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RESOURCE GUIDEFAMILY & FRIENDSLEARN HOW TO BEST SUPPORT YOUR LOVED ONE SEE INSIDE FOR YOUR CAREGIVER CHECKLISTCaregiver Dos and Don’tsUnderstanding the Levels of CareWhat’s Involved in Treatment?WHAT’S INSIDEFIRST EDITION
RSVP to our Hope Orientation for family and friends.Register for our Virtual Family & Friends Education Series.Learn about the various levels of care.Understand your involvement before, during and after treatment.Join a free peer support group.Educate yourself on the different phases of treatment.Engage in family therapy with your loved one's therapist.Attend ERC's Aftercare Planning Session.Read our glossary of need-to-know terms.Provide your email address to get resources and education straight to your inbox.A Warm Welcome From Your Care TeamFamily & Friends Resource GuideTo family & friends supporting a loved one, When thinking about recovery from eating disorders, many people tend to focus solely on the person who is struggling: what their signs and symptoms look like; what type of treatment they need; how their story unfolds. At Eating Recovery Center (ERC), we know the importance and value of also focusing on you. We know you can help your loved one heal. Our care team empowers you and includes you in the recovery process, so you can best help your loved one through their time in treatment and beyond. We know the signicance of this ask, so we know you need support too. Family and friend involvement is a pillar of ERC programming. To help you navigate your time at ERC, we’ve developed this Family & Friends Resource Guide to help you access the knowledge, tools and resources needed to best support your loved one and yourself throughout the treatment and recovery process. Our goal is to equip you in supporting your loved one’s recovery and strengthen your connection with them. That’s why we offer education on the complexity of eating disorders and guidance on encouraging open, honest communication. We recognize your resilience, compassion and commitment. In the face of so many challenges, you have shown up for your loved one. At ERC, we’re committed to showing up for you too.YOUR CAREGIVER CHECKLISTAnne Marie O'Melia MS, MD, FAAP, CEDS-SChief Clinical and Quality Ofcer for ERC PathlightHoward WeeksMD, MBA, DFAPA, DFAACAPChief Medical Ofcer for ERC Pathlight
Eating Recovery Center 01RSVP Today!Same Day. Same Time. Every Week.Hope Orientation Attend this free, one-hour, live orientation to get a timely overview of what to expect as your loved one enters treatment at ERC.The Hope Orientation is designed for friends and family of loved ones entering treatment at ERC, but anyone can join at any time during their loved one’s time with us. Sessions are offered via Zoom for convenient access from the comfort of home or ofce.Our national family advocate will guide you through: The basics of treatment: levels of care, multidisciplinary treatment team, programming, discharge planning Practical tips for how to make the most of treatment Any questions or concerns you have about the care your loved one will be receiving Best ways to support your loved one during their treatment and recovery journey
02 Family & Friends Resource GuideFOUR CORNERSTONES OF TREATMENT Treatment at ERC is comprised of four essential components: (1) a treatment team of professionals who are led by specialists in the eld of eating disorder recovery; (2) levels of care designed to meet your loved one’s needs at each stage of their recovery process; (3) programming, such as family education and group therapy, rooted in treatment approaches that have been researched and determined to be effective; and (4) discharge planning to prepare you and your loved one for the end of treatment and beginning of life outside of treatment. PSYCHOTHERAPISTS NURSES DIETITIANSPSYCHIATRISTS PRIMARY CARE PHYSICIANS MULTIDISCIPLINARY TREATMENT TEAM Eating disorders are complex illnesses that affect both the body and the mind. The inherent nature of the illness – and the complex interactions of the biopsychosocial factors that underlie it – requires care from a multidisciplinary team. The multidisciplinary team consists of health care professionals from a variety of disciplines including (1) psychiatrists, medical doctors specialized in behavioral health medicine, who provide a comprehensive mental health assessment and, when appropriate, medication management and support; (2) psychotherapists who provide individual therapy, family therapy, group therapy and education; (3) dietitians who provide guidance in meal planning, meal support and nutrition education; and (4) primary care physicians and nurses who provide medical monitoring, guidance and education. When possible, the treatment team remains the same as your loved one moves moves through our continuum of care.ERC’s comprehensive and compassionate treatment team provides unparalleled care, including an individualized treatment plan developed specically for your loved one.Delia Aldridge, MD, an ERC medical director and psychiatrist, answers questions about why diets don’t work, how self-harm and eating disorders are connected, and what treatment looks like.Dr. Aldridge Answers Eating Disorder QuestionsPODCASTTREATMENTTEAMPROGRAMMINGLEVELS OF CAREDISCHARGEPLANNINGTreatment: What’s Involved
Levels of CareEating Recovery Center 03At ERC, your loved one will benet from our full continuum of care that starts with their initial assessment and extends into recovery. Our program is designed for patients to: Come as they are Get the right support at the right time Stay connected with their recovery communityWe offer all levels of care, from full hospitalization to intensive outpatient services. With consistent support when they need it, your loved one will progress with the same care model and approach (and, in most cases, the same care team) until they are ready to live a full life in recovery. Inpatient (IP)Medical and psychiatric stabilization in a specialized 24-hour hospital setting with the introduction of group meals and sessionsResidential (RES)Daily programming with 24-hour support in a comfortable residential settingPartial Hospitalization Program (PHP) or Day Treatment Daytime programming, including psychiatric support, with evenings at home or in a peer-supported apartmentIntensive Outpatient Program (IOP)Three hours of specialized care three days per week, with on-site and virtual options availableIntensive Treatment Unit (ITU)Medical and psychiatric stabilization in a highly specialized 24-hour hospital settingEating disorders don't take weekends off and neither do we. Learn the science behind our seven-day program and why it works. Scan Me!Being able to tell your story once and then live out the rest of your journey with the same care team and approach allows you to experience the full season of what you need.— Elizabeth Easton, PsyD, national director of psychotherapy at Eating Recovery Center and Pathlight Mood & Anxiety Center
