Partial Hospitalization Program (PHP)
Healthy Eating and Living (HEaL)
The journey of physical growth and psychological development is both exciting and challenging for adolescents and young adults. During this complex biological, psychological, and social change, unhealthy eating and living patterns can emerge. If ignored, unbalanced nutrition, along with mental health and relationship problems, can undermine self-confidence and lead to devastating results.
The HEaL Program creates an atmosphere of acceptance and growth in physical, psychological, and social health. Our clinical experts will create an individualized treatment plan focused on your health while engaging support from family, medical, academic, and work communities as needed.
Program Mission
The HEaL program employs Family Based Therapy (Maudsley) through our full-day Partial Hospitalization Program (PHP). This approach helps families play an active and positive role in restoring nutrition to developmentally appropriate levels. Eventually, this approach aims to hand nutritional control back to the adolescent or young adult. Ultimately, we will help you build confidence in your plan to maintain healthy development and a balanced lifestyle.
We Provide an Evidence-Based and Individualized Path to Heal
- Your Therapy: A therapist will work with patients individually and with their families to provide evidence-based therapeutic support.
- Your Plan: Patients will regularly meet with their care team to adjust and expand their initial treatment plan.
- Your Physical Health: Patients will learn to manage their physical health by working with their HEaL program team.
- Your Future: By investing in these powerful therapeutic and educational experiences, patients build skills and resiliency that can transform their future.
Services are provided by our professional team, including:
- Psychiatrist
- Therapist
- Dietitian/Nutritionist
- Social Worker
What Is an Eating Disorder?
Eating disorders are a type of mental health condition and are not a lifestyle choice. According to the National Institute of Mental Health, eating disorders are serious illnesses associated with disturbances in people’s eating behaviors and related thoughts and behaviors. A person with an eating disorder may display a focus on their food intake, body weight, and/or body shape.
Most parents do not realize how common teen eating disorders are, especially since 2020. About 1 in 7 men and 1 in 5 women experience an eating disorder. In most cases, the onset of eating disorders occurs in adolescence or early adulthood. The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Agency reports that 95 percent of people with eating disorders are between the ages of 12 and 25.
Finding sustainable healing from eating disorders is possible. Although it can be a long road, treatment provides hope.
Signs of an Eating Disorder
Parents and caregivers need to be aware of the signs and symptoms, since teen eating disorders are so common. It’s helpful to understand that these disorders produce both behavioral and physical signs.
Behavioral Signs
- Making excuses to avoid eating
- Always on a diet, even when not needed
- Obsessed with exercise to lose weight
- Secretly storing food or eating alone, particularly at night
- A distorted body image; body dysmorphia
- Compulsive use of laxatives, diet pills, and weight-loss aids
- An intense, obsessive focus on calories
- An unwillingness to discuss weight changes
- Resistance to social situations where eating is expected
- Extended bathroom use during/after meals
Physical Symptoms
- Sudden or extreme loss or gain of weight
- Repeated weight cycling, going up and down within a brief period
- Constipation or vomiting
- Skin rashes or dry skin
- Erosion of tooth enamel; dental cavities
- Loss of hair and/or poor nail health
- Obvious signs of exhaustion, insomnia
- Irregular menstruation or absence of menstruation
- Easily bruised; more prone to physical injury
- Cold sensitivity; inability to tolerate cold
Do you think your teen might have an eating disorder? Contact our team to schedule a complimentary care questionnaire.
We understand you may have questions before starting our full-day mental health program at PrairieCare. Contact our Rochester team today for any questions or to schedule an assessment by calling 507-218-3701.