Eating Disorders Treatment Centers

Written by HealthyPlace.com Staff Writer

online conference transcript

Noelle Kerr-Price, Psy.D. is an eating disorders treatment specialist and staff psychologist at Remuda Ranch Programs for Anorexia and Bulimia.

We cover what an eating disorder treatment center is, what goes on there, the eating disorder warning signs that indicate you need inpatient treatment, how much it costs, and whether treating the physical symptoms of an eating disorder is enough or are the psychological issues just as important.

David Roberts is the HealthyPlace.com moderator

The people in blue are audience members.

David Roberts: Welcome to HealthyPlace.com and our chat conference on "Eating Disorder Treatment Centers." I'm David Roberts, the moderator for tonight's chat. Our guest is Noelle Kerr-Price, Psy.D. Dr. Kerr-Price is a Staff Psychologist at Remuda Ranch Programs for Anorexia and Bulimia, a specialized treatment center exclusively dedicated to women and adolescent girls suffering from anorexia, bulimia, and related issues. Her primary fields of expertise are eating disorders coupled with psychological assessment. Good Evening Dr. Kerr-Price and welcome to HealthyPlace.com. Just so we are all clear on the subject, what is an eating disorders treatment center?

Dr. Kerr-Price: An eating disorder treatment center is a place where girls and women go in order to receive intensive help for their eating disorders.

David Roberts: There's regular counseling, where you see a therapist in his/her office. There's outpatient treatment centers. And inpatient treatment centers. How does one know which is best for their particular situation?

Dr. Kerr-Price: You have just described different levels of treatment. Eating disorders vary in their severity and so require different levels of help depending on the individual. The greater the problem with the disorder, the more likely an intensive program is needed to help manage it. Less severe disorders may only need the help of an outpatient therapist once or twice a week. Again, it depends on the needs of the individual.

David Roberts: When you say "greater the problem" -- how is that measured?

Dr. Kerr-Price: In the mental health field, one means of determining the level of treatment needed is found in established "practice guidelines" in treating eating disorder patients. For instance, if a person has lost a substantial amount of weight and is struggling to function in many areas of life, like work, relationships, etc., then this would be a clue that the problem is intense and so needs intense help.

David Roberts: What other signs would be an indication that one needs inpatient treatment?

Dr. Kerr-Price: Certainly other physical symptoms such as poor vital signs, heart and/or kidney problems. Psychologically, depression and strong anxiety tend to occur.

David Roberts: We have a very large eating disorders community here at HealthyPlace.com and, of course, we hear all sorts of stories about what goes on inside a treatment center. What is it like to be inside an eating disorders treatment center?

Dr. Kerr-Price: Centers vary of course, so I can best speak about the one where I work, Remuda Ranch. We have a setting that is designed to be different than the traditional sterile hospital setting so as to provide a comfortable environment. Many different types of groups occur as does individual and group therapy. A lot of assistance is offered at meal times also, as we anticipate those to be hard times in the day.

David Roberts: What's the average stay?

Dr. Kerr-Price: For our adolescent patients, it is generally 60 days. For our adults, it ranges between 45-60 days.

David Roberts: We have a few audience questions, Dr., that I'd like you answer, then we'll continue with our discussion. Here's the first question:

riverrat0515: Why do most inpatient hospitals have you stay only 28 to 30 days?

Dr. Kerr-Price: Sometimes it's a matter of what insurance may cover in terms of cost. Other times, it is the design of the program itself.

David Roberts: What is the cost of being an inpatient at Remuda Ranch?

Dr. Kerr-Price: Frankly, I would be hard pressed to give a set figure simply because I know Remuda Ranch tries hard to work with families on the costs along with what their insurance will cover.

David Roberts: I understand, but just to give our audience some idea...for 30-days is it about $10,000 or is it $30,000 or more?

Dr. Kerr-Price: Given that our length of stay is longer than thirty days, it would be greater than $30,000. We are probably comparable to a hospital stay. But we work individually with each family and with the insurance companies to get the most benefits.

becgra: Is it true that Remuda is biblically oriented

David Roberts: and what does "biblically-based" mean in terms of treatment?

Dr. Kerr-Price: Yes, that is true. We are a Christian treatment center in which we maintain as a focus a Christ-centered approach. We include components of the Christian faith into each facet of the treatment as we believe that Christ offers healing.