04 Family & Friends Resource GuideProgramming for Your Loved OneERC programming is thoughtfully designed to most effectively guide your loved one through their recovery process. Gaining medical and psychiatric stability is critical and is prioritized at the beginning of care. This stability helps your loved one engage in psychoeducation and skill development more deeply and insightfully, allowing for more impactful therapeutic experiences. Therapy Phases Include: Awareness and recognition of emotions and responses Affect regulation and behavioral activation, including effective ways to regulate and manage emotions and engage in behaviors that support recovery Practice of new skills to support values-driven behaviors. ASSESSMENT AND DIAGNOSISA thorough assessment, accurate diagnosis and ongoing monitoring will shape your loved one’s treatment plan.INCLUSIVE CAREOur care teams are deeply committed to creating a safe, supportive and afrming environment that allows your loved one to be themselves. Treatment teams are trained to support patients of all ages, body shapes and sizes, races, ethnicities, religions, sexual identities, gender identities and expressions. MEDICAL AND PSYCHIATRIC STABALIZATION Acute medical and mental health issues are addressed.NUTRITIONAL REHABILITATION Interrupting eating disorder behaviors, normalizing eating processes and restoring weight, if needed, are the focus of nutritional rehabilitation. Education on nutrition, cooking groups, meal planning, and weight normalization and restoration is a target goal.GROUP THERAPY Being part of a group offers your loved one the opportunity for insight, validation and support from peers who are working on their own recovery. In a psychoeducational group, your loved one will develop new perspectives and insight, and learn skills for coping with life’s challenges.INDIVIDUAL THERAPY Individual therapy focuses on identifying what is important and encourages your loved one to keep their focus on these things. Ongoing assessments of treatment plan goals and your loved one’s progress are completed in individual sessions.COPING SKILLS AND CRISIS INTERVENTION Developing and practicing emotion regulation skills helps to reduce or eliminate maladaptive coping behaviors connected to the eating disorder and co-occurring mental health disorders.
Eating Recovery Center 05When your loved one enters treatment, it’s no secret that their support system is impacted. Providing opportunities for family and friends to receive their own support is a key component of our programming. Family education and therapy are mindfully part of each level of care at ERC.For more information regarding family resources, visit EatingRecovery.com/FamilyResourcesProgramming for Family & Friends FAMILY THERAPY The goal for families, friends and caregivers is to provide a place of understanding and nonjudgment. Families may experience feelings of blame even as they provide support and care. Family therapy sessions will focus on helping you process your emotions and blocks, and develop advanced skills you can use throughout your loved one’s recovery journey.Emotion-focused family therapy (EFFT) is a pillar of family therapy at ERC. It is designed to help families, friends and caregivers become the “agents of healing” through learning how to effectively provide emotional support with advanced caregiver skills. These skills will be taught by your therapist.FAMILY EDUCATION Education is available to all families, caregivers and support persons. When appropriate, support people are invited to participate in weekly family education opportunities. Family and friends education will help you develop deeper knowledge and skill sets that enhance your ability to support recovery for your loved one. Learn more about family and friends education opportunities throughout this resource guide. Attending the family education and programming gave us a renewed sense of empowerment and hope as parents.— Sunnie, parent advocate and Recovery Ambassador Council member
06 Family & Friends Resource GuideTHE BEGINNING OF TREATMENT Patients experience a time of transition when they rst start treatment. Your loved one may be navigating questions, concerns or even some hesitation about staying in treatment. These are all normal thoughts and feelings. Your loved one is acclimating to a new setting, new people and new expectations. Treatment is challenging and can often feel uncomfortable, especially at the beginning.If your loved one is experiencing medical instability, the beginning of treatment will be dedicated to reestablishing medical stability. Before they can begin to fully work on insight-oriented psychotherapy, they need to have the cognitive and physical resources required. Nutritional rehabilitation begins on the rst day of treatment and is foundational to both mental and medical stabilizations, as well as to further treatment. As your loved one becomes more medically and psychiatrically stable, they can more deeply engage in the psychoeducation and skills development necessary to achieve behavioral change.EMOTION REGULATIONMental health disorders are emotionally based, and because of this, psychotherapy will focus on emotion regulation skills. Your loved one has been using harmful eating disorder behaviors and processes (like being overly busy or being a perfectionist) to manage their emotions. Learning to regulate emotions and the intensity of emotions is a key aspect of recovery. Emotion regulation skills are taught in individual therapy and in groups, using therapeutic modalities such as acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT), dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) and cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT). Learning and applying these new skills is a process that requires practice and patience.EMOTION DYSREGULATIONEmotion dysregulation refers to the inability to manage the intensity of emotions such as fear, sadness or anger. Some patients, including compliant patients, can experience high levels of emotion dysregulation upon admission to treatment. When this happens, families and support persons may be on the receiving end of these intense emotions. Common signs of emotion dysregulation include isolation, throwing things, screaming, avoiding eye contact, refusing to speak, running away, pleading, bargaining, rigidity and accusing.CO-REGULATIONPeople experiencing emotion dysregulation need help from others to return to a regulated emotional state. This is called co-regulation – a process that supports the growth of self-regulation. You can help your loved one gain an ability to better self-regulate. You will have opportunities to learn more about how to provide co-regulation for your loved one, but in fact, you likely already know a good deal about co-regulation. It is listening deeply, letting someone share their experiences, and offering words of support and encouragement. It is not rescuing, and it is not jumping in to solve the problem.
