Philosophy of Center for Hope of the Sierras
At Center for Hope of the Sierras, we believe that patients with eating disorders are unique, creative, caring, and sensitive individuals who may struggle to find a connection with their true inner spirit. To recover from an eating disorder, the patient must develop a sense of their own spirit and self, and a belief that their emotions are valid, important, and worth noticing.
Our philosophy is that it is the patient's right to define a sense of self; therefore, treatment emphasizes the need for patients to cope with the complex emotions that cause them to doubt this right. Treatment also emphasizes that the patient needs to take themselves and their physical and psychological needs seriously, helping patients to experience themselves as valid and competent human beings.
In order to enhance the recovery process, patients can choose to redefine life on terms, which are of true value and meaning to them —rather than on cultural pressures to pursue a body size and shape that denies physical needs. To this end, the Center offers treatment emphasizing a therapeutic alliance, the opportunity to explore and challenge negative or harsh thoughts and assumptions, as well as extensive opportunities for self-exploration, self-expression, and the development of new coping strategies. Health of mind and body well-being to evolve as one's sense of self begins to emerge. At this point true healing can begin.
Persons with eating disorders can not build a sense of self when they feel trapped within their symptoms. Many patients with eating disorders are able to temporarily stop engage in self-destructive behaviors during short term treatment in controlled settings, only to return to old patterns upon returning home. Though they have begun to work through many important issues, they may not have fully unraveled the emotional distress fueling their condition. For this reason, we recommend a 2 to 3 month stay, incorporating the many aspects of treatment and to allow the therapeutic alliance to embrace its full power. Center for Hope of the Sierras offers a transitional program, as well as Alumni Intensives to support the patient's return to the community.
Custom Program Design for Each Individual
Upon admission to the Center, each individual is given a comprehensive evaluation that allows the patient and staff to develop an individualized treatment plan that addresses their psychological and physical needs. Dr. Oliver-Pyatt can provide medication if deemed necessary. Our internist will provide a complete physical exam for all patients upon admission, and will provide ongoing medical care throughout the patient's stay.
Individual, multi-family therapy, family weekend visits, and conference call sessions (for long-distance families) are offered and encouraged to improve family dynamics in order to enhance their understanding of the illness.
Throughout their stay, the individual needs of each patient are continually reassessed. We emphasize the importance of helping the patient view symptoms as part of the condition, which they are working to combat. We negotiate and/or adjust treatment implementation, anticipating that life stressors may illicit symptoms, while working together with the patient to combat the illness through our array of treatment options.
A Lifelong Commitment to Your Health
At Center for Hope of the Sierras, we work with patients to help them realize that upon leaving the program they will face many stressors and challenges to their lives. Though we provide them with tools to manage these challenges, we also encourage our patients to schedule short-term return visits to our Alumni Program where they can meet with and find support from others who have gone through the program. While we encourage independence in our patients, we consider our availability to our patients to be life-long in helping them to continue on their path to permanent recovery.
