Overview of Services
Highly Qualified Staff
Initial Assessment
Partial Hospitalization Program
Living Arrangements for Adults
Adolescent Residential Treatment Program
Outpatient Treatment
Individualized Treatment Planning
Empirically Guided Approach to Therapy
Medical Evaluation
Family Involvement
Length of Stay
Discharge Planning
Eating Disorders Support Network

Overview of Services:
River Centre Clinic (RCC) was created in 1996 to provide a specialized, cost-effective alternative for those patients with eating disorders who do not require lengthy hospitalizations. Three comprehensive programs (Outpatient, Partial Hospitalization and Adolescent Residential) have been designed to meet service needs across the continuum of:

a) age (from adolescents to adults)
b) disorder severity (from early and mild to chronic)
c) service needs (medical, mental health, nutrition, and social work)
d) care settings (outpatient, partial hospitalization, residential)

Highly Qualified Staff:
A review of the River Centre Clinic staff indicates that the majority has achieved a high level of academic training and experience. RCC staff has been asked to give lectures and workshops in the United States and Europe on clinical methods and research pertaining to the understanding and treatment of eating disorders. In addition, staff has published extensively in the academic literature on various topics including diagnosis, cultural contributing factors, individual risk factors, assessment methods, treatment methods, treatment effectiveness and the biology of weight regulation.

Initial Assessment:
Admission requires an initial assessment to determine the most appropriate treatment option. The initial assessment focuses on factors that may have contributed to the development and maintenance of the eating disorder as well as on optimal family involvement. It involves a full description of the program as well as the development of an individualized treatment plan. It is best if the assessment interview is conducted in person prior to admission; however, phone interviews may be sufficient when a personal interview is not feasible.

Partial Hospitalization Program:
The River Centre Clinic offers a highly specialized, effective and economical treatment designed to meet the specific needs of individuals suffering from serious eating disorders. The Partial Hospitalization Program (partial hospitalization, PHP level of care) for adults is a 5 day-a-week, 7 hour-a-day program that offers a sufficiently high level of intensity, structure, and monitoring to prevent the need for more costly inpatient treatment in most cases. <More>

Living Arrangements for Adults:
The River Centre Clinic offers an innovative living option of nicely furnished apartment or college dormitory style rooms in or near to main facility. Program participants have the option of living with one or two other roommates who are in the partial hospitalization program. This living arrangement provides structure, support and safety without the disadvantages of a restrictive hospital environment. It also allows participants to practice “real world” activities such as shopping, meal planning, eating on weekends and socializing with others. <More >

Adolescent Residential Treatment Program:
River Centre Clinic’s Adolescent Residential Treatment Program is also available for individuals between 12 and 17 years old and offers 24-hour care, 7 days a week. The Adolescent Residential Treatment Program offers a high level of intensity, structure, safety and monitoring that is necessary for many adolescents with eating disorders. Program participants live in colorful, well-appointed rooms with one, two or three other roommates and are monitored 24-hours a day, 7 days a week. <More>

Outpatient Treatment
The River Centre Clinic offers outpatient individual and family therapy for individuals suffering from eating disorders. One of the advantages of outpatient treatment at the River Centre Clinic is the availability, if needed, of the higher levels of care offered by the Partial Hospitalization and Adolescent Residential Programs. Call the Intake Coordinator at 419-885-8800 to discuss the availability and appropriateness of outpatient therapy.

Individualized Treatment Planning:
An individualized treatment plan is developed based on the assessment and then applied within the framework of evidence-based treatment principles. This plan is continually revised, based on changes that occur during treatment. Program participants and their families are encouraged to participate in the plan development and its evolution with progress in treatment.

Empirically Guided Approach to Therapy:
Therapy is guided by a cognitive-behavioral model that integrates family and interpersonal therapy, applied in an individualized manner. The approach to treatment has been the subject of numerous scientific publications and presentations over the past 25 years. Many of these principles have been described in the Handbook for Treatments for Eating Disorders, edited by D.M. Garner & P.E. Garfinkel (1997), New York: Guilford Press.

Medical Evaluation:
Program participants are required to see their personal physician to evaluate general health status. Once in the program, medical and psychiatric needs are addressed by our staff physicians. Medication as an adjunct to psychotherapy is available if required.

Family Involvement:
The River Centre Clinic approach emphasizes family therapy as one of the cornerstones of treatment since support from family members can play such an important role in the recovery process. Family involvement in therapy is strongly recommended for virtually all program participants who are under 18 or who are living at home.

Length of Stay:
Lengths of stay vary tremendously based on the nature and severity of the eating disorder. Most patients with anorexia nervosa stay between 8 and 12 weeks and those with bulimia nervosa typically stay between 4 and 7 weeks.

Discharge Planning:
Discharge planning is an ongoing process and begins at the time of admission. The River Clinic staff work with the patient and family to develop a follow-up plan for applying behavioral management and communication skills learned in treatment. The treatment plan is reviewed and revised in weekly team meetings. As discharge approaches, staff helps identify and coordinate therapeutic resources needed to continue follow management methods at home which have been effective at the RCC.

Eating Disorders Support Network:
The Eating Disorders Support Network (EDSN) is a support and educational group that meets monthly to provide parents and other family members the opportunity to gain information about eating disorders and share their experiences with others who need support. The EDSN meets at the River Centre Clinic on the first Thursday of every month (excepted on Holiday or long-weekends, when it is rescheduled) at 7:00 pm to 8:30 pm.

For information on the “guiding principles” on treatment, click here