about Outpatient Eating Disorder Treatment
Residential Programs
Residential treatment for eating disorders aims to provide structure, safety, and accountability with 24-hour nursing and clinical support. 24-hour care reduces the harmful effects of eating disorders and starts individuals on their recovery path. Residential treatment is for those who require an intensity of service delivery that is beyond what can safely be delivered in an outpatient level of care.
Family Programs
We are committed to improving access to services, reducing the stigma surrounding mental health and eating disorders, and promoting progress and innovation in treatment. Our mission is to provide our patients with evidence-based clinical and medical services while identifying the unique needs of each person we treat. Emotion-focused family therapy (EFFT) is our primary family modality. Therapy includes immediate family members whenever possible, especially younger individuals still living at home.
How to Choose a Suitable Eating Disorder Treatment for You
Choosing the most suitable eating disorder treatment for yourself or a loved one can feel overwhelming, but it is an important step towards recovery and healing. At Sanford Behavioral Health, we understand the diversity of each individual’s needs and emphasize a compassionate, personalized approach to treatment.
Here are some critical factors to consider when selecting an appropriate program:
- Assess the severity and type of disorder – Different disorders and their severity levels require varied approaches. Based on medical advice, determine whether outpatient or residential treatment is more appropriate.
- Consider lifestyle and commitments – Outpatient programs might be more suitable for those who need to balance treatment with work, school, or family responsibilities.
- Treatment modality compatibility – Ensure the program employs evidence-based techniques that align with your preferred treatment styles.
- Accreditation and credentials – Choose programs accredited by reputable organizations like CARF, which ensure high standards of care.
- Comprehensive care – Look for programs that offer a range of services, including nutritional counseling, mental health support, and medical monitoring.
- Support systems – The availability of support groups and family programs can play a crucial role in recovery.
- Personal comfort and safety – The treatment environment should feel safe and welcoming to foster healing and trust.
- Virtual options – For those who prefer or require remote access, ensure virtual treatment options are available.
Every individual’s journey is unique, and finding a treatment that resonates with your specific needs and circumstances can set the foundation for a successful recovery.
Call Sanford Behavioral Health and Start One of Our Eating Disorder Treatment Programs
Our team at Sanford Behavioral Health understands the challenges and struggles of living with an eating disorder. This sensitive and complex issue requires individualized care to achieve lasting recovery. But there is no shame in seeking help, and we are here to support you every step of the way.
We offer personalized and comprehensive eating disorder treatment programs to help our patients recover and live fulfilling lives in recovery. Don’t hesitate to contact us online or call us at 616.202.3326 to find a suitable eating disorder treatment program for you or a loved one.
How Much Does Eating Disorder Treatment Cost?
Therapy for an eating disorder can often involve months to years of treatment. The coverage for intensive and/or long-term treatment can be complicated. We work with your insurance company, and make treatment recommendations based on clinical necessity. We will also explore insurance benefits on your behalf, and advocate with your carrier.
Learn More About Our Free Insurance AssessmentEating Disorder Resources
We've chosen some additional articles for you from Excursions Magazine and outside resources.
The Rise of Ortorexia - Healthy Eating on Steroids
Orthorexia is a variation of anorexia nervosa which presents as an obsessional desire to eat only “healthy” or “clean” foods and a preoccupation with exercise. Although the initial presentation may be different from traditional anorexia, the core issue – an unhealthy fear of weight gain – is the same.
Read MoreExpanding Outpatient Services - Meeting Community Needs
We are regularly identifying needs within our community, particularly in Michigan, and adapting our programs appropriately. Recently, this has led us to provide higher levels of care at our outpatient locations. We are bolstering our partial hospitalization (PHP) and intensive outpatient (IOP) programs.
Read MoreEating Disorders and OCD - Why They Coexist
People with eating disorders (ED) have a nine times greater risk of developing lifetime obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD). In a recent Journal of Psychiatric Research article, a study by Drakes, Fawsett, Rose, et al. also found that those with EDs were at 8 times greater risk for current OCD.
Read MoreEating and Substance Use Disorders - Why They Coexist
Did you know that 50% of individuals who struggle with eating disorders also misuse alcohol or other drugs? This is a rate 5 times higher than the general population. Similarly, 35% of individuals who misused or were dependent on alcohol or drugs have also had eating disorders – a rate 11 times higher than the general population. (National Eating Disorders Association)
Read MoreWhack a Mole! Eating Disorders and Addiction
I’ve never liked the carnival game whack-a-mole. Bashing heads with a cartoon hammer, while an endless succession of new rodents appears. It is too stressful and unpredictable. But I could relate, when a friend in recovery said they thought eating disorders, popping up during addiction treatment, reminded them of playing whack-a-mole.
Read MoreTeen Eating Disorders on the Rise During Pandemic
Since March 2020, the National Eating Disorders Association helpline has had a 40% increase in overall call volume. 35% of the callers were 13 to 17 years old. This represents a 30% increase in calls over the preceding year for teenagers. Why are teen eating disorders impacted by the pandemic?
Read MoreDon't Wait to Change Your Life—Get in Touch Today
Call us at 616.202.3326 or fill out the form below