If I could do less than one star I would. This was one of the most traumatic experiences in my life. In case you were considering going, I’ll break it down for you.
The brochure boasts wraparound support such as chiropractor care, massage therapy, weight training, yoga, mindful walks (daily! which is actually not allowed) There are actually no physical advantages to this program. No weight training, mindful walks, chiropractor care, massage therapy or even yoga. Everything is based on a level system. Outings, and movement are all level based. If you get 3 restrictions (not finishing a meal) you don’t have any privileges. If you get 1, you don’t have any privileges for the following day. For yoga my first week I laid on the mat and occasionally did a stretch. Your bathroom uses are monitored, someone stands by the door with the door cracked and they check the toilet before you flush. (This happens up until level 3 to my understanding.)
The staff is brilliant at gaslighting, manipulating and invalidating the residents, so much so, we had to strategize how to stand our ground. They’ll talk all day long about how it’s a voluntary program and that you’re free to leave, but once you say you want to go there’s an onslaught from many of the providers. This includes threatening of AMA and ACA, stating it’s your eating disorder that wants you to leave, or simply minimizing your experience and gaslighting you to believe it’s not as bad as you think. Example; I was fed wheat, and I have a gluten sensitivity. The dietician and clinical director minimized and invalidated my experience by saying it was human error, it was only once and it’s only a sensitivity. Wheat makes me feel really ill, and I expressed that concern to every staff member and to the staff BEFORE admittance as well!! I understand mistakes happen, but I’m at an eating disorder program. Mistakes should NOT happen in regards to food. (Also, there were only 5 of us. How hard is it to feed 5 people). I’m not going to speak on other peoples behalf, but there were multiple “mix ups” or misunderstandings with other residents as well.
Most of the staff felt incredibly unsupportive. We were treated like toddler inmates. I felt like I was just a number on a paycheck to most of them. On my last day, leaving ACA, only one RC was kind to me and encouraged me. (Shoutout Ruby) On my second day there, because I felt so ill (not entirely convinced they weren’t giving me wheat the whole time) and was talking to an RC about how sick I felt talking about the previous meal. She told me it wasn’t an option to not talk about it and that that specific behavior would be challenged. Obviously I’m there to challenge my eating disorder. But on my second day, only my first lunch there, to say that my feelings were immediately invalidated made me sob. On my first morning, I was crying so hard I was heaving. I went to throw up but the nurse wouldn’t hand me the trash can. She said if I threw up it would be marked as a behavior in my chart. I felt more supported and encouraged by the other residents than I ever did from the staff.
Residents say it’s impossible to get to level 3. I personally don’t think they want you to get to level 3 because the longer you’re there the more money they get.
IF you decide to go, these are some question to ask PRE admission. (These are all questions I wish I knew to ask.)
How long does it take to move levels?
Explain in detail the level system.
Explain in detail the contract system.
Explain in detail the “consequences”.
Explain in detail, what types of movement I’m allowed to partake in, and reasonings of why and why not.
Why does the brochure boast physical advantages such as chiropractor care, massage therapy and movement, when those are not actually involved in their residential care?
Explain in detail, the different forms of therapy, how often they’re provided and by what providers.
Explain the roles of the RC’s. Many of the RC’s relished their power.
Ask about exposures, and how often they happen.
Good luck!
