What to expect from us

Eating disorders can be complex. The Center for the Treatment of Eating Disorders is here to help you or your child resume healthy eating and return to a healthy weight. We’ll provide advanced treatment along with support and encouragement.

Two paths to care for eating disorders

Each path to treatment is unique. If you or your child is experiencing medical complications from an eating disorder, we may recommend a stay in the hospital so we can help you reach a stable condition. If you or your child is medically stable, we will work with you in an outpatient setting.

Here are more details about each program:

• Inpatient care. If you need immediate medical care for an eating disorder, we may recommend our inpatient program. Our program for children and adolescents is located on the sixth floor of Children’s Minnesota – St. Paul and includes around-the-clock care and monitoring by nurses and doctors specially trained to treat eating disorders. The goal of the inpatient program is to help you or your child return to good health as quickly as possible, so that you can move on to our outpatient program.
• Outpatient care. We see most of our patients through our outpatient, clinic-based program. In this setting, you will have regular clinic visits with one of our team’s psychiatrists or therapists. You may also meet with a dietitian to develop a healthy eating plan. If at any time more intensive treatment is needed, we may recommend our inpatient program.

Preparing for a clinic visit

At your first clinic visit, you will meet with one of our team’s psychiatrists and therapists. We may also do some lab tests, and we will decide if outpatient or inpatient treatment is the best place to start. We will then develop an individual treatment plan.

To help us complete initial paperwork and concentrate on your care, it’s best to arrive about 15 minutes before your scheduled appointment. That way, we can zip through the registration and insurance process (remember to bring your insurance card and co-pay) and concentrate on what’s most important to us — talking with you and providing great care.