You are likely to hear from your loved one early in treatment — when they have not yet learned any emotion regulation skills and their eating disorder behaviors are unavailable to them — that they want to leave treatment. You may hear... These statements are based on very real emotions such as fear, hopelessness and anger, and these statements are coming from the older, primitive, “ght or ight” part of your loved one’s brain.There is rarely an appropriate reason for your loved one to leave treatment before completing care or before the treatment team agrees that they are ready. Leaving care early can interrupt the healing process and can hurt them in the long run. Realize that your loved one has the inner strength and ability to complete treatment. They have done hard things before, and they can do this. Believe in them.CO-REGULATION SKILLS FOR YOU TO USELet your loved one “pour” some of their emotional burden onto you. It is too intense for them to carry alone at this time. What this means is: please carry some of the load for them.• Listen deeply; ask questions sparingly.• Do not lecture, advise or direct.• Let them know that you hear them.• Don’t take it personally even when your loved one places blame on you, pulls on your sense of justice or makes promises. The issue here involves intense emotion dysregulation; it is unrelated to anything you are doing or not doing.• Don’t x or rescue. Do all you can to keep your loved one in treatment. Don’t be inuenced by old recovery myths such as “people need to be ready for change” or “people need to hit rock bottom before they will accept recovery.” Unfortunately, patients who leave treatment early typically get sicker, not better or motivated. Waiting for treatment until they’ve hit rock bottom can be damaging to their well-being and/or dangerous for their health. • Allow ERC to help you. Let your loved one’s therapist know about the difcult conversations you are having with your loved one. We can help you manage, cope and address specic concerns.• The good news is, this level of intense emotion dysregulation, if present, typically subsides in the early phase of treatment as your loved one gains the benets of rest, structure, nutrition, hydration, peer support and learns some self-regulation skills.• If your loved one experiences emotion dysregulation throughout their recovery journey, this is not uncommon. They can continue to benet from your help with co-regulation and will continue to build self-regulation.WHAT TO DO WHEN YOUR LOVED ONE WANTS TO LEAVE TREATMENT EARLYI’m just learning about how to have an eating disorder here.This place is making me worse. I’m not getting any treatment.Everyone here is sicker than I am.No one here understands me.Eating Recovery Center 07Hear from ERC alumni about what recovery means to them.Scan Me!
08 Family & Friends Resource Guide THE MIDDLE OF TREATMENT The high anxiety and stress that you and your loved one may experience during the beginning phase of treatment typically levels off in the middle phase of treatment.Nutrition, good sleep hygiene, peer networks, and psychiatric support help your loved one maintain stability and engage in treatment in a more meaningful, focused way. While your loved one continues to struggle with the difcult task of change, they are now learning new ways to think about and react to challenges. They are likely to be fully involved in individual and group therapy, while continuing to benet from nutritional and medical care. Although your loved one attends group therapy and receives individual psychotherapy from the beginning of treatment, as they gain stability, their ability to learn and integrate psychotherapy education and skills continues to grow.PODCAST Parents Make All the DifferenceThis episode features David Bachman, whose son began to battle anorexia nervosa at age 12. His story illuminates a father’s role in recovery, and how the discovery of a “new normal” is critical for long-term success. A Parent’s JourneyNational family advocate Beth Ayn Stanseld tells the story of her daughter’s anorexia diagnosis, and the journey that spurred her to launch Stay Strong Virginia — a nonprot to help other parents navigate eating disorders.Healing is an art. It takes time, practice and love from those around us.— Stephanie Setliff, MD, CEDS-S
Eating Recovery Center 09 A TYPICAL DAY A typical day at ERC is lled with opportunities to learn and grow in individual, group and family settings. Each day starts with a check-in to assess progress and any urgent needs. Every day is uniquely organized to most impactfully include therapy, education, meal support, experiential activities and more. Activities vary by level of care, age group and treatment site. INPATIENT, RESIDENTIAL AND PARTIAL HOSPITALIZATION ACTIVITIESINTENSIVE OUTPATIENT ACTIVITIESMedical Support Art Therapy Meal SupportCooking Groups Gentle YogaFresh Air Breaks Therapy School K-12 Restaurant OutingsMeal Support Nutrition Consultation PsychoeducationTherapy Medical SupportHOME AWAY FROM HOME Where your loved one stays during treatment will depend on their level of care. At the inpatient and residential levels of care, they will stay at ERC’s treatment center to receive 24-hour support.ERC’s partial hospitalization program (PHP) offers your loved one the option to live at home, in ERC’s rentable low-cost apartments, or at other off-site locations of their choosing. Many individuals do not have a PHP within daily driving distance from their home. In this case, PHP-level patients often choose to live in ERC apartments for the duration of treatment. All intensive outpatient program (IOP) patients live independently and do not have housing provided by ERC.For the child and adolescent program, the parent/caregiver must live with the patient outside of programming hours at the PHP and IOP levels of care.ERC’s concierge service can help you nd housing that ts your needs and budget.Scan Me!Cozy Residential Room
