Enhanced Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy Model The River Centre Clinic uses a cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) model specifically designed for treating eating disorders.  It enhances the basic CBT by integrating group and family therapy, applied in an individualized manner for each patient. This model helps patients to identify negative thought patterns and negative core beliefs that interfere with normal functioning, and to learn how to modify their thought patterns and behavior to bring about positive results. Family therapy is emphasized, especially for adolescents, because parents have the potential to provide powerful directives in support of therapeutic goals. Family involvement is a cornerstone of treatment since eating disorder symptoms typically affect everyone close to the person who is suffering with the eating disorder.  Our approach to treatment has been the subject of numerous scientific publications and presentations over the past 25 years.

Evidence-Based Treatment Principles A cornerstone of the CBT model used at River Centre Clinic is its linkage to evidence-based treatment principles. These principles influence how treatment is applied in clinical practice based on what research has demonstrated to be effective.

Individualized Treatment Plans Since each patient's eating disorder is unique, an individualized treatment plan is developed and customized for each patient. This plan is based on a comprehensive assessment and grounded in evidence-based treatment protocols and principles. This plan is continually revised, based on changes that occur during treatment, and incorporates discharge planning. It also encourages the active participation of patients as well as family members who also need individualized services, within the confines of treatment protocols.

Interdisciplinary Care Eating disorders are complex health problems and require a highly skilled interdisciplinary team to optimally assess, treat, and manage them. River Centre Clinic staff members include an experienced psychiatrist, family practice physicians, a registered nurse, psychologists, licensed independent social workers, a dietary technician, Master's level therapists, residential staff, mental health workers, and a teacher to provide coordination with schools as well as tutoring. Consultants in the community include other areas of medicine such as cardiology, endocrinology, gastroenterology and internal medicine.

Standardized Measures River Centre Clinic is committed to continually improving the service delivery using data collected on a range of psychosocial assessment measures to determine the needs of persons served as well as to improve effectiveness of treatment provided. Well-established standardized measures of change are employed to assess outcomes.  Our research has show that patient acceptance of our treatment is high.  The Partial Hospitalization Program is viewed positively because it provides sufficient structure to allow patients to attain symptom control and gain weight without the disadvantages of a highly restrictive hospital environment.

Proprietary Software Technology Following recommendations within the research community for practice-based evaluations, our program has developed software tools that graphically generate measures of clinical change so that clinicians and patients can visually evaluate progress. Patient evaluations also help clinicians to identify effective treatment components and areas where the treatment process can be continuously improved.

Community Involvement River Centre Clinic provides education and support groups to enhance public understanding of eating disorders within the local community. We sponsor the Eating Disorders Support Network, a free, community-based support group for parents, friends, and loved ones of those who have eating disorders. We also provide community lectures on eating disorders to schools, high school and university athletic teams, and local public health agencies to increase public awareness of eating disorders. Our special relationship with a local school system provides services for children and adolescents who require more intensive and specialized services than can be provided in the school setting. This school program also offers training workshops for teachers, guidance counselors, and administrative staff members on more effective interventions for those suffering from emotional problems in the school setting.