DENVER—Eating disorder treatment isn’t a one-size-fits-all approach. And when you’re working with children, having age-appropriate, tailored support is key to lasting recovery.
Today, Eating Recovery Center launched its “Brave Bites 812” track to address the
developmental needs of children ages 8–12 in inpatient and residential eating disorder care. The track offers therapy services supervised by licensed, experienced leaders who specialize in pediatric care, play-based process and skills groups, and gives kids the opportunity to heal in an environment best suited for their age.
"Our track provides a warm, nurturing environment where care is thoughtfully tailored to this age group,” said Eating Recovery Center Executive Director Lorin Terrell. “Our medical staff and leadership are specifically trained and credentialed in pediatric child and adolescent treatment to meet their medical, psychological, and emotional needs.”
The treatment site also features a sensory room, calming corners, flexible seating, noise cancelling headphones and sound machines, and a variety of visual and tactile materials (fidget toys, balance boards, etc.) to help kids regulate senses and increase relaxation and focus to help improve overall functioning.
“While children may share space with older peers for certain activities like meals or breaks, Brave Bites is typically housed in its own wing, which allows peers to experience recovery together,” said Terrell. “And the curriculum for 8-to-12-year-olds was crafted just for them."
Program highlights include:
Tailored care
Group rooms equipped with developmentally modified curriculum and appropriate
materials (flexible seating, auditory tools, play materials, visual prompts)Sensory room designed to help kids regulate senses and increase relaxation and focus
and calming cornersSpecialized meal environment for those who need a quieter space
Full-time daily attending physicians/psychiatrists and 24-hour nursing on site
“Collaboration is essential, so we actively listen and respond to both parent and provider feedback to create strong family partnerships,” said Terrell. “We also closely coordinate with hospitals and independent providers as treatment needs evolve.”
Additionally, ERC is one of the only centers nationwide offering this type of programming at the inpatient and residential level for this age group that offers a smooth transition to partial hospitalization programming – all with the same treatment team.
"It’s really difficult to find tailored eating disorder programming at the inpatient and residential level of care for this age group,” said Terrell. “Parents have often told us, ‘We can’t get our child admitted anywhere.’ And what we know about treating eating disorders is – getting treatment at the right level of care, as early as possible, is critical to finding recovery.”
To learn more about ERC Denver’s Brave Bites 812 program, visit:
www.eatingrecoverycenter.com/brave-bites