INTENSIVE OUTPATIENT PROGRAMMING Whether your loved one starts in intensive outpatient programming (IOP) or steps down to IOP from PHP, IOP is the essential level of care designed to successfully move your loved one fully into recovery and transition them to everyday life after treatment. Programming is scheduled for convenient afterschool and evening hours to allow your loved one to return to daily life while still getting expert clinical treatment covered by insurance. IOP helps your loved one build sustained time in recovery and bolsters their ability to continue it before they scale back to one-hour weekly visits with an outpatient provider. The Essential Bridge to RecoveryI tell families that we need to nish treatment in an intentional, deliberate way. In baseball, when someone hits a home run, they have to intentionally touch every base: including home plate. Not doing IOP is like rounding third base and then turning around and heading back to the outeld. It’s essential that patients move along the step-down continuum of care and ‘touch every plate’ to help ensure a successful recovery.— Stephanie Setliff, MD, an ERC regional medical director10 Family & Friends Resource GuideHear about building successful recovery with ERC’s IOP from Dr. Stephanie Setliff.Scan Me!INTENSIVE OUTPATIENT PROGRAMMING: ONE FAMILY’S STORYWhen the time comes for a step down to IOP, your loved one’s treatment team will help guide your way – including assessing options for either in-person IOP at an ERC treatment center or virtual IOP from home. If transitioning from in-person care to virtual care raises concerns for you, you’re not alone. Read about one family’s experience navigating this shift, and why it was the right choice for them.I would advise any family to be open to virtual IOP. It provided essential support for our daughter’s transition home. I can’t imagine what we would have done without it.- Tia S, mother of an ERC alumnusRead the Article3 hours of group programming, 3 days per week Individual or family psychotherapy Nutritional counseling and meal support Education and support groups for families and loved ones OUR IOP PROGRAM
Eating Recovery Center 11EATING RECOVERY AT HOME: VIRTUAL INTENSIVE OUTPATIENT PROGRAMMING Designed for busy students, working professionals, those who don't live near a center or anyone who needs the added convenience and exibility of participating in treatment at home, Eating Recovery At Home, our virtual IOP, meets patients exactly where they are. As effective as our in-person IOP, this online program connects individuals with a specialized, experienced care team and small therapeutic community. With this ongoing connection and intensive support, your loved one will continue to learn to navigate life’s stressors and build resilience in everyday life.We offer the following programs:Adult Eating Disorders TreatmentAdult Binge Eating Disorders Treatment Child & Adolescent Eating Disorders Treatment Scan Me!Scan Me!Find out why virtual care works.Watch this video to learn more about our programs.To see if we offer virtual treatment in your state, visit EatingRecovery.com/AtHomeLocationsThere was a different element of connection… because it was virtual, we became even closer…we got the opportunity to truly be welcomed into each other’s homes. — Mackenzie, At Home program alumnusNAMED BEST ONLINE THERAPY PROGRAM OF 2022 & 2023:.com
12 Family & Friends Resource Guide THE END OF TREATMENT It’s not uncommon for loved ones to have similar anxieties at the end of treatment as they did when entering treatment; both are signicant transition times. Everyone worries about how to take what they learned in treatment and integrate it into daily life. At the same time, returning to daily life free of treatment program commitments can feel encouraging and motivating. The conclusion of treatment is often a combination of excitement and worry. Your loved one’s treatment team members are committed to providing robust aftercare plans that outline the necessary next steps to maintain and strengthen recovery. Securing an outpatient treatment team prior to discharge provides a smooth, more successful transition to daily living by integrating treatment into daily life. If your loved one did not have a treatment team prior to entering treatment, we’ll work to identify providers near their home. The words I love to hear from my sister are ‘I hear you and I see you’ and ‘What can we do today to move through this?’— Lydia, ERC program alumnusArranging appointments with outpatient treatment providers Scheduling time to purchase food, prepare meals and eat meals and snacks Resting well and maintaining a healthy sleep schedule Creating and maintaining a balanced work-life and school-life schedule Using newly acquired skills to manage conict, challenges and stressLearning about ERC’s free support groups and resourcesSlips, lapses and relapses can happen. Learn more about what these terms mean and how you can help your loved one plan for recovery. Scan to learn more. RELAPSE PREVENTION PLANSPatients will be involved in thinking through and developing plans that address recovery challenges in their home environment. Patients will actively begin to work on their plans as they near the end of treatment. In the case of child and adolescent treatment, parents will be asked to take part in the development of these plans. Relapse prevention planning focuses on the following:
Eating Recovery Center 13 LIFE OUTSIDE OF TREATMENT Your loved one will discharge from treatment into what can be called a hostile recovery environment. What does that mean? Cultural and societal norms inuence how patients, their families and their social systems view mental health and treatment. Our society continues to stigmatize mental health disorders and promote a culture of “do more, be more, get more.” The rapid pace, perfectionism and high expectations can make it challenging for patients to prioritize the processes and tasks of recovery once they return home, as doing so requires them to act and behave differently than their peers and social groups. Patients recovering from an eating disorder and co-occurring conditions face additional challenges. Completing their meal plan and keeping themselves rested and recovery-focused can be difcult practices to maintain when they reintegrate back into their life. Families and friends involved in family support programming will acquire the skills to help support your loved one’s challenges and learn how to be a stronghold against societal norms that contribute to your loved one’s illness.• Review your loved one’s list of helpful strategies and coping skills.• Recognize potential triggers that could prompt a lapse or relapse. • Remind your loved one that slips, lapses and relapses are a normal part of recovery. • Prepare for triggers by discussing your loved one’s new response strategies.• Lean on your own support network: trusted family and friends, the treatment team and your own therapist.• Learn the "dos and don'ts" of supporting a loved one in recovery. See our guide on pages 21-22.WAYS TO SHOW SUPPORT
