"What to Look For in an Eating Disorder Treatment Center" is an article in the New York Times. I wish it went a little beyond its content.

“Unless you can change the behavior, no amount of insight-oriented therapy is helpful,” said Dr. Angela Guarda, the director of the Eating Disorders Center at the Johns Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore.

Yes, I agree that behavior needs to be addressed first. But at least a little insight is required so people can gradually move beyond the eating disorders behaviors into the psychological work needed. What made an eating disorder the best option for self-care needs to be addressed so the person is really free from leaning toward or falling into an eating disorder again.

Unfortunately, too many treatment situations and insurance criteria measure recovery in terms of behavior. The behaviors are symptoms. Slowing down and stopping the eating disorder behaviors are what's needed in order for the real recovery work to begin.

Please address at least one of the questions below in the comments. Your response can help many others.

1. Have you been in an eating disorder residential treatment center?
2. What was bad about it?
3. What was good about it?
4. Did you complete the program?
5. What was your experience after leaving?

Links:

Opinion: Looking at the missing pieces of residential eating disorder treatment programs

Centers to Treat Eating Disorders Are Growing, and Raising Concerns

Please share your thoughts in the comment section below.

Written by Joanna Poppink, MFT. Joanna is a psychotherapist in private practice specializing in eating disorder recovery, stress, PTSD, and adult development.

She is licensed in CA, AZ, OR and FL. Author of the Book: Healing Your Hungry Heart: Recovering from Your Eating Disorder

Appointments are virtual.

For a free telephone consultation, e-mail her at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.