Teenage Eating Disorder Treatment
Family treatment services at Fairwinds Treatment Center are critical in assisting teenage clients with their eating disorder treatment program and recovery process. Our goal is to help improve communications between the adolescent and family members, as well as identify family dynamics and intervene for positive outcomes. In addition, a parent education/ support group meets once weekly on the weekends, and family visitation is highly encouraged for support of the loved one.
As one of the nation’s leading teenage eating disorder treatment centers, Fairwinds utilizes art therapy as a therapeutic tool—helping to assist the adolescent with non-verbal expressions of feelings, thoughts and emotions. From watercolors to wall painting and mask making, the teenage client is engaged in a variety of art mediums to assist him or her in exploring their eating disorder treatment and healing process. Expressive treatment therapies for anorexia nervosa and bulimia include a variety of mediums, including exercise, stretching, trust activities, recreational/leisure skill activities and outings and body image work. Through a variety of enjoyable activities, the adolescent is actively working through the treatment program in a non-threatening manner.
At Fairwinds, which offers residential eating disorder programs, we are sensitive to the educational needs of our teenage clients. Together with the Pinellas County school system, we offer Homebound Educational Services to ensure that students maintain their current academic schedules while in treatment. Through this program, each student receives an individualized educational plan that works in tandem with his or her personal treatment plan. Every effort will be made to have the adolescent continue in school and receive credits so that he or she will not have to repeat a semester of school or fall behind.