School Support for Students The Role of the Patient AdvocateWe are committed to helping our young patients progress in school while getting the mental health support they need. See our answers to common questions below.Is school time built into my child’s program schedule? Yes. Weekday programming includes one to three hours of dedicated school time in a classroom setting. Will my child stay enrolled in their current school? In most cases, yes. Our goal is for students to stay enrolled and complete assignments provided directly by their current school. If this is not possible, we will help your family nd another solution so their credits will transfer when they return home. Who will oversee their school assignments and academic progress? Our education specialists work with your child’s school to make sure assignments are reasonably achievable during their dedicated school time. They also ensure a smooth transition back to school when your child returns home.ERC works to ensure that your loved one's patient rights and privileges are protected throughout their time in our program. Your loved one has the right to receive considerate, respectful care, under all circumstances — honoring their vulnerability, personal dignity and worth. Our patient advocates support and strengthen patient care by providing: An avenue for patients and families to voice their feedback and concerns Assistance with navigating patient and family concerns to appropriate members of the treatment team and related departmentsHelp to resolve complaints and grievances in a timely fashionHave questions or need to connect with a patient advocate? Current and discharged ERC families can contact Patient.Advocate@ERCPathlight.com for support.14 Family & Friends Resource GuideTo learn more about our education specialists, scan the code.
It’s Never Too Early to Plan for TomorrowPeer and Family Support. Identify a support system that can help your loved one on their recovery journey. Wellness Plan. Prepare for potential eating disorder triggers and develop coping skills to help prevent a lapse. IOP Step-Down. Completing IOP is an important part of a gradual return to life after treatment. ERC offers both in-person and virtual IOP. Outpatient Treatment Team Communication. Communicate with the treatment team that will continue care following ERC treatment. Schedule Follow-up Appointments. Schedule rst appointments with outpatient providers. Your loved one will inevitably discharge from treatment back to school, work, social life or other environments that can be challenging for their recovery. Early on, ERC creates a proactive and collaborative discharge plan to best prepare you and your loved one for this transition. LEARN PRACTICAL TOOLS TO HELP YOU AND YOUR LOVED ONE STAY THE COURSEAnticipating the end of treatment and a loved one's return to real life can be stressful. Whether your loved one is a child, teen or adult, get tips to enable a successful transition home from a relatable, lived-experience advocate who will "tell it like it is." You will learn more about: Creating resilient transitions throughout levels of careEstablishing structure that supports recovery during signicant changeBuilding your support so you can help your loved one build theirsATTEND ERC'S AFTERCARE PLANNING SESSION Register Today! Eating Recovery Center 15
YOU CAN DO THIS AND WE CAN HELP While your loved one is in treatment, take advantage of these free weekly sessions. Learn from our national medical and clinical leaders about our approach to treatment and nutrition and get pragmatic tips from veterans in the eld on how to improve communications with someone with an eating disorder. The more you know, the better you can understand and support your loved one's recovery process. Designed for families and friends who have loved ones currently or previously in treatment, this series is delivered in a virtual format from the comfort of your home. Virtual Family & Friends Education SeriesTools for Connection and Condent Communication With Your Loved OneWEEK ONEA Medical Lens: Eating Disorder Treatment and RecoveryWEEK THREEWhat’s Food Got to Do With It? Our Nutrition ApproachWEEK TWOStay the Course: Practical Steps to Support Recovery WEEK FOURRegister Today! Enroll Once to Join the Series. Drop In Anytime. Same Day. Same Time. Every Week.16 Family & Friends Resource Guide
Eating Recovery Center 17PRACTICAL IDEAS AND HANDS-ON RESOURCES If you (like most of us with a loved one experiencing a health crisis) are spending hours googling condition information, these sessions are for you. In a relaxed hour with a relatable presenter who has lived experience with a loved one in eating disorder recovery, you will learn in laymen's terms more about eating disorders, what treatment looks like for the entire family and how recovery will impact you and your loved one.Eating Disorders 101 and 201I could have used a presentation like this as an overview as soon as my child started treatment for an eating disorder. — Parent of ERC alumnusEATING DISORDERS 101• Second Saturday of each month• 8:00 – 9:00 am MDTEATING DISORDERS 201• Fourth Saturday of each month • 8:00 – 9:00 am MDTREGISTER IN THREE EASY STEPS Scan the QR code to register. Select your event. Click “Register Now.” Learn More About RAC CONNECT WITH OUR RECOVERY AMBASSADORSPersonal Recovery Stories to Destigmatize Eating DisordersThe Recovery Ambassador Council (RAC) is an incredible group of ERC alumni and family members who have been selected to share their personal recovery stories with ERC patients, alumni, families, and the broader community. RAC members passionately speak from the heart with the goal of inspiring hope for recovery. You can request to connect with our RAC members by emailing Resources@ERCPathlight.com.
