Treatment Approach

Solace Intensive Outpatient Eating Disorder Program is aware of the many complicated psychological issues that confront our patients. We know that food and body image are the external causes of concern for our patients but that they are not the real issues. It is the internal conflicts that fuel the external problems. Relying on a multidisciplinary team approach we gently encourage and instruct our patients on how to take ownership of their behaviors and ultimately, responsibility for their own recovery. Our cognitive/behavioral, mind/body focused treatment program helps to facilitate that personal growth by learning then practicing self-care and control until the patient feels secure enough to let go of their self destructive behaviors.

Our intensive highly structured outpatient groups help individuals feel a connectedness and sense of belonging where they can learn from each other and gain a sense of hope as they see other’s successes in the recovery process. Outpatient groups also provide them a sense of belonging with other individuals who understand the difficulties involved in letting go of an eating disorder. The Solace Outpatient Center provides groups in art expression, nutrition, body image, body awareness, self-esteem enhancement, cognitive restructuring and other experiential therapies. One of the most vital parts of our Intenstive Outpatient Program is our multi-family group which helps family members and loved ones better understand eating disorders, improve communication and restore peace in the home environment.

If a person with mild to moderate symptoms is motivated to recover, Solace Center for the Treatment of Eating Disorders believes there can be successful outcomes in an intensive outpatient setting. Reasonably priced treatment with an excellent level of experienced professionals can be obtained in a few hours per week. The outpatient setting thereby limits disruption of family and personal lifestyles and reduces absences from work or school, academic or family relationships while in treatment in our facility here in beautiful Chattanooga, Tennessee.

Philosophy

Solace Intensive Outpatient Eating Disorder Program believes that eating disorders develop as a ‘creative’ but harmful way to handle or tolerate negative emotions when life becomes too difficult for the individual. They are learned behaviors and can therefore be unlearned. Dealing with low self esteem, relationship and/or family conflicts, fears of becoming an adult and life long developmental changes are examples of life experiences that can trigger the onset or relapse of eating disorders. Starving, bingeing, purging and overeating all work to soothe or distract from one’s negative emotions on a multitude of levels. The Intensive Outpatient Eating Disorder Programs at Solace provides strong educational and skill building components to individuals to help them develop newer, healthier, more adaptive coping skills they can use for a lifetime, absent of eating- disorder behavior. We offer help not only to the individual but to the family as well.