No Tricks, Just Truth: What to Expect From Eating Disorder Treatment in New Jersey
During Halloween, jars are filled with candy and fears are heightened. Similar to Halloween, eating disorder treatment is scary. However, the thought of eating disorder treatment is usually clouded by myths. I am here to help set aside the “scary” stories and provide the real, supportive truth about what treatment looks like in New Jersey. Eating disorder treatment doesn’t have to be intimidating. Here is what you can really expect.
Breaking Down the Myths vs Truth
Let’s start by breaking down the myths of eating disorder treatment:
Myth #1: Treatment means giving up your identity, sport or passion.
Truth: Treatment helps you reconnect with your authentic self and learn how to thrive in your sport.
Myth #2: You have to be at rock button to deserve help.
Truth: Early intervention leads to better outcomes. Treatment is for anyone struggling, not just crisis situations.
Myth#3: Eating disorder treatment in New Jersey is “one-size-fits-all.”
Truth: Care is individualized, drawing from modalities such as CBT, ACT or FBT. This can change based on age, needs and goals in treatment.
What Eating Disorder Treatment in New Jersey Really Looks Like
Eating disorder therapists understand the fears, resistance and shame that can come with asking for help. Treatment offers a supportive, judgement-free space for healing, where the team really gets it. Virtual and in-person options offer convenience for busy athletes, students and families across NJ. This helps guide folks towards integrating skills with everyday life, finding the balance of recovery and being an athlete, student, or professional. Treatment is no piece of cake. It is emotionally exhausting and draining. Sometimes this does mean shifting priorities while recovery is shifted as the main focus.
The Treatment Process: What to Expect Step-by-Step
Depending on what level of care you or your loved one is going into, this process may look different. So I am going to break it down into what Residential treatment looks like, because this tends to be very scary for many.
Initial Consultation/Intake
The first initial phone call to a treatment center is terrifying. You will have a confidential conversation and schedule an intake with the intake coordinator. Here you will go over you or your loved ones history, struggles, and goals. You will need to complete blood work and have information from your doctor sent over for them to review. After all of that is done, they will determine what level of care you are appropriate for and when you can admit.
The First 24 Hours of Treatment
This is the hardest and scariest yet. Stepping in the building of the unknown into a busy first 24 hours. You will need to see the psychiatrist, doctor and meet your therapist within this time. There are a lot of questions that you may not know the answer. That’s okay, try your best! Your therapist and dietitian will work with you to collaborate on a plan to reach your goals. As difficult as this is, you do have a say! You will continue to have ongoing sessions with each, as well as group therapy around body image, building skills and processing the difficult emotions. Things do get easier as they go. However, the first week can feel like a year. Treatment evolves as recovery progresses.
What Options Are There for Eating Disorder Treatment in New Jersey?
First let's break down the different levels of care that exist.
Inpatient
This is a hospital setting for folks that are extremely compromised. They typically stay anywhere from 3-10 days in order to become stable enough to go to a proper long term treatment option. Two options for inpatient in New Jersey are Princeton Center for Eating Disorders and Robert Wood Johnson Eating Disorder Program. Both of these programs support children and adults.
Residential
This is where someone will stay for 4-6 weeks for longer support as they begin to heal. There are nurses on staff 24/7 as well as access to therapists, dietitians, doctors and psychiatrists. Residential holds a supportive place for folks to work on weight restoration, consistency with meals and snacks, or learning to trust their body again. These are a homey environment that allows folks to feel safe and supported while challenging some of their biggest fears.
A few options for children and adolescents are:
An option for adults are:
Partial Hospitalization (PHP)
This is the next step in eating disorder treatment that consists of living at home, while commuting daily for an all day program. Meal and group support, in combination with meeting with a therapist and dietitian, leave clients with a supportive environment while transitioning back into their home.
Here are a few PHP options for both adolescents and adults:
Intensive Outpatient (IOP)
IOP is the last level of care before outpatient. This is where clients reduce the time in group therapy and meal support to about 3 days a week for around 3 hours a day. At this point, they are usually able to withhold from behaviors outside of program hours and in the home. The programs above, also have IOP programs, alongside PHP, making it a smooth transition.
Addressing the “Fear Factor” of Starting Treatment
The number one thing I hear before someone starts treatment is that they do not feel sick enough. The fear seems to stem from being around others who are “sicker”, leaving them feeling as though they failed and so did the eating disorder. However, eating disorders come in all different shapes, sizes, behaviors, or health concerns. The only thing that matters is that it is negatively impacting your life in any way. If it is, you deserve help.
Another big fear is losing control. Restriction feels like control because of the views society puts on eating less. However, the truth is that the eating disorder is actually in control here. Eating more and consistently is the harder thing to do. The goal in eating disorder treatment is not to lead you to being in less control, but actually to guide you to being in more control and trust with your body. If you want a cookie, I want you to be able to choose if you eat it, not the eating disorder!
Call to Action
So, what now? If you feel that you or a loved one may benefit, but are not sure you “qualify” for help, I encourage you to reach out. At Serendipity Counseling, we can assess you for what type of care is best for where you are in your recovery process. Here are a few steps on how to do this!
Schedule a free 20-minute consultation call.
Set up an intake session to see if outpatient is the right support for you.
Let Kate guide you through the next steps in learning how to trust your body.
No tricks, just compassionate truth. Help is available. You don’t need to face it alone.
Other Types of Support for Eating Disorder Recovery
Serendipity offers support beyond eating disorder therapy. Kate has been featured on many different podcasts, so check them out to hear more about athletes in recovery. Serendipity also offers a support group for “retired” athletes for folks seeking peer support through injury, retirement or life transitions in sport.
About the Author: An Experience Eating Disorder Therapist in Cherry Hill
Kate Ringwood is a licensed therapist that specializes in guiding athletes through eating disorder treatment. She has experience working at every level of care and can help you or your loved one find the support that works best for them. Kate comes from a background in nutrition with a history of her own eating disorder recovery journey as a collegiate athlete. Learn more about Kate to see if she is the right fit for you!
