Abraham Lincoln
Our program is based on providing individualized care. With a small number of clients and a relatively large staff, we work hard to address each client's individual needs. Our primary therapists are assigned no more than three clients at a time. Each client meets with their therapist two times per week as well as sessions with the dietitian, medical director, psychiatrist and the clinical director. Each week the client has an individualized contract with their own personal goals, including what they hope to work on in groups as well as what they are working towards when they are not in program.
Clients develop their contracts with the therapists based on the specific things they intend to focus on that week and their individual hopes for their recovery and their future. We believe that an essential component of treatment at the EDCC is participating in the step-down program (3 days a week instead of the full-time 6 day program). The decision to move to step-down is completely individual and based on each client’s progress, including their physical health, their connection to their own preferences for their lives, their confidence in their ability to take care of themselves outside of program and their ability to reach out to others for support when needed. During this time we work with clients to set up individualized plans/schedules appropriate to their unique preferences and needs. We have clients who have taken classes in new interests, applied for and started a new job, participated in volunteer work, finished academic courses and gotten massages or sports rehabilitation treatments.
Each day at the EDCC is a little different. Monday through Thursday the program runs approximately between 11am and 7:15 and Friday and Saturday the program runs from 9:30 to 3:00. Sundays is a day off. Typically the day starts with a group (like experiential, nutrition or cognitive behavioral group) at 11am and then lunch at the facility. After lunch we have Primary Group where clients bring in completed (individualized) assignments or share with peers current issues/feelings. After Primary Group there is a break, an afternoon snack and an afternoon group (this might be weekend review, special topics, yoga, nia, etc.). In the early evening dinner is served, followed by topic groups designed to re-center people and to connect them with peers before they leave the facility. Throughout the day clients will have individual therapy sessions, meetings with the clinical director, physician or dietitian. If no sessions are scheduled, clients work on individual assignments or have free time for reading, art projects, visiting, etc. Clients are busy with therapy at our facilities; however, free time, organized activities and meal outings are also important parts of our program and are interspersed throughout the week.
This varies at any given time.
EDCC is licensed to accept adolescents and adults. EDCC now accepts 16 year olds on an individual case basis. The age of clients in treatment at any given time varies.
All our facilities have a large and varied staff. Carolyn Costin, the executive director of all our programs sets the tone for clinical treatment. Each clinical director collaborates with Carolyn to provide treatment for all clients. Our primary therapists provide individual, group and family therapy. Our psychiatrists oversee all psychiatric issues and provide each client with appropriate medications or naturopathic alternatives. Our medical doctors attend to the overall physical health of each client and help resolve any medical issues that arise. We have dietitians who collaborate with each client to develop lifelong eating habits. Our fitness trainers and yoga teachers help establish healthy exercise goals and provide a variety of physical activities. Our chefs provide wholesome, beautifully presented fresh food for meals, and where possible, e.g., in Malibu, use the Monte Nido garden for some ingredients. When appropriate, our chefs work individually with clients in the kitchen and make everyone feel at home. There are several other staff members including nurses, group therapists, eating disorder counselors, program coordinators, and specialty practitioners who personally invest their time and energy in helping EDCC clients recover from their eating disorder. Please refer to the section titled "the EDCC staff" for a detailed description of the main core staff you will be interacting with at Monte Nido programs.
Clients are very different in terms of food fears and likes and dislikes. We are sensitive to each individual's food issues and provide flexibility in our menus including: offering vegetarian choices and allowing each client to have certain foods they do not have to eat (this can be chosen as a result of taste or allergies, etc). We work slowly and empathetically with people’s specific food issues. Clients are not forced to eat any particular food, however, we are careful to help each client understand the differences between food preference and eating disorder influenced choices. If you have specific questions about allergies or religion-based food limitations please call our main office at 310.457.9958.
The portion sizes and the percentage of your meal you need to complete is worked out between you and our dietitian. Our goal is that prior to leaving our program, clients will have the opportunity to eat according to their own hunger and fullness.
Meal plan and calorie levels are determined on an individual basis taking into account a variety of factors including both psychological and physical concerns.
Not all of our clients need to gain weight, but for those that who do we work out an individualized program. Most treatment programs follow the American Psychiatric Association guidelines of 1-2 lbs. per week. Some clients can succeed with these guidelines, however we have found that not all of our clients can tolerate the APA rate of weight gain and do better when we proceed more slowly.
In the beginning, and as deemed necessary, clients are on an observation period after meals and snacks, as this is usually the hardest time for clients.
Upon admission, each client will have an initial meeting and evaluation with our psychiatrist. After the initial meeting, each client will meet with our psychiatrist with more or less frequent sessions according to need.
We have a minimum stay of 24 days, but most clients stay somewhere between 2-4 months. A few clients have stayed 6 months or more.
We are conscientious regarding transition and aftercare. We believe it is very important to support clients in order to continue the progress they have made in treatment. All EDCC clients are encouraged to participate in some kind of transition program prior to resuming outpatient therapy alone, if only for a minimal time period. We have found this to be enormously beneficial in helping clients practice their recovery skills. When a client is ready to move to a more independent level but not ready to move to outpatient therapy alone, we have a three-day a week program where they can begin to integrate more fully into their everyday lives. In addition, all clients are encouraged to maintain contact with their outpatient therapists to assure that skills and knowledge that are developed in the program can be followed through after discharge. If need be, we draw from our extensive referral list both in and outside the United States to make sure that the client will have the appropriate amount of support upon discharging from the EDCC.
At no cost, we offer our ongoing Family/Significant Other Group and Saturday Primary Group to all former clients. These groups serve as an ongoing alumni groups for clients in the area or as a way to 'recharge' when needed.
We know all too well that clients can be successful in a structured treatment setting and then slip back into old habits after returning to their day-to-day life. The EDCC program is built around a level system which provides a higher level of support/structure during the early stages of treatment and then allows for a gradual reduction in this support as clients move to increasing levels of independence. One of the benefits of a day-treatment setting is that clients are not removed from their environment and therefore learn to manage and respond to things in their daily lives as well as utilize their outside support networks throughout their whole stay in the program. Our system has been well thought out. We fully understand that what the client does at the EDCC is important but not nearly as important as what she continues to do after she discharges. Experience has shown us that if clients can remain in treatment through the entire program we provide, they will have less chance of relapse and a far greater chance of full recovery.
We would be happy to provide phone numbers of graduates as well as family members or significant others who have agreed to discuss their experience at the EDCC. Anyone requesting phone numbers should call our office manager and intake coordinator, Fredda Kurtz, at 310-457-9958.
Our day treatment rate is $625.00 per day. This fee includes all our groups and individual therapy as well as weekly sessions with the dietitian and psychiatrist. We do work with a variety of insurance companies. See FAQ #17 below.
We ask that you pay for your stay up front for at least 30 days. You may pay with a credit card if you wish. We are contracted with a number of insurance companies and in some cases can obtain single case agreements. We have an excellent intake staff who will verify insurance coverage for you and do everything we can to get reimbursement for your treatment. You will need to discuss your financial situation with an intake counselor at our main office 310-457-9958.
