The Klarman Eating Disorders Center
At McLean Hospital

Founded with the generous support of The Klarman Family Foundation

115 Mill Street
Belmont, MA 02478
Ph: 617-855-3410
Fax: 617-855-3409
Email: .

WWW.MCLEAN.HARVARD.EDU

Overview and Treatment Philosophy
The Klarman Eating Disorders Center at McLean Hospital provides state-of-the-art treatment for eating disorders in girls and young women ages 13 to 23. Housed in its own newly renovated building on the beautiful grounds of McLean Hospital, the Center provides a unique therapeutic environment that is conducive to recovery. A balanced, comprehensive treatment approach is offered that includes an intensive residential and transitional partial hospital program with a referral network for outpatient care.

The Continuum of Care
For individuals whose symptoms are so severe that they cannot safely function at a less restrictive level of care, residential care is provided. Partial hospital services are fully integrated into the residential program. At this level of care, the patient continues in all relevant treatment modalities during the day and continues through a supervised evening meal. When ready, referrals to outpatient treatment are made to qualified clinicians to address psychiatric, psychological, nutritional and medical needs.

Treatment Goals
The program is designed to support, educate and empower both patients and their families. The goals for patients include:

• Enhancing self-image and self-esteem.
• Developing skills to effectively manage problematic behaviors.
• Improving interpersonal relationships.
• Understanding the issues that underlie the eating disorders.
• Developing healthy relationships with food and body.
• Preparing to meet the challenges of life following discharge from the hospital.

Program Highlight
The Center provides services in a building that houses the eating disorders center exclusively. This provides the patients and staff with a concentrated focus on treatment and the added privacy that many individuals at that age prefer. Additionally, extensive, on-site clinical resources are available to address co-existing conditions, such as substance abuse, depression, trauma-related disorders, anxiety disorders and other co-morbid psychiatric conditions. Patients also have access to medical services on-campus, 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Each treatment team consists of a multidisciplinary clinical staff, many of whom are on the Harvard Medical School faculty.

Assessment, Treatment Planning and Therapeutic Modalities
Treatment plans are individualized for patients at each level of care and are based on a contract with the patient, her family and the Center staff. The plans are continually reviewed and re-negotiated as needed and integrate the following modalities:

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• thorough initial psychiatric evaluation;
• medical history and physical examination;
• psychotherapeutic interventions for the individual and the family;
• nutritional assessment and ongoing therapy;
• scientifically validated treatments, including cognitive and dialectical behavior therapies;
• ongoing psychiatric assessment, including medications when necessary;
• body image work;
• creative arts therapy;
• vocational and educational pursuits;
• social skills and interpersonal relationship training;
• relapse prevention;
• psychological testing;
• close coordination of care with previous or newly formed community-based treatment team;
• discharge planning, and
• medical consultation and lab work.