18 Family & Friends Resource GuideGet tips and resources delivered straight to your inbox. Please take a moment to give us your email so you do not miss out on free education, only available digitally.Connect With Your CommunityFrom educational events to virtual support groups, our complimentary resources empower loved ones while connecting you with other families going through similar experiences. Wherever you nd yourself on this journey, our free resources are here to bring you education, connection and hope.National Alliance for Eating Disorders Support Groups: allianceforeatingdisorders.comNational Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 988ANAD Helpline Call: 1-888-375-7767CRISIS SUPPORT AND NONPROFIT RESOURCESRobbie’s Hope Scan the QR code to learn more about mental health resources.COMMUNITY OUTREACH AND EVENTS ERC hosts and engages with local, regional and national events for alumni, family, support persons and community members. EatingRecovery.com/Events/CommunityBLOGS AND ARTICLES Stories and information to support those on their path to mental wellness. EatingRecovery.com/BlogEATING DISORDERS FAMILY CONNECTION (EDFC) A Facebook-based community for family members, friends and support persons of a loved one with an eating disorder. Master’s-level clinicians moderate all information shared. BINGE EATING CONNECTION A Facebook-based community inspiring people to share experiences, tips for recovery and information about their struggle with binge eating disorder. Facebook.com/BingeEatingConnectionScan Me!
Eating Recovery Center 19Free Virtual Support GroupsThe most common feedback we get from support group attendees is that they wish they'd known about them sooner. Connecting with peers that can relate to what you are going through is invaluable. We encourage you to try one out. Please note that our groups are supplemental, supportive resources. They are not a replacement for treatment, therapy or medical advice.IOP PATIENTS & ALUMNIFor current or past patients of ERC.Binge Eating Disorder Alumni Support Group Mondays at 5:15 pm MDTEating Disorder Alumni Support Group Mondays at 5:30 pm MDTEating Disorder Alumni Support Group Tuesdays at 6:00 pm MDTClinicians in Eating Disorder Recovery Thursdays at 1:30 pm MDTPROVIDERS & CLINICIANSFAMILY & CAREGIVERS For anyone supporting a loved one; prior treatment at ERC is not necessary.Eating Disorder Family and Caregiver Support Group: For Loved Ones of Adolescents Wednesdays at 4:00 pm MDTEating Disorder Family and Caregiver Support Group: For Loved Ones of Adolescents Wednesdays at 6:15 pm MDTEating Disorder Family and Caregiver Support Group: For Loved Ones of Adults Thursdays at 6:00 pm MDTEating Disorder Family and Caregiver Support Group: For Loved Ones of Adults Thursdays at 7:30 pm MDTCOMMUNITY MEMBERS Anyone is welcome; prior treatment at ERC is not necessary.LGBTQ+ Eating Disorder and Body Image Support Group Mondays at 10:00 am MDTBinge Eating Recovery Support Group Mondays at 11:00 am MDT30+ Eating Disorder Support Group Mondays at 4:15 pm MDTMental Health Support Group for People of Color Mondays at 5:00 pm MDTEating Disorder Community Support Group Tuesdays at 11:00 am MDTEating Disorder Community Support Group Wednesdays at 5:00 pm MDTCollege Student/Early Adult Support Group Thursdays at 12:00 pm MDTAvailable support groups are subject to change. To learn more about our current support groups and to register, visit EatingRecovery.com/Support-Groups
DO realize there is not a quick and easy solution. DO talk to your loved one about your concerns; ask questions and listen. DO honestly express your feelings with your loved one. DO genuinely let your loved one know which qualities/characteristics (other than physical) you appreciate about them. DO plan social activities that do not involve food. DO encourage your loved one to trust and follow the advice of their treatment team. DO allow your loved one to provide input regarding daily routines, reminding them to align their ideas with their treatment plan.DO encourage your loved one to discuss concerns around the meal plan and/or daily routine with their treatment team. DO encourage your loved one to remain consistent with their treatment appointments. Create a team that consists of eating disorder specialists. DO realize your loved one may feel ambivalent about getting well. DO realize your loved one takes comfort and feels safe in the control and rituals of the disorder without commenting on it. DO express interest in your loved one’s recovery journey. DO inform yourself about the eating disorder and treatment by attending support groups and reading current literature. DO realize eating disorders are rarely just about food. DO understand that lying is a result of shame and a part of the eating disorder; your loved one may deeply regret being dishonest. DO express gratitude for each other. DO model normal eating behavior. DO realize that mealtimes and the period immediately after can be especially stressful. DO separate your loved one from their eating disorder. They have an eating disorder; they are not their eating disorder. DO take care of yourself. You need rest and rejuvenation to better support your loved one. Dos and Don’tsDOs20 Family & Friends Resource GuideFOR FAMILIES, CAREGIVERS AND SUPPORT PERSONS
DON’T ever give up. Continue to offer support and know that recovery is possible. DON’T ignore behaviors. Validate and offer emotional and practical support. DON’T assign moral value to food or use diet culture language. DON’T discuss nancial costs. This can make your loved one feel like a burden. DON’T panic. Seek support from the community, support groups or your loved one’s treatment team. DON’T assume there isn’t a problem if your loved one doesn’t show physical symptoms. DON’T take on the role of dietitian. Refer to the treatment plan for suggestions on how to support your loved one and, if possible, check with the treatment team for additional ideas. DON’T make your love conditional on your loved one’s appearance, health, weight, achievements or any other attribute. DON’T comment positively or negatively on appearance or weight. DON’T feel you need to walk on eggshells. Work with the treatment team to learn effective communication skills. Don’t let the eating disorder disrupt family routines. Take your lead from the treatment team on how to adjust schedules and routines so that your loved one feels supported in recovery. DON’T try to control your loved one’s behavior, as this could lead to conict. DON’T focus all your attention on the meal during mealtimes. Engage in enjoyable conversations while offering support around the meal when needed. DON’T blame yourself, feel guilty or dwell on what caused your loved one’s eating disorder. DON’T expect yourself to be a perfect caregiver, family member or friend. DON’TsEating Recovery Center 21
GLOSSARYAcceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT, pronounced as the word “Act”)A type of cognitive behavioral therapy designed to help people notice and accept their thoughts, as opposed to changing their thoughts. There is strong evidence that some of our thoughts cannot be changed. When this is the case, ACT teaches how to accept these thoughts, but not let them dominate your life. Instead, with ACT you’ll learn how to move your focus of thought to the things that matter for you and make values-driven behavioral choices. ACT is one of the approaches and skill sets used mainly with adult patients. Behavioral Health Counselor (BHC) A key member of the site-based care team responsible for the application and implementation of treatment plans. These trained and highly compassionate individuals provide the observations, education and interventions for your loved one’s individualized treatment program.Caregivers/Support Persons Parents, spouses, life partners, siblings, children or extended family members, friends and others as named by the individual in care. Our goal is to provide education, resources and skills to any person in the role of support. The terms “family” and “caregivers” are used interchangeably throughout this manual.Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) A type of psychotherapy that is designed to help people change behaviors. CBT assumes that faulty thought patterns cause maladaptive behavior and emotional responses. The treatment focuses on changing thoughts to solve psychological and personality problems. CBT was the rst therapy to emphasize the impact of thoughts on behavior and to focus on changing thoughts as key to mental health recovery. Strong empirical evidence supports its effectiveness. Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) A type of cognitive behavioral therapy designed to help people develop skills that promote behavior change. DBT helps people change patterns of behavior that are not effective, such as self-harm, suicidal thinking and substance abuse. DBT focuses on teaching skills that support better self-awareness, conict management, self-soothing and interpersonal relationships. DBT is used with both children and adults.Emotion-Focused Family Therapy (EFFT)A type of family-based therapy that supports the building of recovery skills for caregivers. EFFT is comprised of a set of skills for families to enhance their ability to be recovery coaches by teaching them behavioral and emotion coaching skills. EFFT applies to all mental health struggles, not just eating disorders. Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP)A type of psychotherapy based in cognitive behavioral therapy and used for a variety of anxiety disorders. The most effective way to help people overcome anxiety-based avoidance issues is to have them face and experience things that cause them to feel fearful. ERP processes are safe and effective ways to overcome self-defeating avoidance practices. Expressive Therapy A type of psychotherapy based in using art, movement, storytelling, music, psychodrama and other creative or expressive modalities to help patients achieve the goals of psychotherapy. This therapy does not rely on talk but is a powerful intervention to support a person’s self-awareness and growth,and helpful for addressing psychological issues. Family-Based Treatment (FBT)For adolescents only, this approach to treatment, also known as the Maudsley approach, is a specic form of family therapy designed for the treatment of anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa in adolescents. FBT is based on the principle that parents are the best people to bring their child back to full health, given their unparalleled knowledge of their child and their dedication to their child’s well-being. FBT aligns closely with ERC’s rm stance and beliefs related to families. 22 Family & Friends Resource Guide
Family Therapy A critical part of every patient's care at ERC. This type of psychotherapy focuses on understanding and improving the relationships among family members. ERC primarily utilizes a model of emotion-focused family therapy (EFFT) that aims to restore connection and promote resilience in family relationships by addressing the emotional needs and patterns of all family members. Higher Levels of CareWhen someone needs more treatment than one or two visits a week to an outpatient provider, they will engage in treatment at a higher level of care. This can be any level of care, from IOP to inpatient.Inpatient Program (IP)Patients at this level receive 24-hour medical and psychiatric care in our specialized hospital setting. Our intensive treatment unit (ITU) is for patients who need the most intensive stabilization.Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP) Patients participate in three hours of group psychotherapy three days a week, individual or family therapy and nutritional support. On-site and virtual programming options available. An essential bridge to recovery, IOP helps patients build the skills they need and practice those skills in everyday life. MindfulnessThe practice of mindfulness originated from Eastern Asian philosophies and has been incorporated into cognitive behavioral psychotherapies. Mindfulness practices are intended to help people focus on becoming aware of all incoming thoughts and feelings. When a person notices and is aware of thoughts and feelings, they can choose how to react to those thoughts and feelings. Multidisciplinary Treatment Team ERC’s multidisciplinary care teams consist of psychiatrists, therapists, dietitians, primary care physicians and nurses. Team members worktogether to develop an individualized treatment plan for your loved one and support them as they move through each level of care. With our physician-led multidisciplinary care team, your loved one will get comprehensive andcollaborative care from the beginning. Nurse Nurses provide the hands-on medical interventions and support for patients at the higher levels of care.Nurse PractitionerLicensed health care