Level System

Recovery from an eating disorder is a multi-faceted process. To make it less overwhelming, ACED established a level system that breaks treatment into realistic, surmountable steps. Our research-based level system provides a supportive, structured environment for clients to quiet the eating disorder and progress toward recovery.

Because every person is different, the level system paves unique paths in treatment and allows progressive freedoms to meet client goals. Each week, the clients work together with our treatment team to develop personalized contracts that reflect an individual's own path and progress.

While some goals are pre-established, the majority are collaboratively decided between the client and staff based on the individual needs of each client. Clients move at their own pace to the next level after achieving goals in the previous one. Each level offers more freedom and responsibility, moving clients closer to recovery and further from the eating disorder.

Group and Individual Therapy Working Together

Research proves the most successful treatment model for eating disorders includes group cohesiveness and individualization. Therefore, ACED puts equal emphasis on group sessions and individual therapy.

A daily part of ACED, group therapy fosters a sense of community, restores relationships, and strengthens trust and socialization skills. Clients also have one or more daily individual therapy sessions with members of the treatment team to privately address emotional, relational, physical and spiritual needs or concerns. Individual sessions are held with treatment team members, including but not limited to primary therapists, our dietitians, psychiatrist and clinical director.

Family Group

Relationships are seeds of healing and pillars of recovery. To mend, foster and enrich these relationships, we offer a weekly evening group at no charge for friends, family members and other loved ones of our clients. Former clients and their support people are also invited.

Transitional Planning

Successful re-entry into the community and integration of skills learned in treatment are keystone to full recovery, and therefore, are foundational at ACED. Planning and preparation for this transition begins the very first day a client arrives. It doesn't end until the very last. Our treatment team works intensely with clients to create an external system for support after treatment is completed. We also follow up with clients one week after they leave our program and, after this time, at intervals for up to one year following discharge.