Treatment for anorexia, bulimia, and binge eating

Our Eating Disorder Treatment Center in San Francisco Bay Area treats a number of eating disorders including anorexia, bulimia, binge eating, and patterns combining aspects of anorexia and bulimia. People who seek treatment for eating disorders may have other health problems which can be caused by the disorder or may be suffering from other psychiatric problems such as drug addiction, depression, anxiety, and others.

An eating disorder is a serious problem; anorexia is the most lethal of all psychiatric disorders. Severely ill eating disorder patients require specific and intensive therapy. Our staff evaluates eating disorder patients and refers acutely ill patients to appropriate and targeted programs. Mind Therapy Clinic helps treat and manage patients with sub-acute eating disorders. Eating disorders require a comprehensive treatment plan and a multidisciplinary approach that is adjusted to meet the needs of each patient. The goal of treatment for eating disorders at Mind Therapy Clinic is to help the person gain control over their eating behaviors and develop a healthy sense of self and body. Treatment most often involves a combination of the following strategies:

• Psychotherapy: This is a type of individual counseling that focuses on changing the thinking (cognitive-behavioral therapy) and behavior (behavioral therapy) of a person with an eating disorder. Treatment includes practical techniques for developing healthy attitudes toward food and weight, as well as approaches for changing the way the person responds to stressful situations.

• Psychiatric medication: Certain antidepressant medications called selective serotonin re-uptake inhibitors (SSRIs such as Prozac and Paxil) and other non-antidepressant medications might be used to help control anxiety and depression associated with an eating disorder.

• Nutrition counseling: This strategy is designed to help restore normal eating patterns and to teach the importance of nutrition and a balanced diet.

• Group and/or family therapy: Family support is very important to treatment success. It is imperative that family members understand the eating disorder and recognize its signs and symptoms so they can support their loved ones treatment. People with eating disorders might benefit from group therapy, where they can find that they are not alone, and therefore openly discuss their feelings and concerns with others who share common experiences and problems.

Therapy Groups for Eating Disorder Treatment
Anxiety Group Therapy
Authentic Relating
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
Depression and Loss Group
Distress Tolerance Group
Emotion Regulation Skills
Emotions and Compulsions
Family and Relationship Issues Group
Goals Group
Healthy Living
Men’s Psychotherapy Group
Self-Compassion Group
Taking Charge Group
Women’s Psychotherapy Group

Mind Therapy Programs for Eating Disorder Treatment
Intensive Outpatient Program                  
Partial Hospitalization Program

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Anorexia is the most lethal psychiatric disorder but it can be managed  with treatment

Psychiatric Treatment for Teen Eating Disorder

Family involvement is a key part of treatment for the teen with an eating disorder. Family Therapy helps parents support their child, both emotionally and physically. It also helps parents in creating a normal eating pattern for their child by way of dietary and psychological education. Siblings can benefit from Family Therapy during treatment so they can understand their emotions and be as supportive as possible. Family, group, and individual counseling are all effective and are often combined.

At Mind Therapy Clinic, we take special interest in the health of teens and young adults because they may be suffering from a combination of problems during this confusing time in their lives. Eating disorders combined with drug addiction often lead to depression and anxiety.

Mind Therapy Clinic combines a team of experts in multiple disciplines of psychiatry, psychology, family counseling and neuropsychology, in order to craft an effective treatment plan. These integrated specialty services are required in order to provide the comprehensive care necessary to treat these vulnerable conditions.

At first I was skeptical... It was truly remarkable how effective, challenging, and frightening...

“I was fortunate to work with Carol Dietrich while I was an outpatient for anorexia. At first, I was skeptical of the idea of drama therapy, but went along with the program and created the masks of my own eating disorder and mask of compassion. It was truly remarkable how effective, how challenging, how frightening that experience was. Facing your own demons physically and being able to work out some of your deepest emotions is no simple task.  I am grateful for the experience that Carol challenged me with and helped me conquer. I would highly recommend drama therapy to anyone in need.”

— Ami, former client