I remember one of my counseling professors say that an eating disorder is harder to recover from than alcoholism or a drug addiction. That stuck in the front of my brain and scared me to death. Anyway, it’s a year later, and I’m so thankful for ERC and everyone there that played and plays a role in her recovery. I’m so thankful! I remember crying and Beth saying, “You’ll get your daughter back.” We have her back and better than she was prior to all this. She now has tools in her belt to last a lifetime. There are so many that I owe a thank you to like Beth, Amber, Christine, you, the nurse, etc.
Gigi F.
parent of an Eating Recovery Center patient
This is my third Family Days in three months. I was a bit apprehensive about attending a third—would I be bored? But each time I’ve come I learned more or learned more deeply or understood on a different level. Having a child with anorexia is so exhausting—mentally, emotionally, financially—and coming here and learning gives me a sense of strength and purpose. I’m also sustained by the knowledge level and what dedicated and intelligent and caring professionals you are!
DJ H.
parent of Eating Recovery Center patient
It is so helpful to not have to grope around in the dark with so many of the issues of a complicated disease that threatens the life and well being of those you hold most dear to your heart. Family Days gives me knowledge that serves as a tool to not only help us as parents, but to help us better support our loved ones.
Beverly K.
parent of Eating Recovery Center patient
My daughter’s team at Eating Recovery Center worked impeccably together to serve her recovery. They were innovative, focused, kind, steadfast and highly attuned to my daughter. She received not only healing that was life saving but education this is foundational for positive entry into young adulthood. If your child needs inpatient treatment, Eating Recovery Center is the place to go!
Melissa M.
parent of Eating Recovery Center patient
After four years of closed doors for recovery via inpatient treatment for my daughter who had relapsed after 15 years of walking in recovery, I found hope for her recovery through the program offered at Eating Recovery Center. My husband and our adult children received similar hope through family therapy and Family Days experiences. I am grateful especially because another relapse in my daughter’s life might prove to be fatal due to her long term battle to recovery. I am trusting that ERC can help patients who come to have a “successful” (not perfect) recovery when there has not been “success” in previous programs.
Mary K.
parent of Eating Recovery Center patient
I was so impressed with Eating Recovery Center and my daughter’s team there. The communication was amazing; we love each and every one of her treatment team members. I was so impressed with the parent education, it has been very helpful. We had full confidence in Eating Recovery Center and I am thankful that we were able to come there for treatment, I just wish we would have come there sooner!
Shelley C.
parent of Eating Recovery Center patient
My daughter received outstanding care and treatment from ERC on two separate occasions having to address two separate issues; the first was anorexia, and the second was bulimia. I am indebted to her treatment team who brought insight, wisdom and genuine interest to her treatment. The daily educational sessions and Family Days empowered me to confront her eating disorder. Recovery is possible.
Beth Ayn S.
parent of Eating Recovery Center patient
I remember the first day we came to the center, we were all lost confused and scared. Thank you for the constant care and encouragement, for listening for our needs as a family, for believing in recovery and in our family’s ability to heal and work together.
These last two months feel like a whole year, so much have happened and changed, our daughter has changed, and having her at home is such a milestone. It feels good. So nice to have our real daughter back!
Even though there is still a lot ahead of us, I feel that she is stronger in herself, and I feel stronger in my ability to support her thanks to your help and the resourceful family days, that was priceless! Witnessing so much pain and suffering must make your job one of the hardest jobs and I appreciate your presence, dedication and perseverance.
Eeris K.
parent of Eating Recovery Center patient
Our daughter’s odyssey with anorexia has been one of hills and valleys. We had already placed her in one program that had just given us temporary relief. Within a year the anorexia had come roaring back. This time we more carefully considered various treatment programs—each patient is different, each program is different. We felt that Eating Recovery Center was the best fit for our daughter’s situation. I count us blessed because we made the right decision! There is no magic bullet for anorexia. But Eating Recovery stopped the downward spiral and gave my daughter some precious time to regain some weight and learn appropriate coping skills. If you were to ask our daughter today, one year out, she would say she still hated the program. However, we can tell some major differences that have taken hold:
1. She has maintained an overall healthy weight.
2. She feels much more in control of her life.
3. She has taken responsibility for her actions.
4. She finally is engaging in counseling.
These things may seem minor to those who have not struggled with anorexia, but for our daughter these are huge differences in her outlook on life. She still continues to wrestle with the demons of her eating disorder, but we feel more optimistic as time has passed. Anorexia is like a giant ship—you can’t change course on a dime. Eating Recovery was like turning the wheel hard to starboard. Initially, the changes were small (with lots of anger!). But as time goes by, we have seen a significant course outlook. Part of this is due to the intensity of this program, part is due to the philosophy that anorexia is a family disorder. If we had brought are daughter home to the same environment (like we did last time), we would have returned to the exact same spot. The changes were not easy, and didn’t happen overnight. It was hard work for the entire family. But with time, we are beginning to have hope that this addiction may be defeated.
Diane L.
parent of Eating Recovery Center patient
We have drifted away from shaming and blaming of families and have moved toward an understanding that families are an integral part of eating disorders treatment, not only in helping an individual respond well to treatment, but also go onto lasting recovery.
Dr. Ovidio Bermudez
Medical Director of Child and Adolescent Services