professional who works under the supervision of an attending physician to perform patient exams, provide assessments, diagnose, develop treatment plans, and prescribe medications. Trained in a nursing model.Outpatient Treatment TeamA group of providers with whom a patient meets when not at a higher level of care. The outpatient treatment team can include a therapist, registered dietitian, psychiatrist and primary care physician. While participating in treatment at ERC, your care team will communicate with outpatient treatment providers to ensure optimal collaboration and consistency in care. When receiving care in an ERC IOP program, we generally recommend that our patients continue to meet regularly with their collaborating outpatient care team in addition to their ERC care team. Following discharge from ERC, we recommend that patients meet with their outpatient treatment team to continue supporting them through their recovery journey.Partial Hospitalization Program (PHP)Patients get a full day of programming in a highly structured environment up to seven days per week, with evenings at home or in a peer-supported apartment. With most daily meals and snacks taking place on-site with supportive supervision, patients can break the cycle of their eating disorder. Outings and passes can give patients opportunities to practice the skills they are learning and then return to process these experiences in a therapeutic setting.Eating Recovery Center 23
24 Family & Friends Resource GuidePatient Advocate A person who helps your loved one navigate the systems designed to aid them in resolving any complaints or grievances related to their health care. Provides an avenue for patients and families to voice their feedback and concerns, assists with navigating patient and family concerns to appropriate members of the treatment team and related departments, and helps to resolve complaints and grievances in a timely fashion.Physician AssistantLicensed health care professional who works under the supervision of an attending physician to perform patient exams, provide assessments, diagnose, develop treatment plans and prescribe medications. Trained in a medical model and can work with patients at all levels of care. Primary Care PhysicianA medical doctor board-certied in internal medicine, family practice medicine and/or pediatrics. Our medical doctors have extensive additional training and experience in the management of eating disorders. Primary TherapistTrained psychotherapist with an advanced degree. Each patient has a primary therapist who provides individual and family psychotherapy treatment. The primary therapist serves as a member of your loved one’s treatment team and as the liaison between the team and involved caregivers. PsychiatristA medical doctor who completed a residency in psychiatry. At our PHP, residential and inpatient levels of care, a psychiatrist serves as your loved one's team leader and as their attending physician.PsychotherapyAn interactive, talk-based process between a person or group and a qualied mental health professional (psychiatrist, psychologist, licensed clinical social worker, licensed counselor or another trained practitioner). The focus of the work is to explore thoughts, feelings and behaviors for the purpose of problem solving or achieving higher levels of functioning. Psychotherapy at ERC is provided by your loved one’s primary therapist and is part of every patient’s treatment program. Radically Open DBT (RO-DBT)An innovative and evidence-based treatment offering patients a practical framework for working with emotional overcontrol and emotional undercontrol. Radical openness is the core skill of RO-DBT. Radical openness contends that emotional well-being involves three things: openness, exibility and social connectedness.Registered Dietitian (RD)Trained dietitian who works closely with medical staff in eating disorder programs to determine nutritional requirements for patients in treatment. Provides nutrition education and support for patients and families. Serves as a member of your loved one’s core treatment team. Residential Program (RES)Patients who are medically stable but still need around-the-clock support in a highly structured environment live in our 24-hour care program. Outings and passes can give patients opportunities to practice the skills they are learning and then return to process these experiences in a therapeutic setting. Virtual ProgrammingRobust online treatment programs targeted at supporting patients who are in the lower levels of treatment. Virtual programming is designed to run several days a week, for several hours at a time. Virtual programming is run by a master’s-level therapist.
Eating Recovery Center 25— Dave, ERC program alumnus and RAC memberRecovery means that I will do whatever it takes to love myself and to live my life to its fullest potential.I think recovery feels like opportunity. I get the opportunity to explore now.— Katie, ERC program alumnus and RAC member— Kelli, ERC program alumnusRecovery in my life has meant that I no longer live in shame and fear. I embrace life with a sense of freedom and have a contentment I never had before recovery.Recovery is dened as the ability to create and live a meaningful, enriching, values-driven life. Recovery is a journey, not a destination.WHAT IS RECOVERY?
7351 E. Lowry Blvd, Ste 200Denver, CO 80230RESOURCES FOR FAMILY AND FRIENDS While your loved one is getting the care they need, you’re getting the tools you need to support them along the way. Peek inside to start building your own toolbox (and community) today.EATING DISORDERS 101 AND 201 Free eating disorder education delivered by a passionate parent advocateHOPE ORIENTATION Free 60-minute orientation for anyone with a loved one newly in treatmentVIRTUAL FAMILY & FRIENDS EDUCATION SERIES Free weekly 90-minute education sessionsAFTERCARE PLANNING SESSION Free 90-minute session to prepare for life after treatmentBUILD YOUR RECOVERY TOOLBOX TODAYPODCASTA mental health podcast series with relatable stories that will give you hope, inspiration and a dose of laughter. Find Mental Note on your favorite podcast app or scan here.REAL STORIES. TRUE RESILIENCE. ©2024 Eating Recovery Center Inc. All rights reserved.ERC-ARG3055 02/19/24ERC has guided thousands of patients and their families into recovery. To learn more, visit EatingRecoveryCenter.comFAMILY & CAREGIVER SUPPORT GROUP Free weekly connection and support with peers