Anorexia Nervosa — Treatment

Due to the serious health consequences that anorexia presents, most eating disorder treatment providers tend to focus solely on treating the disorder – ignoring the fact that many anorexia patients are also suffering from co-occurring disorders or addictive behaviors. These may either be part of the root cause of the anorexia or may have developed as a result of it being inadequately or untreated for a period of time.

At Sovereign Health of California, we have a different approach. Our aim is to treat the entire person, not just the presenting symptoms.

We carry out an initial assessment to uncover any underlying condition, before designing a treatment program tailored specifically to treat the needs of the individual, including any co-occurring condition such as:

• Depression
• Bipolar disorder
• Panic and anxiety disorders
• Post-traumatic stress disorder
• Obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD)
• Obsessive compulsive personality disorder (which is different from OCD)
• Substance abuse disorders

Whether you opt for inpatient or outpatient treatment, this specifically individualized approach helps us to treat the whole patient – which is why our treatment succeeds, where others fail.

For those who opt for inpatient eating disorder treatment, we have comfortable, welcoming, gender specific residences situated in the picturesque, coastal community of San Clemente, California.

Treatment Process

Before we admit a patient, we request extensive information from not only the sufferer, but from family and friends, in order to obtain a complete picture of the issues involved. We seek permission to contact any previous eating disorder treatment providers in order to gather additional information. The more complete the picture, the easier it will be to design a treatment program to meet the specific needs of the individual.

Once admitted, each patient undergoes a comprehensive medical and psychiatric assessment. The patient is then introduced to the treatment team, which will include, among others, a family therapist, a psychiatrist and a registered dietician. During the first few days, the patient will get to know each member of the treatment team who, in turn will carry out their own, individual evaluations before combining their knowledge, together with the results of the initial assessment to produce a completely individual treatment program for the patient.

Our anorexia treatment program, at Sovereign Health, combines traditional clinical treatments with alternative, holistic therapies, designed to ensure that our clients receive the necessary care and support to take them through treatment and on to a successful recovery.

The patient’s individual treatment program will include such elements as:

• One-to-one therapy sessions
• Expressive and experiential therapy
• Education about disease processes and eating disorder recovery
• Meal support and regular consultation with dietary staff
• Group sessions to teach and practice behavior modification and emotion management
• Family therapy (including family participation, if appropriate)
• Twelve-step facilitation
• Onsite and offsite twelve-step meetings
• Weekly psychiatric consultation
• Trauma awareness and recovery

Patients are also encouraged to partake of therapies such as massage, meditation, hypnotherapy, exercise, sessions at a local gym, acupuncture, art therapy, equine therapy, etc.

The treatment team will meet on a weekly basis to compare notes on the patient’s progress to ensure their needs are being fully catered for and that the program needs no amendment. Any new symptoms that may arise will involve additional psychological assessment or medical evaluation to ensure the treatment plan covers all relevant aspects of the patient’s health.

Patients presenting with other medical considerations or complications relating to their anorexia treatment can be referred to outside healthcare providers such as dentists, cardiologists, gynecologists, gastroenterologists, etc.

Our Policy

At Sovereign Health of California, we concentrate on creating an environment where a patient can feel safe about expressing their emotions about food and eating. The patient can thus understand that they are not alone in their struggle. We focus on supporting our patients as they seek to develop confidence in their ability to make healthy choices about food.

We encourage patients to participate in experiential activities such as shopping and cooking – giving them the chance to practice the skills required to overcome their anorexia whilst surrounded by supportive professionals who understand the challenges involved in recovery.

We understand the role of the family in the treatment process and work with patients' families to equip them to continue the process of recovery after their loved one is discharged.

We offer treatment to both men and women. So, to learn more about treatment and successful recovery at Sovereign Health of California, why not visit the 'What We Offer' page of our website. Alternatively, call us now! We have advisors available 24/7 to answer any question you may have with regard to Sovereign Health of California and all its treatment programs. Our success rate speaks for itself!